Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-22
PRESIDENT OF CUBAN JUNTA DIS
CREDITS STORIES OF FRICTION.
CUBANs ARE READY TO WORK
INSURGENT STRENGTH ESTIMATED
AT $1,000 SOLDIERS.
Member of the Cabinet Talks of the
Possibility of Warfare With
the Insurgents and of FOr-
eign Intervention to
Stop 1t.

| WASHINGTON, July 21-General Palma,
president of the Cuban junta, Is in the
| city. He does not credit the stories about
| the reported friction between Cuban SOL
diers and the Americans.
Il think" he said, "aH Cubans recognize
| the nice work of the United States in help
| ing the Cubans to attain their independ-
ence. / cannot think any regular soldiers
| of the Cuban army have refused to help
| build roads, dig trenches etc. I do not
| know what some few scattered soldiers
may have done, but it is not reasonable
to suppose that any of the regulars under
| Garcia have declined to perform such ser
| vice General Garcia from the beginning
| said he was ready to do all that was neces-
| sary to aid the Americans, and his SOL
diers have for years been doing just such
| work you refer to. They have grown
accustomed to it,
What do you estimate as the number of
| Cuban soldiers under arms in Cuba at
| the present time?" was asked.
II think we have about 5000 Cuban SOL
diers under arms in Cuba now" said Cen
eral Palma. There are probably about
| 1900 or 5000 with Garcia and the balance
| of them are scattered all over Cuba. 1t
| must be remembered that we have pos
a
must be a guard stationed over them by
our Cuban army. All through the provinces
| there are needs for the protection which
| is afforded by these soldiers. Most of our
| cavalry is in Porto Principe"
General Palma does not credit the re-
ports regarding the death OF General
| Garcia. He said he had letter from Gen.
eral Garcia a few days ago, and believes
he is still alive.
A member of the cabinet, speaking about
| the unfortunate attitude Of the Cubans
| at Santiago, said he feared that it would
| take time to correct the misapprehension
| Of the Cuban insurgents that the United
| States proposed to erect minority govern
ment wherever the United States forces
| overcame the Spaniards. ~
| Cuba. this gentleman said. would have
| to read and absorb the intent Of the pres
| ident's message and abide by 1t If the
people hoped or expected to see real peace
| in short time. If the presidents judicial
advice were adopted, there was no reason
| whatever why every man In Cuba within
| the protection of the military authorities
| of the United States should not have the
| freest possible opportunity to prosper, and
| they might as well make up their minds
| that they were not to have any opportu-
| nifty whatever to act unjustly toward their
| former enemies.
This determination on the part OF the
| United States, continued the minister,
should not provoke a spirit of resentment
| toward us, but the people of Cuba, Span
| ish and Cuban. were not like us, and We
could not pretend to understand as they
| understand. Self-interest with the Cubans.
| however, might be expected to govern them
! if they would stop to think at all. Without
| our help they would continue to be mis-
| governed by Spain. Spain will have to go,
but the president has plainly notified Cuba
| that there shall be no misgovernment if
| 1t can be prevented. and it will be the duty
| of the United States to make good its
assurances to the world.
The president in Cuba and Porto Rico,
| will depend greatly, 1t Is evident to mem
| bers of the administration. upon the cordial
cooperation of the people of those Islands
| with the United States in the determination
| Of this government to free them from
| Spain's corrupt and backward control.
If the Cubans persist in bringing on a
| contest with the United States in the de-
| termination to admit no participation by
| Spaniards in the government of the island.
and a condition of rebellion against the
| United States is maintained. 1t is not con-
| sidered improbable that the island will con-
| tinue to be disturbed for years by revo-
| luton And a member of the administra-
1
| the United States to the powers If, at the
end of two years of strife between the
| United States and Cuba, the powers should
| step in and assert that they could no longer
| suffer the interruption of business the de-
| struction of life and the disturbance of
their peace? ..
While less trouble is looked for in Porto
| Rico, 1t is conceived to be possible that the
native Porto Ricans. who share the Cuban
aversion for Spaniards. may develop a hos
| tiiity to the forces and rule of the United
| States like that which seems to be devel-
| oping in Cuba. Very little dependence has
been placed upon the Porto Ricans. The
| United States government expects to pro-
| vide such a government for that island as
| good judgment and a right interest in the
welfare of the people suggest. 1t Is be-
| leved that with a trial of fair government
in Porto Rico for a year. Spain's hold on
the people could never be regained with
the consent of the people.
| It Is also the Administrations view that
Cuba will, If it act wisely. see that the
presidents programme, as laid down in his
| proclamat ton. will bring the Cubans better
| results than would be secured if more
savage policy were to be adopted.
Friends of Cuba here, who have read
| with regret the information and comment
from Santiago, are said to have set about
| correcting the tendency discovered by the
| press correspondents, and at the same time
| an admonition has been sent to Santiago
by the war department and to the officers
in control to restrain the apparent inclna-
ton to make much of the Spaniards and
to treat the Cubans with contempt. That
this should have happened is considered to
be extremely unfortunate.
ENORMOUS POWER OF A SHELL