Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-23
CUBAN EFFRONTERY.
They Expected to Obtain Control
of Santiago de Cuba.
THE CAPTURE OF PORTO RICO.


vasion Which WIN Be Quickly For
warded to SpaIn's Easternmost West
India Island.
Washington, July 20.--War Depart
nent officials feel that they are fully
justified in their decision to retain
practically all of Skaters army at
Santiago by the press reports that have
reached them indicating the growth Of
serious friction between the American
forces and the Cuban troops, growing
out Of the latter's exclusion from San
tiago by General Skaters orders. The
trouble arises over the naming by Cen
eral Garcia Of a Cuban named Castillo
as governor of Santiago de Cuba. The
situation has now reached a point when
there ts practically no communication
at all between the two armies, and
their relations border on those of hos
tility. rather than the relations which
one would suppose would exist between
allies.
The Cubans had confidently counted
upon having Santiago turned over to
them to loot and plunder. as they had
In succession sacked BaiQuiri. Siboney
and Eel Caney. Consequently their disap-
pointment was keen when they ascer-
tanned that they were not to be per-
mitted to take possession of the city
upon General Torafs surrender. On
Friday last Castillo. who is a brother
OF General Demetrius Castillo. went to
General Skaters headquarters in order
to ascertain the cause Of this, to the
Cubans. inexplicable resolution
why is Santiago to remain In the
hands of our enemies ?" he asked.
THE Spaniards are not our enemies"
replied General Shafter. I'VE are dght-
Ing the soldiers OF Spain. but we have
no desire to despoil her citizens. No
Cuban VIII be allowed TO enter the city,
nor Will any American soldier. The
government Of the city is a matter for
the people to decide. When the Ameri-
cans leave 1t. I presume it will be
turned over to you. but not until then"
Castillo, who came direct from Cen
eral Carcia's camp, did not attempt ia
conceal his chagrin.
The Cuban soldiers now fully rea-
lize that there is a rising sentiment
against them In the American army.
They hear nothing but words of scorn
from our men as they pass onward.
Juggling their bacon and hardtack into
the woods. Even our officers no longer
conceal their disgust for their allies.
and II is understood that the warm
friendship displayed toward them at
Hrst has now turned into contempt. for
the Cubans have neither fought nor
worked.
1t is realized that the present situa-
ton is full OF difficulty, and the future
Is dark. owing to the disposition evil
denced by the Cubans to ignore or re-
Iuse TO be bound by the amenities of
modern warfare. This first symptom
he's
innumerable difficulties that will arise
In the future. OF course it would seem
TO De only polite now to avoid anv
open rupture with the Cubans. provided
they can be kept in check, and not in |
voive the United States in the disgrac.
that would follow the saclxing OF helm.
less communities, but 1t begins To an.
pear that for some time to come. and
even after the conquest of Cuba is com
plete. the United States must maintain
there military government in order ia
meet the responsibilities which it has
assumed to the civilized world.
Because OF failure on the part of |
General Miles to receive the orders tbe
president prepared late Monday to tal-s
command OF the military expeditioD
against Porto Rico. that officer did NOT
Depart as was reported from Sibonev
Inc mistake was soon corrected yes
teroay, however. and as a result NJ /
some snort telegraphic correspondence
that Followed during the day IT xwas
gathered at the department. that tho
ale would start last night. Contrarv
10 the firfst intention, and probabIv
without General Miles seeking tba i
yale is to be conveyed by a naval vas~
sci that Admiral Sampson has been IN
structed to select from amona. the x,as-
sells OF his fleet This may result in de-
laying General Miles progress some
what, as none of the vessels with SamD-
son Is able to keep pace with the Yale |
nevertheless there is no doubt that tba
general will reach Porto Rico before
the detachment OF SEoops from Charles
ton.
The purpose OF Secretary Alger 70 n
make the Porto Rican campaign n
snort one. An overwhelming force will
Dc thrown upon the island. and n ss
possible that bloodless victory win he
scnieVed when the Spanish become
convinced that they have no reasonahIs
chance to resist successfully. The az
petition Is to comprise 30. 900 men at
the start and 1t will be soon swelIed
20 4O'OOO men. and II necessary to 90
VVV men, the equipment or the voIun-
Ieer Korces having now progressed 40
wen as 70 warrant the statement that
1ns mum oer OF men can be ready for
service IN Porto Rico within q very
snor. ume. Tne Invading army viii
oouOtless include the Sixteenth, Third
ana Fourth Pennsylvania, the Fifth
MAJ marylano ana the Second New York
THE PRESIDENT MOVING. =