Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-11-22

CUBA, BUT NOT FOR OVERALL
WANT ULTIMATE INDEPEND-
EcyCE
New York, November 21.-Gen. Cal
ixto Garcia and the other Cuban COM
missioners from the Cuban military
assembly at Santa Cruz del Sur, who
are en- route to Washington for the
purpose of laying before President Nc
Kinley a resolution recently adopted
by the assembly as to the future OF
the island of Cuba, arrived here to-day
tug Atlantic to meet the Segurncia, and
Gen. Garcia and the commissioners
were given an enthusiastic welcome by
the members of the local branch OF the
Cuban Junta and many prominent Gu
bans, who went down the bay on the
tug Atlantic to meet the Segurnca, ana
when the veteran general came down
the gang plank at the Ward line dock
he was greeted with rousing cheers. 1t
was with great difficulty that the po-
lice cleared the way for the party TO
reach the street, so dense was the
crowd. Those of the party accompany
ing Gen. Garcia were: Gen. Jose Mig
uel Gomez, Lieut. Colonel Jose Ramon
| Villalon, Col. Antonio Gonzales Lam
! uza, former secretary of the Cuban
Junta in this city; Col. Cosme Terri
ente, secretary to Gen. Garcia; Col.
Carlos Poey, Col, Enrique Villuendos
and Lieut.. Ricardo Koby.
Gen. Garcia when seen on the steam
err said he was delighted to be in New
York again and that he looked forward
with pleasure to the commissions call
on President Mckinley.
81 will go to Washington in a day or
two and see the President and after my
work in the United States is accom-
plished will return to Cuba.
"The Cubans have no other feelings
for the Americans than those of friend
ship and gratitude. AS for myself. l
believe in American occupation of Gu
ba until order has been restored.
believe in the United States having
Cuba, but not forever. I am for free
Cuba, and so are all other Cubans
in Mr.. Mckinley
THE commission of which I am the
head is not going to Washington with
any propositions for the Presidents
consideration. We are going there to
tell of the country and to better the
arrangements for the disbanding of
the troops, collecting the customs du-
ties and the establishment of a post
office system. American occupancy is
a necessity-but not forever"
Gen. Garcia also said that at the as
sembly at Santa Cruz del Sur there was
the greatest spirit of unity shown.
Gen. Garcia said that he was in SYM
pathy with Gen. Buffers plan to en-
ploy Cuban soldiers as police.
I believe the plan is good one," he
said. THE men could be under the
direction of Cuban colonies, who would
| report 10 the general.
The present plan is to keep the
Cuban soldiers under arms until the
Americans come into a district and
then the Cuban officer in the district
will offer the services of his men to
the American colonel Those who are
wanted are retained by the American
officer and the others are sent home.''
Gen. Garcia said he did not know
where the capital of the island would
be situated, nor did he know when the
first presidential election would be
held. He said the evacuation of the
island was progressing "as slowly as
the Spaniards can do it. They still
hate to give up the customs receipts"
He thought the stories of the trouble
with the Spanish soldiers owing to
their salaries being in arrears were
greatly exaggerated and that in time
whatever was due them would be paid.
Gen. Garcia said THERE was still
great suffering in the towns. the peo
pie lacking food and medicines. In the
field, however, the men did not want
as they were supplied by voluntary
contributions from the people which
were given in spite of need. He also
said that he had not heard that Gen.
Gomez had discharged all the Ameri-
cans who were acting as officers in the
Cuban army. and that he did not know
Gen. Gomez was unfriendly to the
Americans.
Gen. Jose Miguel Gomez, who is not
relative of the commander in chief.
said there was no truth in the stories
that Gen. Gomez was unfriendly to
Americans. Il received orders from
Gen. Gomez to assist the Americans
when they landed he said, "and to
facilitate their movements in every
way. l did so and since then the or
ders have not been rescinded."
When asked as to whether in his |
opinion Spain would again go to war |
with the United States Gen. Garcia said
laughingly.