The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-27
READY TO AID
CUBAN INSURGENTS WILL COOPER
ATE WITH AMERICAN TROOPS.
Between Twenty and Twenty-Five
Thousand of the Former Under
Arms and in the Field.
TWO ENJOYS FROM GARCIA
HOLD A CONFERENCE WITH sECRE-
TARY ALGER AND GEN. MILES.
And Tell of the Whereabouts of the
Insurgents, Their Strength, Arma-
ment and Campaign Methods.
ADDRESS BY GEN. GOMEZ
HIS MEN ADVISED TO HEED RULES
OF CIVILIZED WARFARE,
And Informed They Are Now the Reg
ular Army of the Cuban Republic
Not a War of Revenge.
And Tell of the WhereabO outs of the
ment and Campaign Methods.
ADDRESS BY GEN. GOMEZ
HIS MEN ADVISED TO HEED RULES
OF CIVILIZED WARFARE,
And Informed They Are Now the Reg
uIar Army of the Cuban Republic
Not a War of Revenge.


ger and General Miles conferred to-day with
cia, Gen. Enrique Collazo and Lieut. Col
Charles Hernandez, who come direct from
Garcia's headquarters, bearing credentials
from him to effect a plan of cooperation
with the American forces. They accompa-
MED Lieutenant Rowan, of the United
states army, on his return from Garcia's
camp and shared with him the dangers of a
two days voyage in an open boat from the
north coast Of Cuba until picked up by
small sloop, which carried them to Nassau.
Ihey reported first to the Cuban delegation
mere, and Secretary Quesada was careful to
keep their presence secret until General
Miles had made the fact known. This re-
lleved them from further secrecy and to-
day General CollaZo and Colonel Hernandez
gave an interesting account of General Gar
cia's forces and surroundings and the gen.
eral equipment of the Cuban army.
Colonel Hernandez says Garcia has his
headquarters at Bayamo, one of the large
towns in the central part of the island It
was surrendered by the Spanish forces a
few weeks ago, after Garcia and his troops
had maintained a long siege General Garcia
and his staff, with a body guard of several
hundred men, are quartered inside the city.
The commanding generals headquarters
are in one of the principal buildings on the
main street called Commercial street With
him is General Rabi and his staff and body
guard The infantry and cavalry are quar-
tered in the suburb of South Bayamo.
Tents are not used, but in their place the
men hastily construct coverings made of
palm leaves and guinea grass, which are
more effective than canvas as a shelter
n "a inst hot
. thousand men are thus quartered. They are
well armed, with Remingtons and Mausers,
captured from the Spanish Most OF them
have machetes, but only the officers carry
other small arms The cavalry have small
horses, much like the Indian mustangs,
hardy and reliable. Mules are used for pack
purposes. Colonel Hernandez says that the
commissary and quartermasters depart
ment is unknown in the sense used by army
officials here. In lieu of these the companies
not fully armed are organized as ''predios."
The duty of the "predios is to bring meat,
ample supplies being secured from Puerto
Principe. and vegetables. which are grown
quickly in the woods. The system works
perfectly, Colonel Hernandez says and the
troops are kept well fed and in good spirits.
There are no dress parades. and none of the
regularity of daily drill used In the United
States army. The main occupation is in
making long daily marches to keep the men
hardened.
Tine Cuban generals say the arrival of
Lieutenant Rowan aroused the greatest en-
thusiasm throughout the Cuban camp
There was no notice of his coming and the
first seen of Lieutenant Rowan was as he
galloped up Commercial street, followed by
the Cuban guides who accompanied him
from Florida. He was warmly greeted by
General Garcia, and the two held three
hours conference. 1t was decided that
Lieutenant Rowan should return that after
noon, and General Garcia assigned General
nHn xxyif1 ~
guides, to accompany him. He had come
in from the south shore, but the party went
cure large sailboat, but the best thing
available was an open yawl or lifeboat
with a cubic capacity of only 1O4 feet Sails
by the officers. The first night out was
stormy, and the small craft was barely kept
af1oat, but after that the weather was good.
Colonel Hernandez says communication is
maintained with General Gomez and with
points along the coast. From these he has
general idea of the Cuban forces outside
OF those with General Garcia at Bayamo
He estimates that there are 1900 men, all
of them well armed, east of La Trocha
and constituting the forces in the eastern
division Of the island, under General Garcia
These include the 5000 at Bayamo, the 9TH
ers being scattered at various points. He
mand at about 5000 men, with 5000 men
scattered at various points. In ALL there
are accordng ora ,i to the estimates Of General e raj
to 25OO0 troops actually in the field
1t is understood that the purpose of the
present visit of Garcia's officers is to give
that generals assurance to the authorities
here of his desire to give every possible CO.
operation to the American movements. Sim
Gomez, and have been presented by Sec
retary Quesada- The Cuban officers have
made good impression here. and the au-
them men of ability and soldierly bearing
speaking English well. They will remain
some days longer, and then return to Gen.
Carcia'S CamO.