New-York tribune., 1899-06-08
DE QUESADA'S NEW OFFICE.
APPOINTED CUBAN COMMISSIONER AT
WASHINGTON WITH A HAND
SOME SALARY

Havana June 7-Governor- General Brooke
issued orders to-day appointing Gonzales de
QCesada Special Commissioner for Cuba at
Washington. with a salary OF 5000 Those
who believe that the policy followed by General
Gomez is a wise one and they include major
ity OF the most prominent Cubans in Havana
are much pleased with this appointment. consid-
ering II a Just reward for years OF faithful SER
vice. On the other hand. the former members
OF the Military Assembly. and those who always
oppose everything the Government does com
plain bitterly. saying that the appointment Is
an intentional insult. the ground, rs tney
aege that Sehor de Quesada is traitor 20
the real interests OF the island which will not
be safe in his hands. They assert also that he
is an American in his ideas. holding views which
not suited TO Cuba.
General Gomez and his advisers held con-
ference to-day. The proceedings were brief and
Of no special Importance. He is Sill weak ard
suffering the effects of long strain and worry.
TWO VIEWS OF A LYNCHING.
General Gomez refers TO the lynching Of Jose
Lebregat. at San Antonio de los Banos, by the
Cubans as an outrage. and declares that II In
the days Of his command Cuban soldiers had
been implicated in such act they would have
been promptly hanged.
Ell Reconcentrado, or MatanZss, IN an
editorial to-day on the lynching Of Lebregat, re-
fers to it as "an act Of civic vaor and Justice
Lieutenant Colonel Bisbee paid 224 insurgents
yesterday at Consolation. Lieutenant-Colonel
Rafferty, will begin paying tomorrow. Lieuten-
ant Colonel Randall will be through his work
on June 10, but there will probably be additional
pay days for Havana.
Colonel Randall paid 1913 Cuban soldiers yes
To- nd ~ others This
makes 1.437 Cubans paid by Colonel Randall
so far.
II was discovered that four Cubans were SELL
ing fraudulent certificates OF service In the
Cuban Army, charging 81 each for them. This
so enraged several soldiers who had legitimate
discharges that they badly beat the sellers Of the
bogus certificates Three Of the men escaped on
train bound for Havana. but the fourth was ar
rested
ABUSE OF FRANKING PRIVILEGE.
Major Rathbone, the Director Of Posts nas
discovered an immense abuse Of the franking
privilege. Every official in the Island owns one
There are about three hundred in all who
are using the frank for personal communlca-
tions and those of friends. The letters Of al
caldes and police captains in the various VII
lagos are sent under franks in envelopes inclos-
ing franked envelopes for replies. The post
masters have been ordered 10 keep a strict rec
ord of the franked mails handled Tor a week
and TO estimate the loss OF revenue In THIS way
Many persons have been arrested In Matanzas
for refusing stamps and among them are sew
eral prominent merchants. The Spanish law
provides for only a small fine In such cases, un-
less the offence is frequently committed, ana
conseouently there has been no let up in the
practice under the new regime Major Rathbone.
however has in hand draft postal penal code
for Cuba similar TO that in force in the United
States and as soon General Brooke mas
given his approval this will go into effect.
According 10 a dispatch from Camajuani, the
nrolonged dry spell there. quite extraordinary
in the history OF the district. is causing great
damage; and a large part OF the province OF
santa clara is suffering. A good deal OF ground
was prepared during the spring for sugar cane
cultivation but the cane could not be planted
IN many instances and In others large fields
were burned II impossible TO bank the
earth around the sprouts. and consequently the
DELAYED tobacco still remains insuf1ciently
cured Nevertheless the farmers now feel
FER owing to the excellent rural guard in the
nrovince. and the increasing activity in one or
two branches OF agriculture is giving employ
nnent 10 a certain number Of laborers.
A CUBAN MAIL FLAG ADOPTED.
Major Rathbone has adopted flag for the
vessels carrying Cuban mails. 1t is red bur-
gee with one white star.
A NEW MEXICAN ANNIVERSARY.
Santa Fe y NJ. June (SpeciaD-Governor
Otero to-day proclaimed June "a the anniversary OF
Torr