The record-union., 1898-10-18
Spanish Are Not Yet Ready to Re-
linquish Control.
The Slanderous Charges Against the Condl-
tlon of America Soldiers
Give Them the Impression That
They Could Easily Vanquish
Our Troops-But the Washing
ton Government Will Send Such
Force as to Give the Islanders
a Very Different Impression.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11.-Informa-
tion has reached the War Department
that a high officer of the Spanish
army very recently made the state
ment that had the SpaniardS been
aware of the condition of the Amer
lean army; it's inability to withstand
the hardShips of campaign; its lack OF
medical and other supplies and gen.
eral inefficiency, as told in the Amer
lean papers, the Spaniards would not
have given up, but would have contln-
ued the fighting for a long time 10
come, fully believing that they WOULD
have been able to prevent the capture
of Cuba by American arms. This state
ment is known to have Haen mace ID
the American officers now in CuDa
and causes some uneasineSS in otfcIal
circles as it may mean that the span
iardS are not yet ready to yield tie
island under the terms of the protocol
1t is also asserted that the Madrid
Government was aware when it asked
for peace negotiations when negotia-
tions were opened that it was useless
to ask that the Cuban debt be taken
into consideration by any commission,
and that it is only since the reports
of the bad condition of the United
States army that the question has ieen
raised.
The matter has been discussed in
the War Department, and it is prob
able that when the troops are sent
to Cuba there will be a force of such
size and character as to give the ISL
anders a different impression of the
United States soldiers than they now
entertain.
The impression among the Span
iards in Cuba said an officer in
position to know what is going on. IS
that the American soldiers are weak
and puny, incapable of withstanding
hardship, and whom it will be an easy
matter to vanquish This feeling may
make it difficult for the Americans at
first. This impression is due to tho
charges that have been made against
the War Department with such viru-
lence and insistence during the past
few months
1t is said at the War Department
that nothing has occurred to change
the plans already made for the move
ment of troops to Cuba. 1t was not
intended that the occupation of the ISL
cept at such towns as Nanzanillo and
perhaps Holguin where immune regi-
ments may be used to advantage. Tbs
investigation into the situation has
been of great value to the department,
disclosing as it has the views OF
thoroughly practical man based on
keen observation. But Colonel Hecker's
primary object was to locate sites for
= 4l1.r Of md 10 j.
proceeding in exact accord with his m
structions.
The conditions that he found, it IS
said, thoroughly warrant the belief that
the War Department will be obliged
to face the most difficult problems
that have yet arisen in connection
with the handling of troops, in order
to inspire the protection of the health
of the soldiers. 1t has become eviGent
that the men must be isolated for some
time in their camps to avoid the dam
ger of infection, and the department
is not quite clear that any useful pur-
pose will be served by placing soldiers
here their services cannot be avail
able.
4 proposition that is now under con-
sideration looks to the employment of
u
ing urged that they would be more
serviceable in maintaining order iii the
towns than American sSidiers. unac-
quainted with the Spanish language
and Cuban customs.
Unless General Lee specifically asks
to be relieved from that duty, he is to
command the first expedition, seconded
by General Greene and General Ar
mold
JUDGE DAY PRESENTS AMERI-
CAN DEMANDS.
LONDON. Oct. 1S.-The Paris cor
respondent of the "Times" says: AT
the sitting of the Peace Commission
this CMonday) afternoon the American
Commissioners officially-and it would
seem definitely-rejecte the idea Of ac-
cepting sovereignty over Cuba for the
United States. The Spanish Commits
sioners thereupon remarked that Spain,
having abandoned such sovereignty
under pressure in the United States,
and the United States having denied
that the sovereignty henceforth be-
longs Cuba is de facto in state of in
dependence. as an intermission of SOW
ereignty cannot be viewed in any other
light
THE American Commissioners re-
Joined that, without accepting SOW
eTeignty, the United States considered
themselves deputed to maintain Sc
curity for all the inhabitants. that they
would not fail to introduce and sup
port, and they would do all that was
necessary to put the island in a state
OF normal organization, to be trans
formed at the earliest moment into
legal regularity satisfactory for the Sc
curity of all.
Upon this the Spanish Commission
ers. with what seems striking logic
promptly replied that by the fact of
the declaration just :.sade them and of
the United States undertaking to re-
store legality, order and security, the
United States Were invested with SOW
ereignty, and consequently COULD not
refuse to accept the consequences of
such sovereignty, seeing that they ad-
rnittedly could not tolerate the relapse
into anarchy of an island placed under
their supervision and direction.
: Notwithstanding these striking OBJ