Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-25
CUBANS PETITION
That Santiago May Be Turned Over
to the Cubans, and That Their Flag
Nav Wave Over the City.

Santiago de Cuba, July Pill p. m.
The document which is being clrcu-
lated for signatures among Cuban resi-
dents in Santiago, addressed to the
President of the United States, thank
irg him for the cooperation OF the
army of the United States and ex-
pressing the hope that the American
government will recognize Cuban SOW
ereignty in the surrendered portion OF
the province of Santiago de Cuba, was
drafted by Arms, the newspaper cor
RESPONDENT on the staff of the Cuban
General Castillo, who drafted the al
legged letter OF protest from Gen. Garcia
to Gen Shafter.
The following is the text OF the doc
ument:
"To President Mckinley:
"The undersigned, Cubans by birth,
land owners and residents of Santiago
de Cuba, representing with their fam
lilies the non-combatant population
that suffered for many years Spanish
rule in this section OF the island, wish
to express their warmest thanks to the
people of the United States fer deliv-
ering them from the insuffcrable yoke
of Spanish rule.
"They wish also to express their abb
solute confidence in the good faith and
humanitarian purposes OF the United
States, and in the pledge that the ter
ritory of Cuba is not to be conquered
by the American troops for the pur-
poses of annexation.
1--WE believe and would urge that our
own people are capable Of fulfilling the
international obligation to establish a
| government for the island. Cuba. in
the future. may possibly become, in the
| course of few years, part Of the terri
tory of the United States, thus increas-
ing the comfort and happiness of this
| people, but now all desire a govern
ment of cur own, as compensation for
| the sufferings and heroism of our
army and the definite establishment Of
the Cuban republic with Cuban author
tiles, in accordance with the resolu
tions of the United States Congress.
Eve hope that the present state of
affairs at Santiago, where Spaniards
| are still the administrators of our in
| terests, property ard fate, will be
brief; that the city may son be turned
over to the Cubans, and that our army
| may enter, the flag of Cuba waving
triumphantly beside the American flag,
as Cubas soldiers fought side by side
with the Americans against the COM
mon enemy"
| Gen. Skaters refusal to permit the
entrance CT armed Cubans into San
tiago is an extremely wise measure, as
| in these excited days 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 embarkatian is expected
next Thursday, in accordance with a
| contract made between the United
| States government ard the Spanish
| Transatlantic Company.
The United States transport Santiago
| left this morning for Newport News
with sick and wounded.
The steamer Jamaica arrived to-day
with passengers from Jamaica and pre-
ceeded to Guantanamo with provisions
for the United States fleet
To-day the Spaniards turned over
their cavalry horses. Only one hum
dred and fcrty-three were surrendered
The others had been killed for food
for the army.
=