New-York tribune., 1909-06-14
HOPE FOR FREE CUBA
CAUSE OF LARGE BUDGET.
Financial Distress Exaggerated
Threat Of Conservatives.

Havana, June 7--Statements IN American news
papers that the Washington administration is
gravely anxious over the financial situation in
Cuba, to such an extent, according 20 one rumor,
TO lead 10 the consideration Of another inter
vention, have been received here with the utmost
surprise. While it IS frankly admitted that the
financial situation might be improved and that the
government is somewhat pressed for ready money.
is shown by the recent sale OF 100000 worth
Of the bonds os the issue OF 1904 10 satisfy the
demands Of the American contractors for back
pay, 81 may be said that there is no visible war
rant for the feeling Of anxiety attributed to Wash
iRgton.
Much of the trouble appears 10 be due ig-
norant or wilfuy distorted estimates Of Cuba's
resources and liabilities. Some OF these estimates
10 which st is believed currency has been given IN
Washington have placed the estimated deficit Whicn
Cuba viii have 10 face at the enI OF the hscSd
year 1870 high S1o0oo0eo. Thst there VIII
be a deficit is probable. but it is difficult to see
how Il can reach one-third Of that sum- The bud
get presented 10 Congress by President Gomez was
smaller than had generally been expected the to'~I
being ss S25 as while some estimates had run as
high as s4oog0oo0 While this budget is by far the
heaviest that Cuba has been called upon 70 face
the reason IS plain IN the extraordinary eNpel'll-
tures of S75S3,S21 account Of the rev army me
paving and sewering Of Havana the water"oINs
OF Cienfuegos. the assumption by he ra'loh"I s'
e-n,ent of half the cost the police Of the capl-
TAI city the extension Of the Department OF ASFl-
culture payment OF Senators and Coh6ressiieiI anu
affiliations created by DEGREES Of the pfoFlSlo"o1
.-o,,ernrnent Excluding these extraordinary eH-
1 zo-osi7e,+ Gomez shows that his total bud
get would have been about sSe'" less IMAM '
OF the current year
ESTIMATE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS.
vbno q TINE that there is a considerable fall
ing off IN the customs receipts, those oi 'iie Ila
80 Custom House for the month Of May heins
sn1v s1s43.s16 a careful estimate OF the so'ti"
rDent receipts from all sources for the hrS' lou-
months Of President Gonlezs adTnnis1ra'lol. so"
g +ctal Of about Sl0.5o0, ,e0o proportion Waich' i
--a;,+aire5 d1.rfn- the coming year would sno"
total resources Of about S2l-9eo-oOo ms "ouiU
NJ ,;+r So coo COO Of the total Of the budget WIN
,r+ including the estimate OF S-.VVo.VVo l'o" 0-'
lottery - ~
.,..-a-,ca and there IS evidence Of a tendency IN
that direction is difficult 10 see IN "na' oe
partraent OF the budget any serious econo!ies - -
he efracted The principal strain comes from Lle
,ras-lv increased salary lists II all HeIaT
7o "a +1a tremendous political pressure Tor once
This is said 10 be the price that cuba Is cohpeeu
p. nav for tranquility and there is apparently no
holm for Il Every department Of government Is
filled with iders but the government Is helpless 10
make reductions and must be content u Se-i- ~
pressure for still more Offices
Among the ex-ravaEances charged against 'ie
government are the purchase Of a number Of auto
rnnl,es for the use Of high ofcers Of the army ana
.ba secretaries OF the various departments. Ihe
,e-see ~ -be Executive have also been increased
dine chiefly 10 the addition Of $4,000 20 the Presl
dents salary $4,000 for a secret service ana
$4,000 for entertainment. and an Increase IN tile
number OF servants with new uniforms for the
palace staff.
THE FINANCE BILL NAY BE BLOCKED
The Conservatives have announced their ln'eitioii
70 demand heavy reductions in the budget bul
have not defined their point Of attack Inc Danger
INV appears that il the short time left before the
closing Of the hscal year Congress will not De aple
N reach an agreement and that no budget VIII be
nassed thus forcing on the President the danger
Gus alternative OF ruling by decree
REGARDING action appropriation DIS, or IN
deed anv other measures Of Importance, Congress
has done practically nothing. An encouraging step
tn the direction Of a policy % economy Is the re-
cent determination cf The House Committee on
Public Works TO approve nc more projects for
ruto works until the condition OF the Treasury Is
more satisfactory
The fate Of the lottery bill. On which the gov
eminent depends 10 make good deficiency OF
5000 oeo still hangs the balance the delay being
di,e 10 the rivalry OF the President Of the Senate
Norua Delgado. and Se6or Tillegas, Secretary OF
the Treasury for the coveted post Of Director Of