The Washington times., 1902-06-04
H. J.. Browne Says the
Trust Controls the
Situation.
AMERICANS own EVERYTHING
Money Loaned at Six Per Cent-Sir
William Van Horne the Cecil Rhodes
of the Islands--Antiquated Machin-
cry in Use.

MIR. Herbert Janvrin Browne, a news
paper man who recently made a tour
through Cuba for the purpose of OBJ
tanning Information regarding the sugar
situation on the island, was the witness
before the sugar subcommittee of the
Senate Cuban Committee yesterday.
Mr.. Browne produced a list of 205
sugar 'centrales'' which had been in
operation during the past year. The
list he said was furnished to him by
Senor Nertos Quintero. publisher of the
Havana Commercial Gazette and
nephew of Guzman Blanco, formerly
dictator OF Venezuela.
Mr.. Browne declared that practically
every sugar estate in the island was
Dlastered with mortgages to such an ex-
tent that If the holders of the mort
cages chose 10 foreclose there would be
nothing left to the original owners.
Americans Own 1t ALL
The American syndicates and indi-
'iduals who have gone there since the |
var have in part bought up these en-
estates. and in less part have
'ought Wild lands and are improving
hem. There was one holding Of from
81, 900 to 10000 acres along the lines
f the Cuban Railroad Company. the
resident Of which is Sir William Van
lorre.
Incidentally he paid tribute to
an Horne, who was. he said. the
ecil Rhodes of Cuba, and was doing a
tremendous work for the development
{ the island. economically, and would
Don revolutioniZe the SYSTEM of excess
i've freight rates which at present is
burden to the industries OF the island
Cheap Money for the Island.
Amei lean capital was also furnishing
leap money TO the island, the Cuba
ational Bank lending money at per {
mt, much to the Indignation of the
der banks, which had always charged !,
per cent. Witness believed that the a
aba National Bank controlled through
s loan practically all of the sugar crop
Cuba.
or the fifty-two sugar estates owned a
Cubans, he said. they were all heav- o
: mortgaged. and would not bring 80
r cent of the Indebtedness. The nine
eight Spanish owners estates were
better condition financially. but were
uipped with antiCuated machinery
nericans and Cuban Americans own
ty-fve estates. and eighteen are
med by Germans. French. and Eng
II.
Refining Concerns in Accord,
The witness said it was the general
and belief among the
uniformed suga- men in Cuba that
= Hayomcycr sugar trust had a large
crest in ali the other American re- Z
ing companies with the exception of
buckles and be had direct under
nding with that one.
there was no competition at present
the purchase Of Cuban sugars. In
old days there would be dozen bid
g for the output Of every estate: now y
re is but one. II Hayemeyer owned a
ry one Of the refining companies he IN
Id not have the situation in hand J..
he has now, he declared. :"
ir. Plat cross examined the witness w
to whether he had any personal th
wledge in support OF these state co
ats. du
IT, Browne replied that the informa- ~,
had been given him by persons in
a. When Mr.. Platt asked him wheth-
le thought he was Justified in testify eT
to these things as facts, when be te,
no better basis than that, he stated III
Ter angrily that he was testifying TO ro
best Of his knowledge and belief.
Senator Teller Objects, hi,
nator Teller did not like the nature of
Senator Pldtts questions. He de- th'
ded that Quintero be summoned. The
ldressing Senator Platt he said: era
en- you can examine him as much
ou please. You have the power TO .'S Ie'
e whether the statement is correct sis
Incorrect. and you are supposed TO .x5
citing this information for the SEN Coz
ana not for the sugar trust or any Inn
else" lar
:. Teller. further addressing Sena- of
Platt. said he had a right to com cnt
Of tho way be had been treated tioI
he committee, and that II he had Sec
Sn that the committee would not dep