The herald., 1898-07-23
GARCIA'S LETTER
the CABINET GIVESIT CAREFUL
CONSIDERATION
BELIEVE IT A MISTAKE
CUBAN JUNTA MUCH WORRIED
OVER THE OUTLOOK
THE FUTURE CUBAN POLICY
The Island Will Not Be Turned Over
to the Insurgents at Haphazard.
Natives Will Be Consulted
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, July 1.-The cabinet ses-
sion today occupied an hour and a half,
and was devoted almost exclusively to the
Porto Rico expedition and the aggressive
steps in the campaign.
The immense chart of the island was
sent for during the session, and its lines
carefully studied After the session 1t
was specifically and positively stated that
there had been no discussion whatever as
to the peace outlook, as to the new phase
created by the Cuban insurgents indepen-
dent attitude, nor as to the action of Adj
miral Dewey in the Philippines.
Gen. Miles departure. however, was
made a matter of congratulation, and the
steps to follow were thoroughly reviewed.
1t was announced that the troops and
conveys under Gen. Miles probably would
arrive at Porto Rico some time next Sum
day, but further details were withheld.
There seems to be no longer any doubt as
to the purpose of the government with re-
gard to the island when occupied. 1t will
be permanently annexed to the United
States. A schedule of port charges for
Santiago and other Cuban ports was
agreed upon, and will be made public later.
Garcia's Letter
The letter written by Gen. Garcia to Gen.
Ehafter was read. 1t was as follows:
'Sir-On May 18th the government Of the
Republic of Cuba ordered me as Com>
mander of the Cuban army in the east to
cooperate with the American army. fol-
lowing the plans and obeying the orders of
its commander, I have done my best, sir,
to fulfill the wish of my government. and
have been until now one Of your most faith
full subordinates, honoring myself In car
rying out your orders as far as my powers
have allowed me to do it.
1.-THE city of Santiago surrendered to the
American army, and news of that import
ant event was given to me by persons en-
tirely foreign to your staff. I have not
been honored with a single word from your
self, informing me about the negotiations
for peace or the terms of capitulation by
the Spaniards. The important ceremony of
the surrender of the Spanish army and the
taking possession Of the city by yourself
took place later, and only knew of both
events by public reports.
II was neither honored, sir, with a kind
word from you inviting myself or any Of
fieer of my staff to represent the Cuban
army on that memorable occasion.
power at Santiago the same Spanish au-
thorities that for three years have fought
as the enemies of independence In Cuba.
I beg to say that these authorities never
have been elected at Santiago by the resi-
dents of the city, but were appointed by
royal DEGREES of the Queen of Spain.
II would agree, sir. that the army under
your command should have taken pos
session of the city, the garrisons and the
forts. would give my warm cooperation
to any measure you may have deemed best
under American military law to hold the
city for your army and to preserve public
order until the time comes for you to fill
the solemn pledge of the people of the
United States to establish in Cuba FREQ
and independent government. But when
the question arises of appointing authori-
ties in Santiago de Cuba, under the pecu-
liar circumstances of our thirty years
strife against Spanish rule, I cannot soc
but with the deepest regret that such au-
thorities are not elected by the Cuban peo-
pie but are the same ones selected by the
Queen of Spain and hence are ministers to
defend against the Cubans the Spanish
sovereignty.
"a rumor too absurd to believe, General,
ascribes the reason of your measures and Of
your order forbdding my army to go into
Santiago for fear of massacre and revenge
against the Spaniards. Allow me. sir, to
protest against the shadow of such an idea.
We are not ,sayages, ignoring the rules of
civilized war, We are poor, ragged army,
as ragged and as poor as was the army of
your forefathers in their noble war for In
dependence. but as did the heroes of Sara
toga and Yorktown, we respect too deeply
our cause to disgrace 1t with barbarism and
cowardice.
'In view Of all these reasons, sincerely
regret to be unable to fulfill any longer the
orders of my government, and therefore
have today rendered to the commander-in-
chief of the Cuban army, Major General
Maxine Gomez, my resignation as COM
mander of this section of his country.
Awaiting his resolution, withdraw my
forces to the interior. Very respectfully,
"CALIXTO GARCIA"
Plans for Cuba
The letter was discussed at some length.
and the opinion was expressed that 1t was
evidently based upon a wrong conception
of the purposes and motives OF our people.
These, it was said, should long ago have
been fully explained to him and to all OF
the Cuban leaders. If 1t was true, as had
been reported, member of the cabinet
said, that Garcia was not invited to partic-
ipate in the ceremonies attending the
raising of the American flag over Santiago,
It was a mistake. Everything possible, he
said, should be done to win and keep the
friendship of the Cubans, and they should
be made to know that the only purpose of
the United States in waging war against
Spain was to secure for the people of Cuba
relief from the oppression OF Spanish rule
and stable and satisfactory government
established by the people themselves. OF
course, 1t was added, 1t Is not the intention
OF this government to drive the Spaniards
out and then formally turn the island over
to the insurgents or to any other particular
class or faction. This government had
never such purpose, but, on the contrary
1t was we'll understood that a stable gov
eminent for and by all the people of Cuba
was the only purpose and end sought to be
attained. The details incident to the es-
Establishment of such a government, 1t was
said, have never been discussed by the
cabinet at any great length. but there
could be no difference Of opinion as to the
general plan. ALL of the people Of the island.