Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-05-17
ANTI-AMERICAN AGITATION IN CUBA
NOT ALARMING.
NO TROUBLE IS EXPECTED
GENERAL BROOKE WILL PROCEED
WITH DISTRIBUTION.
His Policy VIII Be Mild. but Firm,
and 1t Will Have the Full Back
ing of the United States
Governmcnt-Gomez
Manifesto.

HAVANA, May 16.-The manifesto which
General Maxine Gomez is preparing to is
sue will not only review his own position as
to the payment of the Cuban army, but
probably will direct the forces to disband
Following its publication, Governor General
Brooke will issue d modified order elimi-
mating the necessity for the participation
of any Cuban commissioner in the distribu-
ton of the $3,Oe0,OO0.
The governor general regards Gomez as
having acted sincerely throughout, and be-
lieves that his withdrawal from the Ques-
ton of the distribution to an attitude of
friendly inactivity" has been forced upon
him by the desertion of those generals
upon whom he had relied.
Members of the late Cuban military as
sembly and other discontented persons be-
longing to the new revolutionary club
styled the Veterans Association, met at
Cerro last night and indulged in a pro-
longed debate on the question of the Gu
ban troops surrenderinS tEeir arms. One
group was in favor of entrusting the arms
to the brigade chiefs or Cuban municipali-
ties. Another group was opposed altogether
be necessary to use them against Amer
lean pretensions."
The meeting was presided over by Cen
eral Jose Lacret and was attended by
Sanguilly, Andrade, Vidal and Juan Gomez
kilograms from all the provinces were
read, opposing giving up the arms. The
so-called weakness of General MaXimo
Gomez was contrasted with Aguinaldos $
patriotic courage" No decision was reach
ed. During the meeting, Colonel Miyores
proposed to send the following telegram
to Santiago:
General discomfort. We refuse to sur
render arms. Opinion unanimous.
General Andrade declined to agree to
the suggestion, saying it would not be ad-
visable to make such a display of feeling.
Instead of the dispatch proposed by My
ores, the following was sent:
Reunited. Decided TO agree to muster
out on the basis of the decree of former
assembly Announced that Brooke will
modify his decree Await to see if satisfac-
tory Concert with you in final proceed
ings."
The vote on this dispatch was SO in favor
against So opposed
such meetings as the one just held at
Cerro would be regarded, in less III,
fiammatory community, as ominous, and
outside observers might think Cuba rs on
in Havana is certainly excited. but those
whose judgment is worth most consider
the agitation to be superficial. and to con-
sist merely of phrasingS which Will never
lead to an overt act. Governor General
Brooke will go ahead inoffensiVely as
possible in the disbursement of the S,WO,VO
appropriated for the Cuban troops. This
cannot begin, however. until next week
If the CubanS wish to surrender their arms
to the municipalities, all Will be well. The
American authorities will raise no obJec-
ton.
Americans residing in Havana, especially
| those who have been here since the begin
ming of the military occupation, look upon
the present anti-American OutburSt as SIM
liar to the Garcia funeral incident and the
excitement which followed the prohibition
of demonstrations on January /. 1t is
really a very simple matter. Just now
General Brooke is considering the publi-
cation of an order designed to check un-
truthful and violent criticism of the mil
itary government.
Should the order be issued it would
merely call attention, by reproducing them,
to the existing libel laws under the Span
ish code. which provide abundant meth
DDS of discouraging immoderate utteranceS.
The propriety of CenSOring explosive news
papers, suppressing meetings and forcibly
disarming the Cubans has been considered
but such policy has been laid aside indeti-
nitely as being unwise and impolitic. There
is no present purpose to use any rcDressive
measures. Everybody will be allowed to
express his feelings in writing and talking
A former member of the military assem-
bly, said to-day:
The Cubans have no desire for any
thing but peaceful adjustment immedi-
uncommunicative and for his unwilling
ness to abncgate selfish motives sufficiently
to allow anyone else to have a share in
the honor of arranging Cuba's future"