The Washington weekly post., 1899-05-16
The DISAFFECfION In CUBA
Gen. Alger Not ApprehenSiye. but
Prepared for Any Emergency.
The Secretary Accepts Gomez's Explana.
fion of His Retirement as Being in
Line with Previous Declara-
tions as to His Desires.

Until some direct and positive informa-
ton has been received from Gen. Brooke
the War Department will take no action
regarding the refusal OF Gen. Gomez 10
participate in the work of distributing
funds to the soldiers of the Cuban army.
In the meantime. the situation in Cuba
does not excite alarm. The belief is gen.
orally expressed by army officials that
Gen. Gomez has simply taken this step
TO relieve himself of the burden of COM
plants which was certain 10 be loaded
upon him by the members of the army
who want Dore money. He has known
for some time that many OF the officers
were disposed to grumble at the amount
appropriated by the United States, and IL
is quite evident that these discontented
ones have increased in number. IL is not
believed that In washing his hands CT
the whole business, to use his own words
he has been actuated by any feeling OF
hostility to this country. On the ton-
trary, there is disposition in official cir
cles TO accept his previous assertions to
Secretary Alger, when the latter met him
in Havana, as sincere. On that occa sion,
IL Will be rem embered, Gen. Gomez stated
positively that he was tired of fighting
and was anxious to return TO his home to
live the remainder OF his days in peace.
He expressed the warmest thanks to the
United States government for riddinS the
island of Spanish control, and N other
ways evidenced his apparent desire for a
speedy fulfllment Of the American prom
ise 10 give stable government TO the ISL
and
Under these circumstances there is no
disposition to distrust Gen. Gomez be-
cause of his action yesterday There is
no doubt, however, that future develop
ments in Cuba will be watched with anx-
ious interest. The supreme test will come
when the Cuban soldiers are invited to
lay down their arms and receive the
money which is to be apportioned among
them. The belief is expressed at the War
Department that acceptance of the Amer
lean terms will be very general, and will
be accomplished without trouble, but at
the same time, no one is willing TO make
such a prediction as a matter of GER
tainty. All that can be done is 10 wait
and watch events. II IS felt that mucn
will depend upon the character of the
man who takes Gomez's place, If eny one
is appointed to succeed him. As d matter
OF fact. no General of the army Is neces-
sary, because as soon as the soldiers lay
down lnelr arms tnere VIII be no COM
mand, but there is likely TO be some am
bilious soldier who Will be only too willing
to assume the title OF General, and will
gather around him. with hostile intent.
all the Cuban5 disposed TO question
American control. In that event forcibIe
measures will be necessary, and there
will be no hesitation in enforcing them.
If the Cubans mean to cause trouble
and this will not be admitted in the War
Department until more evidence than at
present exists is forthcoming, the admin
istration Is prepared TO establish its au-
thority in the same manner as in the
Philippines. Every effort will be made to
satisfy the Cubans, but if they persist in
postponing the day of their Independence
the responsibility will be with them. At
least. that is the way In which admins
tratiOn officials view the matter and in
which the President will act, If the mat
ter ever assumes phase serious enough
10 bring IL before the Cabinet.