The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-30
THECUBZNS COLLECTING
Coming In For Their Share Of Un-
Gle Sans Three Millions.
TROOPS RAPIDLY DIsBANDING.

General Pedro DelRado Ordered His
Soldiers to Shoot ANY Man Who
Took the Road to Havana to Get q
Share Of the Gratuity.
Havana, May 30.--Yesterday's events
in connection with the payment of the
Cuban troops entitled to apply here
for share in the American gratuity
have effectually killed off the opposi-
ton to the receipt Of the bounty by
privates. In American military circles
it Is considered that fine start has
been made, and that the opposition is
defeated.
Three hundred privates arrived dur
ing the day to apply for payment, but,
though Lieutenant Colonel George
Randall of the Eighth United States
infantry, the commissioner superin-
tending the distribution here, kept his
office open from 10 a. m. to p. 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 surrendered, most Of
the applicants declining to take any
chances in turning the weapons over
to the mayor of Havana, evidently be-
lieving it would be better to give them
direct to the Americans.
All day 1t was virtually impossible
to get through 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, are
offering all the assistance possible to
Colonel Randall.
At the conclusion of the days work
| there were more than 200 who had not
been paid. These will have to wait
until after the return of the pay car
on June Is, when there will probably
be extra days assigned for Havana.
This morning the pay car left, car
rying money, Colonel Randall, his es-
cort, a physician and the paymasters,
for Pinar del Rio province.
General Pedro Delgado, commanding
the Cuban forces around Guanajay,
called his men together yesterday, told
them they were disbanded and ordere
them to take their arms and go home.
OF the 200 some &c. who were mounted
on ponies, said they would ride to Ha-
vana and get their money. Thereupon
Delgado, who was formerly notorious
bandit, called upon the rest to draw
up in line and to shoot any man who
took the road to Havana. The 30
mounted men gloomily dispersed They
will have an opportunity to receive
their shares later.
1t is said that most of the Cubans
who, though having arms, did not fig
ure in the muster rolls when they ap-
piled for payment, were furnished with
weapons by friends at Guanabacoa,
where many arms had been stored with
keepers of grocery shops by people
who had purchased them from the
Spanish guerrillas and volunteers.
These were given out to enable the
holders to secure shares in the Ameri-
can gratuity. Some Cubans, undoubt-
eddy entitled to payment, have also OBJ
tanned arms from the same source,
and are thus able to retain the weapons
that they used during the war.
The disbanding Of the troops con-
tinues. Twelve hundred men, under
the command of General Jacinto Her
nandez, who were encamped at San
Jose de las Lajas, about Fl miles from
Havana, have been mustered out
They were given certificates of service
redeemable under the first Cuban gov.
eminent Some of these men were IL
the Cuban service three and hall
years. One party of 50, living in Santa
Clara, started Immediately for thei!
homes. The horses of many, however
have died of disease or been killed off
l. and consequently most of them &
home by trains, which give them fret
passage.