Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-17
CUBAN SITUATION GRAVE.
Fears That the Natives May Make
Armed Manifestations
AGAINST THE UNITED STATFr
SAY THEY WE'RE TRAP.
THE CUBAN SOLDIERS LOO :
UPON THE EXCHANGE OF A
GUN FOR $75 AS AN IGNOMIN-
IOUS TRANSACTION AND RE-
FUSE TO DfsARM- GROWING
HOSTILITY AGAINST GEN.
BROOKE.

HOSTILITY AGAINST GEN.
BROOKE.
New York, May 16.-The Herald's
Havana correspondent telegraphs as
follows: The situation here has be-
come most alarming. To all appear
ances the Cubans are about to make
tied States and its mode OF governing
the island, although the conservative
element still hopes for peaceful ar
ransenents.
I his STATE of affairs, which was
brought abruptly to head last Satur-
day by partial quarrel between Gen.
Gomez and Gov. Gen Brooke, has been
forming for the last two months. The
hrst move has been made by the army.
1t will probably be supported by many
Cubans. The army which is really re-
presented, although many disputes his
authority, by Gen. Gomez, is particul-
arly bitter against Gov. Brooke and his
policy. The soldiers declare they have
ueen miserabiy fooled and trapped by
the Americans They looked upon the
exchange of gun for SIS as an igno-
miniOus transaction for them, as they
have not been defeated by Americans,
aud consequently they refuse TO ex-
change.
some persons say the determination
of the army not to surrender arms is
an outcome of Gen. Brooke's refusal to
sanction Gen Gomez's plan for a Gu
ban militia. At the Cuban headquar-
tiers this statement is Indignantly de-
MED, in particular by Gomez, who,
however, refuses to discuss the present
situation.
One of Gomezs most prominent Of
icers said: Gen. Gomez was brought
to this through the influence of Mr..
Porter. He was told at that time he
was wanted in Havana to help Gen.
Brooke establish government for the
Cubans, which would have no other
basis than freedom and independence.
He was miserably fooled. He has been
ridiculed for the manner in which he
has been treated by Brooke. He has,
on account of his intimacy with the
American general lost popularity with
the Cubans, who say he has been a
traitor to their cause. This was part
OF Erooke's scheme. He wished to
render Gomez useless, in order that he
might with further ease follow out his
orders from Washington.
Gomez and his men are disliked
and unpopular to-day. He has no in
fiuence. A recommendation from him
does more harm than good. Cubans
imagine he has been working for an
nexation He will prove the contrary
this week, when he publishes letters
which have been exchanged between
him, Gen. Brooke and President Nc
kinley.
After he has done this the general will
probably leave the island. He has not a
penny He lives on charity. In fact we
are all doing the same. Gomez was forced
to dismiss his staff as he did not even
have food for them. They are all looking
tor work. One colonel has been made a
policeman with a salary of S62 a month
All Gomez's enemies have splendid posi-
tons, while his officers and men starve"
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Gen. Brooke
has not reported to the War Department
any serious situation in Cuba. and it is
not believed at the department that any
of affairs. No advice is given Gen Brooke
as it has been the policy of the President
to clothe the officers in command in the
Islands with p.enary powers to deal with
situations as they arise and hold such
officers responsible. The confidence of the
War Department in Gen. Brooke was
strengthened by the visit of Secretary
Alger to Cuba. What has been done and
what is going forward seemed to Secre-
tary Aiger to be for the best interests
of all the people of the island 1t is said
TO be the policy of Gen. Brooke to deal
mildly with the Cubans and to avoid as
Tar as possible, any action which will tend
TO rritate them. but that he VIII be firm
when It is necessary and the disturbers
Will be made to understand that no overt
acts viii be permitted
communications that Gen. Brooke has
made to the War Department regarding
the situation are not given to the public
but the officials understand that the
source of the present trouble is that the
generals" of the Cuban army are dis
appointed because they are not likely to
realize as much out OF the money appro-
priated for the army as they think thev
should These generals" al believed
that they would secure a proportion of
the money equal TO their rank and their
own estimate of their services The whole
trouble regarding the payment of the
money and the delay may be traced direct
y to the officers who, as members of the
assembly, or as supporters of Gomez. have
constantly raised obstacles in the way of
peaceful disarmament of the Cubans
and settlement of the affairs of the
island
One thing is assured beyond all other
considerations. and that is that the United
States will remain for the present in abso-
lutte control of the island, and the orders
of The nffinerS IN cnr,nrnnr,a ,,.i1l l.