New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-12
COOPERATION WITH INSURGENTS.
COMPLETE HARMONY SAID TO EXIST BETWEEN
THE WAR DEPARTMENT AND THE
CUBAN LEADERS

THE WAR DEPARTMENT AND THE
CUBAN LEADERS.
Washington. May 1.-THE courier who Is on
his way here with letters from General Gomez
to President Palma of the Cuban Delegation
has stopped at Tampa and will not reach here
for day two General Nuncz. Of the Cuban
Army after comforting with the Cuban authori
ties here and with General Miles, started for
Tampa last night Although the courier will
bring detailed advices from Gomez the Cuban
officials here are well Informed on the general
status OF the forces in the field. and this cub
ject has been fully disguised with the War
Department officials. In a general way. II Is
said that entire harmony exists between the
Cuban authorities and the War Department
TO the resources and effective fighting forces Of
Gomez and Garcia The Cuban authorities
ready and willing to have the fullest co-opera-
ton by United States troops on Cuban soil, and
It is said that there Is no ground for reports
that General Gomez desires TO act single-h hand
ed in securing independence. Naturally. It Is
said in high Cuban quarters. Gomez feels proud
Of having sustained war for the last three
years single handed against the organized
forces Of Spain and doubtless believes that IN
time he could achieve complete victory. Rut
1t is said that he Is fully alive to the fact that
this would take time and large increase in
the arms. ammunition rations and medicine at
his disposal. In the mean time he has only
taken a prudent IN pointing out the
climatic dangers Of sending a large United
States force into cuba.
STRENGTH OF THE CUBAN FORCES
Concerning the strength Of the forces In the
field, the Cuban representatives. here say that
reports fully bear out all the Cuban authori-
ties have ever caimed-namey, that there are
in all about forty thousand men. either under
or ready TO take arms as soon as guns
and ammunition are at hand or this number
II is said that about fifteen thousand lack arms
and equipment. leaving about twenty five thou
sand now In the field and reasonably well
equipped. although additional ammunition and
supplies would be most advantageous to them.
This force does not exist in any one camp or
series Of camps, in the usual sense OF organized
military operations. On the contrary Cuban
officials say. their forces have adopted the tac-
tics essential in fight against heavy odds.
and have scattered their forces into small groups
over an aren of 0O0 square miles. These
small groups are best able TO carry on guerilla
warfare. which dlver's Spanish attention to
every part Of the island. The immediate com
rnand OF Gomez is said 10 number 3 600 men.
and 10 be located in the rich Santa Clara dis
trict. Some distance away, In the Province Of
Santiago De Cuba. are the forces under General
Garcia. which said 10 aggregate 10000 men.
The distance from Garcia to Gomez is said 20
make junction between them impracticablc.
there are no means Of speedy communica-
ton
u is exoected that Lieutenant Rowan. who
made daring and successful landing In cuba
and proceeded 10 General Garcia's camp. Will
arrive at Key West tomorrow. This, doubt
less viii afford the authorities here much more
data on the situation Of the insurgents. II Is
understood that Lieutenant Rowan already
has stated that the Cubans in General Garcas
district occupy q number Of towns vacated by
the Spanish. ana that the administration Of
those towns is in the hands OF fine men" The
last expression gives especial satisfaction 20
Culans here. They are hopeful that President
Mass viii remain in the western prov ,nces and
be ready 10 come with his Cabinet 70 the first
large seaport city occupied. and there set up
the civil administration ~ the Cuban Repub-
lie. It has been understood that he intended
to move his headquarters 10 the eastern end Of
tho island. where military operations not
likely % occur but this plan Will probably be
changed go 10 keep him near the points OF
probable occupation IN the west