Evening star., 1898-09-07
Progress of the Commission Depends
on Spanish Disposition.
NUMBER OF TROOPS ON THE ISLAND
Proposed Method Of Their En-
OF. %
barkationr
DEBT AND OTHER TOPICS

With the arrival of the Cuban military
commission at Havana within the next
few days the real work of termin ating
Spanish rule in the island will begin. 1t is
realized that many difficulties will con-
front the commission in working out the
details of Spanish evacuation. The only
point Of agreement from which both sides
start is the clause of the peace protocol
providing for the Immediate" evacuation
of Cuba and other Spanish West Indian
possessions by the Spanish forces. But the
word Immediate is a relative term, and
it remains to be determined just when the
actual embarkation of the Spanish forces
will begin and under what circumstances
the departure will be conducted. In some
quarters it is felt that If the American
commissioners confine the discussion to the
one essential question of evacuation the
work of the commissioners can be con-
cluded in two weeks. In other quarters it
is felt that Spanish procrastination will
lead to the opening up of many Incidental
questions, each leading to long controversy
and division, with reference to Madrid and
Washington for instructions, so that the
actual sailing of the Spanish forces from
Havana will not begin before December
or later.
Spanish Troops in Cuba.
There are said to be about 100000 Spanish
troops scattered through Cuba. Most of
these are in the western provinces only
about 10000 remaining in the eastern prov
iuces of Puerto Principe and Santiago.
For that reason it is being urged that the
evacuation by the Spanish should begin at
the east end of the island, working west
ward until Havana and the western end
are Included. In Santiago province only
5000 Spanish troops are left at Holguin
and Manzanillo In Puerto Principe prov
frce, next west of Santiago, only about
1900 troops are at Nuevitas and Puerto
Principe. By getting these out of the is
land practically the entire eastern half of
Cuba would be evacuated This. it is said
would permit farming, sugar and tobacco
culture to be resumed in a large and pro-
ductive area.
In evacuating the western sections it is
held by those we'll informed of the stua-
ton In Cuba that the Spanish forces should
not be concentrated at Havana, as they
can best be handled in small sections at
the numerous coast ports, such as Matan-
zas, Sagua la Grande, etc. 1t is expected
that the evacuation of Havana will come
last, as the large Spanish interest there
doubtless will make the Spanish element
most tenacious of their stay at the capi-
tai. -
DiIatOry Tactics Feared.
If the commission confines its discussions
TO the time and places of evacuation it is
felt that the work will .be comparatively
brief; but the fear is that the Spanish COM
missioners will seek to bring up the oues-
tion of the future government of Cuba
the payment of the Cuban debt the immu-
nifty OF government reservations forts
prisons, etc, from forfeiture to the United
States, the right of the Spanish troops to
GARY shelr arms and also to remove heavy
ordnance Under the circumstances it is
telt among officials that the American com
mlssloners are likely to make it clear at
the outset that they. are there to arrange
tne liIne ana place of evacuation, and not
70 take up the manifold questions on the
future of Cuba, with which Spain viii
nave no concern once the evacuation is
accomplished Much will depend upon the
Instructions h which the State Department
na9 gwen the commissioners, but it is be-
HeVed these guard against procrastination
ana an endless diplomatic wrangle over
collateral issues ~
80 II rs is expected that the first few sessions
oL the commission at Havana will disclose
Wnether the Spanish policy is to he one of
delay, or whether the Immediate evacus-
tlon provided by the peace protocol is to
pc cheerfully and frankly carried out Tba
dispatches from Havana. stating that The
spanish authorities have levied heavy du-
ues ON relief supplies, and a fine of $500 on
= neu Cross consignment are not reassuring
OF the Spanish purposes 1t suggests that
they Will insist to the letter on the princf
PIE lnat spanish sovereignty and authority
IN cuba still exist, and will continue until
the fhe peace Treaty is signed at Paris. With
Inns Prmciple recognized, the depleted
spanish treasury will have the revenue
eus'oihs LOT some time to come.
The Paris Commission.
me American case to be presented at
Farls Is being made up at the State Depart
heht. lhls necessitates the collection of
an immense mass of detailed information,
covering every phase of the wac Some
trouble has been experienced in preparing
the case, owing to the limited amount of
money available to the State Department
tor work of this unusual character
An invitation has been received from the
frencn line of steamers, running from
New York to Havre, to take the entire
American commission and it's staff to Paris
and return, free Of cost. This offer, how
ever, came after the commission had made
had to be declined.
Inc name of Commodore Bradford, chief
OIL the naval bureau of equipment is being
mentioned among those of the party likely
10 go 10 Farls. Commodore Bradford has
charge OF the coaling of our naval vessels
the establishment of coalng stations etc.
and MS advice would be valuable in set
ting questions of new coaling stations 1t
is understood that the commission intends
10 limit It's military and naval staff to one
ofncer from each branch, which is thought
10 De rather meager for a body which will
De called upon to observe much ceremony
at the French capital. Lieutenant Stafford
Is also mentioned as the naval attache in
case Commodore Bradford does not wish to
go. Lieutenant Stafford is strongly recon-
mended He speaks French and Spanish
and has had much experience in Spanish
countries, having been assigned to duty in
south American countries IN connection
with the worlds exposition at Chicago. 1t
is understood that Adjutant General Cor
DIN S son Will be attache of the commits
sion.
Cuban Advisers Suggested.
The report that General Merritt will be ac-
companied to Paris by Filipino, in order
that the insurgents may have an unofficial
recognition in the settlement Of the Philip
pine question, has led to the suggestion
that some representative of the Cubans ac-
company the American commissioners at
least unoff1cially 1t is understood that the
Cupan representatives inJ Washington view
this suggestion with favor, feeling that
the questions Of Cuban debt, Cuban govern
ment, ETC., which mayt come up at Paris
are quite as important to- the 5Cubans the
Pmnpplne question is to the Philippines.
1t Is said Mr.. Palma or Mr. Quesada would
not be averse to going to Paris in such an
ufoHclal capacity, paying dhis own ex-
penses, with view to aiding the American
rrtk1 EA II