The Mena star., 1899-06-01
cUBANS ACCEPT THE PAY.
Opposition Defeated and a Fine Start Made -Gen. Delgado Orders His Command to
 Take Their Arms and Go Home.

-Gen. Delgado Orders His Command to
 Take Their Arms and Go Home.
 Havana, May 31. 31.-Yesterday's events in connection with the payment of the Cuban troops entitled to apply here for share in the American gratuity. have effectually killed off the opposition to the receipt of the bounty by privates. In American military circles it is con- sidered that a fine start has been made and that the opposition is defeated. Three hundred privates arrived during the day to apply for payment, but though Lieut.. Col. George M. Randall, of the Eighth United States infantry, the commissioner experimenting the distribution here, kept his office open from ten d. III. to five p. m., only 112 could be paid during that interval, as each man took up several minutes. Many who brought arms were not on the rolls at all. Ninety-nine rifles were surrendered, most of thee applicants declining to take any chances in turn ing the weapons over to the mayor of Havana, evidently believing it would be better to give them direct to the Americans.
 All day it was virtually impossible to get through the front door of the office unless the sentry cleared the way The Cuban officers who, on the first day, tried to discourage any who were disposed to apply, finding now that the tide of feeling has turned, are offering all the assistance possible to Col Randall. At the conclusion of the day's work there were more than 200 who had not been heard. These will have to wait until after the return of the pay car on June 15, when there will probably be extra days assigned for Havana.
 This morning the pay car will leave, carrying money, Col. Randall, his es- cort, physician and the postmasters. One thousand posters were sent yester day afternoon into the province of Pinar del Rio to announce the places and dates of payment. Gen. Brooke gave the order for printing and Senor Domingo Mendez Capote, secretary of government, sent special messengers to atiiX the notices i'll prominent places.
 Gen. Pedro Delgado, commanding the Cuban forces around Guanaiay, called his men together yesterday. told them they were disbanded and ordered them to take their arms and go home. Of the GOO, some 30, who were mounted on ponies. said they would ride to Havana and get their money. Thereupon Dell gado. who was formerly a notorious 4..I I,..,,s in line and to shoot any man who took the road to Havana. The 30 mounted men gloomily dispersed. They will have an opportunity to receive their shares later.
 It is said that most of the Cubans who, though having arms, did not fig ure in the muster rolls when they ap- piled for payment, were furnished with the weapons by friends at Guanabacoa, where many arms had been stored with keepers of shops by people who had purchased them from the Spanish guerrillas and volunteers. These were given out to enable the holders to secure shares in the American gratuity. Some Cubans, undoubtedly entitled to payment, have also obtained arms from the same source and are thus able to retain the weapons that they used dur ing the war
 The disbanding of the troops con tinues. Twelve hundred men. under the command of Gen. Jacinto Herman dez. who were encamped at San Jose de Las Lajas, about 21 miles from Ha- vana. have been mustered out. They were given certificates of service re- deemable under the first Cuban govern ment. Some of the men were in the Cuban service 31G years. One party of so, living in Santa Clara, started imme- diately for their homes. The horses of many, however. have died of disease or been killed off and most of the men go ...l; .s;,.., tl,a.,a g,..n