The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-26
GARCIA'S COUP.
The General Drops Down on the
Cuban Assembly.
As q Delegate From the Fifth
Army Corps
WILL BE IN CONTROL.
A Majority of the Members VIII
Follow His Lead.
Mckinley May Be Asked to Show
BE IN CONTROL.
Mckinley May Be Asked to Show
His Hand.

Santiago de Cuba, Oct. 26.-The first
session Of the Cuban assembly was held
yesterday at Santa Cruz del Sur. A
majority Of the delegates were military
delegates, each of the six army corps
being represented.
The sensation of the assembly was
the appearance Of Gen. Calixto Garsia
as one of the delegates from the Fifth
army corps, a fact which practically
rendered him supreme at the assembly
sessions. His selection to preside over
the proceedings as considered a fore
gone conclusion, as it as conceded that
he controls a majority of the delegates.
The Cespedes faction IS defeated Its
leaders now deny that they had any de-
sire to discredit Gen. Garcia and the
attempts to impeach him before the as
sembly probably viii not be made.
The principal question for considera-
ton will be that of diSbanding the army.
It is thought the assembly will oppose
d1Sband1ng until-in the words of one OF
the military elegates-"some assur-
ance is received from President McKin-
ley that he intends to observe the reso-
buttons of the United States congress
regarding the absolute freedom Of
Cuba"
1t being a military assembly the an
neXatiOn party has but a small repre-
sentatiOn. One proposition to come up
for discussion is that the army should
remain in armed force for the purpose
of policing and garrisoning the island
from the beginning of next year, when
the United States troops are expected
to leave. The assembly will appoint a
committee to wait upon President Nc
ktnley regarding the status of Cuba,
consisting probably of Garcia, Quesada
and Parragua, and it Is safe to assume
that the assembly will remain in ses-
sion and the army In any event be not
disbanded until the report of the COM
mittee is received.
Owing to the scarcity Of food and wa
ter. however, the assembly probably
VIII move after a few sessions to Mari
ano The other proposition to be brought
before the delegates is the division of
cuba into four states, to be called ORR
emit now the province of Santiago de
cuba; Camaguey, now the province of
Puerto principe; Las Villas, now the
province of Santa Clara, and Occident
now the provinces of Nantanas, Havana
and Pinar del Rio. Between the pro-
posed states of Camaguey and Las Viii
las would be a space of land which
would be special federal district or
territory where the capitol will be built,
new inland town for this specific pur-
pose. A delegate will propose the trial
by court martial of all the officers in
the Cuban army who have permitted
their men to be disbanded
In these ways and others the assem-
bly, intends to show the world that it
considers the Americans merely tenn
porary visitors who win evacuate the
island of Spaniards-
The Santiago board Of trade, repre-
senting the commerce of the province,
sent a special committee to wait 1lpon
Gen. Wood, military governor Of the
department of Santiago, to congratulate
him on the work he has already done
The committee also Informed him that
the board of trade had subscribed $780,
600 for harbor improvements and that
the amount mad been placed at his dis
posal to use as he might see fit This
action was entirely voluntarily and is
considered to reflect the opinion of bus
mess men here as to American pre-
dominance.
Last night while two Cuban BOYS were
playing near the gas works with a six
inch cOnicaI shell it exploded. portions
being hurled into the camp of the Fifth
immune regiment. Another portion
struck the upper deck of the Reina de
Las Angeles as the vessel was proceed
ing down the harbor with Col. Hoods
Second regiment, but fortunately doing
no damage. Col Sergeant, Of the Fifth
immunes hastily sent men to ascertain
the cause of the explosion. They found
one boy dead and the other badly
wounded