The age-herald., 1899-05-14
GOMEZ ACTING
 VERY QUEERLY Delaying Work of Paying Off
 Cuban Soldiers, COMMISSIONERS ALL RESIGN Those Appointed to Assist in the
 t.7ork Will Not Serve.
 C
 %4 T5 2 iHr TO BE FAULT OF GOMEZ s sS . fz . Angry Because Insurgent Arms h.@ Are to Be Taken. s THE GENERAL LOSING GROUND Caricatuces and Articles in the Havana Press Have Caused Him to Play
 for Time for More Politi-
 cal Manouvres
Angry Because lnsurgent Arms Are to Be Taken.
THE GENERAL LOSING GROUND

Havana, May 13.-General Gomez is act- ing queerly regarding the distribution of the $3, 900, GOO advanced by the United States government for the payment of the Cuban troops, and the commissioners chosen by him to assist in the distribution as repre- sentatives of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth army corps return their refusal to act or fail to appear. As the arrangement to pay the soldiers have been pending for three and a half months, further delay Is especi- ally annoying.
 Generals Betancourt and Nodarse were appointed to act for the Fifth army corps, but the latter declined to serve, and Major General Wilson, military governor of the newly formed Matanzas, Santa Clara de- partment, asked that Betancourt be ex- cused on the ground of his holding the post of civil governor of Matanzas, sug- gesting to Governor General Brooke-the$ General Carlos Rojas be selected. The governor-general thereupon wired General Rojas at Cardenas, and the latter accept ed, arriving at Havana today. General Rojas called upon the governor general, and in the course of a pleasant interview, promised to meet the other commissioners
  eral Gomez, and an hour later wrote note to General Chaffee, General Brookes s chief of staf declining to serve, but giving no reason for his action.
 General Francisco Carrilo. one Of the commissioners of the Fifth army corps, ar rived in the city yesterday, but did not visit the American headquarters. The commits sioners for the Sixth corps who were to meet at 10 o'clock this morning did not make their appearance and General Brooke sent Captain Page to inquire of Gomez why none of his generals were on hand In the interview with the governor-generals rep resentative the Cuban commander appeared indifferent and seemed not to care whether the commissioners came or not. He made no suggestions.
 Corners Indifference Astonishing
 As the United States authorities are un- able to begin the disbursement of the money without the assistance of the Cu- bans, General Brooke is astonished at the indifference shown by Gomez.
 The evening papers assert that Gomez IS dissatisfied with the terms of the governor generals order for payment, and did not consent to have the arms of the disbanded troops placed in the custody of the Ameri- can military authorities. This evening General Brooke sent Major Kennon of his staff, to see Gomez regarding the situation. Gomez declared that he was unable to ex- plain why the generals would not serve and expressed the belief that their action was due to the influence of his enemies He said also that he would call upon General Brooke on Monday.
 Senor Nalosca, Gomez's secretary, said tonight that Gomez would not agree to have the arms in the arsenal under control of the Americans, and wanted them to be in the custody of the Cubans exclusively. As General Gomez saw the order regarding the disposition of the arms before 1t was made public and approved it, this is new attitude. The fact seems to be that the Cuban commander feels that he Is losing his hold upon Cuban opinion. He has been startled by the caricatures and attacks which have appeared in the local press, and wishes apparently to prolong the pay ment of the troops and then gain time for his political manoeuvers.
 General Gomez is said to be greatly dis appointed at being unable to get General Brooke to agree to his suggestion for an army of 15,OOO Cubans.