Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-18
SITUATION IN CUBA.
Gomez Refuses to Have Anything
to Do with Distributing Money.
BROOKE'S ADMINISTRATION DISLIEED
A Prediction That Gen. Wood, Governor Of
Santiago. May Succeed Gen. Brooke
Troops Patrol Cienfuegos-
Want to Keen Arms,


Washington, May l6.-The situation
in Cuba is approaching a crisis Gen.
Gomez's refusal to have anything to do
with the distribution of the So, 900, 600
; promised the Cuban army may precipi.
tate a physical clash. In addition to
this the severity of the military gov.
eminent as administered by Gen.
Brooke is such that the Cubans are
rendered reckless of consequences. 1t
was rumored at the war department
yesterday that Gen. Brooke would be
shortly recalled. The report could not
be positively confirmed, as both Secre-
tary Alger and Adjt. Gen. Corbin de-
clined to discuss the subject.
Gen. Brooke's administration of af-
fairs in Cuba, it is said, has not given
satisfaction to the department and
much of the trouble experienced by
the United States authorities with the
island is attributed to his alleged lacl,
of executive ability, Communications
are daily received at the war depart
ment protesting against what are said
to be arbitrary orders issued by the
military governor. lIeis severely criti-
cised by the Cubans, and his determi-
nation to enforce Objectionable orders
meets with the most determined oppo-
sition.
Several of the orders issued by the
military governor applying to the dis
bandment of the army at Cuba are re-
garded at the war department, it is
said, as entirely mcalled for. Before
the Objectionable orders were issued
the army expressed its entire satisfac-
ton at the terms offered by America,
and peaceable submission was conf
IDENTIFY expected. 1t positively stated
that the state department is in conf
dental correspondence with Gen. II.
Wood, governor of the province of
Santiago, and it is predicted that he
will succeed Gen. Brooke.
TROOPS PATROL CIENFuEGos.
Cienfuegos, May l6.-About five
O'Clock yesterday afternoon a gang of
Cuban dock laborers called upon Capt.
Barker, captain of the port, and made
demand for back pay. As they were
violent Capt. Barker drew his revolver.
The laborers returned soon after with
so Others and made n similar demand,
using obscene and profane language,
insulting Capt. Barker and offering
threats. The Cuban police were or
dered to arrest the malcontents and n
general street fight followed, in which
one laborer was killed and several per-
sons We're wounded, including three
members of the police force. As the
Cuban populace became very insulting
and threatened revenge, an outbreak
was expected, and the Second United
States infantry regiment was ordered
into the city. The troops patrolled the
town yesterday evening.
WANT TO KEEP THEIR ARMS.
Santiago de Cuba, May l6.-Consid-
cradle dissatisfaction is expressed here
over the demand by the United States
government that the Cuban soldiers
relinquish their arms before receiving
their shares in the distribution of the
5000, 900. La independence and other
papers publish excited articles protest
ing against the acceptance Of any such
proposal. La Independence suggests
that stamp tax be instituted by means
of which loyal Cubans would be
enabled to "save the soldiers from the
dishonor and humiliation Of giving up
the arms which won their liberty"