Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-23
GARCIA TO sHAFTER.
defence OF Cuban Army-ReEret at
Our Proceedings.

Santiago Correspondence New York SUM-
The ill-feeling produced among the Gu
bans by General Skaters latest orders in
Santiago eliminated this morning in a
serious rupture between General Shafter
and General Garcia As a consequence
General Garcia has withdrawn with his
army from the outskirts OF Santiago to
the interior, taking the road TO Jiguani,
which is fifty miles northeast OF Santiago.
He first held council of his officers, and
rendered 10 General Gomez. the Cuban
COMMUNICATIVE chief, his resignation as
commander of the Cuban army OF the
East. A special courier was sent to Gene
raj Gomezs headquarters carrying the
resignation.
General Garcia also sent the following
letter TO General Skaters
'Sir-Oh May 18th the Government or
the republic of Cuba ordered me as com
mander OF the Cuban army in the East
10 cooperate with the American army,
following the plans and obeying the or
ders OF its commander. j have done my
best, sir, to fulfil the wishes of my gov
eminent, and have been until now one OF
your most faithful subordinates, honoring
myself in carrying out your orders and in
strucuons as far as my powers have al
lowed me TO do IL.
'"rhe city of Santiago surrendered 10 the
American army. and news of that i'm
portant event was given to me by persons
entirely foreign 10 your staff have not
been honored with a single word from
yourself informing me about the negotla-
tlons for peace or the terms of the capitu-
1ation by the Spaniards. The important
ceremony of the surrender of the Span
ish army and the taking possession of tho
city by yourself took place later on, and L
only knew of both events by public re-
ports.
II was neither honored. sir. with Kind
word from you inviting myself or any
officer OF my staff TO represent the Cuban
army on that memorable occasion.
Finally, know that you have left in
power at Santiago the same Spanish au-
thorities that for three years i have
fought as enemies OF the independence OF
Cuba. l beg TO say that these authorities
have never been elected at Santiago by
the residents OF the city. but were APP
pointed by royal DEGREES of the Queen or
Spain.
III would agree, sir. that the army under
your command should have taken pos
session OF the city. the garrison, and the
forts. 1 would give my warm co-opera-
ton TO any measure you may have
deemed best under American military law
&c hold the city for your army and to
preserve public order until the time comes |
20 fulfil the solemn pledge OF the people |
OF the United States 20 establish in Cuba |
free and independent government. But |
when the question arises OF appointing |
authorities In Santiago de Cuba under |
the peculiar circumstances OF our thirty |
years strife against the Spanish rule. !
Cannot see but with the deepest regret |
that such authorities are not elected by |
ane Cuoan people, 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 10 be believed, |
General. ascrlbes the reason OF your mea-
sures and OF the orders forbidding my army
10 enter Santiago to fear Of massacre and |
revenge against the Spaniards. Allow /
me, SIR. 10 protest against even the !
shadow OF such an idea. We are not
raNeses. ignoring the rules OF civilized
warfare We are a poor. ragged army.
as ragged and as poor ak was the army
OF your forefathers I'm their noble war
Tor Independence, but. as Old the heroes
or saratoga and yorktown. We respect
too deeply our cause TO disgrace Il with
barbarlsm and cowardice.
IN view or all these reasons slncerels
Iesfet to be unable 10 fulfil any longer
the orders or my government. and there
Tore l hayecctndered to-day 10 The Com.
fnandor-ln- Chief OF the Cuban army Ma
Jof-GSnesl Maxine Gomez, my resiena.