The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-10-21
SPANIARDS In CUBA.
They Think Our Soldiers Incapable
of Standing Hardships.
WAR INVESTIGATION COMMISSION
They Arrive at jacksonville, Fla, and VIII
Make an Inspection of tho Conditions
at Camp Cuba Libre--sub- Com
nittecs Appointed.

MAKE InspecuOn OF tho conditions
at Camp Cuba Libre--sub- Com
pnitteos Appointed.
Washington, Oct 1S.-1nformation
has reached the war department that
a high officer of the Spanish army
very recently made the statement
that, had the Spaniards been aware
OF the condi ion OF the American
army, its inability to withstand the
hardships of a campaign, its lack of
medical and other supplies and gem
eral insufficiency, as told in the Amer
lean papers, the Spaniards would not
have given up, but would have con-
tinued the fighting for long time to
come, fully believing that they would
have been able to prevent the capture
of Cuba by American arms. This
statement is known to have been
made to the American officers now in
Cuba, and causes some uneasiness in
official circles, as it may mean that
the Spaniards are not yet ready to
yield the island under the terms of
the protocol.
1t is believed by officials in Wash
ington that, had it not been for the
cutlery made regarding the army and
the conduct of the war. there never
would have been any question raised
by the Spanish peace commissioners
regarding the Cuban debt. 1t is
pointed out that under the protocol,
the sole question left for the commits
sioners was the settlement of the
Philippine question, and that nothing
"a 81, LII
other Cuban question. BY those who
are in position to know, 1t is asserted
that the Madrid government was
aware when it asked for peace, and
when negotiations were opened. that
it was useless to ask that the Cuban
debt be taken into consideration by any
commission, and that it is only since
the reports of the bad condition of the
United States army have reached
Madrid that the question has been
raised.
Another matter that causes grave
consideration in the war department
is the temper of the Spaniards in Cuba,
and the fear that the impression which
now prevails there may lead them to
regard the American troops of not
much account, and act accordingly
after the occupancy by the United
States. The matter has been discussed
in the war department, and IL is prob
able that when the troops are sent to
Cuba there will be force of such size
and character as to give the islanders
a different impression of United States
soldiers than they now entertain.
THE impression among the Span
iards in Cuba" said an officer in a posi-
ton to know what is going on, lis that
the American soldiers are weak and
puny, incapable of withstanding hard
ship. and whom it will be an easy
matter to vanquish. This feeling may
make 1t difficult for the Americans at
first This impression is due TO the
charges that have been made against
the war department with such viru-
lence and insistence during the past
few months"
WAR INVESTIGATION COMMISSION.
Jacksonville, Fla, Oct 1s.-The war
investigating commission arrived here
| by special train direct from Washing
ton yesterday, and the intention was
announced of proceeding Immediately
to Camp Cuba Libre for the purpose of
making an inspection of the conditions
existing there. The plans for inspec-
tion were arranged at a special meet
ing held in Gen. Dodge's private car
on the way, when it was decided to do
the work by means of subcommittee
| Subcommittee of two each were also
appointed to inspect camps, and, If
necessary, take testimony at Tampa
and Fernandina, the committee of
Tampa being composed of Messrs.
McCook and Sexton, and that for Fer
nandina of Messrs. Wilson and Howell.
The inspection of the camp here will
include an investigation of the proX-
unity of the tents TO one another, the
nearness of the sinks to the tents,
width of streets and all other camp
conditions, the subcommittee to re-
port their conclusions to the full com.
mission. There have been some com
plants about this camp, and the au-
thors of these will be called If possi-
BILE, and allowed TO tell their stories
TO the commission. Others making
complaints after the arrival of the
commission, whether officers, privates
or persons in civil life, will be called
before the commission. Some investi-
cation of the location of the camp at
Miami will probably be made, but it is
believed this can be done at Jackson
vile. If not, subcommittee may be