Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-19
SPANISH LEAVE CUBA
Evacuation by Troops Regarded as
Reasonably Fast.
WILL TAKE CONTROL DECEMBER |
No Yielding on the Matter of Bonds
Based on Island.
SWORD THE ONLY ARBITER

leltSTdpneu the
War Department last night that 5000 Span
ish soldiers had already been embarked
from Cuba for Spain. and that arrange
ments had been completed, of which the
American commissioners had been duly
notified by the Spanish commissioners. for
the embarkation of 10000 more troops in
the near future.
on the whole. this rate of progress. in
view of the limited resources of Spain. is
believed to be reasonable. It is realized
that the Spanish government Is not able
to command unlimited transport service if
Tor no other reason than for lack of cash.
obhging it to rely entirely upon the gov
ernment-aided ransatlantique,
whose stock of vessels has already been
heaVliy drawn upon under the exigences of
the war. Therefore, long as this dis
position Is exhibited to carry out in good
talth the evacuation of the island, it is
o1iiclally represented that our government
Is not likely to make complaint.
Inc statement that the American COM
mssloners at Havana yesterday delivered
themselves of formal ultimatum on the
subject is said to be erroneous This con-
clusion, however, does not apply to the
transfer of sovereignty. While permitting
the presence of Spanish troops in Cuba on
and after December /, it is the present pur-
pose of the War Department to take COM
plete possession of the entire civil estab-
lishment of the island on the date men,
toned, just as General Wood has done in
Santiago province. This may happen, sin
Sularly enough, even while the Spanish
commissioners at Paris are still desperately
striving to secure consideration by the joint
commission of questions affecting the
Cuban debt, Cuban evacuation and such
matters.
1t is announced on the highest authority
that having communicated its design to
the Spanish military commission at Ha-
Yana, and being satisfied that this is laid
in strict accordance with the terms of the
protocol, our government will proceed to
execute that design at any cost.
Now that the Spanish peace commisslou m
erS have been repulsed in their efforts to
have the United States assume sovereignty
over Cuba as the means of thus transfer
ring to our shoulders the Cuban debt the
next movement looked for on their part is
one in the direction Of imposing this in
debtedneSS upon the Cubans themselves.
when they shall have erected some form of
government on the ruins of Spanish Sover-
eignty. This would be something in the
nature of last resort on the part of the
boLdholders, only step removed from
total abandonment of the attempt to secure
any responsible backing for their seaIri-
ties outside of the Spanish treasury: for 1t
is said that. naturally, any new govern
ment founded in Cuba, acting independent
ly, would command scant credit in the
financial world, and not until time enough
had elapsed to demonstrate the stability of
the government would the bonds have
much value in the markets of the world.
An Unjust Burden.
But it is scarcely probable that any such
proposition would be favorably received by
the peace commissioners acting jointly: for,
aside from the question as to the justice of
imposing upon a and struggling gov
ernmcnt a mass of debt quite sufficient to
paralyZe it for years to come, there is
much to be said in favor Of the entire re-
pudiation of this debt by the Cubans en-
the score that it was not really incurred
on account of the island. but actually to
benefit Spain alone.
Also, it may be said that even should
the commissioners consent to consider such
a proposition, they would do so only on
the distinct understanding that the various
so-called Cuban debts should be differen-
tated and only part of them regarded as
proper liens against the Cuban people
Touching the municipal debts, as already
stated, our commissioners have never con-
tended that they should be outlawed. but
they Will remain as a just charge against
the respective communities which floated
them and for whose benefit their proceeds
were applied.
Touching the bitter complaints that are
made in the French papers against what
they denomnate the unccmpromising and
unyielGing attitude Of the American COM
missioEers, ard their refusal to consider
propositions to arbilrate radical differences
between the two bodies it is said here that
presumably the Spanish commissioners
went to Paris under instructions quite as
comprehensive as those supplied to The
American commissioners.
But One Arbiter-The Sword.
Any suggestion of arbitration would be
cut of place in connection with the peace
commission, and, should it come to an ire
concilable difference between the two COM
missions, there can be but one arbitra-
ment-that of the sword-for which our
government is fully prepared, but which it
does not expect to be obliged to enter upon
Soldiers May Remain
Copies of a circular issued by Gen. Blanco
to the Spanish troops in Cuba have been
received here. The circular defines tn,
terms upon which members of the Spanish
army will be permitted to remain in Cuba
after the surrender of Spanish sovareisnty
over the island. In it Gen. Blanco says, in
part:
The fact that Spain contrary to nv
wishes, l must admit, is about to surrender
her sovereign right over the Island of Cuba
and evacuate the island. Withdrawing all OF
her soldiers who have fought for their flag
and country for the past three years is
well known to you. There may be many
among your number who will desire to re-
main in Cuba rather than return to your
native land and it is my purpose to permit
such as may desire to enjoy this privilege
Any whose terms of service have already
expired will be paid in full before our
forces eyacuate the island and will upon
application to the commander of your divis-
ion. be granted an honorable discharge and
allowed to remain on the island. Also all
those soldiers who have served in the Span
ish army for a period of three years, and |
are now known as belonging to the re-
serves. will be discharged honorably under |
the same conditions and given the same |
privilege.
Il shall also endeavor to make arrange
ments with the government at Madrid for |
the discharge of others who may make ap-
plication to their commanders for the right |
to remain In Cuba. All others will be trans
ported to Spain free of charge. and upon |
reaching their country will be pail their |
past salaries in full. Those VIII, remain |
will nave in addition to their salaries the |
pro rata cost of transportation to Spain
The sick will be allowed to remain un the
island, according to the terms and agree |
ments to be made with the American com
missioners, until they have fully recovered, /
and they will then have the same oppor- |
tunity of returning home or remaining In /