New-York tribune., 1901-04-04
SPANISH WAR CLAIMS.
ABOUT 100000, O,eOO-SOME OF
THE CLAIMANTS.
[BE TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE ]

washington, April 3.-The organization of the
Spanish War Claims Commission, which will ba
eiIecleu next week. with ex-senator Chandler as
president is drawing fresh attention to these Cuban
cIaltns' Ihe total amount of damages asked now
ROOTS up $5oV0.Oo and though six months is al
lowed for filing claims after the commission
ganizes 1t is not probable that the list will be
greatly extended. Nearly all the pending claims
have been taken up by lawyers as contingent ones.
the usual fee stipulated being 1915 per of the
amount allowed. One firm which has a large in
ternational business has filed claims for various
clients to the aggregate of 100000 A
Washington lawyer who was attached to the mill
tary government for a brief period represents
claims amounting to $S0OOO0
Ihere are number of claims of Cuban-Ameri-
cans which were taken up by the State Department
and pressed on the Spanish Government for repara-
ton for injuries inflicted for Imprisonment In
two or three of this kind the Spanish authori
ties had agreed to make compensation for the in
Juries Among these is that of Mrs. Ruiz the widow
OF Dr Ricardo Ruiz who, 1t was charged
Killed in jail near Havana in the last days of Presi
oent Clevelands administration. 1t was this case
which enabled General Fitzhugh Lee TO send his
message TO Secretary Olney demanding protection for
Aetlcah citizens or his. own recall Mrs. Ruiz filed
d clalh TOT $4,000 damages and since the death of
her husband has been living in Washington in pow
erty- IL is part of the unwrtten history of the
Spanish-American that the Spanish Govern
men. hdu agreed TO pay this claim. when the eX-
pioslon or the Maine ended all possibility of
peaceful settlement of the Cuban question
among the claimants for 3roperty losses there
are few Spaniards who may get some compensa-
uon because they managed to have their planta-
tions placed in American hands or had formed
American partnerships. There are also few
Cuban planters whose estates were so heavily
mortgaged that they Were glad to let them pass
into American ownership Some subjects of Euro
pean powers also managed to acquire American cit
lzenship. just as good many Cubans acquired it
One of this class of naturalized Europeans has a
claim for nearly 81 10000 for damages done to his
plantation.
glance at the list of claimants shows that about
three-fourths Of them Cuban or Spanish
one heavy claim is made by a Cuban planter, who
was a leading spirit in the insurrection and whose
naceo he was in Havana all through the insur-
recuon and while the Spanish authorities suspect
catch him. and his American citizenship protected
fltn from arrest on mere suspicion. Another claim
ber OF manufacturing concerns in the United States
ana who had lived in Cuba for thirty forty
surgents. He asks about 100000 for damages suf-
fered through the interruption OF his business
Several of the bona fde American claimants may
oe embarrassed by their action in the insurrecton
AS a rule. the genuine American citizens who had
pIopSSrty interests IN Cuba, though they despised
the Spanish government, had no sympathy with
the insurgents. Dupuy de LONE. when he was the
there was no real insurrection and that the island
was pacifed. They wrote letters declaring that
was no interruption OF work on the plantations.
One OF the most prominent of this class made fire.
cnceS with Congressmen and officials He would
cite his plantation evidence OF the perfect
protection which was afforded by the Spanish au-
damages which the insurgents able inGict.
Notwithstanding these assurances, this American
planter has put IN heavy blli Tor losses TO his
property in the insurrecton. As many OF his let
forahim when the lawyers come TO present his
claim before the commission