Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-04-27
UGLY SCANDAL IN CUBA

UGLY SCANDAL IN CUBA.
The Washington Post OF Saturday last
gives the following:
What will Congress say, what will the
American people say, when II is known that
American army officers, now occupying ad-
illustrative positions In Cuba, not content
with receiving the salaries which the United
States government generously allows them,
have been drawing additional compensation
out of the Cuban revenuesf What is 70 be
the popular verdict when Congress lie Off
clally informed, as It soon will be, that not
few Of these officers are now receiving
double salaries, one from the United States
Treasury and the other from the Cuban
fundsf
Most surprising Of all. the use of this
Cuban money has had the sanction Of the
administration, as represented by the Presi.
dent and Secretary Root The Cubans have,
of course, been powerless They have not
even been consulted. The United States is
in control of the Island, and 30 in the pockets
of American army officers thousands OF dol
lars Of Cuban revenues merrily Jingle, along
aide of the dollars regularly paid to these
officers a. their legal salaries.
These are not idle declarations; they are
facts admitted by Secretary Root
Mr.. Root, when asked by the Post Yester
day afternoon whether he would have any
objection TO stating whether American army
officers had been paid any money out of the
Cuban revenues, 10 addition TO their sala
ries, besitated thoughtfully before replying
Finally he answered "No."
"How many officers have been thus draw
Ing Cuban money 2" he was then asked.
"Haf dozen or So"
Mr. Root declined to make any detailed
statement as to the names Of the officers or
the amounts which they had received, on
the ground that he intended to eventually
furnish the Senate with the Information.
"This matter was given careful considera
ton" be said, "by the administration and,
think, by the Cabinet. And am going to
make more allowances when the list is ready
for me TO examine" he added, with show
of bravado. There is Col. Black, for in-
stance. He has done great work in Havana
and he ought TO have more money. He is
entitled To 1t II he gives all his time TO the
Cubans. Anyway, the army officers cannot
live in Havana in proper style on their army
salaries"
"Was this money 10 the nature Of an ad.
ditional salary or an allowanceH"
at was a fixed sum-" was the guarded
answer 9
"There Is law" II was suggested to Sec.
rotary Root, (which forbids a government
officer from drawing two salaries. Is 1t con
tended that the money paid to these officers
from Cuban revenues Is not a salary from
the United States government
That Ia the understanding" replied Score.
tary Root.
There was good deal of adverse com.
ment created few days ago by the Posts
disclosures Of the extravagant manner In
which Cuban Commissioner Quesada wai
living at the expense Of the Cuban fund
Much more serious, however, Is the fact tina,
army officers now stationed In Cuba are also
reveling In the Cuban funds. They are be
ipg paid, In addition to the salaries allowed
them by law. stated sums, ranging, 1t Is said
from 5000 to 5000 year, Gen Ludlow
and Col. Tasker II. Bias being among the
benehciaries. The figures cannot be given
accurately. They are at present withheld
BY the War Department. The fact of the
payments Is admitted by Secretary Root
In addition to the money with which army
officers In Cuba are lining their pockets
large sums have been taken from the Cuban
revenues and applied TO the furnishing and