Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-10
HERE is HISTORY!
Gen. Ciaseret Tells About His AIi-Day Fight
with StOnewaIl Jackson.

Sir, you ask for my opinion upon the
Americans in the conflict about Cuba.
writes Gen. Cluseret i'll the Paris
Figaro. You base your question upon
my personal experience during eight
wears residence in America and four
years service in the army as a general
Of the United States, and your que.'-
tionS are crosse mOd0, first upon the
probable policy of the Union and sec
on1 upon the value and quality of the
Union troops.
In the first place, bear in mind TIL.
fact that the United States will never
annex either Cuba or Canada, unless
there is a complete change in the
American policy, and to me that does
not seem possible. The reason is that
Cuba, like Canada. is a Catholic coun-
try, and the United states is Protes-
tant nation: and if two new Catholic
states should join the Union. it would
change the political balance. | had 10
deal with this question 80 years ago,
when ! was a commissioner OF pubfc
instruction in New York. Already at
that time | showed the spirit of inVa-
sion on the part of the Catholics. tend
ing toward the destruction of the
school system which existed since the
origin of the republic. They wanted
appropriations scattered proportionat7-
.iy according to the Importance OF the
RELIGIONS from numerical point Of
view, This was a sonderhund in the
egg. Since that time the Cathollcs
have made considerable progress. and
j very much doubt if. in the presence
Of their increase. Congress will be dis
posed to change its oldtime policy.
No. what the United States want S
the independence of their capital
closely linked as it is with that of the
island Of Cuba.
Now for the army. There is no army
in the United States Twenty-Five
thousand men to look after the Indians
in the far West cannot be called an
army.
There are solid volunteers. ana as
many of them as the nation wants, of
as it has money to pay for.
Now what are these volunteers?
Having commanded them for fouE
wears. | know them. They are honest
and brave fellows. politicians above
everything else but as professional SOL
diers they amount to nothing. Not one
war Of secession. From tactical
point of view there was not one con-
ception or one skillful maneuVer. but
the triumph OF numbers. OF money ana
of The essential quality of the Yankee
race. good sense and tenacity. is beyond
question.
| was at Gettysburg and at Antletanl'
where stupid masses were commanded
by stupidity in the presence OF death'
There was not a movement not con-
cention. Two lines of men were fmoW1u
down during an entire day by $50 pieces
of artillery. What was the result
Attainment in death as in life. Go 70
Antietam today, and there you VIII ma
50. 600 dead in line on their BACKS IN
stead of being on their legs WIN
crosses of wood over their heads lh-
stead of muskets in their hahos-ii
| caDable of moving. dead just as thes
were when living-alignment IN I'M
moyability. that is all, Grant WIS
grossly ignorant; he did not possess tue
smallest idea of maneuVerlng. Inc
only maneuverer was StoneWah 'ich
son. nv adversary. The latter nnaiieu-
vered rapidly, and | naturally wa
! Obliged to do the same thing.
An example may make my mcaiil!is
more clear. At the beginning OF the
! campaien the men used innocently -
ask me: General, do you thlnk tha'
| we will be afraid?" They were noiieF''
| fellows. and, as a rule. honest leii''' :
| ask lust such questions. me t'"f7
| wanted me to vancouver them even vi