New Iberia enterprise. (New Iberia, La.) 1885-1902, 1898-09-10
WHY THERE WERE STRAINED RELA-
TIONS AROUND SANTIAGO.

New York, Aug. % Brig Gen .Ioa
quin Castillo, who accompanied Con
Shaiter to Cuba as n representative of the
Cuban army and the Cuban civil gov
ernment has just returned to this city
lie was mt the Cuban junta here to day,
and whom asked m to the friction existing
between Americans and Cubans at Santi
| ago, he said that the matter had been
grossly exaggerated and that so far az tho
tubans arc concerned they have the ut
most faith in the American government,
and are confident that tho pledges made in
their behalf will be carried out.
''While deeply grateful" he said, "for
what Americans have done Tor us, we are
desirous of disprovng the charges that
have been brought against us ~ people
Personally must say that Gen. Shafter
has always treated me with tho greatest
courtesy. His misunderstanding with Gen.
Garcia was occasioned by tho fact that
specified promises had been made to the
latter which Con Shafter would not or
could not carry out. Before the American
forces landed Gen. Shafter and Admiral
Sampson met Garcia at Ascerradores for
II conference, at which was present. Gen.
Shafter there, of his own accord, promised
Garcia that on the surrender of the city it
would be turned over to him. SO late as
the day before the surrender Gen. Shafter
told me that the Spanish prisoners would
be marched out of the city and the Cubans
would be allowed to enter.
However, when the surrender WAS
made we were told that we could not on
ter. Gen. Shsfter summed up the stu
alton finally by saying: After all, this
is m American country, captured by All
American army This statement, taken
in connection with the fact that not a single
Cuban flag was allowed to be raised and
chat Con- Garcia was not invited to be
present Mt the surrender naturally caused
indignation among our forces. II appeared
that all consideration was being paid to
the wishes Of the Spaniards and the
Cubans treated as Outcnsts. The only
words said by Gen. Shnfter 30 Garcia con-
corning the surrender, were: General,
guess you will bc glad to see some Of
your friends Tomorrow
""The failure to invite Garcia was as deli
berate as tho failure to invite Sampson.
after tho surrender Gen. Garcia told
Gen. Shafter that as there did not appear
TO be any necessity for his remaining near
Santiago, he would withdraw his forces,
to lead them against the Spaniards in
other parts of the province He also wrote
letter which has already been published.
IL is absolutely certain that there could
have been no fear Of lOoting OF outrage by
the Cuban forces.
at is said that the Cubans did not fight,
but only attacked tho provisions. Gen.
Garcia had no pack animals, and had To
feed 5000 men who, under orders from Gen.
Shafter, were always to occupy tho right
Of Gems. Lawtons and Ludlows forces.
He detailed $50 men to carry the provisions
from Siboney, eight miles to tho front.
The result was that continuous stream
of Cubans appeared walking through the
American lines heavily laden with sup
plies. The American soldiers, ignorant Of
the mission Of these carriers, naturally
charged them with sclfshness when they
supplies at the front. As TO the Cubans
not fighting or working, we have the letters
Of Gems. Lawton and Ludlow, who alone
are able to judge, because their forces
only were near the Cubans, that the latter
worked hard and fought well.
"That the Cubans fought Is proven by
the large number Of killed and wounded.
Another charge has been made against US
that we acted inhumanly toward the
sailors of Cervera' fleet. As fact, how
ever, Cervera and 600 sailors were cap
turcd by the Cuban forces while they were
trying to escape 10 the city. They were
turned over to the American naval autholi-
ties and receipt for them taken. Cervera
himself testified ns to the good treatment
he received at the hands OF the Cubans.
On the whole, it will be seen, therefore,
that the charges made against the Cnbans
have been unj just.
Whatever friction there was -unfortu-
nate and unnecessary have been
avoided by Gen. Shafter il, in carrying
out his plans, he had been less brtisque."