The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1899-05-18
CUBAN SITUATION GRAVE.
A Correspondent Says That Armed
Manifestation Against the
United States Is Likely.
BHOoKE's POLICY CAUSES BITTERNESS
1t Is Not Believed at the War Department
That Any Alarm Need BE Feit-Com
munications Received from Gen. Brooke
Not Made PubIIc-The Cuban Generals
Causing the Trouble.

New York. May 1G.-The Herald's
Havana correspondent te1egraphs as
follows: The situation here has become
most alarming. To all appearances
the Cubans are about to make armed
manifestations against the United
States and its modes of governing the
island, although the conservative ele-
ment still hopes for peaceful arrange
ments. This state of affairs, which was
brought abruptly to a head last Satur-
day by partial quarrel between Gen.
Gomez and Gov. Gen. Brooke, has been
forming for the last two months. The
first move has been made by the army.
1t will probably be supported by many
Cubans.
The army which is really represent
ed, although many dispute his author
ity, by Gen. Gomez is particularly bit
ter against Gov. Brooke and his policy.
The soldiers declare they have been
miserably fooled and trapped by the
Americans. They look upon the eX-
change of gun for SO as an ignomini-
Gus transaction for them, as they have
not been defeated by Americans and
consequently they refuse to exchange
Some persons say the determine ton of
the army not to surrender arms Is an
outcome of Gen. BroOke'S refusal to
sanction Gen. Gomez's plan for a Cuban
militia. At the Cuban headquarters
this statement is Indignantly denied,
in particular by Gomez, who, however,
refuses to discuss the present situation.
One of Gomez's prominent officers said:
Gen. Gomez was brought to this city through
the influence OF Mr.. Porter. He was told at that
inc p tod in IN hell IA
Brooke to establish government for the Cubans
which would have no other basis than freedom
and independence. He was miSerably fooled.
He had been ridieuled for the manner in which
he has been treated by Brooke. He has, ac-
count of hi $ in timacy with the American gen.
eral, lost popularity with the Cubans, who say
he has been traitor to their cause. This
part of Brooke's scheme. He wished to render
Gomez useless. in order that he might with fur
Their ease follow out his orders from Washing
ton. Gomez and his men disli<ed
and unpopular to-day. He has no infu-
ence. recommendation from him does more
harm than good. Cubans imagine he has been
working for annexation. He will prove the
contrary this week. when he publishes letters
which have been exchanged between him, Gen.
Brooke and President Mckinley. After he has
done this the general will probably leave the
island. He has not penny. He lives on
charity. In fact we are all doing the ame.
Gomez forced to dismiss his staff, as he
did not even have food for them. They are all
LOOKING IOF WORK One cOlOnel mas Deeu made q
policeman, with salary of s6s month. All
GomeZ's enemies have splendid positions
while his officers and men starve.
No Alarm Felt About Cuban Affairs.
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 alarm need be felt regarding the
condition 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 plenary
powers to deal with the situations as
they arise and hold such officers re-
sponsible The confidence of the
war department in Gen. Brooke
was strengthened by the visit
of Secretary Alger to Cuba What
had been done and what was going for
ward seemed to Secretary Alger for the
best interests of all the people of the |
islands. 1t is said to be the policy OF
Gen. Brooke to deal mildly with the |
Cubans and to avoid, as far as possible, |
any action which will tend to irritate |
them; but that they will be firm when |
it is necessary and the disturbers will |
be made to understand that no overt |
acts will be permitted.
Communications that Gen Brooke |
has made to the war department re.
garding the situation are not given tc |
the public, but the officials understand |
that the source of the present trouble |
Is that the generals of the Cuban |
army are disappointed because they |
are not likely to realize as much out OF |
the money appropriated for the army |
as they think they should. The whole |
trouble regarding the payment of the |
money and the delay may be traced /
directly to these officers who, as
members of the assembly or as support
ers of Gomez, have constantly raised |
obstacles in the way Ola peaceful dis
armament of the Cubans and the set
Element of the affairs of the island.
One thing is assured beyond all other
considerations. The United States will |
remain for the present in absolute con-
troll of the island and the orders of the
officers in command win be SUSTAINED
by the government at Washington.