The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-28
DIDN'T WANT THE MONEY
Only Seven Cubans Gave Up
Their Arms in Havana.
MEN WERE INTIMIDATED
The Anti-Gomez and Auti-American Ele-
ment Successful in Their Schemes.
Returns From the Country
Are Not In Yet.

Havana, May 27.-Seven Cuhans were
paid $75 each as the result of the first
days distribution Of the money allotted
by the United States for the payment
of the Cuban soldiers The cabal of
the members of the former military as
sembly TO prevent the soldiers from ac-
cepting the Gift of the United States
and giving up their arms is successful.
therefore, so far as Havana is con-
cerned. 1t is too early to predict what
will be done in other cities and in the
interior, but the indications are that the
money will not he asked for to any
great extent. Some arms may possibly
be turned in voluntarily.
The anti-Gomez and anti-American
element are cheerful tonight, thinking
that the Americans are baffled and
| angry. Governor General Brooke does
not regard to-day as settling the uues-
tion or as especially significant. A few
privates in this city and number of
officers have had sufficient influence to
intimidate some who were otherwise
willing to accept the American terms,
but different results are expected in the
country districts.
The payment will continue :o-rna
and it is considered likely that more
Cubans will accept. The applicants in
most cases SO far are little more than
boys and are mainly those whom the
Cubans called "blockaders'' and who
Joined the army after the American
blockade of Havana made food scarce
The names of four of these appeared
on the list and each man was sen, to
bring an officer to swear to mis- llent:ty
and to his service. Where all ap-
peared to be above board the men We're
paid on the spot, even though their
names did not appear on the lists
The English edition of La .4ucha pub
lished an editorial which has caused
comment among the army officers, in
citing the men not TO receive the
money; though, strangely the Spanish
edition of the paper a few days ago
advised the loyal fubans to accept tie
American terms
AT three minutes of 10 o'clock this
morning, the hour set to begin the pay
ment of the troops. Major Francis S.
Dodge of the paymaster's department
drove up in a four-mule team with
100000 in gold and $4,000 in silver. Six
guards accompanied him and details
of men from the Sth infantry We're un-
der arms to preserve order among the
mobs which it was supposed would
gather. Colonel George N. Randall of
the Sth infantry was present as COM
missioner of the United States.
General Ruiz Rivera, who was to-day
tnducted into The office of civil governor
Of Havana, was there to receive the
arms with a representative of General
Gomez, four or five Cuban officers and
Is reporters. Half a dozen American
clerks with the rolls of the Cuban army
sat about a long table at the head
quarters of the Sth regiment. A bag of
gold was displayed. but there were no
applicants for a share of it.
The spectators spent the time in dis
cussing why no Cubans appeared. Cen
eral Rivera said that though there were
4,319 enrolled privates and non commits
stoned officers in the Fourth corps, few
Of them lived in Havana. He explained
that they We're outside the city and
would probably appear at other places
in the provinces and get their appor-
tionment. Nearly all the officers, he
added, are in Havana. The represen-
tative of Gomez. who has been acting
for the latter. in the interview with
Governor General Brooke. took
gloomy view of the affair. He said the
Americans in stipulating that the Gu
bans must give up their arms had
caused a bad impression among the Gu
bans.
A group of Cuban officers who proved
to be some of General Mayai Rodri-
guez's staff, had in the meanwhile as
sembled. They smiled at each other,
twisted their mustaches and grew con-
tdent as the hours passed and no sol
diers appeared. Finally they jeered in
a quiet way at the whole proceeding
Towards II o'clock an unarmed col
ored man in a Cuban uniform came
across the dusty square watched by all
the American spectators, He was
shown to the paymaster, but turned out
to be an assistant or camp follower.
The American military men consulted
and, as it was thought he was not en-
titled to share Of the $4,000, 600 and his
name not being on the rolls, he was dis
missed.
Major Scott. General Ludlow's adju-
tant. sent word that man named Har-
ris, a Cuban-AmeriCan serving a SEN
tence in the penitentlary, would be sent
under guard to get his $75, so at least
one man was sure to take the gratuty.
About 400 men had been expected. and
possibly many of these will come later.
But the scheme Of payment, so faS as
Havana is concerned, looks like a fail
ure. Quite different results are expect
ed in the country districts, where the
Cuban military assembly and the anti.
Gomez influence is not as strong.
At noon General Rivera left, remark
ing that it was wasting his time to stay
there, and Major Dodge went to the
Hotel Trocha and informed General
Brooke of the state of affairs.
Four professed privates appeared al
about II 80, without arms. but as their
names were not on the rolls they We're
not paid.