New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-13
OU1LA WRY IN CUBA.
RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL INQUIRY INTO
BANDIT RAID.


Havana May 12-The official inquiry into the
recent bandit raid at Caimato, where two men
were killed, has been completed. 1t appears that
a Cuban general. whose name the authorities
decline to disclose at present, had expressed a
desire few days before the raid to billet twen-
ty-ive Of his men on the village, but the towns
people protested. threatening to inform the
Americans. and the general concerned is sup
posed to have instigated the raid punish
ment and an example to other villages afflicted
by having to quarter Cuban soldiers. Governor
General Brooke's agents had considerable diff
Guilty in getting at the facts Of the case, owing
to the timidity of those who knew them. and the
testimony is even yet insufficient to form the
basis of prosecution.
The detectives found $50 Mausers 900 Rem
ingtons 40 Winchesters and 100000 cartridges
to-day in the hardware store Of Enrique Garay,
who holds letter from Major-G General Ludlow,
dated In February last, authorizing him to han
die sporting arms" The authorities consider
the number found excessive. and the detectives
say the same concern has purchased quantities
of arms stored at Cienfuegos. The theory is
that possibly Garays establishment is one
source Of supply looked to by purchasers of arms
for Colombia.
CIVIL COURTS AND MARRIAGES.
To-day the Governor General issued a decree
directing that hereafter civil courts shall have
exclusive jurisdiction IN the nullihcation Of mar
riages and the granting of divorces. In other
respects the old law Is unatered Among the
causes for divorce is mstreating wife in order
to make her change her religion. Cases pending
in the ecclesiastical courts are to be carried to
a conclusion there. and the decisions to be
filed in the civil courts. There was an impress
sion that the Americans meant to relax the mar
rlage bond and to allow divorce for trivial
causes, and the Church was thoroughly aroused
on the question. No change, however. is made,
except that civil tribunals are substituted for
ecclesiastical
The heavy proportion OF meat, the scarcity Of
vegetables and the absence OF fruit make the
Army ration not the most suitable tropical diet.
The company cooks, by committing part OF the
ration and buying other things. are doing fairly
we'll, but Army officers recognize that the stat
utory ration can be and should be improved.
General Brooke has appointed a board COM
posed of Colonel Haskin, Chief Surgeon O'Reilly
and Chief Commssary Smith, TO meet on Mon
day next for an inquiry into the matter, with
instructions to report as soon as practicable
DEBTORS AND CREDITORS MEET.
meeting of debtors and creditors, repre-
senting from S20OO0000 to So, 900 invested
In mortgages, held tonight. with a view
OF securing a ten-year extension Of the mort
gage decree. Most Of the city bankers and
many out-of-town planters attended 1t was
pcirted out that cane planted in the autumn re-
quired at least eighteen months to realize, and
that there was really only crop in the exist
ing extension. The meeting decided TO present
a memorial to President Mckinley through a
special committee to be sent to Washington.
Major General Ludlow says the local doctors
need not be astonished at the citys freedom
from yellow fever, as any practical sanitary
tion Of the city and proper attention to per-
sor al cleanliness were not only absolutely neces-
sary, but would prove almost absolutely ef-
fective as precauton against the disease Il
believe" he says, that yellow fever, IL not
stamped out in Havana, is at all events seri-
ousy checked"
The Havana Jockey Club will hold its first
meeting on June g. General Brooke, its presi-
dent and Generals Chaffee, Ludlow Lee and
Humphreys vice. presidents, will offer prizes
possibly and the local banks. clubs and mer-
chants will make the principal contributions to
stimulate competition. The track is only a
quarter of a mile long, and at present is used
for baseball Any money over from the gate
receipts will go to charity Soldiers sailors and
marines will be admitted free. There Will be
seven races on the programme.
Spanards OF Cuban birth are anxiously await
ing decision Of the question Of their eligibility
to register foreigners. "El Comercio." re-
ferring to the ninth article Of the Treaty Of
Paris says that strict observance of the letter
Of the treaty would exclude all except natives
OF the peninsula, and the journal quoted ex-
presses the belief that the American Govern
ment will not compel acceptance Of that prin-
cple.