The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-22
AT WHICH THE MENAcING ATTI-
TUDE OF CUBANs WAS DISCUSSED.
Insurgents Said to Be Under Misap-
United States Government.
Specialize the indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, July 2.-There is a
growing belief in Washington, borne OFT
somewhat by latest developments around
about Santiago and other sections in Cuba,
that the. American army may have to fight
= the Cuban insurgents before a stable gov
eminent is established on the island This
phase of the situation is impressng itself
more strongly on the administration every
hour. The only question in the minds of
those who believe this will be one of the
outcomes of our interference is whether the
Cubans will become reconciled with the
Spanish and join hands with them in resist
ing our arms, or whether they will wait I'M
til after we have expelled the Spanish, and
then, if we do not turn the island over to
the so-called Cuban government, continue
in arms against u.s. In connection with this
~ belief IL is interesting to recall dispatch
from Europe the other day to the effect that
an understanding had been arrived at be-
tween General Gomez and Captain General
Blanco by which they were to join hands,
and after the independence of the island
had been gained that Blanco was to be
elected President. This story sounded so
absurd at the time that no attention was
paid to it, but since the developments at
Santiago it is recalled as having possibly a
basis of truth.
The Cubans, both soldiers and civilians,
have acted so badly about Santiago that
officials in Washington are prepared to
credit anything evil said OF them. They are
probably not so bad as painted but it is
evident now to ALL as 1T was from the be-
ginning to those who understood the Cuban
character, that no material help was to be
expected from the Cubans as regular SOL
diers; that they would only be really use
full, if useful at all, as scouts and guides,
and In irregular warfare. According to all
reports. they made no showing on the fir
ing line at Santiago, save in. a few individ-
ual instances. their only attacks being on
the bread wagon.
+. From Garcia's latest outbreak it looks as
though the Cuban purpose is to stand sulk-
. ily aloof until the Spanish are expelled
from the island then prefer claim to the
island. Advices from Santiago make it clear
that the Cubans have come to look on the
Americans with suspicion. which is rapidly
deepening into downright hatred. The in
surgents everywhere in the island expected
that as fast towns or territory were con-
quered by the troops they would be turned
over to them. or, rather, their alleged gov
eminent, somewhere in the mountains of
the interior, but which no Livingstone or
Stanley has yet discovered. So long as they
cherished this feeling they were friendly
with our army but General Skaters re-
fusal to let them enter Santiago has caused
complete reversal of the feeling and made
them fear that they are simply to undergo
change of masters. They expected to
Z have full license to do as they pleased with
the island and it's inhabitants, but now they
realize that they are to be held in restraint
by powerful nation. and between restraint
and subsection they are incapable of max
ing distinction.
The press report that Garcia has formally
refused TO cooperate with the American
army lacks official confirmat ton, but ii is
generally believed about the War and Navy
Departments, and there a conference
at the White House this evening between
the President and Secretaries Alger and
Long to discuss the newly arisen condition
in the Cuban situation. The administration
hopes that this trouble may pass away or
be adjusted amicably. but those who have
watched the trend of Cuban affairs are not
surprised that there is trouble on this score
1t has been patent all along that the insur-
gents were not trying to drive the Spaniards
out of the island for the purpose of annex
ing 1t to- the United States They want il
for themselves as much as the American
colonists wanted the United States for
themselves and not for France during the
revolution.