The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-22
THE CUBAN ASSEMBLY
Now Talks of Dissolution and Disband-
ing the Army

ing the Army.
Havana. March 21.-The Cuban army
has 1929 men. all told. The number
includes corporals and sergeants, but ex-
cludes commissioned officers. The fig
ures are the result of official inquiry
instituted under the direction of the -
rtment.commanders for the use Of he
military administration.
The reports of the Governors OF ;he
Provinces are as follows:
Santiago. none; Puerto Principe 300;
Santa Clara, 4.169; Matanzas, 200;
Havana Province, 2.450. which includes
80 in the city of Havana; in Pinar del
Rio. $500.
General Gomez originally reported that
there were 42,000 privates and non-com-
missioned officers. General Roloff, In
spector General of the Cuban army, was
to have presented an accurate muster
roll to Governor General Brooke, but he
has not done SO. As a creature of the
Cuban military assembly. he has joined
with it against General Gomez. His
muster rolls in whatever form they may
he, have been given to Senior Rafael
portuendo, President of the executive
committee of the assembly, but the Gov
ernor General has assurances that they
will soon be turned over to him.
Brigadier General Ernst will assist
the military administration in distribut-
ing the S3,000,G00 1t has not yet been
decided whether the whole amount is to
be distributed pro rata or 500 given to
each man. and the balance retained by
the United States Government.
The statement that there are no sol
ders of the Cuban army in the Province
of Santiago. has caused considerable
surprise here. as it was supposed that
there were many Cubans still in arms
there. Nevertheless this is the report of
Major General Wood, the military Gov
ernor.
At to-day's session of the Cuban as
sembly a motion was made in favor of
disbanding the Cuban army and dISsoly-
ing the assembly, with permission TO the
Cuban soldiers TO accept gifts of money
from the United States if they so desired.
After considerable argument :he gist of
which was that the assembly could not
discuss matters of such Importance
, without previous consideration on the
part Of individual members. It was de
cided to postpone the public discussions
of the motion until Friday.
Another motion was introduced in fa-
vor of changes and improvements in the
organization of the Cuban army, bus
the discussion Of this was postponed until
tomorrow. As IL matter of fact. To-
days session was devoted almost entire
~ to questions of order arising out of
the various motions made.
Senior Federico Mora, Civil Governor
Of Havana, has issued a document in
! which he summarizes the law regulating
public gatherings and parades, aud at
tempts to show that he acted within
the law in the course he rooll regarding
the parade of March 18th, IN honor Of
General Gomez. a course which was
primarily responsible for the ll-feeling
between the police and people that cul-
minated in the bloody aifrays Of last
Sunday and Monday.
Senor Mora says that if the law is bad.
it should be repealed, but that so long
as it is in force it should be observed.
Major +. MARTINEZ of the Culnn
forces. who was shot last eyenia2 at tie
Hotel Inglaterra by Police. lieutenant
Emil Cassin. the former ti'umpeter OF
the Rough Riders. is not expected to
live Cassin has been placed i'll jail.
His action is generally condemned as I'M
warranted and as due to his eXcitable
temperament.