The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-22
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FRIDAY. AUGUST %, 1902.
MESSING CUBAN TREASURY FUNDS.

When American occupation of Cuta
came to an enc and Governor General
Wood turned the affairs of state over
to the Cuban civil authorities. there
were, so reported the war Departments
at Washington, funds in the treasury
amounting to ST. $3.50, 900. The treasury
authorities under President Palma sag
there were only $500 0 in the treasury
when they took possession. Washing
ton officials seem to be much exercised
over this matter n the question l.
being asked, what has become Of the
large sum that represents the difference
between these figures. Whether any
efforts have been or will be made to set
tie this embarrassing question, the adj
m~inistration has not declared.
If the handsome furniture Of the
palace at Havana could be looted by
persons unknown" it would seem 10
be easy enough for the same perform
ance at the treasury.
1t has been the policy of the Ameri-
can administration to keep the public
in the dark as much as possible as to
the details of administration of Cuban
affairs. The report of the insular bu-
reau takes great pains to set forth the
improvements that took place under tn"
Wood administration, but when it
comes to figures and facts there is un-
accountable silence. General Woods
reforms are fully set out, but the most
important information asked for by the
resolution of the last session of con-
gress is passed over. For instance,
there is no where in the report a state
ment OF the expenses of the palace o.
of the amounts spent by General Wood
in his campaign of education of public
sentiment in the United States in favor
of Cuban reciprocity. The report is
very defective and only a partial COM
pliance with the congressional resoIu-
ton. 1t is perfectly plain that the ad-
ministration is determined the Ameri-
can public shall not know how the
Cuban funds were used. The informa-
ton will certainly not be given out I'M
til after the November elections. At
ter h a event there may be less oppc-
" LIdhluS ILLS 11dllSI puDllC.
1t is highly probable that congress,
at it's mex session may insist upon 4
fuller compliance with it's resolution Of
inquiry into these facts. and if such
is done, then it may be discovered
what caused the great discrepancy oe-
tween the figures given out by Govern
General Wood and those of the Gu
ban officials as to the amount of cash
in the treasury of that republic when
the latter took charge.
If every thing has been fair and
square why is the war department,
backed by the entire administration,
so averse to the facts being made pub
lie? This great effort at concealment
is sufficient to cause grave suspicicng
of Encouragement, if not Of fraud and
corruption. 1t leads people to believe
the stealings in the Cuban postottice
department were not the only ones that
went on under American management
of affairs in the island. If the two
treasury statements were correct, over
a million and a half of dollars disap-
peared from the Cuban treasury during
the time of transfer. If one of them
was false the question is which one,
and who falsified the figures and for
what purpose? In either case the act
must have been done to cover up some
ones rascality.
The people want the light turned ON
this matter. The department at Wash
ington should be made to disclose the
facts. If there has been no stealing let
it be shown; if there has been, expose
the guilty persons is what the people
demand and what they are entitled to.