The age-herald., 1899-05-30
CUBANS ACCEPTING
 THEIR MONEY
One Hundred and Twelve Paid
 Yesterday.
300 APPLICATIONS MADE
The Opposition to Surrendering Arms and Accepting the Bounty Has About Died Out-Gado Orders
 His Men to Surrender.

Havana, May 29.-Today's events in con- necton with the payment of the Cuban troops entitled to apply here for a share in the American gratuity have killed off op- position to the bounty. In American mili tary circles it is considered 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 Lieutenant Colonel George M. Ran dall, of the Eighth United States infantry, the commissioner experimenting the dis tribution here, kept his office open from 10 a. m. to D. 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 sur rendered, many applicants declining to take any chances in turning the weapons over to the mayor of Havana, believing it would be better to give them direct to tho Americans. It was virtually impossible to get though 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, offering all the assistance
 
 ciusion of the days 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 b, when there will probably be extra days ass gned to Ha- vana.
 The pay car will leave, carrying Colonel Randall, his escort, @ physician and the paymasters. One thousand posters were sent this afternoon into the province of Pinor del Rio to announce the places and date of payment.
 General Pedro del Gado, commanding the Cuban forces around Guanajay called his men today, told them they were dsbanded and ordered them to take their arms and go home. Of the 200 some thirty who were mounted on ponies said they would ride to Havana and get their money Thereupon Del Gado who was formerly a bandit called upon the soldiers to draw and shoot any man who took the road to Havana. The thirty mounted men gloomily dispers- ed. They will have an opportunity to re- ceive their share later.
 It is said that most of the Cubans, who, though having arms, did not figure in the muster rolls when they applied for pay ment were furnished with the witnesses by friends at Guanabacoa, where many arms had been stored at grocery shops by people who had purchased them from the Spanish guerrillas and volunteers. These were given out to enable holders 10 share in the American STatuity. Some Gu bans have also obtained arms from the same source, although paid, and thus en- abled to retain the weapons of 1900 men under the command of General Jacinto Hernandez, who was encamped at San Jose de Las Lajas, about twenty-one miles from Havana, have been mustered out. They were given certificates of service, re- deemable under the first Cuban govern ment. Some entered the Cuban service three and a half years ago.
 The horses of many of the soldiers have died of disease and consequently most of them go home by the railways, which give them free passage.