The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-29
TALK WITH SHAFTRR
Proposition To Install Cubans in Power
Untenable-Sorry Garcia L. on nd eds

Untenable->orry Garcia In Onendeds
Especial TO The Baltimore SUM-
Santiago, Monday, July 25, (cabled
from Playa del Este Tuesday Gen
eral Shafter gave me today an inter
esting interview on the situation here.
versy with General Calixto Garcia.
the Cuban leader
You may state" General Shafter
said, when | called at the palace. In
which he is now comfortably situated,
that the situation in Santiago Is much
improved. Twenty thousand Spanish
soldiers in the province have laid down
their arms, leaving less than five
thousand to be accounted for | hope
that all the Spanish army will have
been accounted for by the end OF the
week, SO that the work of loading the
troops on transports will be over as
soon as possible and the campaign in
the province be brought TO a close.
General Wood, who has been in
oIalitu do iiIilldIy BoHcl upl HdS lulR
power to act as circumstances may
warrant. IL the occasion should arise,
it would be simple matter for him to
suspend the operation OF the existing
civil government and impose a mill
tary dictatorship. But 1t is unlikely
that any serious difficulty will be met.
The people of Santiago are quiet
and orderly, and they seem delighted
that the campaign is over. They
have been cooped up SO long that
whatever regret they may feel is over
balanced by the compensation OF
peace.
I'm the country many of the Span
ish troops have gone TO work, while
here in Santiago, as you can see for
yourself, business has been resumed.
Food is coming in more literally, and
in another week there should be plen-
ty for all.
The health OF the city is much bet
ter than / had anticipated, yet there
is a great deal of sickness, and con-
stant care will be required to pre-
vent the spread OF disease in the
army. Our troops have withstood the
ravages of death and the great dis
comforts OF the heavy rains. They are
remarkably well. Sanitary reforms,
which are being instituted, will, 1
think, improve the health OF the COM
munity in general.
"As to the political situation, have
little to add to what is already known.
/ regreat that General Garcia should
feel offended because he was not per-
mitted to be signatory party to the
Spanish surrender. In letter TO him,
written in reply TO his protest, have
made it plain that the ceremony OF
surrender and the retention OF Span
ish municipal officers and tariff duties
must be treated as temporary meas
ures, apart from the final permanent
policy of the United States in Cuba
i told General Garcia that we were at
war with Spain; that we would be
held responsible before the world for
the administration OF the surrendered
territory, and that pending the con-
clusion- OF the war the Cubans could
not reasonably expect the recognition
which he sought. At the proper
time, I added, the terms OF the presi-
dents proclamation would undoubt-
edly be made good.
The letter was personal and friend
ly in tone, but General Garcai made
no reply to it. The next news | heard
OF him was that he had Withdrawn
| with his army near Holguin.
The fact is that did recognize Gen.
| eral Garcia as far as | could by invit-
| ing him TO be present at tne surrender
of Santiago as my guest. He declined
10 come, sending this message: 1 can
not be your guest under the Spanish
| flag
Il have the most kindly feeling for
| General Garcia, and sincerely regret
| that he has found cause for complaint
/ II is idle, 10 argue the point, for no
matter how warmly one may sympa-
| thize with the Cubans, the proposition
TO install them in power Immediately
| after the surrender OF the Spanish is
untenable and lacks support among
| Cubans themselves"
The palace in which General Shaf-
| ter has established his headquarters
| is large and roomy, though a some
what antiquated building. Generai
! Shafter today inspected the CITY on
| horseback, being accompanied by two
members of his staff. he was well
| received along the route.
General Shafter Is a strict disciple
| marian. and is rapidly bringing the
| branches of the army into one cohe-
| sive body. capable OF coping with any
| situation that may arise.