Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-28

TEAM, UNDER GUARD = THE
AMERICAN CLERKS WERE
THERE, READY TO PAY OUT
THE MONEY, BUT NOT A CUBAN
SOLDIER TURNED UP.
Havana, May Pill a. m.-Not
soldier has thus far appeared at La
Punta to receive the honorarium of SIS
allotted by the United States for the
surrender of arms and disbandment Of
the men composing the Cuban army
AT three minutes of 10 this morning,
the hour set to begin the payment of
troops, Major Francis S. Dodge, of the
paymaster's department, drove up in
a four mule team with $4,000 in gold
and $500 in silver. Six guards ac-
companied him and details of men from
the Eighth infantry were under arms
to preserve order among the mobs
which 1t was supposed would gather.
Col. George NJ. Randall, of the Eighth
infantry, was present as commissioner
of the United States.
Gen. Ruis Rivera, who was to-day
indicted into the Office of civil COVER
nor of Havana, was there TO receive
the arms, with representative of Gen.
Gomez, four or five Cuban officers and
fifteen reporters. Half a dozen Amer
lean clerks, with the rolls of the Cuban
army, sat at a long table at the head
quarters of the Eighth regiment. A
bag of gold was displayed, but there
was no applicants for a share of it.
The spectators spent the time in dis
cusslng why no Cubans appeared. Gen.
RiYera said that though there were
1913 enrolled privates and non-com,
missioned officers in tho Fourth corps,
few OF them lived in Havana. He ex-
planned that they were outside the
city and would probably appear at 9TH
er places in the province and get their
apportionment. Nearly all the officers,
he added, are in Havana
The representative of Gomez, who
has been acting with the latter in the
interviews with Governor General
Brooke, took gloomy view of the at
fair. He said the Americans had made
a mistake in STIMULATING that the Gu
bans must give up their arms, as this
had caused bad impression among the
Cubans.
A group of Cuban officers. who prov
ed to be some Of Gen. Mayia Roder-
iguezs staff, had in the meanwhile as
sembled. They smiled at each other,
twisted their moustaches and grew con-
tident as the quarter hours passed and
no soldiers appeared. Finally they
Jeered in quiet way at the whole pro-
ceedings.
Towards IL o'clock an unarmed coll
ored man in Cuban uniform came
across the dusty square attended by all
the American spectators. He was
shown to the paymaster but turned out
TO be an assistant" or camp follower.
1ne American military men consult
ed together, and as it was thought he
was not entitled to share of the
$4,000 900 and his name not being on
the rolls he was dismissed.
Maj. Scott. Gen. Ludlow's adjutant,
sent word that a man named Harris,
a Cuban-American serving a sentence
in the penitentiary, would be sent I'M
der guard to get his $15, so at least
one man was sure to take the gratuity.
About 400 men had been expected and
But the scheme of payment so far as
Havana is concerned, looks like a fail
ure. Quite different results are ex-
pected in the country districts, where
the Cuban military assembly and anti
Gomez influence is not as strong.
At noon Gen. Rivera left, remarking
that it was wasting his time to stay
there, and Major Dodge went to the
m inf .
the state of affairs.
Four professed privates appeared at
about 1880 without arms. but as their
names were not on the rolls they were
not paid.
SEVEN MEN PAID.
Seven Cubans were paid SIS each as
the result of the first days distribution
of the money allotted by the United
States for the payment of the Cuban
soldiers. The cabal of the members of
the former military assembly TO pre-
vent the soldiers from accepting the
gift of the United States and giving up
their arms is successful therefore. so
far as Havana is concerned 1t is too
early TO predict what will be done in
other cities and in the interior, but the
indications are that the money will not
be asked for to any great extent. Some
arms may possibly be turned ia volun-
tarily.
The anti-GomeZ and anti-American
elements are cheerful tonight. think
ing that the Americans are baffled and
angry. Governor General Brooke does
not regard to-day as settling the ques-
ton or as especially significant A
few privates in this city and a number
CT officers have had sufficient influence
TO intimidate some who were otherwise
willing to accept the American terms,
but different results are expected IN the
country districts.
The English edition OF La Lucia pub
fishes an editorial which has caused
comment among the army officers, in
citing the men not to receive the mon
ey, though. strangely, the Spanish edi-
ton Of the paper few days ago, ad-
vised loyal Cubans TO accept the Amer
lean terms. The payment will con-
tinue tomorrow. and it is considered
likely that more Cubans Will accept.
Washington, May 27.-GeneraI
Brooke made no report to-day TO the
war department upon the reported nom
success Of the effort to induce Cuban
soldiers in Havana TO lay down their
arms and accept the gratuity provided
for them.
The officials are greatly disappointed
but feel that they have done all that