Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-05-16
THE CUBANS.

uation there is alarming. To all appear
ances the Cubans are about TO make
armed manifestations against the
United States and its mode of govern
irg, although the serious element hopes
for peaceful arrangements. This state
of affairs, which was brought abruptly
to head last Saturday by B disagree
ment between General Gomezand Cen
eral Brooke, has been forming for the
last two months. The first move has
been made by the army element. II
will probably be supported by many
Cubans. The Cubans in general argue
that they are being browbeaten by the
Americans, who, they, say, daily tight
en- their grip upon them. A large sec
ton of the army element has become
bitterly resentful toward the Americans.
General Gomez yesterday informed
Governor General Brooke that he could
no longer act as representative of the
Cuban army in the distribution of the
$3,000,000 appropriated for the pay
ment of the Cuban troops as he felt he
could no longer represent the Cuban
army, because cabal, composed OF
many of the subordinate commanders,
existed to oppose, and, if possible, de-
feat the plans for partitioning the
money.
General Gomez explained that the
terms of Sisarming the Cuban troops
were unsatisfactory TO the soldiers.
The chiefs, he said, had influenced the
men to such an extent that they were
beyond his control.
He said the soldiers objected to Civ
ing over their arms to the United
States, and Cuban officers demanded
part of the fluid of three million dol
lars. General Gomez asked General
Brooke to modify the terms so that the
arms shall be given over to the civil
mayors of the cities and to pay the
commissioned officers from the balance
left after paying the men. These
| terms were agreed upon by General
Brooke. A forcible disarmament of the
Cuban troops will be the ultimate pro-
cedure, provided the events of the next
| two or three weeks show that such &C.
ton is necessary.
The unarmed soldiers known I'd be
in the war are to receive pay. The pay
ment of the army will begin as soon as
possible. There will be no Cuban COM
mission for the work, as all its former
members have resigned. The pay
ments will be made by the American
corr misaioners, assisted by General Co.
meZ.
Gomez will issue manifesto to the
soldiers advising them to give up their
arms and 90 to work.
The anti Gomez chiefs and ex-as
sembiymen held q meeting in the Ger
70 last night and denounced Gomez a
traitor. Although the chiefs have
great influence with the soldiers, it il
not thought they can Influence them to
refuse to give up their arms under the
terms agreed upon.
At Cientuegos, Province Of Santa
Clara, yesterday evening gang OF Vu'
ban dock laborers called On Captain
Barker, captain of the port, and made
demand for back pay. As they
were violent, Captain Barker drew his
revolver. The lsborers retired but
returned soon after with 30 others and
made similar demand, using obscene
and profane language, insulting Capt.
| Barker and offering threats.
The Cuban police were ordered 10 ar
rest the malcontents, and a general
street fight followed, in which one la
borer was killed and seven persons
were wounded, including three mem
bers of the police force. The Second
United States infantry regiment was
ordered into the city. The troops were
patroling the town yesterday evening.
A dispatch from Washington says
In view of the failure OF Gen. Gomez,
for political reasons, to carry out his
agreement with Major General Brooke !
to procure the disarmament of disband- |
ment of the Cuban insurgent forces, the |
United States government may be forc- |
ed to treat them as rebels and use its |
whole available army to suppress the /
defiant natives. Indeed, it is now adj !
mitted in administration circles that |
the Cuban situation may easily become |
es important and serious as is the Phil !
ppine insurrection. Secretary Alger |
expects that General Brooke will make !
it understood in Cuba, by an announce !
ment to the Cuban army today, that
the 81, 100000 must be promptly ac-
cepted, or 1t will be promptly with
drawn. They will be plainly told, how
ever, that the disarmament and dis
bandment of the Cuban troops must
take place at an early day, whether
they take the money or not. General
Brooke will deal direct with the non
commissioned officers and men.
GENERALS WHEELER AND LEH,-The
Washington correspondent of the Rich
mond Dispatch says.
1t is as yet an undecided question
whether Generals Flzhugh Lee and Joe
Wheeler can be retired with the pay of
brigadiers in the regular army, if they
o~o l;,,,it Of 81 hafnro haip