The model-independent method for evaluating the intensity of the emission of fast nucleons in hadron-nucleus reactions as formulated by Strugalski is applied to the multiplicity distribution of fast protons in collisions of protons at 300 and 400 GeV/c and negative pious at 300 GeV/c with emulsion nuclei. It is shown that the production of pions does not in6uence signi6cantly the emission of protons.PACS number(s): 13.85.Ni, 25.40.Ve, 25.80.Ls, 29.40.Rg