The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-17
CONFIDENCE IN BROOKE.
War Department. OfsiciaIs Think He
VIII Hold Cubans I'm Check.

War Department. OmciaIs Think He
VIII Hold Cubans I'm Check.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-General Brooke
has not reported to the War Department
any serious situation in Cuba and it is not
believed at the department that any alarm
need be felt regarding the condition of af-
fairs. No advice is given General Brooke.
as 1t has been the policy of the President
to clothe the officers in command in the
islands with plenary powers to deal with
situations as they arise and hold such Off
GERS responsible. The confidence of the War
Department in General Brooke was
strengthened by the visit of Secretary Alger
TO Cuba. What had been done and was go
ing forward seemed to Secretary Alger TO
be for the best interests of all the people
of the island. 1t is said to be the policy
of General Brooke to deal mildly with the
Cubans and to avoid. as far as possible,
any action which will tend to irritate them.
but that he will be firm when 1t is neces-
sary and the disturbers will be made to
understand that no overt acts will be per-
mitted. The communications that General
Brooke has made to the War Department
regarding the situation are not given to the
public but the officials understand that the
source of the present trouble is that the
generals OF the Cuban army are disap-
pointed because they are not likely to re-
alize as much out of the money appro-
priated for the army as they think they
should. These generals all believed that
they would secure a proportion of the
money equal to their rank and their own
estimate of their services. The whole
trouble regarding the payment of the money
and the delay may be traced directly to
these officers who, as members OF the AS
sembly, or as supporters of Gomez, have
constantly raised obstacles in the way of
peaceful disarmament of the Cubans and
the settlement of the affairs of the island
One thing is assured beyond all other con-
siderations. The United States will remain
for the present in absolute control of the
island and the orders Of the officers in COM
mand will be sustained by the government
at Washington.
Information has reached the War De-
partment showing that considerable diff
Guilty will be encountered in the payment Of
the Cuban troops. The men in charge of the
money do not yet know what method is to
be followed in making the payment. A great
deal of work will be necessary in connec-
tion with receiving the arms and making
sure that the money goes to the proper per-
their names and already 1t has been sug-
gested that in such cases an officer of the
organization should certify for such per-
sons. 1t was represented that the payment
would begin yesterday, but the action of
General Gomez will postpone early action
Santiago Province Prospering.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, May 1s.-Maj
Gen. Wood military governor Of the SAINT
iago Department, arrived here yesterday
after his first trip into the interior of the
province. H. went to Manzanillo by steam
er. but returned by the overland route, ac-
companed by Lieut.. Matthew Hanna. his
aid. The country traversed he found in a
generally prosperous condition. The planters
are planting cane and expect a full crop next
year. Stories regarding bandits seem, for
the most part. to have been promoted by
professional politicians who have an inter-
est in maintaining disturbing conditions.
Every where General Wood found the peo-
pie anxious for greater security, and the an
nexation idea is undoubtedly growing in
spite of all efforts the part of agitators
to the contrary.
Along the whole route he was received
with enthusiasm, and at several points with
very elaborate arrangements to welcome
him.