The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1899-02-11
PAYMENT FOR CUBAN SOLDIERS

The acceptance by Gen. Gomez of
the American proposition to give 49,
00C, 900 to the insurgent soldiers on
condition that they disband s1mpli-
fies the situation materially in Cuba.
This sum, it is calculated. will give
about 800 to each mem Der in good
standing in the Cuban army, assum-
ing that the insurgents under arms
at the closing days of the war num-
bered 3O,O0O,OO0. In reality, how
ever, the amount for each soldier is
likely to be greater than 500, for
the American officers who had the
best chance of learning the actual ex-
tent OF the insurgent army last sum
mer put it at much lower figure
than 10000. The army may be aug
mented somewhat by the prospect of
payment, but it is reasonable to pre-
sumo that precautions will be taken
by the insurgent officers to keep the
money out of the hands of persons
not entitled to it.
No persons in the position of the
Cuban insurgents were ever treated
so handsomely as Gomez's men are
by the United States. This govern
ment freed the Cubans, and now it
advances $3,OOO,OOO to the men in
her armies. Whether the money is
ever returned to the United States or
not the disbursement of it at this
Juncture is an act of benevolence
which will doubtless be highly appre-
ciated by the people of the island
Each soldier of the insurgent force
will thus be supplied with enough
money to enable him to resume his
ordinary employment under favor
able circumstances, and the work of
restoring the shattered Industries and
credit of the island can be begun at
once. This is consideration of the
highest importance. 1t insures the
disbandment of the insurgent armies,
destroys the dread of brigandage and
general disorder which the mainten-
ance of thousands of men under arms
and In sullen mood involved, and
puts the Cuban people in an especial
ly friendly attitude toward the United
States. This disbursement will create
working fund of money in the
island which will be of great utility,
start the wheels of industry in opera
tion, and prepare the way for high
er degree of prosperity in the near
future than Cuba has ever known.
The political effect of the disburse-
ment will be as important as it's
social influence. 1t will prove to the
skeptics and the malcontents that the
United States will be able and willing
to render as valua BILE service to the
Cubans in peace as it has done in war.
1t will gain supportall over the island
for the policy of annexation. By
winning over the friendship of Gen.
Gomez, who was apparently distrust-
full and sullen until now, it paves the
way to speedy and satisfactory es-
tablishment of cordial relations with
all elements of the Cuban population.
Gomez is likely to be as favorable to
the American connection hereafter as
Garcia was in his last days. This
mark of consideration by the United
States for the welfare of the Cuban
people will be a powerful argument
for annexation, and its cost will be
very small to the United States. The
work of reconstruction in the island
will be easy and rapid hereafter. All
the embarrassments which the anti
annexationists predicted and desired
will be averted. With the insurgent
armies placed in an agreeable mood
toward this country the task of the
Americanization of Cuba will be easy
and pleasant.-Globe Democrat.
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