The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-01
PEACE IS WANTED.
tcontilued from Page ore.l

7 IEUEDEUUGIIEE-
So, SOC, 900. Added to this are unpro-
portionate provincial and municipal
| debts. Graft is said to be rampant IN
all departments of the government and
: besides large sums due contractors on
uncompleted improvements, funds
| with which to carry on an effective
| campaign are nowhere in sight.
The facts were obtained by the L N.
/ S. correspondent from sources that
| would be Immediately recognized as
| authoritative if names could be used.
/ They likewise reflect the opinions of
| business men, both foreign and native,
| who represent millions in investments
| here.
All business men who are dependent
| upon the tranquility of the island for
success are a unit for intervention of
| such aid from the United States as will
restore political peace and safeguard
| the treasury.
General Estenoz and Ivonet. leaders
| of the revolution, issued another proc
lamation today announcing that the
revolt of negroes is not race war but
a conflict in which all opposed to the
Gomez faction are invited to take part
Small bands from all parts of the
island are reported to be secretly NOV.
ing toward Oriente, the scene of pres
ent operations. Private reports tel
that the rebels are burning and pillag
ing Unfortunately in the vicinity OF
Santiago and San Luis. All official
information is refused at the palace.
The local newspapers are denied the
use of the government telegraph.
EStenOZ, with a force of 1000 men
occupies an almost impregnable posi-
ton on Mount Gloria, made famous by
Garcia in 1895, when the latter with
stood five day attack from 10000
Spaniards. The force with Estenoz is
armed with new g-JOrgensen rifles
and have a good supply of ammunition,
according to information received by
the American legation.
The number of men with Estenoz on
Mount Gloria does not include the
bands of marauders who are coins
about the country applying the torch
when money with which to buy sup
plies and arms for recruits is denied
The troops sent to crush the rebel
lion number less than 5000 and are not
trained in guerrilla warfare. They are
differed by men of the Gomez political
and social set in Havana. Foreigners
with exposed property are appealing tc
Consul General Rodgers for protec-
ton.
Calixto Lopez, of the family made
famous by the cigar industry, arrived
here tonight and said the rebels had
demanded a large sum of money and
threatened to burn his tobacco ware
house at San Luis if he did not con-
cede.~
Nobody here will be surprised if Es-
I0HOZ SIlOuIQ nave IU,OUO men lH6
field by the middle of June unless
United States troops are landed OF
some further show of force is made
that will restore confidence. In any
event the authorities who have kept
the state department advised point to
indisputable facts and figures to show
that Cuban independence cannot be
perpetuated by giving officeholders the
free hand that Gomez has enjoyed.
Cost of Government Large.
The actual cost of running the fed
eral government amounts to 80 per cent
of the total value of production. In
the United States the cost of running
the federal government is but per cent
of the production. The weight of this
burden is illustrated by statistics show
ing that IS per cent OF values in Cuba
are owned by foreign interests, leav
ing the natives only per cent
equity.
Not even these figures are as amaz-
ing as the per capita tax. which
amounts to $3.50 on the necessities
of life. This is obtained by dividing
the total population by the total duties.
Under the Dingley tariff this tax in
the United States amounts to 3.55 per
capita and is the highest in the world
outside of Cuba.
Prior to the establishment of the
Cuban lottery, 80 per cent of which
the government appropriates, 81 per
cent of the cost of government main
tenance was taken from customs re-
ceipts. The lottery, although a source
of revenue, is declared to be respon-
sible to a large degree for the impov-
erishment of the poor Cuban who |
through extravaganza and bad man |
agement has nothing left now that
the golden stream of millions that has
flowed steadily into Cuba since 1892
has stopped.
1t is conservatively estimated here
that .$1OO,O00,OO0 of unearned wealth
years. 1t was more money than the
Cubans ever dreamed of possessing
and, like the prodigal youth. the young
republic is bewildered with debts.
First came the United States troops
with their camp followers, who spent
stimulated small business. Then IN
1902 Cuban independence was declar
ed and the Speyer loan of $35;OO0,0OO
was floated. This was followed by a !
loan of SIG, 500, 900. another for s16,-
100000; another for $11.0OO,0OO and
another for S14,000,O00. Added to
States for foreign service pay of troops
engaged in the intervention of 1905.
The total Indebtedness at the present |
time is $s4.500,00o.
With this financial loss to carry and
pay the expense eff maintaining the |
government, President Gomez has a
total available revenue of less than
$S3,0OO,0OO. His budget for the COM
ing year, however. asks for $4,000 |
900.
The best financial authorities in the
island assert that without the back |
ing of the Plat amendment, the Gu
bans would be unable to get further |
credit and their dollar would be worth |
less than so cents on it's face value.
President Vaughn of the Cuban Ma
tionaI bank arrived today, having
abandoned a vacation in the state on
account of the serious aspects of the |
situation. A canvass of business men
who supported the movement for COM
plete Cuban Independence, revealed |
that they consider the experiment |
failure.