The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-25
TIVE WORK OF ARMS
GARCIA LETTER FORGERY FOL-
LOWED By A CIRCULAR
SKATER STILL STANDS FIRM
No Armed Insurgents Can Enter San.
tiago Until the Spanish Troops
Are Deported-on Watch

SANTIAGO, Cuba, July q, ii p. m.-The
document which is being circulated for sig
natures among Cuban residents in Santi-
ago, addressed to the president of the
United States, and expressing the hope
that the American government will recog-
nize Cuban sovereignty in the surrender
of that portion of the province of Santiago
de Cuba, was drafted by Arms, the news
paper correspondent on the staff of the
Cuban general Castillo, who dictated the
alleged letter from General Garcia to Cen
eral Shafter.
The following is the text of the document:
ITO President McKinley-The undersigned,
Cubans by birth. landowners and residents
of Santiago de Cuba, representing with
their families the non-combatant popula-
ton that suffered for many years under
Spanish rule IN this section Of the island,
wish to express their warmest thanks to
the people of the United States for deliv-
ering them from the insufferable yoke of
Spanish rule.
"They wish also to express their abso-
lutte confidence in the good faith and hui
manftarian purposes Of the United States
and in the pledge that the territory of Cuba
is not to be conquered by the American
troops for purposes of annexation. We be-
lieve and would urge that our own people
are capable of fulfilling the international
obligation to establish government for
the island.
Cuba in the future may possibly become
In the course of few years part of the ter
ritory of the United States, thus increas-
Ing the comfort and happiness of this peo-
pie; but now all desire a government of our
own as compensating for the sufferings
and heroism of our army and the definite
establishment of the Cuban republic with
Cuban authorities In accordance with the
resolutions Of the United States congress.
1--WE hope that the present state of af-
fairs at Santiago. where Spaniards are still
the administrators Of our interests, proper
ty and fate will be brief; that the city may
soon be turned over to the Cubans and that
our army may enter, the flag waving tri-
umphantly beside the American flag as
Cuban soldiers fought side by side with the
Americans against the common enemy"
Skaters Wisdom
General Skaters refusal to permit the
entrance Of armed Cubans into Santiago is
an extremely wise one. In these exciting
days there might be trouble. Unarmed
persons, however, are free to enter at all
times.
As soon as the Spanish soldiers have
embarked Cubans will be allowed to enter
the city freely.
The first embarkation is expected next
Thursday, In accordance with a contract
made between the United States govern
ment and the Spanish Transatlantic COM
pany. The United States transport Santi-
ago left this morning for Newport News
with sick and wounded. The steamer ia
maica arrived today with passengers from
Jamaica and proceeded to Guantanamo
with provisions for the United States fleet.
Today the Spaniards turned over their
cavalry horses. Only 143 were surrendered.
The others had been killed for food for the
army.