The sun., 1909-06-28
STIFF WARNING NOTE YOCUBA
SUBJECTS IN WHICH THIS COUN-
TRY HAS 4 DEEP INTEREST.

SUBJECTS IN WHICH THIS COUN-
TRY HAS 4 DEEP INTEREST.
The Island Government Behind In Pay
Amen,s to the Oliver Company-Con.
tract for Paving and sewering Of
Havana Not Progressing So tisfa actorily.
WASHINGTON, June 27.-According to
information obtained here the State
Department has recently sent a sH6 note
to Cuba concerning several things Of deep
interest to this Government which are not
being handled by the Cuban Government
to the satisfaction OF the Washington
Administration. The State Department
declines to discuss the matter, which Is
one of considerable Importance. as it
practically embraces warning 20 Cuba.
The Department appears to believe that
tho less said about Cuba the better While
these representations have been made
to the Government in Havana, officials
here do not share the opinion that the new
republic Is tottering to speedy down.
fall. On the contrary they contend that
with proper amount of-care President
Gomez can make his administration
successful.
The note to Cuba deals with four sub
jects: First. the Oliver road building
contract; second. the McGivney- -Rokeby
contract for paving and sewering Havana;
third. the proposition for an exchange Of
property between the United Railways
Of Havana, an English concern, and the
Cuban Government and the construction
Of certain public buildings by the COM
pany. and, fourth. the purchase OF arms
for the Cuban army in France and else
whore in Europe without giving American
manufacturers opportunity to participate
in the contract.
The Cubans are behind in payments to
the Oliver company, which is constructing
a section Of road from San Cristobal to
Pinar del Rio, the capital Of the province
OF that name. and another road near
Manyanillo. in the p Province OF Santiago.
The contract ia held by, William Oliver
Of Knoxville, Tenn. He acquired the
Manzanillo contract by purchase from
another contractor and the Pinar del
Rio contract was given him by Gov. Ma.
COON The Cuban Government has bcen
backward in making the prescribed
monthly settlements and recently Mr..
Oliver made a personal protest 70 Presi-
dent Taft. II was the second time that
he found II necessary to call on this Gov
ernment for action.
The McGivney- -Rokeby contract for
paving and sewering Havana was let by
Gov. Masoon after i had been pending
outskirts OF Havana last year, but has
not progressed satisfactorily. Gov.
Magoon furnished by decree authority
which made il possible for the new Gov
ernment to issue bonds to the extent Of
SIC. 900 900 for this sewering and paving.
The decree provided that the bonds
should be issued II the ordinary revenues
to cover ordinary expenses and the ex-
traordinasy expense Of the big improve
ment. The contracting concern which
has the contract Is dissatisfied and has
made complaint, although the new Cuban
budget; By proy,ides Pre- for Or, an appropriation
Some months ago. shortly after the re-
establishment Of the republic, the United
Railways OF Havana made an interest
ing propagation for the exchange Of valu-
able lands and the construction by the
company for the Government Of a palace
ings. The United Railways now have n
tract Of land In the heart OF the city known
as tillapneya, IL contains a passenger
station. The Government owns what is
known as the Arsenal. a valuable prop
erty on the bay which was used by the
American Qusrtermaster and commits
sary departments during the last inter-
vention. II also contains the Depart
ment OF Public Works. The company
wanted TO exchange the villanueva tract
for the Arsenal, and bill was introduced
in the Cuban Congress- TO this eject.
The bin provided that the valuation Of
the Villanueva property be fixed at $50
at half that sum. The bill provided also
that certain wharves. not to cost more
than 81 500 900, should be built from the
Governments balance. This is as far as
the bill went but there was more TO the
railway company's proposition, and to
osoi;eoSo>i IN sa9h terms ;ia; the whole
project probably will fail.
The company proposed to build on the
VillanUeva land Presidential palace and
other Government buildings TO cost
%, 500 900. The company would accept
the Goyernmsnt's notes at 9 per cent.
and would thus relieve the Government
Of the burden OF financing the construc-
ton OF the buildings. The State Depart
ment holds that In effect this would con-
etitute foreign loan, and by treaty Cuba
cannot contract a foreign loan without
the permission Of the United States.
Tho other matter, concerning the pur
chase Of arms abroad, has been the sub
ject of thought on the part Of the State
Department Tor some time. Gov. Magoon
provided Cuba with authority for a regu-
lar army. The first need felt was for arms.
A local politician and acute business man
named topes hopped on a steamer and
went 70 Europe. In France he closed q
deal for the purchase by Cuba Of a number
of pieces Of artillery and in Germany he
made arrangements for the purchase Of
1900 Mauser rifles There was no COM
petition and American manufacturers
had no opportunity to participate. The
State Department has not actually pro-
tested as far as can be learned here but
Il has voiced the regret Of this Govern
ment over the manner in which the matter
was handled and expressed the hope that
Americans would be considered in the
future when the Cuban Government
makes purchases.
ERIE EMPRESS TRAIN WRECkED.
Fireman Killed and Train Rider Fatally
Hurt-Exprcss Cars smashed.