Evening star., 1898-11-22
THE CUBAN COMMISSION
Gen. Cali1to Garcia and His Colleagues
Arrive in New York.
Their Objects Stated - 1t In Declared
That No Cubans Are In Favor
of Annexation.

The commission representing the general
assembly of Cuba which is on its way to
Washington to confer with the United
States authorities over the conditions in the
island arrived at NewYork yesterday on the
Segsuranca from Havana. The gentlemen
composing the party were General Calixto
Garcia, Jose Gonzalez Lanuza, Jose Miguel
Gomez and Ramon Enrique Villaton, and
were preceded to New York by the fifth
member OF the commission, Colonel Louis
Sanguilly. who arrived there Sunday.
Minister Tomas Estrada Palma, Benja-
min Guerra, Hcratio 8. Rubens and other
prominent members of the Cuban party in
this country met the steamer down the
bay, while a large gathering Of Cubans
awaited its arrival at the pier.
Among the latter were Gen. Carcass two
sens, Justo and Mario.
object of the Commission.
Upon the arrival in New York Gen. Gar
cia was seen by New York Tribune re-
porter, and talked as follows in regard to
the mission of his delegation:
''At the recent congress held at Santa
Cruz del Sur there were two commissions
appointed The one of which l am the
head was appointed to go to Wash
ington, and the other is now at work
names of the officers and men who are in
the army. This is being done in order that
the services of the men can be offered to
the American government, and If their
services are not wanted they can be dis
banded.
Some of the troops are now being dis
banded. and about 1000 men who enlisted
since August have already been discharg ged.
There is great suffering in the towns. The
people lack food, clothing and medicine.
III the field the men do not want for many
necessities. as they are supplied by volun
tary contributions frcm the towns. The
People give in spite of their own needs.
The present plan is to keep the men In
arms until the Americans come into dis
trict and tlen the Cuban officer in that
district will GO up and offer the services of
the men 20 the American general. Those
who are warted are kept; the others are
sent home"
FavOrs Gen. Buffers Plan.
Gen. Garcia said that he was in favor of
Gen. Buffers plan to employ the Cuban
soldiers as police. Il believe that tie
plan,' he continued, lis a good one. The
men could be Under the direction of Cuban
colonels. who would report to the general.
L would be very good thing if they were
uniformed similar to the American officers.
The Cubans have other feelings for
the Americans than those of gratitude and
friendship. l believe in the American oc-
cupancy of Cuba until order has been re-
stored. | believe in the United States hav-
ing Cuba-but not forever. l am for frea
Cuba. and so are all Cubans. There is nc
sentiment on the island for annexation.
All Cubans have faith in Mr.. Mckinley
This commission Is not going to Washing
ton with any propositions for the Presi-
dents consideration. We are going there
to tell of the country and to make better
arrangements for the disbanding of the
soldiers and the collection of the customs
duties, establishing the post office system
ana doing all in our power to assist mat
ters American occupancy is a necessity
but not forever
Spaniards Going Slow rs Possible
how is the work of evacuating the ISL
and proceeding"
As slowly as the Spaniards can do 1t.
Ihey still hate to give up the customs re-
ceipis. However, L think the stories of
the trouble with the Spanish soldiers over
the fact that their pay is in arrears are
greatly exaggerated. l think they will be
paid in time.
Il do not know. nor do 1 know where or
when the first general election for presi-
dent will be held UaughingD Ask Mr. Nc
klnley. He may know"
When asked if, in his opinion Spain would
again go to war with this country he
laughed and rubbed his hands together
Let her break Off he said with a smile
we may get a few colonies then; she has
the Canaries and then Andalusia would
make a good province" After a pause he
added: Il may then get d position as gov
ernor.' Referring to the fact that he is at
present under bail for fiibustering the gen
eral said that he perfectly willing to
answer for the 5000 bail under which he
was held when he left the country.
Mr.. Gonzalo de Quesada, the charge daft
fatres of the Cuban general assembly in
Washington, had not learned this afternoon
the exact time of the arrival of Gen. Garcia
and his colleagues in Washington. Gen.
Garcia. whose wife and family reside in
New York, has been separated from them
for a long time, and he has, besides. many
personal affairs to attend to in New York
1t is probable, therefore, that the commits
sion will rot come TO Washington until
Thursday.