Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-04-15

divide with his captain and general,
he would go down as Jose Domingo,
also as Maria Domingo. as Jose Maria.
and as Jose Maria Gomez, and he and
bis captain and his general could make
oath that each OF these was his true
name. It is believed that altogether
about 1880 actual living men were
represented on the pay rolls. of which
about 1000 actually took part In the
lighting and were entitled to the boun-
ty. First and last during the three
years of the war probably 10000 men
we're engaged. a few of them during
the whole period, most of them only
only for a few months. Probably half
OF them were dead at the time the
pay rolls were made out, and a good
many who returned to their cabins did
not hear OF the scheme or claim the
money at the time, and are now de-
manding their share. But there we're
never more than 10000 insurgents un-
der arms at the same time. When
old Maxine Gomez saw the pay roll,
with Its $4,000 or 10000 names, he
made a loud protest He declared
that 1t would ruin his reputation. be-
cause II he had half that many SOL
diers he would have driven the Span
lards of the island.
1.-THE distribution was not equal;
the payments ranged from 5000 to $12,-
900. according to the rank OF the
claimant, and they were delayed 80
long that large number lost faith,
or became hard up. and were willing
to sell out their certificates on the
theory that a bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush.
1T is estimated that 1t will take
at least $4,000, 900 more to settle un-
paid claims growing out of this
a committee of other insurgent gen
erals are now insisting that the pro
visional government shall pay them
out of the treasury.
Another similar graft which is now
going on" continued my lawyer friend,
is the payment of phantom army
which is alleged to have been or
ganized under the orders of President
Palma in the different provinces dur
ing the revolution last summer Each
provisional governor was authorized
to enlist, organize, arm and equip a
took no part In the revolution, and
saw no active service whatever the
politicians are now presenting muster
rolls which contain the names of half
the adult male population of Cuba and
demanding $3.50 n day for each man
for period of three months. Very
few Of the militia companies were or.
ganized; only three or four were ever
armed or uniformed, but since 1t was
proposed to pay them their number
has swollen to the size of the hosts
of Pharoah, and 1t will take at least
N,0OO,000 to pay the claims that have
already been filed. The muster rolls
were not made up until after the revo-
luton was all over: then the politi.
clans, scenting graft, put down the
names of all of their constituents who
would agree to support them, or give
them percentage.
Now come the horse claims. Dur
Ing his efforts to mollify the insur-
gents Secretary Taft licensed horse
stealing. 1t is said Ito have been a
mistake of General Funston, but how.
ever 1t may have happened. an order
was issued to pay the original owner
for every horse that was stolen ry
a n ncttr tvr H.. al, L..
summer and allow the thief to keep
the animal. AS consequence. every
man who had not stolea horse up
t. that houf hurried out as far. as he
could to get one, and 1t las bee )me 4
very profitable business. There
are already about 10000 horse
claims. although there were no
more than $4,000 insurgents all told
in the field. A commission of army
officers is sitting on this question and
investigating the claims.
There are In Cuba 100000 r TO-.
100000 acres of public land, the herit-
age of future generations. The lead.
ers OF the liberal party, 10 increase
their popularity and their influence
now propose to divide these lands
among the soldiers of the Army OF
Liberation" and supply every man
with yoke of oxen and cart, a com
plete outfit of agricultural implements
and machinery and the necessary
seeds to start a farm at government
expense. This, they say, will make
the hero of liberation n soldier
of peace and a defender of the sta
bility of the republic. but 1t is only
another scheme for graft. OF course
It would be great thing for the coun
try If it could be honestly handled
If the men would settle down and
work the farms given them, but very
few of them would do that, and in q
short time the spectators would have
the largest part of the land.
Most of the men who were in the
revolution last summer fought in the
war for independence" continued my
friend. They have become habitual
revolutionists. The insurrection habit
results from certain characteristics oil
mind peculiar to these people. They
believe 1t is the business of the gov
s,,-x e