The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-26
me shafter-Gnrcia Anair.

The real reason for the difference be
tween Gen. Shafter and Gen. Garcia turns
out 10 be just what we supposed it was.
ramely that Gen. Garcia wanted Gen.
Shafter TO do some act that would have
been virtual recognition OF the sO-called
cuban republic Gen. shafter does not
appear to have regarded the letter of Gen.
Garcia, declaring that he had not been
shown proper consideration in connection
with the surrender of Santiago, of sufi-
cient Importance to report it promptly TO
the war department.
1t seems, however, that he sent an an
swer to Gen Garcia in which he pointed
out 10 him that he had shown him every
courtesy which his instructions permitted.
one sentence in the letter is as follows:
you will remember the fact that I invi-
ted You TO accompany me into the town Of
Santiago to witness The surrender, which
you declined" In another sentence
he says: This war as you know,
is between the United States and Spain,
and IL is out of the question for me to take
any action in regard to your forces an con-
nection with the surrender, which was
made solely to the American army"
Gen. Garcia's letter was calculated to
leave the impression that he had not been
asked 10 be present at the surrender q
Santiago In fact, no ground for his letter
is apparent except on the theory that the
Cubans were the allies Of the Americans,
and. therefore the surrender Of the Span
iards ought to have been to the Cubans, as
well as TO the Americans.
Immediately after Gen. Gmcias letter
appeared in print we said that it was APP
parent that what Cen. Garcia wanted was
a recognition of the so-called Cuban repub-
lie and that 1t would appear when the
facts were made known that he was treat
cd with courtesy by Gen. Shafter, and had
been granted every right and privilege ne
had any reason to expect
If the truth were known, it would doubt
less appear that it was the purpose Of the
leaders of the insurgents TO force some
sort Of recognition of their republic at the
surrender of Santiago. They are beginning
to be apprehensive that they will not be
given control OF Cuba when the Spaniards
shall have been driven out Of the island
that they viii not be given the island TO do
with il as they please.
It is quite safe to say'that their appre-
tensions are wen founded. The insurgents
will not be permitted to conhscaA the
property of the loyalists and drive them
from their homes. our government has
plainly stated that its purpose is to put
an end to Spain's rule in Cuba. II has also
stated that 1t intends to give the people
a strong and safe government based upon
the viii Of the people. The Cuban leaders
do not appear to have understood theI
clearly expressed intention of our govern
ment. or if they did they pretended not to
do so The very first opportunity they had
they tried To step TO the front and assume
control of the territory which had been
surrendered to our army By the spaniards
They seemed to think that we had engaged
in war with Spain simply TO put them
in power in Cuba
They have a different idea now. and
hence are not so anxious to cooperate
with us as they were Gen. Garcia has
withdrawn from Santiago with his army.
! Doubtless he will be back again when his
! army gels hungry, and il will not be long
before it will be hungry.
In view of the fact that the Insurgents
have not been recognized by any power,
tho insurgent leaders must have a good
deal of gall to assume that we are carry
ing on a costly war in Cuba in order that
! they may take control of the island. We
do not know that they are qualified to give
Cuba good government, but we have rea-
] IA hol MI, ,,fI II,
| bans who are capable of governing Cuba
wisely and welI
! At the proper time the Cubans will have
an opportunity to say who of their number
they want 10 make and administer the
/ laws. Some of the officials WIZ of course,
| be chosen from among the insurgents, but
all of them will not. 1t is clearly our pur-
pose TO give the people of Cuba, the royal
/ lists as wen as the Insurgents, a govern
ment of their own choosing. Therefore If
the insurgents are expecting great favors
from our government they are going to be
disappointed.
1t is a matter of very little consequence
to us whether Gen. Garcia and his soldiers
continue 70 cooperate with us or not. We
shan not complain if they undertake to
carry on a war with Spain on their own
responsibility. We ask nothing more than
that they shall not interfere with our OPP
| eratons.
When the time comes for providing a
government for cuba the insurgents will be
regarded as other citizens of the island.
As we want a good and stable government
there, we shall see to it that the people
select the most capable men to make and
administer the laws.
A schedule of the Letter real estate hold