The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-10
GOMEZ NOW WANTS AN ARMY.
TRYING TO PERSUADE BROOKE
THAT $4,000 ARE NEEDED.

Proposition Is Not Likely to Receive
Much Consideration at Headquar-
ters-LoOked Upon as a scheme to
Put Himself in COntroI-There Is
Little Need of Rural Guards.
Hickey's Investigation showed
That There Were Few Bandits
Left.
Havana, May 9.--Gen. Maxine Gomez is
trying to persuade Gov. Gen. Brooke that
a Cuban standing army of 1900 men is
necessary adjunct to the proper govern
ment of the island. His views, he has
presented in writing, but without eliciting
as yet any reply.
The proposition is not likely to receive
much consideration at headquarters,
where considerable surprise was OCCASION
ed by this magnificent project, which, if
adopted, Gomez doubtless believes would
be placed under his personal control
The growing conviction that there is no
need of rural guards except in the wider
portions of the provinces of Santiago and
Puerto Principe. is confirmed by the in
vestigations of Capt. Hickey, of the gov
ernor generals staff who returned yes
terday from 2,Gc0-mile trip through the
provinces east of Havana, which has oc-
cupied two months.
Capt Hickey, in carefully written re-
ports to Gen. Brooke, asserts that, with
the exception of a few in Santiago prov
ince, he found no traces of bandits.
Political feeling in the country districts.
ne declares, is far less intense than in Ha-
vana, where the malconteuts are gathered.
Most Of the Cuhans of the provinces "a
vor ultimate independence, but they are
willing TO have the American military oc-
eupation Continue for a year at least as
they recognize that the island revenues
are expanded honestly upon betterments.
Payment of the Troops.
The rule to be followed in the payment
of the Cuban troops were published TO-
day. The article on arms and equipments
is as follows:
arms and equipments received from
Cuban soldiers Will be taken under guard
10 the nearest station occupied by the
United States troops, from which they viii
be transported to Havana or Santiago,
where they will be kept in arsenais and
cared for by armorers selected by the
commander-in-chef of the Cuban army"
This question has been the principal
cause of friction. The rules require the
surrender of arms as a condition prece-
dent 10 payment; yet the commissioners
recognize that there are some deserving
privates without arms. having sol1 them
or lost them. Consequently III exceptional
cases, the money viii he paid Oh proof that
the applicant actually saw service and
made a proper disposition of his weapons.
The commissioners OF the l'ifth Army
Corps will meet on Thursday TO prepare
for payment.
An Editor in Jail.
Thomas r. DawlCy, proprietor OF tie
Times of Cuba, has been arrested apd lock-
ed up in a libel action brought against
him by Charles Curwon, formerlN book
keeper in his employ, whom ne had acc1s-
ed of robb!ng him.
MIR. Dawley, IL necessary, viii edit his
newspaper from jail, but pro3ably his
friends will furnish ire bail oi $500 with
cut delay.
Ell Reconcentrado to-day violently at
tacks Gen. Brooke's judicial nominees. de-
clarng that they are all docile tools OF the
military administration.
The army board, composed of the coll
oneis Of regiments, the chief quartermaster
and chief surgeon, appointed to invasti-
gate as to the best clothing for the troops
in this country, reports that Khaki is
very unsatisfactory. After the material
is washed it seems to take on great va
riety of colors, making the regiments
quite unlike in uniform, some being APP
parently white, others dark, others brown,
ord otbarS sfqapary C0lOFed -