The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-10
CUBANS. ARE PUZZLED
About Their Status in the Island
Under the New Order.

New York, Jan. f0--A dispatch to the
Tribune from Havana says:
Some friction exists in the army over
the government of Havana 1t was
supposed that Washington orders Gre
ating a separate department with Gen
eral Ludlow in command were explicit
enough to prevent conflicts of author
ity, but this expectation has not been
fully realized. The present turmoil re-
Iates to the control of the Havana police
force. When General Green was here,
Colonel Moulton of the Second Illinois,
which was then at Savannah, was des-
ignated military chief of police at Gen
eral Greene'S request. He has been or
ganizing a force with the assistance of
ex-Chief McCullagh of New York. More
recent plans contemplate placing the
police department under the control of
Colonel Evans, formerly governor of
South Carolina, and now on General
Lawtons staff. This uncertainty re-
tards the organization.
Cuban political prisoners who were
protesting against the choice of
are protesting against the choice of
two brothers, named Martinez, who
have been retained by Colonel Mou1ton.
They charge that one of these brothers
was member of Weyler's secret police
and responsible for atrocities then COM
mitted. The other one is charged with
completely in various atrocities. All
these charges are denied. The Martinez
brothers are said to be useful because
of their knowledge of the Nanigos and
other criminal societies in Havana.
Cuban officers are holding meetings
daily trying to determine their own
status. A majority of them are in
clined to cooperate with the American
authorities and to facilitate the dis
bandment of insurgent soldiers if any
provision can be made for their pay
ment. They have given notice to
Gomez of their views and in order to
retain his influence Gomez will have
to leave his camp in Santa Clara prov
ince and put himself in touch with
resent him as more conciliatory toward
the American authorities. The explain
alton is made for him that his recent
order directing the reorganization Of the
Cuban forces in Santa Clara and Puerto
Principe was not mean to apply to those
who had found work, but intended to
bring under control some lawless bands
that were seeking to throw off all
authority.
Cuban leaders in Havana are dis
claiming responsibility for the doings
of General Julio Sanguilly. He has
been the cause of some broils and in
vited quarrels. They say that as San
gully never commanded insurgent
troops he has no followers and repre-
sents only himself.
An official statement has been made
that during the interim in which Spain
is without consul general the inter-
ests of Spanish subjects will be looked
after by the French consul general. The
foreign consuls have not yet received
their instructions from their respective
governments defining their status with
reference to the American military
authorities.
Sickness among American civilians is
causing uneasiness. Mr.. Doane, the
customs house inspector, is the only one
who has yellow fever. The health of
the troops is good.
Evidences of financial speculation
were apparent today when Spanish sill
yer took a jump upward of five per
cent. The American money in the is
land has not been materially diminished
and is getting into circulation.