New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-18
FEEDING HUNGRY CUBANS.
BROOKE ORDERS RATTONS CHARGED TO
INSULAR TREASURY.
EXPENSES TO BE CUT DOWN-NAT1NE
APPETITE GROWS - FREEHANDED
CHARITY ON PART OF
UNITED STATES
lRY CABLE To THE TRIBUNE!

ny CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNE!
Havana. March 17-Evidence OF the gradual
ameIioration Of Cuban finances Is TO be found In
the order issued to-day by Governor-General
Brooke. directing. in accordance with instruc-
tons from Washington, that the cost OF all
Army rations dispensed charity after April
I shall he charged to the Insuar Treasury. In
the month Of January about million ratohs
were distributed among the poor in the towns
and cities then occupied by the Americans.
With the extension Of the occupation to more
numerous points in the interior. the demand FOR
relief has grown. perhaps also the native ap-
petite. that million and half rations were
required in February and nearly two millions
will have been given away by the end of March.
AS each ration costs If cents in gold, the eX-
pense Of the Governments freehanded charity
for the present month will probably run up TO
S4S0O00. No such sum will he again expended
however as the more extreme distress following
The blockade, and the Spanish evacuation mas
now been In great part relieved. Customs re-
ceipts at this port continue to show gratifying
Improvement. the average for the month now
reaching over S1OO000O 1t is not considered
that the continuance Of relief work will weigh
too heavily the Treasury.
ARRIVAL OF THE MEADE
chicago
brings here the So 600 900 in cash to be paid as
arrears to the Cuban Army. entered the harhor
early this morning. Their arrival had been
enormously reported last night, the slowness Of
the Chicago unduly delaying the voyage. The
money is still aboard the Meade. and will prob
ably remain there for the present.
General Gomez paid another visit to-day m
General Brooke at the Vedado, to arrange the
details Of the approaching allotment. 1t is under
stood that General Roloff will be his chief as
sistant in preparing and verifying the payrolls
Of the insurgent army.
SUGGESTION REGARDING PAYMENT.
A Cuban staff captain writes this afternoon 10
the "Discusion." the leading Cuban newspaper
TO suggest that neither the Assembly leaders nor
any Of the officers who belong to either facuon
IN the army accent any share Of the American
So 600 600 leaving It all to be distributed among
the private soldiers. The officers, this writer
thinks. could well wait for recognition suhse-
ouently at the hands Of a grateful native gov
eminent inasmuch the lower commissioned
ranks Of the army now swarming with ofl-
GERS almost as impecunious as the privates them
selves This suggestion is likely to be dismissed
as wholly Pickvickian.
The Military Assembly viii hold no more ses-
sions TIL Monday. when II will reopen the ques-
ton Of sending a representative 10 washington.
No one has yet been found creduous enough
TO undertake such a frutless and unprohtabIe
mission. The Cuban generals. chiefly from the
western end OF the island. who have been dis-
cussing the propriety Of relieving the Assembly
Of its functions. have decided to do nothing for
the present. since the Assembly has already
fully demonstrated its own impotence
The change Just ordered IN department com
manders in Pinar del Rio Will give to General
Wnllston chance to return. FOR time at least
to the United States. General Hasbronck sue
ceeds in command OF the western province
General Wiliston has made an excellent record
there no part OF the island showing greater
satisfaction with the result of American rule.