The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-08
QUESTIONS OF
THE EVACUATION
DIFFICULTIES BEFORE THE
CUBAN COMMISSION.
The Point of Agreement from Which
Both Sides Start-Spanish Procras-
tination Likely to Open Many New
Questions-Duties Levied on the
Red Cross Supplies.

Washington, Sept. with the ar
rival of the Cuban military commission
at Havana within the next few days
the real work of terminating Spanish
rule in the island will begin. 1t is
realized that many difficulties will
confront the commission in working
ont the details of the Spanish evacu-
alton. The only point of agreement
from which both sides start in is the
clause of the protocol providing for
the Immediate evacuation of Cuba
and other Spanish West Indian pos
sessions by the Spanish forces. But
the word Immediate" is a relative
terms, and 1t remains to be determined
when the actual embarkation of the
Spanish forces is to be begun and
urder what circumstances the depart
ure is to be conducted.
In some quarters it is felt that if the
American commissioners confine the
discussion to the essential question of
evacuation the work can be concluded
in two weeks. In other quarters it is
felt that Spanish procrastination is
likely to open many incidental ques-
tions. each leading to long contro-
versy and division, with reference to
tions, so that the actual sailing of
the Spanish forces from Havana may
not begin before next December or lat
er.
About 100000 Spanish troops are scat
tered through Cuba. it is reported.
Many of these are in the western prov
inces, only about 10000 being in the
eastern. For that reason it is being
urged that the evacuation by the Span
ish should begin at the east end of the
Island, working westward until Ha-
vana and the western end are included.
In Santiago province only 5000 Spanish
troops are left. In Puerto Principe
province next west of Santiago, there
are about 1900 troops. BY getting
those out of the island practically the
entire eastern half of Cuba would be
evacuated. That, it is said, would per-
NIT farming, sugar and tobacco cul-
ture to be resumed in large and pro-
ductive area.
WESTERN SECTIONS.
In evacuating the western sections it
is held by those well informed of the
situation in Cuba that the Spanish
forces should not be concentrated al
Havana, as they can be handled best
in small sections at the numerous coast
ports, such as Mantanzas, Sagua la
Grande, etc. 1t is expected that the
evacuation of Havana is to be last. as
the large Spanish interests there doubt
less will make the Spanish element
most tenacious of their stay at the
capital.
If the commission confines it's discus.
sions to the time and places of evacua.
tion it is felt, as said before, that the
work will be comparatively brief. But
the fear is that the Spanish commits
sioners will seek to bring up the ques
tion Of the future government of Cuba
the payment of the Cuban debt, the
immunity of government reservations
forts, prisons, etc, from forfeiture t.
the United States, the right of the
Spanish troops to carry their arms ant
also to remove heavy ordnance. Under
the circumstances it is felt among offic
ials that the American commissioner.
are likely to make it clear at the out,
set that they are there to arrange the
time and place of evacuation, and no.
TO take up the manifold questions or
the future of Cuba with which Spair
will have no concern once the evacua,
ton is accomplished.
Much will depend on the instruc.
tions which the state department has
given the commissioners, but it is be.
lieved that the orders guard against
procrastination and an endless diplo.
matte collateral issues. 1t is expected
that the first few sessions of the com.
mission at Havana will disclose wheth.
er the Spanish policy is to be one ot
delay, or whether the immediate evac.
uation provided by the peace protoco
Is to be cheerfully and frankly carried
out.
The dispatches from Havana, sayine
that the Spanish authorities have lev,
led heavy duties on relief supplies, ant
fine of $500 on a Red Cross con
signment, is not reassuring. They sug
gest that the Spanish will insist to tht
letter on the principle that Spanish
sovereignty and authority in Cuba ex
ist, and will continue until the peace
treaty is signed at Paris. With tha
principle recognized, the depleted Span
ish treasury will have the customs re-
ceipts for some time to come.