The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-31
SITUATION AT SANTIAGO.
Fears of Spanish and Foreign Mer-
chants AIlayed by Shafter


SANTIAGO DE CUBA. July g. 1915 p. m
delayed in transmission )-General Shafter
has had some cable correspondence with
Adjutant General Corbin tending to allay
the fear among Spanish and foreign mer-
chants here that the American troops are
to be withdrawn from Santiago and the city
given over to the custody of the Cuban SOL
diers Representations had been made to
General Shafter of the alleged imposSibility
of a resumption of business unless assur-
ances were given by the United States gov
eminent that enough American troops
would remain to maintain order, and that a
stable government would be established
General Shafter cabled Adjutant General
Corbin, requesting authority to give the de-
sired assurance, in the name of the Presi-
dent. General Shafter says the four immune
regiments from Alabama and Mississippi in
all 5000 men, half of whom are expected to-
day, will remain to garrison the city. He
has recommended the withdrawal of the
cavalry and their return north as soon as
their state of health will permit 1t is I'M
derstood the rest Of the Fifth Army Corps
will go to Montauk Point, l.. l., and there
is great rejoicing among the troops
A feature of the situation here is the con-
slant stream of native residents who are
presenting claims to the authorities here
against the United States government for
losses sustained at the hands of Cuban
troops, damage to property, robbery and
plumber during the last three years. These
claims are promptly returned with an ex-
preston of regret.
The daily passes issued through the lines
exceed three hundred. To-day it was dis
covered that they are being used to take
rum and tobacco to the Spanards, with
whom a good traffic is kept up Future
bearers of passes will be searched.
Among the passengers on the Ward line
steamer Philadelphia on her return trip to
New York will be Don Aldcon, the new col
lector Of the port of Santiago. The full
cabin capacity has been engaged. She will
probably take a full cargo of iron ore, the
first since the war broke out.
All foreign orders for goods have been
countermanded. There is a distinct senti-
n.ent here for continuation of the occupa-
ton and the definite establishment of an
American protectorate. Local merchants,
Spanish, foreign and native are drawing up
petition requesting the establishment of a
bonded warehouse at Santiago, so in case
they desire to reship goods to Porto Rico
they may be saved the payment of double
duty Under the Spanish regime the entry
of goods in bond here was unknown. Mer-
chandise imported and reshipped to Porto
Rico, another Spanish colony, paid duty
twice.
Senior Enrique Trujillo, the editor of the
Porvenir, of New York, the organ of the
Cuban insurgents, arrived here yesterday on
board the Philadelphia and applied to Cen
e1al Wood for a license to establish a Cuban
paper. But the character of the proposed
publication was not considered desirable by
the general at present and permission to
publish it was absolutely refused.
TIL transport Mississippi left this morning
for Porto Rico. She will be followed in a
day or two by the Oriaza and Louisiana.
Orders have been receive to hasten the de-
parture of the transports here. The Tampa
Saratoga, Iroquois, Knickerbocker and Sc
guaranca will probably leave tomorrow,
and the others will get away as soon as they
have discharged their freight. These in
clude the Viglancia, Miami, Matteawan,
Gate City, Manteo. Catania and Berkshire
The quartermaster's department is under
orders to exercise the greatest activity in
unloading the vessels, but the facilities are
meager.