The record-union., 1899-06-19
Say They Only Heard BY Accident Of Ii
Gift.
of Fraud In Making UP
the Lists Arousing Popular In
dignation and Desire of Ameri-
cans to Keep Their Pledges Ex-
cites General Admiration-Go-
mez Party Pleased With Senior
Quesada's appointment.

HAVANA. June 1S.-The local papers
to-day devote considerable space to the
murder of the notorious Minnie Ross,
who was killed with the blunt end OF
a hatchet after being choked, and was
found dead early yesterday morning. 1t
was first reported that a we'll known
army officer was involved by the uni
form found in the room of Fred Krause,
now in custody on suspicion of being
the murderer, as one formerly worm
by him. He is said to be a member Of
a wealthy Tampa family. Thus far
there is bu. little evidence against him.
Many believe from the nature of the
crime, that it was committed by wo-
man. One theory is that the blow
with the hatchet was not Immediately
fatal and that the victim was them
choked to death. Robbery could scare
ly have been the motive. for the police
found $500 in the murdered womans
room and a. quantity Of valuable jewell
ry on her dressing table.
Another theory is that the authorities
having received definite information
that the woman had been paying, money
to some one connected withthe police de-
partment for the privilege of conducting
her house, which was one of bad repute,
had sent an agent to ascertain the name
of the guilty official. This agent, it is
thought, had threatened her that unless
she disclosed the mans name her house
would be closed.
She, as this theory goes, refused to
give 1t, despite the protection of the
blackmailer. The Government agent left
the house after midnight. according to
the explanation of the crime, and 1t is
terview with the blackmailer, with the
result that he killed her.
The friends of Krause bitterly COM
plain of the incommunicado system,
which is vigorously enforced in his case
Thus far neither his friends nor legal
counsel have been allowed to see him.
The libel action which Governor
Brooke has ordered begun against la
Reconcentrado'' in exciting general in
terest, for it is regarded ais a test case
under the present decree.
The possibility that General Freyre
Andrade, President of the late military
assembly, may be named as one of the
Judges of Appeal, has caused consider
able agitation among the Cubans, who
regard him as decidedly erratic. At the
time of the Garcia funeral his attitude
toward General Brook whom he charg-
ed with endeayoring by every possible
means, to provoke the Cubans, aroused
considerable animosity among the lat
ter More than this. at all the meetings
of the Assembly, he bitterly denounced
the Americans and at all the subse-
quent gatherings of Cubans where he
has put in an appearance, he has fol-
lowed the same course. His selection
for Judgeship would be disapproved
by many not only for such considera-
tions as the foregoing, but because he
is not old enough or sufficiently expert
enced to fill the position effectively.
The work of disbursing the Ameri-
can gratuity to the Cuban troops con-
tinues ait Cardenas, Remedies, Pinar
del Rio and Puerto Principe. The Gu
bans are f1ocking to the distributing
centers asserting that it was only by
accident they heard they were to re-
ceive American money. The palpable
evidence of fraud in making up the lists
is arousing Indignation throughout the
island and the evident desire of the
Americans to carry out their pledges
excites general admiration The Cubans
say that, 1T is the first time in their
history when Government promise
has been kept and that they have never
before experienced such considerate
treatment from Government represent
tatives.
The papers that represent the mem
bers of the former military assembly
continue their disparaging allusions to
Senior Quesada, the special representa-
tive of Cuba in Washington. They char
acterize the appointment direct
slap in the faces" from President Nc
Kinley. The Gomez party, on the other
hand, say that the Presidents choice
in this matter is another Illustration
of his excellent Judgment They re-
gard Senior Quesueda as man devoted
to the best interests of Cuba, and con-
slider that this appointment places in
Washington a man who will tell the
truth and save the expense of send
ing commissions there" which was the
usual device, of the military assembly.
EX-GOVERNOR HILL SAYS
Judge Haight Was Elected Because
the Tide Was With His Party.