Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-16
DOUBT As TO GOMEZ.
Believed He Helped Delay Pay
ment of CubanS.
DISARMAMENT MAY BE FORCED.
situati"u Thought Scrious-S;ouIeZ De
cline to Have Further Connection
With Payment of Truops-Said There
Was Opposition to Him.

WASHINGTON. May l6.-High officials
i'll the war department We're reluctant
to discuss the Cuban situation, but the
news Of Somez' action did not cause
much surprise among army officers who
are well informed about the Cubans,
especially those who are known us
SOLDIERS of fortune and who have
been bitterly disappointed because the
island was not turned over to them inl-
mediately after the Spanish surrender.
There is an impression also that the in
tention of General Brooke TO see the
s., ,0O0. 600 are distributed among all the
Cuban troops has caused disappoint-
meut among the many generals" and
other high officers who were evidently
expecting to secure large share OF the
money.
The belief was expressed that the st
uation i'll Cuba is serious and that care
full and diplomatic management will be
needed.
1t was stated that no orders would be
issued to General Brooke, as he had am
pie authority to deal with any situation
which might arise. There seems to be
belief that General Gomez has con-
ulDutcu W tuS 'teidy Ill tuS pay lHeHt VI
the money.
HAVANA, May 16.-General MaXimo
Gomez at an interview informed Gov
ernor General Brooke that he could no
longer act us representative Of the Gu
ban army i'll the distribution of the S3,-
000,O00 appropriated for the payment of
the Cuban troops.
General Gomez added that he had
arrived at his decision with great re-
luctince and with the most friendly
feelings toward General Brooke person
ally and officially. He explained that
former members of the Cuban military
assembly, led Icy Mayia Roderiguez.
Manuel Sanguilly. Juan Gaulbcrro and
other nlalcoutents, had organized il ma
jority of the officers against him appar-
emily, and tough lie tGUmezl might
persist and possibly carry the payment
to Il successful conclusion he was dis
gustcd and wished to wash Ills hands of
the whole business. Therefore he
Thought that il he left General Brooke
free the latter would be able to act with
equal effectiveness alone.
Gen. Brooke expressed sympathy with
Gen. Gomez ;tld said he regretted the
position he had taken: but, the Ameri-
can commander added, if his decision
was Interchangeable, he would proceed to
deal with the question alone.
1t was then mutually agreed that Gen.
Gomez will issue today manifesto to
the Cuban army, After it has been is
sued Gen. Brooke may make declara-
ton declaring the manner in which he
will proceed. He is determined not to
be trIfied with. He has the rolls of the
privates and non commissioned officers,
who are willing to accept $40 each, and
this amount will be offered on the con-
ditions previously laid down. \ forci-
bic disarmament of the Cuban troops
will be the ultimate prodedurc pro-
vided the events of the next two or
three weeks show that such action is
necessary.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, May 16-Consid-
cradle dissatisfaction was expressed here
over he demand by the United States
government that the Cuban soldiers re-
linquish their arms before receiving
their shares in the distribution of the
$3,000,000. La Independence and other
papers publish excited articles protest
ing against the acceptance of any such
proposal.