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The Record of Desolation and Despair: Bank

In the last balance sheet of the Bank of Commerce only $231,000 appear as deposits. In times of peace the bank never had in deposit less than $1,000,000. The situation of the Spanish Bank of the Island of Cuba is also desperate. The governor of the bank, who is appointed by the government, desires to increase the capital from $8,000,000 to $10,000,000. The share-holders oppose this measure. They say that even the capital of $8,000,000 is only in name, as the stock is quoted at only 50 per cent. of its face value.

Private bankers, such as I. M. Borjes & Co., Uppman, Hidalgo & Co., and Gelats, have sent to New York and Europe nearly all the money they deposited. They are fearful of the situation and of their responsibility in case the governor-general, as a war measure, orders a heavy contribution from the banks. During the ten years' war the Spanish Bank was ordered to advance to the government a large sum.

Former rich commercial firms have now only a few names on their salary lists. Nearly all the clerks may sleep and take their meals in the house, but receive no money.

The increase of the inhumanities is plain, and the decline into barbarism indicated by events that under other conditions would not be credible, and we compile specimens: