The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-26
Cuban Dele
gates Meet.
GARCIA PRESENT.
He viii Probably Preside
Over the Proceedings.

Santiago de Cuba, Oct. 25.-The first
session of the Cuban assembly was held
yesterday at Santa Cruz del sur. A
majority of the delegates are military
delegates each of the 9Th army corps
being represented by eight-the 1st and
I'd corps are stationed in the Orient dis
trict, the Sd in Puerto Principe, the 4th
in Santa Clara, the 5th in Matanzas and
Havana, and the 9Th in Pinar del Rio
The sensation of the assembly was
the appearance of Gen. Calixto Garcia
as one of the delegates from the 9Th
army corps, a fact which apparently
renders him supreme at the assembly's
session. His election to preside over the
proceedings is considered a foregone
conclusion, as it is conceded that he
controls a majority of the delegates.
The Cespedes faction is defeated. Its
leaders now deny that they have had
any desire to discredit Gen Garcia and
an attempt to impeaeh him before the
assembly will probably not be made.
The principal question for considera-
ton will be the disbanding of the army.
1t is thought that the assembly will
oppose disbandlng until--in words
of one of the military delegates some
assurance is received from President
Mckinley that he intends to observe
the resolutions of the United States
congress regarding the absolute free
dom of Cuba"
1t being a military assembly, the an
nexation party has but a small repre-
sentation. One proposition to come up
for discussion is that there should re-
main an armed force for the purpose
of policing and garrisoning the island
from the beginning of next year when
the United States troops are expected
TO leave.
The assembly will appoint a commit
tee to wait upon President Mckinley
regarding the status of Cuba, consisting
probably of Garcia, Quesada and Par
raga; and it is safe to assume that the
assembly will remain in session and
that the army in any event win not be
disbanded until the report of the COM
mittee is received.
Owing to the scarcity of food and
water, however. the assembly win prob
ably move, after few sessions, to
Msrianao.
Another proposition to be brought be-
fore the delegates is the division of
Cuba into four states to be called ORR
ent, now the province of Santiago de
Cuba. Camaguey, now the province Of
Puerto Principe, Las Villas, now the
province of Santa Clara, and Oceident,
now the provinces of Matanzas, Ha-
vana and Pinar del Rio. Between the
proposed states of Camaguey and Las
Villas would be a space of land which
would be a special federal district or
territory where the capital would be
t,,1o fl,,4 I,ie
fic purpose.
A delegate will propose the trial by
court martial of all officers in the Cub
an army who have permitted their
men to disband. In these ways and in
others the assembly intends to show
the world that it considers the Amer
leans merely temporary visitors, who
will evacuate the island shortly after
the Spaniards.
The Santiago board of trade, repre-
senting the commerce of the province,
sent special committee to wait upon
Gen. Wood, military governor of the
department Of Santiago and to con-
graduate him upon the work he has
already done, The committee also in
formed him that the board of trade has
subscribed 100000 for harbor improve
ments, and that amount had been
placed at his disposal to use as he
might see flt This action was entirely
voluntary, and is considered to reflect
the opinion Of business men here as to
American predominance
Cuban museum Is being established
fin Santiago. 1t win contain relics of
the war mementoes of Spanish rule
and specimens of mineral productions
of the island.
Col. Ray and his men left Manzanillo
early this morning on board the United
States transport Roumanian, with the
Bessie in tow. 1t is expected they will
arrive tomorrow at Santiago, where a
lighter will load the rations waiting for
the Bessie. Both vessels will then pro-
coed to Guantanamo, where the Rou-
manian will land Col. Rays men, after
which she will proceed at once for Por-
TO Rico
Last night, while two small Cuban
boys were playing near the gas works
with six-inch conical she'll it ex-
ploded with a tremendous noise, por-
lions being hurled into the camp of the
9TH immune regiment and portions
struck the upper deck of the Reina de
Los Angeles as the vessel was proceed :
ing down the harbor with Col. Hood $
I'd immune regiment, but fortunately
doing no damage. Col. Sergeant, of
the 5th immunes, Immediately sent
men to ascertain the cause of the eX-
ploslon. They found one of the boys
dead and the other badly wounded.