Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-03
CAPOTE AT NEW YORK
OF CUBAN REPUB.
IIC TALKS TO NEWSPAPER MEN.
STRENGTH OF THE INSURGENT ARMY.
Garcia Has 1000 Men in Eastern
Department., $500 Near Santiago
In All, There Are 10000 Men, Fully
Armed and Equipped.

NEW YORK, june 2-DoIningo Mendez
Capote, the Vice-President Of the Cuban
republic, arrived in this city at noon to-
day. After going to a hotel. where he
met General Palma, the head OF the
Cuban junta, he visited Cuban headquar-
tiers, where he met a number OF news
paper representatives, with whom he
talked quite freely, Horatio S. Rubens,
the counsel for the junta, acting as in
terpreter.
When asked what his mission to this
country was, Senior CapOte replied that,
before saying anything about that he
wished TO thank the American press col
lectiyely for the stand it had taken in
behalf OF the Cuban insurgents. stating
that the Cuban people and the government
were deeply grateful for the support given
by the American people, and for the action
of the nation in coming to their aid.
Continuing, he said: MY mission is not
a public one. All public acts relative to
the situation between the United States
and the Cuban republic will continue, as
heretofore, 10 be conducted by General
BdlUla.
of our people, who have high apprecla-
ton of what he has done.
Il do not come here to negotiate any
loan. l come 10 consult with General
Palma on a matter which does not con-
Germ international questions or pubic IN
terest. l have no present intention OF
calling upon President Mckinley. although
| probably shall make call upon him
before L return. How long l shall re-
main here 1 cannot say at this time, but
/ shall make my stay as short as pos
sible."
STRENGTH OF CUBAN ARMY.
Mr.. Capote holds the position OF Judge
Acknowledgement in the insurgent Cabi-
net. Questioned as to the strength of
the army, he said: mot counting those
who have recently joined his forces,
Garcia has about 1900 men under him
I'm the eastern department at Santiago
and Puerto Principe. About $500 OF these
men were in the neighborhood Of San
tiago when 1 last received word. All
were fully armed and equipped, and II
was the intention TO concentrate all OF
the force in the eastern portion on that
point.
81 cannot tell definitely how many men
there are in the other provinces. Gomez
has about 5000 men at Santa Clara.
equipped, are in the ranks Of the Cuban
army. A large number, probably 2OOOO
more, are armed with machetes, and
there are thousands of others who have
recently left the towns TO join the army,
because they could no longer live in the
towns. From Puerto Principe alone lO,OO
men. women, and children have left be-
cause of the scarcity of provisions, pre-
ferring 10 take their chances in the eoun-
try. and further Influenced by the fear
that AT the last moment the Spaniards,
driven 10 despair, will, out OF revenge,
resort 70 slaughtering.
GOMEZ.
"rhe last heard from Gomez was In
NAV. at which time the government was
AT Sebastopol, town in Puerto Principe. |
1--WE had complete dispatches from
General Palma" said Mr.. Capote, keep |
ing MS informed of the action OF the |
limited States and of the movements OF |
the army and navy. Lieutenant Rowan |
saw Gomez at Sibarga, and had con- |
terence with him concerning sailors and |
puides TO be furnished the invading |
troops from the insurgents"