The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-23

Santiago de Cuba, July 81 delayed
in transmssion). - Notwithstanding
General Garcias bitter complaint to
General Shafter that he had been ig-
nored and that the restoration Of the
Epanish civil authority in the city Of
Santiago was most offensive to him.
and that in consequence he had been
forced to tender his resignation as
general in the Cuban army. he is going
on with his preparations for a contest
with the Spanish forces of Holguin
and Manzanillo quite as though moth
ing had happened.
Tomorrow General Garcia will issue
q decree authorizing all Cubans who
have been driven from their planta-
tions and country homes by the Span
iards and who have taken refuge for
safety in the cities and towns, to re-
turn to the country and go to work on
their farms and plantations. assuring
them of protection by his forces. He
has added like permission to those in
his ranks who were recruited from the
fields at the outbreak of the war.
Altogether il must be confessed that
General Garcia's attitude is inexplc-
able. His permission to the men in
his ranks TO go back to work on the
farms is construed to mean an effort
to disband his forces. But that may
not be justified altogether. 1t is GER
tain a great many of them will con-
tinue to fight.
y The greater part of Garcias army
leaves here at daybreak tomorrow.
The French cruiser Rigoult de Co
nouilly arrived here this afternoon
with supplies for the relief of the
French citizens of Santiago.
A large exodus Of Cubans is expect
ed during the next few days, as they
are returning to the cultivation of the
country, that work being the chief
source of the wealth of the island.
OFFICIAL IGNORANCE.
Washington, July 22.-The war de-
partment is in official ignorance of the
reported retirement of Garcia with his
army from the American lines at San
tiago and the resignation of that
Cuban general. 1t is considered a little
singular that General Shafter has not
made report to the department of the
case by telegraph, but he has so far
shown little disposition to acquaint the
department with the state of affairs al
Santiago unless called on direct by the
secretary of war.
1t was not known at the war depart
ment officially that General Wood had
been created military commander of
Santiago, although the fact would seem
to be one of sufficient Importance to
justify its mention in a cable dispatch
Regarding General Garcia's detection
it is noticeable that the officials Of the
war department are anxious over the
outlook 1t is not doubted that Gar
cia has taken or will take some such
action as that reported, for all the in
formation that has come to the de-
partment up to this time seems to in
dicate dissatisfaction on the part of
the Cuban commander at the attitude
assumed by General Shafer. However,
is the latter is acting strictly in ac-
cordance with the published directions
of the president in maintaining the
status quo of Santiago, so far as it re-
lates to the municipal administration
the blame for rupture if one ensues
cannot be placed entirely on his
shoulders.
Senor Quesada called at the war de-
partment today regarding the alleged
resignation Of General Garcia and his
Withdrawal from cooperation with
General Shafter He insisted that
there was a misunderstanding al San
tiago which would he cleared up as
soon as it became known that the Gu
hans here and the Washington authori-
ties ,1ecirnd M friptiAp
Senior Quesada did not see Secretary
Alger, but talked briefly with Assist
ant Secretary Meiklejohn. who said
that further information from General
Shafter was necessary before anything 3
could be done by the department. 1t
was asserted. however. that there had
heen no withdrawal of supplies from
the Cubans, and that the ships which
sailed day or two ago no doubt were
unloading supplies for Gomez which
would be delivered to him under the
direction of Lieutenant Johnston, who
was in command of the troops at Go
mez's headquarters.
The town OF Jiguari, to which the
Cuban army under Garcia has with
drawn, is one OF the towns which the
Cubans captured Independently during
the Santiago campaign.
President Palma, who was in Wash
inston yesterday, has returned to New
York