The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-22
En- Route to Washington to Confer
with the President i'm Regard to
the Islands Future.
TALK WITH THE OLD WARRIOR
HE Is HEARTILY IN FAVOR OF
AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
-Four Companies of Engineers Ordered
to Havana-EvacuatiOn of Glen
fueSOs Delayed.

NEW YORK, Nov. 21.-Gen. Calixto Gar
cia and the other Cuban commissioners
from the Cuban Military Assembly at
Santa Cruz del Sur, who are en- route to
Washington for the purpose of laying before
President Mckinley a resolution recently
adopted by the assembly as to the future
of the Island of Cuba, arrived here to-day
on the Ward line steamer Seguranca. Gen.
Garcia and the commissioners were given
an enthusiastic welcome by the members of
the local branch of the Cuban Junto and
many prominent Cubans, who went down
the bay on the tug Atlantic to meet the
Seguranca, and 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
police cleared the way for the party to
reach the street, SO dense was the crowd.
Those OF the party accompanying General
Garcia were Gen. Jose Miguel Gomez,
Lieut.. Col. Jose Ramon Villalon, Col. An
tonic Gonzales Lanuza, former secretary of
the Cuban Junto in this city, Col. Cosme
Terriente, secretary to General Garcia, Col.
Carlos Martin y Poey Col Enrique Villuen-
daS and Lieut.. Ricardo Koby.
General Garcia, when seen on the steam
er, said he was delighted to be in New York
again and that he looked forward with
pleasure to the commissions call on Presi-
dent Mckinley. 81 will go to Washington in
day or two to 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 friendship and gratitude. AS
for myself ] believe in American occupa-
ton of Cuba until order has been restored.
believe in the United States having Cuba,
but not forever. / am for free Cuba and so
are all other Cubans. There is no sentiment
on the Island for annexation. All CubanS
have faith in Mr.. Mckinley. The commits
sion of which 1 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 duties and
the establishment of a postoffice system.
American occupation is a necessity-but not
forever"
General Garcia also said that at the AS
sembly at Santa Cruz del Sur there was the
greatest spirit of unity shown. General
Garcia said that he was in sympathy with
General Buffers plan to employ Cuban sol
dderS as police. Il believe the plan is
good ONE he said. 1.-THE men could be un-
der the direction OF Cuban colonels who
would report to the general. The present
plan is to keep the Cuban soldiers under
arms until the Americans come into dis
trict, and then the Cuban officer in the dis
trict will offer the services of his men to
the American colonel. Those who are want
ed are retained by the American officer and
the others are sent home'
General Garcia said he did not know
where the capital of the island would be
situated did he know when the first
presidential election would be held. He said
the evacuation Of the island was progress
ing las slowly as the Spaniards can do it.
They still hate to give up the customs
oeipts. 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
General Garcia said there was still great
suffering in the towns, the people lacking
food and medicines. In the field, however,
the men did not want, as they were sup
piled by voluntary contributions from the
people, which were given in spite of need.
He also said that he had not heard that
General Gomez had discharged all the
Americans who were acting officers in
the Cuban army and that he did not know
General Gomez was unfriendly to the Amer
leans.
Gen. Jose Miguel Gomez, who is not a
relative of the commander-in-chief said
there was no truth in the stories that Gen.
Gomez was unfriendly to Americans II
received orders from General Gomez to as
sist the Americans when they landed he
said, land to facilitate their movements in
every way. / did So and since then the
orders have not been rescinded."
When asked as to whether, in his opinion
Spain would again go to war with the
United States General Garcia said laugh
ingly: "She had better break off. We might
get few colonies then. Spain still has the
Canaries, and then Spain itself would make
a good country" After pause he added
Il may then get a position as governor"