The times., 1898-09-26
Justice to Gen. Garcia.

Among the men who have in two wars
offered life and endured privations for
the release of Cuba from the oppressors
yoke, not one has been purer in his mo-
tives than Calixto Garcia-a man whose
former services and advanced years
might we'll have entitled him to honor
able repose during the recent strife.
Every observing and discriminating
American who has come into contact
with this Cuban grand old man has
been impressed by his obvious nobility
and unselfishness. Therefore, when he
retired from the lines before Santiago
with wounded heart, these Americans
felt that General Shafter was to blame.
They were sure that the exercise of a
little tact, the display of ordinary cour-
tesy, such as the high character and
thorough good will. if not the services,
of General Garcia warranted, would
have retained for the Americans the
friendship of an influential man. This
was desirable, since the American Gov
eminent hoped to administer Cuban
affairs without friction and could gain
much from his ardent support. General
Id W NOAi, iilS q NCltIdh SOIIitI VI
so fine a nature, with a keener sense of
justice and with greater foresight, has
managed to repair the mischief caused
by the native rudeness, petulance and
personal vanity of General Shafter. He
has made public display of respect for
General Garcia at Santiago, healing the
needless, cruel wound inflicted on the
old hero, who has never faItered in his
devotion to the Americans, despite the
treatment he received.
Such an ally will be of great use to
the future American military govern
ment Of the island. Most of the Cubans
in arms admire and love him beyond
expression, and will be guided by his
advice, no matter what the ungrateful
officials of a pretended Cuban govern
ment may urge upon them. General
Garcia sees the absurdity of the claims
of those officials to represent the people
of Cuba, who had no voice in their Sc
lection. They were commissioned by
the Cubans in New York for a specific
purpose, but were refused recognition
by the American Congress. When the
bravery of our soldiers had won pro-
tocoI, which provided for the Spanish
evacuation of the island, gratitude
would have forced the alleged govern
ment TO dissolve and disappear leaving
all questions of administration in Amer
lean hands until the time should be ripe
for declaring Cuban independence
General Garcia, who is honestly
grateful, sees this. He publicly repudi-
ates the factional government The
latter, however, dominated by self in
terest, instead of a sincere regard for
the welfare of Cuba, proposes to drive
out the Americans on the retirement of
the Spaniards, by proclaiming a repub
lie. The natural and necessary policy
of our Government is to establish peace
and good order throughout the island,
feeding the hungry until they shall be
able to feed themselves, and then, re-
gardless of former factions, to allow all
the people to have voice in the organ
ization of government. General Gar
cia is in full sympathy with this pro-
gram, although he believes the highest
destiny of Cuba is annexation to this
Republic; and his influence will be used
to save US from serious or even annoy
ing complications. He is the Cuban of
the hour. The American people owe
their thanks to General Lawton, one of
the bravest of their soldiers, for his
high-minded course in doing justice in
their name to the Cuban veteran. al
though it implies censure of the stupid
ity Of General Shafter.