Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-07-29
GEN. GARCIA LETTER
r,rEs SEVERAL GRIEVANCES.
.,thenticity Doubtful, hut 1t Is
x..h Discusned-Sets Out Prob
al. Complaints and Threatens
Resignntton.

al. Complaints and Threaten
Resign"tion.
santiago de Cuba, July 23.-It now
ana out that the letter alleged Il
,rs been addressed by General Garc,l
General Shafter, complaining of treat
int accorded to the Cubans and advis.
General Shafter of General Garcia !
sisuation, was prepared by newspa-
Or correspondent, named Ares, who has
son acting on the staff of General Cas-
ab 1t is not clear that Garcia ever
nv the letter.
The Reported Battle.
New York, July ga dispatch to
Ne Herald from Santiago says:
Great excitement was caused at Santi.
20 today Thursday by story
Ipught in by Clbans that 1000 Cuban
purgents, composing General Garcia 5
brss, were routed by fierce engagement
nth a detachment of Spanish troops
umbering about 5000 bound for Santa.
to surrender.
In this battle, which they say took
lace at a point several miles to the
Onh of this city, Al Cubans were killed,
be Cutans say, and many more were
rounded. The Spanish loss was much
mailer, it is said.
Both Tales Unverihed.
Washington, July 23.-lt is stated
cstively at the war department that the
litter which General Garcia is represent
ID to have addressed to General Shafter.
nnouncing his withdrawal from further
wopration with the American troops,
las not reached the war department.
No word has reached the department
rom any official source relative to the
reported attack by Garcia's Cubans upon
badly Of Spanish soldiers while march
ng into Santiago to surrender to Shat
In the absence of reliable report on
The occurrence which, if true, may Dc
taught with gravest consequences and
affect the attitude of the United States
government toward the Cubans, there is
decided disposition to refuse discussion
Of the matter at the war department.
The Garcia Letter.
New York, n. v, July pa dispatch
from Santiago gives the following as a
letter sent by General Garcia to General
Shafter:
"Sir-On May IL the government OF
the republic of Cuba ordered me, as com
mander OF the Cuban army in the east,
to cooperate with the American army,
following the plans and obeying the or
ders of its commander. have done my
best to fulfill the will of my government
and have been, until now, one of your
most faithful subordinates, honoring my.
self in carrying out your orders so far As
my powers have allowed me to do it.
"The city of Santiago surrendered to
the American army and news of that I'M
portant event was given to me by per
sons entirely foreign to your staffs.
have not been honored with single word
from yourself informing ME about the nc
gotiations for peace OF the terms of the
eaptulation by the Spaniards. The I'M
portant ceremony of the surrender of The
Spanish army and the taking possession
Of the city by yourself took place late1
and | only know OF both events by pub
lie reports.
Il was not honored, sir, with kline
word from you inviting myself or an!
officer OF my staff to represent the Cuban
army OH that memorable occasion.
Finally, know that you have left il
power at Santiago the same Spanish an
thorities that for three years l hav'
fought as the enemies of the indepen
dance Of Cuba. beg to say that thes
authorities have never. been elected a
>antiago by the residents of the city
but were appointed by royal oecrees
the queen of Spain.
Il would agree that your army shorl'
nave taken possession of the city, tn
garrison and the forts. l would giev N.
warm cooperation to any measure yo
may have deemed best under American
military law to hold the city for you
army and to preserve public order unit
the time comes for you to fulfill the sol
emn pledge to establish in Cuba fire
and independent government made by tn
people of the United States.
Defenders Of Spain Appointed.
But when the question arises OF ar
POINTING officers in Santiago de Cuba III
DER the peculiar circumstances of our 3
Years strife against SPANS rule, ca
not see but with the deepest regret tina
such authorities are not elected by tn
cuban people but are the same ones 81
iected by the queen of Spain and hen'
are ministers to defend against the [,
bans the Spanish sovereignty.
\ rumor too absurd to believe, gel
eral' ascribes the reason of your me-
sure and of your order forbidding my a
my to go into Santiago to he fear OF ma
sacre and revenge against the Spaniard
allow me, sir, to protest against tt
shadow Of such an idea. We are NJ
avages. ignoring the rules of civilize
warfare. We are a poor, ragged arm
as ragged and as poor as were your for
fathers in their noble war for indepe'
uence, but as did the heroes of Saratoe
ana Yorktown, we respect too deeply Oh
cause to disgrace it with barbarism al
f0wardice Iq view Of ali these reason
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