Evening star., 1898-07-22
Widespread Discussion Caused by His
Resignation.
GENERAL MArfER LACKING IN TACT
Much Regret Caused by the Oc-
CurrenCe.
VIEWS OF MR.. QUESADA


lines at Santiago and the resignation of
that Cuban general. 1t is considered lit
tie singular that General Shafter has not
made report to the department of the
case by telegraph, but he has SO far shown
little disposition to acquaint the depart
ment with the state of affairs at Santiago
unless called upon by direct inquiry by the
Secretary of War. Thus it was not known
at the department officially that General
Wood had been created military commander
of Santiago although the fact would seem
to be one of sufficient Importance to JUS
tfy its mention in cable dispatch.
Regarding General Garcia's detection 1t
Is noticeable that the officials of the War
Department feel good deal of apprehen-
sion over the outlook. 1t Is not doubted
that If he has not taken the action re-
ported he will do so, for all the inforna-
ton that has come to the department up
to this time seems to indicate dissatisfac-
ton on the part of the Cuban commander
at the attitude assumed by General Shaf-
ter. However, as the latter is acting strict
ly in accordance with the published direc-
ticns of the President in maintaining the
status quo of Santiago so far as it relates
to the municipal administration, the blame
for a rupture If one eEsues. 1t is claimed,
cannot be placed entirely upon General
Skaters shoulders
Effect of Garcia's Letter.
Apparently the letter published from
Gen. Garcia to Gen. Shafter announcing
his resignation of command of the Cubans
of the Santiago division and the withdraw
al of his forces to Jiguari, and giving the
reason for his SO doing, is causing mod
itication of opinion as regards the Cub&ns.
The letter was very widely commented on,
with the idea that 1t disclosed that Gen.
Shafter has not shown much tact in deal
ing with the Cubans. This Is not observed
with much surprise, since Gen. Shafter
has acquired a reputation in official circles
here OF being slow In thought and very
obscure in his forms of expression.
The Garcia letter seems to have made a
strong impression here. It's dignity of
tcne and adroftness in presenting Garcia's
side of the case gives better impression
of the Cuban commander than has been
created by recent reports from Santiago.
A number of things In connection with
Gen. Skaters course have excited mill
criticism, and great deal of private Gis-
cussion of the question of whether his
temperament fully qualified him for the
DIT ties he has been, AMI is calIed upon, to
perform
A number of letters attributing 10 him
slowness and clunsiness of method have
been received from the front. and his in
ability to make himself clearly understood
in his dispatches to the department is a
matter of almost universal comment
II is not regarded as strange, therefore
that there should arise misunderstanding
between him and the Cubans, but it is
hat -ar;n will 9nll
Gen. Shafter is represented as being ex-
tremely maladroit. and that quality of his
make UP has for some time been a matter
of comment.
contrast is drawn between his manner
of dealing with the Cubans and that of
Admiral Dewey in dealing with Aguinaldo,
the rebel leader in the Philippines.
"Strong Case for Garcia"
Representative Joy Gepublican) of Mis-
souri, said today, on reading the Garcia
letter:
Garcia makes strong case for himself
1t Is dignified letter and very well put L
do not why Garcia should not have
been invited to witness the ceremony of
our taking possession of the city. There
must have been a mistake or a misuuder-
standing
Uarc1a NOT treated Right.
Representative Tawney, republican, of
Minnesota said:
Il do not want to criticise any one down
there, but 1 do not think 1t was right If
Garcia was treated as his letter indicates
1t seems to me that he should have been
invited to participate in the formality of
raising the American flag over Santiago, to
the extent Of being a witness at least 1t
a. bat he
Shafter at the beginning of our operations
there. and that he co-operated with our
troops to some extent anyhow. 1t would
seem natural. therefore, that he should be
present to witness the final triumph
think it is quite natural that Garcia should
not like to be ignored Qf he was), and that
he should not want to see the civil officials
OF the enemy retained in power, even tenn
porariiy. L think that there should have
been military government established m
der martial law as soon We took pos
session OF the town, and that none of the
Spanish officials should have been contin-
ued in power. Even If there is good re.-
son why the Spanish civil authorities were
retained temporarily, it is easy to under
stand that 1t would not be very agreeable
to the Cuban commander"
Impressed by the Letter.
Senator Foraker said that he had road
Garcia's letter this rorning and had been
impressed by its modest dignity and force
He of course, knew nothing of the circum.
stances, bat thought the letter ssemea
straightforward and manly in every. re-.
spect.
The possibility that we may have so,a
trouble with the Cubans is Kenerallv de-
piored. and there is very general exnres-
sion OF opinion that 1t Is unnecessary.
Representative Mudd's Opinion.
The present attitude of the insurpept
Cubans," said Representative Mudd of
Maryland to Star reporter today, Shows
how wisely Congress acted in not recog-
nizing the Cuban republic, as they were
so persistently urged to do by some IF
this government had recognized the Cubans
we would now be fighting under them and
they not fighting at ALL
"As a matter of fact. it looks to me as
If We may have trouble with the :psur-
gents before we get through with them A.
for Asuinaldo and the Philippine ;nsur-
gents. there seems little doubt that Dewey
will have to discipline them before lone.
What would you do with the territorv