The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-06-03
PAYMENT OF CUBAN SOLDIERS.
The Success of the Governments
Plan Now Assured-Pay Office
Crowded With Applicants.

Crowded W 1th Applicants.
Havana, May 3c.-Yesterday's events
in connection with the payment of the
Cuban troops entitled to apply here
for a share in the American gratuity
lave etfectually killed off all opposi-
ton to the receipt of the bounty by
p~rivates. In American military circles
il is considered that a fine start has
been made and that the opposition is
defeated.
Three Hundred Applied.
Three hundred prlvatGs arrived dur
ing the day to apply for payment, but
though Lieut.-Col. Geo. NJ. Randall, of
the Eighth United States infantry, the
commander experimenting the dis
tribution here, kept his office open
from 10 a. IN. to 5 p. III. only 112 re-
ceived pay during thatinterval, as each
man took up several minutes.
Many who brought arms were not on
the rolls at all. N~irety-nine rifles
were surrendered, most of the appli-
cants declining to take any chances
in turning the weapons ever to the
mavor OF Havana, believing it would
be better to give them direct to the
Americans.
Cuban Officers Offer Assistance.
All day it was virtually impossible
to get through the frOnt door of the
office unless the sentry cleared the
WAY. The Cuban officers. who on the
first day tied TO discour; ge any who
were disposed to apply, finding now
that the tide of feeling has turned,
ale offering all the assistance possible
to Col. Randall.
"a the conclusion of the days work
there were more than 200 who had
not been heard. These will have TO
wait until after the return of the pay
car. on June II, when there will prob
ably be extra days assigned for Ha-
vana.
VIII Go to Pinar del Rio.
This morning the pay car will leave,
carrying money, Col. Randall, his es-
cort. Il physician and the paymasters
One thousand posters were sent yes
terday afternoon into the province of
Pinar del Rio to the places
end dates of payment. Gen. Brooke
gave the order for printing. and Senior
Domingo Mendez Capote, secretary of
government, sen special messengers
to affiX the nOticeSin prominent places.
Threatened to ShOOt Those Applying.
o. n-l- .Al- .,r,n,ltrn
The Cuban forces around Guanajay,
called his men together yesterday,
told them they were disbanded and or
Cered them to take their arms and go
home. OF the 200. some 80. who were
mounted on ponies, SAID they would
ride 20 Havana and get their money.
Thercupon Delgado,who was formerly
d notorious bandit, called upon the rest
to draw up in line and TO shoot any
enc who took the road to Havana. The
80 mounted Cubans dispersed. They
will have AT opportunity 20 receive
their shares later.
Bogus Claimants and Their Arms.
1t is SAID that most OF the CUl,ans,
who, through having no arms, did not
figure in the mister rolls when they
applied for payment, were furnished
with the weapons by friends at Guam
aEacoa. where many arms had been
stored with keepers of shops by people
who had purchased them from the
Spa nish guerrillas and volunteers.
These were given out tC enable the
holders 10 secure shares in the Amerl-
can ~ratuity.
Entitled to Payment.
Some Cubans. though undoubtedly
entitled to payment, have also obtained
arms from the same source and are
thus able tn retain tn" weapons that
they used during the war.
The Disbandcd Soldiers.
The ~uisbanding of the troops con-
tinues. Twelve hundred e under
the command of Gen. JacintO Herman
DEE. vino were ercampcd at san Jose
&c las LajaS. about Il niles from Ha-
wanna, have been mustered out. They
were given certificates of service re-
deenable under the first Cuban gov
Some CT these men were il
the Cuban service three and a halt
years. One part" of 80 living in Santa
Clara started immediately for their
homes. The horses of many, however,
have died of disease or beer killed Off
and they must go by train, which gives