The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-23

New York, July 22.-A dispatch from
Santiago gives the following as being
a letter sent by General Garcia to Gen
eral Shafter:
"Sir: On May y, the Government Of
the Republic of Cuba ordered me as
commander of the Cuban army in the
East to cooperate with the American
army. following the plaRs and obeyins
the orders of its commander. | have done
my best. sir, to fulfill the wishes of my
Government, and | have been until now
one of your most faithful subordinates,
honoring myself in carrying out your or
ders as far as my powers have allowed
me to do it.
''The city of Santiago surrendered to
the American army, and news of that
important event was given TO me by per
sons entirely foreign to your staff. have
not been honorcd with Il single word
from yourself informing me about the
negotiations for peace or the terms of
the capitulation by the Spaniards. The
important ceremony of the surrender of
the Sanish army and the taking posses
sion of the city by yourself took place
later on. and | only knew of both events
by public reports.
Il was neither honored. sir with Il
kind word from you inviting myself or
any officer of my staff to represent the
Cuban army on that memorable occasion
FINALLY, / know that you have left in
power ut Santiago the same Spanish au-
thOrities that for three years | have
fought as enemies of the Independence
of Cuba. / beg to say that these authori-
ties have never been elected ut Santi-
ago 10y the residents Of the city. but were
appointed by royal decrees of the Queen
of Spain.
II would agree. sir. that the army I'M
der your command should have taken
possession of the city, the garrison and
the forts.
Il would give my warm cooperation
to any measure yOu may have deemd
best under American military law to hold
the city for your army and to preserve
public order until the time comes to full
fill the solemn pledge of the people of the
United States to establish in Cuba free
and Independent government. But when
the question arises of appointing authori-
ties in Santiago Ge Cuba. under the pc
culiar circumstances of our thirty years
strife against Spanish rule. | can not
see but with the deepest regret that such
authorities are not elected by the Cuban
people. but are the same ones selected by
the Queen of Spain. and hence are min
listers to defend against the Cubans the
Spanish sovereignty.
"A rumor, too absurd to he hc'ieved,
General. ascribeS the reason Of your
measures and of the orders forbdding
my army to enter SantiagoshrdluU UeXmry
masSacres and revenge against the
>paniards. Allow rae. sir, to protest
against even the shadow of such an idea.
We are not Savagcs ignoring the rules of
civilized warfare. We are poor. ragged
army as ragged and as poor as was the
army of your forefathers in their noble
war for Independence hut as did the he
roeS OF Saratoga and Yorktown. we re-
spect too deeply our cause TO disgrace
il with harhnrism and cnwardcc
"in view of all these reasons sincere
ly regret Ia he unable "a ful6ll any long
or the orders of my Government and
therefore | have rendered today to the
comamuder-in-chicf OF the Cuban army,
Mn ior MaXimo Gomez. my resignation
as commander of this section Of ourI
army.
awaiting his resolution, | withdraw
my forces to the interior.
VERY respectfully yours.
"CALIXTO GARCIA"