Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-27
CUBAN REPRESENTATIVES
Another Conference Held Between Them and
General Miles.
The Question of Recognition Again
Assuming Considerable
Importance.

Another conference mas been held be-
tween General Miles, commanding the
United States forces. and representatives
of the Cuban civil and military authorities.
The latter included Senor Quesada. charge
d affaires Of the Cuban legation Brigadier
General Nunez and Lieutenant Artiago of
the Cuban army. Lieutenant Artiago has
seen seventeen months service en- the field
and General Nunez has an intimate knowl-
edge of all the ports of Cuba, having di-
rected the movements Of several filibus-
ter.ng parties. The conference brought
about full discussion of the plans of CO.
operation between the United States AMI
Cuban forces. The details of this coop
GRAFTON arc guarded with the strictest Sc
crecy, and for obvious reasons they will!
not b., made public. The exploit of Lieu
tenant Rowan in landing near Santiago
has been known FOR several days to both
the United States and Cuban authorities,
as they co-operated in executing this move.
The Cuban authorities here furnished the
guides and necessary papers to see Lieu
tenant Rowan through the Cuban lines
To Land at Two Points.
1t was In execution of the plans previ-
ousIy made for a landing at Santiago and
Sagua two points on the Cuban coast, one
north and one south, respectively, with a
view to effecting junctures with both Cen
eral Gomez and General Garcia. Now that
Lieutenant Rowan is on his way to effect
junctu1e from Santiago, it is not improba-
ble that another juncture will be made by
way OF Sagua. The first purpose of these
movements, 1t is understood, is to bring
about a full equipment of insurgent forces,
rather than to secure joint movement be-
tween them and the United States troops.
1t is said that Garcia and Gomez together
can muster 5000 men. and that they will
be able to make strong forward move
ment on Havana as soon as they have
arms. ammunition and medical supplies.
The latter, ard particularly quinine. is
said to be greatly needed. The understand
ing among those best acquainted with the
plans of cooperation is that the Cuban
forces will advance on Havana and make
a land siege in cooperation with the block
ade now III progress by the United States
warships. .
Cuban Recognition.
In this connection there Is renewed talk
of a recognition Of the Cubans. at least
their bel!igerency. and possibly their inde-
Iendence, and confident hopes were ex-
pressed today in high Cuban circles that
recognition would be granted within the
this, it is said, would be to give the Cubans
an official status at Washington instead of
their present unofficial status. The confer
ences now held with Gen Miles and other
officials are being productive Of important
results. and yet they are necessarily unofi-
cial in character. owing to the unrecogniz-
ed status of the Cubans. Now, however,
that Gomez and Garcia are being recogniz-
ed material factors in the contest and
are being treated with by the War Depart
ment. the desirability of their recognition at
least as belligerents is being urged. 1t is said
the cooperation already established is in
itself a recognition of the de facto existence
Of the Cuban army and of belligerency, and
that the de jure recognition should follow.
Whether. however, this would extend to
Cuban independence remains in doubt, ow-
ing to the strong stand taken by the Presi-
dent In his message to Congress. Since
then, however, the beginning of war has
wrought important changes which may OBJ
crate 10 advancement to the recognition Of.
lndependence. While the Cuban authorities
entertain renewed hopes of recognition the
administration policy appears TO be un-
changed against TIE expeuiency of cecosni-
llon Oh any character.
The First Probable Legation.
In the event of Cuban recognition it is
probable that President Palma of the Gu
ban Junta would be the first minister ac-
credited from Cuba, with Senor Quesada as
charse daffaires at Washington, and Senor
Aibeftim as first secretary. President
Paima spends most CT mis- time III New
York, leaving Sencr Quesada in active
charge here. The delegation at Washington
Is assuming extensive opera iiCns, including
a number of military AID civil OFFICER rs v no
nave recently served with the Cuban forces.