New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-02
CUBANS DEMAND TOO MUCH.
OPINION OF THE MILITARY ADMINS
TRATION AT HAVANA.
AMERICAN GENEROSITY DEMoRAL1zING
ITS RECIPIENTs-TIME PROP1TIOUS
TO CALL A HALT.

TO CALL A HALT
Havana. Feb THE members Of the military
administration here believe that the Cuban de-
mands should he checked and that the Cuban
Army should not be paid the vast sums de-
rlanded. II is considered that from 100000
10 SG.0o0OO0 is the most the United States
should allow. Since January l the Cubans have
had practically everything they wanted The
United States Government has been feeding all
the hungry. Two million rations have been dis
tributed and another 100000 has been or
dered. The Cubans have received all the civil
positions. and thousands Of laborers have been
employed. When they are not pleased at any
thing they promptly petition. In the case OF
the Spanish Bank and the collection Of taxes
The most vociferous petitions. so to speak,
were presented TO Robert Porter for the payment
OF the Cuban Army. The idea that the Amer
lean Government has enormous resources at It's
disposition IN Cuba Is growing. a. the people per-
ceive that every request they make is granted.
TOO GENEROUS A POLICY.
All this is inpressing itself very forcibly upon
the Americans in Havana. who feel that the pol
Icy OF the military administration and OF the
authorities at Washington is too lenent much
too generous. and will result IN rendering strong
corrective measures necessary in the early
future.
The American generosity in the matter Of
rations simply demoralizes the recipients. Long
fed at the expense OF the United States. these
people Will not look for work. Moreover. the
payment Of good compensation 70 the city and
rural police and workmen in Government en-
ploy Is said 70 be responsible for the strikes re-
ported from all parts Of the island. especially In
the country districts where the laborers demand
increases which the farmers are not able TO pay.
Political agitators do all In their power to spread
the impression that nothing is too good for the
Cubans at the hands Of the United States.
II this too lax ard over generous policy is per
sistently followed up the demands and eXpecta-
tions Of the Cubans Will increase in unreason-
ableness and the longer the United States Gov
ernment is lndulgent the greater the opposition
Will be 10 the ultimate coercive measures that
may become necessary II the Cuhans refuse the
So 100000. or any other reasonable sum Tor the
pavment Of the Cuban Army. Coco Judges mere
are convinced that the United Safes ought 10
insist upon immediate dsarmng ana disoanD'is
without pay. The time and the conditions ere
propitious TO take the necessary stand
A CALL FOR AGITATION.
A movement has been started by Dr. Castillo
se0or Jose Antonio Gonzales Lanuza' heao oi
the Department Of Justice and Public lnsruc-
ton in the Cuban Cabinet OF Advisers anu
se1or jose Miguel Gomez OF the Cuban Com
mission. and others to have all the l34 municl-
nal districts Of Cuba petition the authorities al
washington TO pay the Cuban Amy out OF 'he
customs receipts. adding 10 per cent II neces-
sarv. 70 the duties in ORDER To Go so
The Cubans are taking general atttune OF
criticism and complaint against the Americans
They say all the Spanish Office holders ought
70 be discharged. and that the methods OF ad-
ninistration should be changed.
The telegraph wires to Remedies are working
badly. so there Is no news from President Nc
Kinley's special commissioner. Robert p Porter
who has gone on a mission TO General Maxine
Gomez.