Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-15
GOMEZ WILL NOT ACT
Declines to Aid in Distributing Funds
to Cuban Army.
NOTIFIES GEN. BROOKE TODAY
Says Prominent Cuban Generals
Have Formed CabaI Against Him.
ARMS TO BE TAKEN BY FORCE

HAVANA, May 15. noon.-Gen. Maxine
Gomez today informed Governor General
Brooke that he could no longer act as rep
resentative Of the Cuban army in the dis
trfbutton Of the s3, 100000 appropriated for
the payment of the Cuban troops.
Gen. Gomez added that he had arrived at
this decision with great reluctance, and
with the most friendly feelings toward
Gen. Brooke personally and officially, but
he felt he could no longer represent the
Cuban army, because cabal. composed of
many Of the subordinate commanders, ex-
isted to oppose and. If possible. defeat, the
plans for partitionins the money.
Organization Against Him.
He explained that former members of the
Cuban military assembly. led by Mayia
Rodriguez Manuel SanguIly, Juan Gaul-
bertO and other malcontents. had organ
ized d majority of the officers against him,
apparently. and though he Gomez might
persist and possibly carry the payment to
a successful conclusion he was disgusted.
and wished to wash his hands of the whole
business Therefore he thought that if he
left Gen Brooke free the latter would be
able to act with equal effectiveness alone.
Gen. Gomez communicated these views to
Gen. Brooke at an interview, which con-
tli4uCu AOl al HbUI dIlu u HALL ne CuDdi1
general was attended BY Col. Carlos Ces-
pedes. son of the former Cuban president
OF that name. who has been mentioned as a
candidate for the presidency of Cuba.
Has Gen. Brooke's Sympathy.
Gen. Brooke expressed sympathy with
Gen. Gomez. and said ne regretted the posi-
ton he had taken; but the American COM
mander added if his decision was un-
changeabIe. he would proceed to deal with
the question alone.
1t was then mutually agreed that Gen.
Gomez will issue tomorrow a manifesto to
the Cuban army. This document Will be
prepared this afternoon and will be submit
ted to Gen. Brooke. After 1t has been is
sued Gen. Brooke may make a declaration
concerning the manner in which he will
proceed. He is determined not to be trifed
with. He has the rolls OF the prfvates and
noR-CommissioRed officers who are willing
to accept SO each. and this amount will be
offered on the conditions previously laid
down.
ForeibIe Disarmament May Follow.
A fOrcibIe disarmament Of the Cuban
troops viii be the ultimate procedure, pro-
yiGed the events OF the next two or three
weeks show that such action is necessary.
Comment, but Not Approximation
The position assumed by Gen. Gomez re-
gdrdins the distribution of the 100000 to
the Cuban army has excited some com
ment IN administration circles, but has not
reached stage which has caused appre-
hensiOn- There are those. however, who
would not be surprised to see trouble in
Cuba al almost any minute.
To . Star representative today member
of the cabinet said that the quibblIng and
the haIting Of the CUbans would soon war
rant the War Department bringing the
money back To the United States and in
ceas!ng effort TO distribute II among the
soldiers of Gomez ) army. Another mem
bvr Of the cabinet said that Gomez could
give this country considerable trouble if so
disposed, but he had no doubt of the ability
OF the United States 10 quickly suppress
whatever trouble might arise.
As a rule, cabinet members decline to give
their opinions Of the feelings Of Gen. Gomez
To this country. but they believe that he Is
simply playing politics They point to the
position # Gen. Brooke, who has not yet
given an iHtmation that he believes that
Gen Gomez Is playing double. Outside OF
20 inner circles Of the administration there
is more suspicion Of the Cuban leader Some
time ago. in an interview In The Star Gen.
Breckenridge, who had JUST returned from a
trip through the island openly charged
that Gomez was the worst enemy this
country had.
Would Postpone Independence.
cabinet officer said today that if Gen.
Come sees fit TO disturb the peaceful re-
latioHs Of the island it Will rebound only to
his own dlscredit and will further postpone
the day Of independence for the island lie
said that the United States would never be
willing 10 relinGuish its hold upon the island
II there is prospect Of constant trouble and
the Indication of an unstable government
This country, he said owes too much to
Itself and to the nations of the world to
turn the island over TO men who have no,
purpose in view but to make trouble
Should the United States get out under
these circumstances il would be matter
OF only a few years when il would again
have to interfere.
The People Not to Blame.
Another member of the cabinet said that
even the disanection Of Gen. Gomez and
most Of his former army would be no rea-
son why the United States should not be-
stow independence upon the island. Gomez
and his men are not the people Of the
island, and therefore the people Of the
island could not be blamed for the conduct
OF part. on the other hand II the peo-
pie OF the Island, province by province.
should Join In opposing the authority of
the I nited States this country might
change its attitude All these questions
however. were entirely too speculative TO
discuss lu an official way. They had never
been discussed in cabinet session and
would not be talked about unless crisis
arises IN the affairs Of the island.
1t IS generally stated that If Gomez is
leading himself toward open revolt against
TINS country he has for once oVerestinated
his ability and the resources at his com
maHd. Heretofore. in the wars with Spain
nhbustering expeditions from this country
gave aid to the insurgents in the Way Of
ammunition and supplies. With this source
cut on and the coasts OF the island guarded
against supplies from Mexico and the neigh
borlns STANDS Gomez would find opposition
OF short duration. While these views are
to be heard. the majority Of politicians and
h administration followers incline TO the be-
htI 'hat the Old Cuban fox is PLAYING
potittcS, an inherent trait in the Latin char
acter. lie Is playing for his future without
q serious purpose now Of giving this coun-
try real trouble.
Naval Promotions.
The promotion of the following named
officers was announced at the Navy De-