The times., 1898-08-03

impolitic to risk a probable collision be-
tween them and the Cubans, thirsting for
revenge. and that. further. it is undesir-
able to publish the facts regarding the
condition of the United States troops OF
accentuate the growing antagonfsm OF
the Cuban leaders toward the American
Administration.
The antagonism is daily becoming more
marked In a conversation which / had
today with one Of the most prominent
men of what must now be called the ex-
treme party in Cuba, he said:
The Cubans feel that they have been
treated shamefully Their leaders have
been ignored, their protests not consid-
cred and not the slightest consideration
shown for their wishes or feelings. We
believe in the honesty and good faith of
the people OF the United States, Of their
earnest desire without Interior motives to
iberate Cuba. but what can you say to
the army of Iiberators entering into pos
session OF the ceded territory like a
rough-shod conqueror and treating their
allies and the people whom they came to
free with less consideration than the enc
my?
"if it is necessary 10 exclude for the
present the Cuban army from Santiago,
let it be understood THAI it is done from
motives of policy. and do not issue orders
which superior force alone eompels US to
obey"
These embittered feelings have been
given expression in the petition to Presi-
cent Mckinley which a committee of
prominent Cubans has drawn up and
which has been extensively signed.
This petition expresses the disappoint-
ed ambition of a number of eager office
seekers. who believed the downfall of
Spanish rule in Eastern Cuba would be
the signal for their own appointment TO
lucurative positions. Many of these men
have taken no active part in the revolu-
tionary movement; they are Cubans un-
doubtedly in sympathy, and have con-
tributed probably in money to the Cuban
cause. but they have been contented to
sit down. carrying on their business and
professions under a Spanish government
which they secretly cursed.
MANY are refugees. who fed on the
first sign of trouble, carrying with them
such property as they were able to gath
er together. and some have remained
throughout all as servile to the Spaniards
as they are now insistent and domineer-
ing TO the Americans.
The position of the American army OF
occupation in regard to this matter was
fully explained in a long interview which
1 had with one of Gen. Skaters aides to-
day. Owing to the fact that all cores
pondence on this subject IS rigidly in
spected by the censor 1 am not at liberty
10 use the same of my informant.
.sThe petty jealousy exhibited by the
Cuban leaders with reference to the ex-
clus;on of their army from the town, y
he said. land the fact that the Spaniards
in civil offices have not been precipitately
turned out to give way to Cubans, shows
alike their ignorance of international
usages and their utter inability to judge
matters from any save merely loca
standpoint. They wish to have a sensa-
tlonal display. to demonstrate to the non-
political populace of the town, who have
looked down upon them in the past with
supreme contempt, the triumph of theil
cause.
This. l admit is natural and consid-
ering their long struggle and their faith
fulness to one idea, to some extent justi-
fed. But consider our position. We have
a large number of prisoners on hand
many of whom are on parole. We are
bound in faith and honor TO protect these
unarmed men, to see that the terms OF
surrender are carried out, and that their
safe conduct to Spain is assured What
would be the result of admitting Garcia's
iH-trained levies? We would be compelled
10 withdraw the troops now guarding the
prisoners. to act as patrols, in preventing
Cuban outbreaks and acts of retaliation
and revenge. Merchants and private in
dividuals, having a stake in the town al
though Cuban sympa thizers. have inn
plored US not to allow the Cuban troops
10 enter.
THE feeling on both sides is too strong.
We do not wish Santiago given over a
second time TO sack and plunder.'
Demetrius Castillo. with 100 Cuban
troops. IS encamped at Cuevitas, six miles
outside the city.