The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-14

General GARcrA-I know It; but the system OF
warfare that we have adopted will not admit OF us
at present directing all our efforts to defend
useless capital, the possession OF which would not
bring us advantages commensurate with the sacri-
ices necessary to acquire 1t. At the outbreak OF
the revolution wo were completely ignorant OF
military AFFAIRS and had no arms or ammunition
Experience and arms we are getting from the
enemy, but we are not yet 10 position TO meet his
well-supplied armies In the field. Our organiza-
ton, as yon see, is yet in its infancy We are
DESTITUTE OF ARTILLERY,
or of troops that know how to use 1t, 40 that IL
would be madness for us yet to think OF delivering
formal battles lr the United States had treated us
with any sort OF fairness IL might have been differ
emit; but their pretended neutrality was all the
side OF Spain, whom they allowed TO build gun
boats and ship large quantities OF arms TO Kill re-
publicans and perpetuatc slavery, while the Gu
bans would not be permitted 10 buy or ship rifle.
Since the death Of General Rawlns the United
States, that have always mad so much of our sym
pathy and respect are treatip. rs with cruelty
and I'M Justice
ANNExATios.
CoRREsPoNDENT-What do you think. General OF
the question oil annexatons
General GARcIA-At one time a vast majority OF
the Cubans were In favor Of annexing the island to
the United States, and even now The greater part
OF them would vote for such a measure; but our
overtures have been treated with silent contempt
in Washington, and that course by America has
disappointed the expectations OF the Cubans and
chilled their enthusiasm for the measure. At one
time was warmer supporter OF the idea OF an
neXation than am now still, as measure OF con-
venience by which my country would be likely to
profit and prosper would give my adhesion to 1t,
and there are many Others VINO feel the same way
on the subject But whatever may be the fate OF
the island we can have
no RECONCILIATION WITH SPAIN.
CoRREsPoNDENT-DO you think General, that the
Cubans having acquired their independence, could
establish stable form or governments Would
there be no danger OF intestine wars originating
in personal ambitions2
General GARCIA-I think the Cubans would not
fall into the misfortune OF other countries formerly
belonging to Spain. They would take warning by
st. Domingo, Venezuela and the rest The CuoanS
are a very docile and easily governed people.
proof OF this lies In the fact that although our gov
eminent has no physical means TO enforce its de-
crees or to check the ambitions OF men at the mead
OF troops yet there has not occurred single act
OF INSTRUMENTATION towards the Executive, nor an
attempt 10 usurp the attributes OF the President,
since the beginning OF our struggle.
NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY THE NEGROES.
CoRREsPoNDENT--The negroes having a vote and
being in the majority, is there no DANGER General,
OF their getting the upper hand OF the whites,
usurping all the Offices ruling in their owl igno-
rant way, and SO bringing about war OF races
General GARCIA-There is not the remotest danger
OF such a thing happening. The blacks, being
citizens, have Just as much interest in the progress
of the island as the whites. They are treated with
perfect political equality, and all the offices are
open to them, thus leaving no room for discomfort
ar 4tac
intelligence OF the whites would lnfalbly give
them the preponderance or power Then the
numerical difference between the TWO races Is in
significant, the whites being over 6O0,o 900 and the
blacks 100000
CoRREsPoNDENT-What is the reason, General that
greater numbers OF the slaves do not avail them
selves OF the Cuban proclamation OF emancipation
by passing over to your linesY
General GARcTA.--The greater portion OF the
slaveholding interests are In the vuclto Abajo
the western Department There the revolution,
Tor want OF arms on our part, has not cstahlish he'd
itself. The slaves are well watched and kept in
ignorance of what passes-ust as in the South
during the American rebellion-and cannot
escape. In the Eastern Department ana Cana
quay, where the Cuban banner waves, slavery is
practically abolished the slaves coming over to US
whenever they can get the chance. But we do not
want them In great numbers just now, for, having
no arms 10 place IN their hands, and provisions
being scarce, they would be rather a burden than
an assistance TO u.s.
THE INHUMAN WAR.
CoEREsPoSDENr.-This war has been conducted
In very inhuman manner, General; the outside
world blames sometimes the Spaniards and some
times the Cubans for treating PRISONERS, and even
the dead III The NEST barbarous way.
General GARCIA-Ihe Cuban government has
several times made overtures to the Spaniards to
have the killing OF prisoners stopped, but good
intentions they attributed TO lear, continuing to
butcher our people whenever they fell into their
hands saying at the same time that
We DARED NOT KILL A srANIARD.
This course on their part necessarily led TO retalia
ton on ours, and 50 the matter has continued But
tue Spaniards have habitualy INDUCED in disgrace
ful mutations OF the dead all through, since the
beginning of the war, and in the murder OF de-
fenceless women and children. We would shrink
with horror from committing such barbarites
True, we have killed Spaniards, but only in con-
formi:y with the laws of war. We have never
made against women and children and
NEVER HAVE NUTILATED THE BODIES OF THE DEAD,
as Is the practice OF the Spaniards.
CoRREspoNDENT-What do you think, General,
about the continuance OF the war;
WAR PROSPECTS.
General GARCIA-Why, that it must 90 on until we
are free or eXterminated. But in the end we
must triumph. We are getting stronger every
day In the time OF Valmaseda we were hard
pushed--we had Few arms ana hardly any ammuni-
ton-so that could not return the fire OF the
soldiers then SO numerous that we could not get
moments rest We 1ed to the most inaccessible
parts; many died OF hunger, and others, to escape
starvation presented themselves to the Spanards.
But the troops too, suffered greatly. and, their
losses moi being replaced, they were not able to
cover the same ground as formerly. Then got
some arms and again faced our enemies. We are
very well satisfied with our present condition,
though OF course, II we had plenty OF arms and am
munition could do all things. We can
CARRY ON THE WAR AS LONG AS WE wIsH
The Spanards, who are spending more than