The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-29
THEY WANT MORE MONEY
Represent tatives of the Cuban
Assembly in Washington.
LEAVES THEM NO MARGIN
Three Millions Would Hardly Get tho
Cuban Soldiers Home - Disorder
Liable to Follow-The Prob
lem OF the Future.

Washington, March oS.--Senors Jose
r. Villalon and A. Hevia, who were
appointed by the Cuban assembly to
present to the Washington authorities
the resolutions of that body, have ar
rived in this city. Their mission. in ad-
dition to the presentation of the resolu-
tions, is to explain in detail the situa-
tion with reference to the insurgent
army.
While the assembly did not reject the
$3,000,000 which General Gomez ar
ranged with Robert P. Porter to re-
ceive and pay off the Cuban troops.
they believed it to be entirely made
quate to meet the situation. They de-
sire at least S10,0000OO and as much
more as can be obtained. They argue
that if the Cuban army is dsbanded
after the distribution of but $4,000, 900,
which would give to each enlisted man
$6S, that the money so obtained would
be barely sufficient for them to pro-
cure clothes and return to their homes
leaving them no margin upon which to
enter upon the peaceful pursuits of life.
Without the means Of subsistence
Senior Villalon says that disorders
would almost inevitably follow and
perhaps DllBdIdaSe Inc ODJeCl, DOtn
of the United States and of the assem-
bly,, says Senor VillaIon, is to secure
tranquility in Cuba preparatory to the
setting up by the Cuban people of an
independent government, and he says
it is therefore as much to the interest
of the United States authorities as to
those who Immediately represent the
Cuban patriots to see that the disband-
ed soldiers are given an opportunity to
resume civil pursuits.
The assembly represents not the Gu
ban people. Senior NillalOn declares. but
only those who have been in arms
struggling for their Independence. Had
Cuba achieved her absolute independ-
ence, he says, the revolutionary as
sembly would have raised sufficient
funds to pay off the army in full, and
inasmuch as the United States now as
sulnes and exercises the functions of a
trustee for the Cuban people during
the re-establishment of order through
OUT the island preparatory to the estab-
lishment of a stable and independent
government, he, as the representative
of the assembly will urge that it Is the
duty of the United States to furnish
ample funds, repayabe subsequently
out of the Cuban revenues. They de-
sire that the Washington authorities
shall fully understand the dangers that
may follow if the insurgents are dis
adequate means to begin life afresh.
If the United States adheres to the
present understanding with General
Gomez and the army is disbanded upon
the 50, 900 600 basis and disorder follows,
the assembly wants its skirts cleared of
responsibility.
Senior Villalon says that the assem-
bly, desires the most amicable relations
with the United States: that nothing
could exceed the gratitude of the Gu
bans for the aid the United States has
rendered, but they cannot too strongly
emphasize the belief that the problem
of the future would be greatly
simplified if enough funds were dis
tributed among the Cuban soldiers now
to insure their being able to return
to the peaceful pursuits of life. The
assembly will, Senior Villalon says.
probably be dissolved as soon as the
army is disbanded, as 1t represents the
Cubans in arms. He says that within
year convention representing the
whole Cuban people will meet and
frame a constitution and be ready for
the assumption of the duties of self
government.
Senior villalon and his colleague will
probably seek an audience with the
president himself, and if that is denied,
then he will see the secretary of war.
If the president receives these gentle
men, it will be as visiting citizens. not
in their representative capacity. No
such recognition will be accorded to
them.
If they desire to present a petition to
this government. it will have to go
through the ordinary channels, and in
this instance it will be through the
military arm of the government. Such
a petition, when presented, will be re-
ferred to General Brooke as military
governor of Cuba and the one person
authorized to deal with Cuban affairs.
1t is also probable that these Cubans
will be told that any answer to the re-
quest or petition will come from Cen
eral Brooke.