New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18
THE CUBAN AYINENT.
BROOKE AND GOMEZ TRYING TO SIFT
OUT FRAUDULENT CLAIMANTS.

Havana June 17.-Governor- General Brooke
In an official letter to General Maxine Gomez
says, in relation to the payment of the Ameri-
can gratuity:
In the distribution OF the money / have
noticed that many men whose names are not on
the rolls claim to belong to the Cuban army.
AS Governor General recommend you TO take
the necessary steps to ascertain II they have
right to a portion of the S3OOOOOO, and hereby
authorize you to make what arrangements you
think proper to carry out the plan of distribn-
tion, with the Idea in view that wish no man
who served In the army under proper conditions
to be deprived OF his just dues
General Gomez subsequently published short
proclamation, in which he says:
In spite of my proposition to separate myself
completely from political affairs, 1 feel 1t
moral duty to occupy myself with all that per-
tans to our heroic soldiers. In conference with
Governor General Brooke yesterday, he in
formed me that under present conditions some
Cuban soldiers who wish to collect their share
OF the money allotted by the United States Gov
ernment for the payment of the troops are un-
able to do so, because their names do not ap-
pear on the lists This should be changed so as
to enable these men to receive their quota, which
they need and deserve.
For this I am authorized to take the meas
ures needed; and, In consequence, I have ad-
vised all the chiefs to send more information.
including every detail obtanable. II they think
as | do. The soldiers need our decided protec-
ton.
A PEACEFUL PRECAUTION.
Judges OF the situation consider that after the
payment Of the Cubans has been concluded
throughout the island a measure prohibiting
the carrying Of firearms without a license ex-
plicitly stating the nature Of the arms and the
reason why the license is issued will be adopted.
The Secretary OF Justice is naking inquiries In
the different provinces and within the next few
weeks will submit proposal for such meas
ure to General Brooke and there is no doubt
that he will favor 1t and that the order yill
be favored by all the law abiding people OF the
island. Provision will be made for the use OF
arms for hunting, the protection or Isolated
places etc. 1t is expected, however. that the
cafe politicians will see in the measure deep
laid plot to deprive the Cubans Of their arms
The complete collapse Of the agitation started
by the officers of the late Cuban Military AS
semby TO prevent the insurgents accepting the
United States bounty gratifes all Americans and
Cubans who have at heart the welfare OF the
country Thousands of former soldiers flock to
the different places OF payment. and the only
difficulty experienced IN the distribution Is as to
the number Of men who are entitled 10 share In
the So OO0 000 but whose names do not appear
on the rolls. while there the lists an I'm
mense number of names of men who are not
alive or who are unknown. evidently placed
there with fraudulent intent.
RUSH FOR PAY AT REMEDIES
At Remedies to-day over five thousand Cuban
soldiers were awaiting payment Lieutenant-Coo-
mel Rafferty,, so far, has paid out $2S,2'o. The
Mayor of Remedies has received 323 rifles. The
men awaiting payment fill the hotels and houses
and many OF them sleep in the parks. num-
Der Of the men expecting payment have In
Cured debts for food. and several Of the names
do not show on the lists. Benito Hernandez,
who served during the Ten Years War and who
has been in the field since 1895. has not been
placed on the list This Is an example OF the
way in which the lists are drawn UP.
The payment Of the Cubans at Cardenas be-
gan this morning. After an argument between
the Mayor and the Cuban Colonel Mayato, the
Americans agreed to pay all men who were
Identified even II they did not have any arms
in their possession.
Rumors are current that Monsignor Santander
Frutos Bishop OF Havana, is thinking OF SELL
ing the Paula Hospital, which Is Church prop
erty and is rented by the Spanish Government
for the detention of sick female prisoners The
stories circulated have It that an American
syndicate has offered to buy the property, and
that the Bishop will probably agree TO their
terms. Monsignor Santander Frutos Will
neither deny nor confirm the reports.