Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-12-05
GARCIA IN CAPITAL
INsURGENT COMMISSION
ERS REACH WASHINGTON.
AFTER PAY FOR SOLDIERS
Natives Who Took Up Arms Need
Means to Re-establish Themselves
in Peaceful Pursuits Commission
ers Hope to Discuss All Questions
Relating to Island and It's People.

Washington, Dec. 1.-The members
of the commission delegated to visit
the United States to discuss with the
officials of this government many
problems which confront both the Gu
bans and Americans on the island, ar
rived in Washington last evening. The
commission is headed by Gen. CaliXto
Garcia, the veteran soldier and leader.
The commissioners expect to remain
about ten Jays. Today Garcia will
call upon the secretary of war, but De-
yond that call, no arrangements have
been perfected for the movements CT
the commission.
In a general sense it is the purpose
of the commission to discuss with he
officials of the administration all ques
tons relating to the island and it's pep
pie. One of the principal questions
will be that relating to the disposition
of the Cuban army. In the course Of
an interview, Garcia said that it would
be hardship for the Cuban army to
disband at this time without receiving
pay for its services in the field. When
the revolution began the Cubans left
their homes to fight for the freedom
and independence of the island.
Through the assistance of the United
States, the yoke of Spain has been
thrown off forever, and the soldiers
are now anxious to return to peaceful
pursuits. In majority Of cases, how
ever, their homes have been destroyed
and their lands laid waste. They hope
some method may be provided where
by they may be given sufficient means
to gain a new start in life.
Garcia has no suggestion to make as
to the method of providing this means,
but expresses the hope of obtaining
through the assistance of this country,
a sufficient amount partly to reimburse
the Cubans for their services in the
field. This sum may be advanced on
the security of the Cuban revenues or
obtained in any other way that might
be satisfactory to this country. Garcia
says the Cuban government stands
pledged to pay its soldiers and will in
good faith live up to any agreement
made for an adjustment of the tenn
porary difficulty.
Concerning the proposition which
has been made to annex the island to
the United States, Gen. Garcia said: Il
do not think any such question
can be discussed or settled at present,
because the congress of the United
States has declared by most solemn
Of CI1 IN
ought to be free and Independent. |
have such faith in the honor and integ-
rity of the United States that am sat
isfed that the declaration of congress
will be carried out. Other things are
matters of time and detail"
Garcia says that the Cubans are act
ing in the utmost good faith and that
they believe that the United States
government is acting and will continue
to act in the same way. He and the
other Cubans are willing to join this
government in an effort to obtain for
the island free and independent and
stable government. he believes the
Cuban people are prepared to estab-
Iish and maintain such government.
and is satisfied that they will demon
strate the accuracy of his views. He
has no information as to the sending
of American troops to the island to
afford the population protection pend
ing the establishment Of a new govern
ment and under that government of a
proper army and police force. In
deed, he says, the Cubans themselves
are willing to be enlisted as such gar
rison force in whole or in part, as this
government may deem desirable, but
suggests that when the American sol
diers are sent to the island they be
placed under smart restraint in order
to prevent a recurrence OF such affairs
as that at San Luis. In making this
comment, Garcia disclaimed any re-
Election upon the American army, for
which he expressed the highest re-
spect.