The Holly chieftain., 1898-09-30
THE garrison OF CUBA.
Acting Secretary Meiklejohn Talks
About the Troops to Be Sent
to the Island.
GEN. WADE is WANTED FOR HAVANA,
Gen. Lee Thought to Have Made Enemies
AS Well as Friends In the Capital City,
but May BE Given Command of the
Department OF santa Clara--Troops May
start for Cuba at the Emo of October.

Washington. Sept 2s.-Acting Sec
retary Meiklejohn said to-day the war
department had not decided upon the
strength of the army which will be
sent to Cuba for garrison duty. When
the suggestion was made that 10000
had been state as the probable num-
Der of men for the work Mr.. Meikle-
john rcplied:
The number stated is approximate AS
matter OF fact We shall send 10 Cuba only such
number OF troop the future may disclose a.
necessary. We may be compelled to send from
1000 TO 6o.O10 pu the other hand $500 or
even less may prov 70 be all that will be need
cd One Of the reasons why SO large number
Of troops has been designated for Cuba
is the fact that the government is compelled
for some months 20 come TO keep an unusually
large standing army for this country. These
troops can best b, employed in doing garrison
duty outside Of tha United States The same
rule as TO numb rs applies as well TO Porto
Rico. Enlisted men feel more content when
engaged in the actual duties of soldiers, while
camp life within au easy distance Of home is
cnervating and. TO a degree, demoraliztng.
am aware that the government is likely to
be charged with ulrenor motives upon the is
land of Cuba by sending there a large force of
men The departme1t has had its attention
called u that fact By the Cubans themselves
But 10 all such complaints the department has
made an answer Thls government is not
the business of bullying anyone II Cuba shall
ever place herself under the protection OF the
American flag she Will do so OF her own free
will Coercion is not our programme, nor will
this government lrud Itself to any schemes
that will detract from It's dignity and that OF
the American people
1t is understood the troops will leave
for Cuba the last week in October Be
yond the selection of two white i'm
mune regiment the war department
has not decided upon the army that
will be sent
From well i'm formed sources at the
war department it is learned that the
troops in Gu ba will be under the com.
nand of Mai Gen. Wade and that it is
now the purpose that he shall remain
in command of the department of
Havana 1t was urged in certain
quarters of the war department that,
though the name of Gen. Lee had
been identified with the command to
be stationed about Havana, it was
considered wiser to have in command
an officer who would go in clear OF
the prejudices which might be some
what of handicap to Gen. Lee. who
made enemies as we'll as friends while
he was consul general.
No decision has been reached as tc
the governor generalship. Gen. Law.
ton will ain in command of Sauti-
ago district, and it is not unlikely
that Gen. Lee will be given command
of the department of Santa Clara, but
this is not determined upon. The
names of Wilson, Hawkins and Kent
also have been considered. But there
is good reason for saying that Gen.
Wade has been recommended by Gen.
Miles for the command of the depart
ment of Havana