The San Francisco call., 1898-07-25
CUBANS SEEK
 SOVEREIGNTY Correspondent Aras to the Front Again. MAKES A PLEA TO M'KINLEY SUPPLEMENT TO THE GARCIA
 LETTER. Shows a Hungry Desire to Despoil Santiago-Shafter's Firm Stand
 Commended by the
 Populace.
MAKES A PLEA TO M'KINLEY
SUPPLEMENT TO THE GARCIA
 LETTER.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 23.-The document which is being circulated for signatures among Cuban residents in Santiago addressed to the President of the United States thanking him for the cooperation of the army of the United States and expressing the hope that the American Government will recognize Cuban sovereignty in the surrendered portion of the province of Santiago de Cuba, was drafted by Aras, the news paper correspondent on the staff of the Cuban general, Castillo, who directed the alleged letter of protest from Gen eral Garcia to General Shafter. The following is the text of the document:
 To President Mckinley: The under signed. Cubans by birth, land owners and residents of Santiago de Cuba, represent ing with their families the non-combatant population that suLered for many years Spanish rule in this section of the island, wish to express their warmeSt thanks to the people of the United States for de- livering them from the insufferable yoke of Spanish rule.
 They wish also to express their absolute confidence in the good faith and humant- tarian purposes of the United States and in the pledge that territory of CEba is not
 
 for purposes of annexation. We believe and would urge that our own people are capable of fulfilling the international obli- gation to establish a government for the island. Cuba in the future may possibly become, in the course of few years, part of the territory of the United States, thus increasing the comfort and happiness oL this people, but now all desire a govern ment of our own, as compensation for the sufferings and heroism of our army and the definite establishment of the Cuban republic with Cuban authorities in ac- cordance with the resolutions or the United States Congress-
 We hope that the present state of af- fairs at Santiago-where Spaniards are still the administrators of our interests property and fate-will be brief; that the city may soon be turned over to the Gu bans, and that our army may enter with the flag of Cuba waving trtumphantly be- side the American flag, as Cuban soldiers fought side by side with the Americans against the common enemy.
 General Shafter's refusal to permit the entrance of armed Cubans into Santiago is an extremely wise one in these excited days, as there might be trouble. Unarmed persons. however, are free to enter at all times. AS soon as the Spanish soldiers have embarked Cubans will be allowed to enter the city freely. The first authorization is expected next Thursday, in accordance with a contract made between the United States and the Spanish Trans atlantic company.
 The United States transport Santiago left this morning for Newport News with sick and wounded. The steamer Jamaica arrived to-day with passen- gers from Jamaica and proceeded to Guantanamo with provisions for the United States fleet.
 To-day the Spaniards turned over their cavalry horses. Only f43 were surrendered. The others have been killed for food for the army.