Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-28
MILES AND CUBANS CONFER
PLAN FOR CORPORATIONS WITH IN
sURGENTs OUTLINED
Details Guarded With Greatest Secre-
cy-First Purpose Is to Equip
the Cuban Army. Rather
Than to Bring About
u Joint Military
Movement.

Washington April 27.-In the war de-
partment there is a growing belief that the
campaign proper in Cuba will not be in
full sway before next fall, when the rainy
season has ended. That belief. however.
has not prevented the officers whose duty
it is to get the troops together from push
ing their work with the greatest energy
Thus, within twelve hours after the Hull
bill became a law, the department was able
to begin to send out circulars prescribing
the methods to be followed in recruiting the
regular army up to its full war strength of
81 go men. The enormous amount of work
involved in thus increasing the army, regu-
lar and volunteer. has caused General Miles
to abandon his Southern trip for the pres
ent.
Another conference has been held be-
tween General Miles, commanding the
United States forces. and representatives OF
the Cuban civil and military authorities.
The latter included Senior Quesada. charge
d'affaires of the Cuban legation' BriGadier
General Nunez and Lieutenant Artiaso, Of
the Cuban army. Lieutenant Artiago has
seen seventeen months service in the field
edge of all the ports of Cuba. having di-
rected the movements of all filibusterinS
parties. The conference brought about Il
full discussion of the plans of cooperation
between the United States and Cuban
forces. The details of this cooperation are
guarded with the strictest secrecy.
The exploit of Lieutenant Rowan in
landing near Santiago has been known for
several days to both the United States and
Cuban authorities. as they co-operated III
executing this move. The Cuban author
tiles here furnished the guides and neces-
say papers to see Lieutenant Rowan
through the Cuban lines. 1t is in execu-
ton of plans outlined in these dispatches
Monday for landing at Santiago and
Sagua, two points on the Cuban coast. enc
north and one south, respectively. with
view to effecting junctures with both Cen
eral Gomez and General Garcia. Now that
Lieutenan: Rowan Is on his way to eject
jrncture at Santiago. 1t is not improb-
able that another juncture will be mads
by way of Sagua.
The first purpose of these movements. 1t
is understood, is to bring about full
equipment of insursent forces, rather than
to secure a joint movement between them
and the United States troops. 1t Is said
that Garcia and Gomez together can mus
ter 5000 men, and that they will be able
to make a strong forward movement on
Havana as soon they have arms, am
munition and medical supplies. The lat
ter, and particularly quinine, is said to be
greatly needed.
Iiy,y
quainted with the plans of cooperation Is
that the Cuban forces will advance on
Havana and make land siege, in CO.
operation with the blockade now in prog
ress by the United States warships.
1t is said there is renewed talk of a rec
ognition of the Cubans, at least their bel
| ligerency, and possibly their independence.
| and confident hopes were expressed to-day
| in high Cuban circles that recognition
would be granted within the next two
| weeks. One Of the first effects of this. 1t is
| said, would be to give the Cubans an Off
| cal status at Washington. instead of their
| present unofficial status. The conferences
| now held with General Miles and other Of
| ficials are being productive Of important
results. and yet they are necessarily unof-
| fetal In character. owing to the unrecog-
nized status of the Cubans. Now. how
| ever. that Gomez and Garcia are being rec
| ogniZed as material factors in the contest,
| and are being treated with by the war de-
| partment, the desirabllity of their recogni-
| ton, at least as belligerents, is being
| urged as warranting formal recognition.
| 1t is said the cooperation established is
| in itself recognition of the de facto ex-
| istence of the Cuban army and of belliger-
| ency. and that the de jure recognition
| should follow.
| While these hopes are renewed in Cuban
circles, it cannot be learned that the adj
| ministration has modified its attitude
against recognition of any character.
| In the event of Cuban recognition. 1t is
| probable that President Palma. OF the Gu
| ban junta, would be the first minister ac-
| credited from Cuba with Senior Quesada
| as charge d'affaires at Washington, and
| Senior Albertini as first secretary. Presi-
| dent Palma spends most of his time in New
| York, leaving Senor Quesada in active
| charge here.