Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-11-26
"A STRONG RESERVE,
CuOans Keep independence Well
to the Fore.
Ger. Garcia Amphasizes the Feeling of
Friendship for Americans Animat-
ing Cubans, But Says They
VIII Own tho Island.

New YORK, Nov. 2l.-Gen. Calixto
Garcia and the other Cuban commits
sioners from the military assembly at
Santa Crus del Sur, who are en- route to
Washington for the purpose of laying
before President Mckinley resolutions
recently adopted by the assembly as to
the future of the island OF Cuba, ar
rived here today on the Ward Line
steamer Seguranca.
Gen. Garcia and the commissioners
| were given an enthusiastic welcome by
the members of the local branch of the
Cuban junta and many prominent Gu
| bans, who went down the bay on the
tug Atlantic to meet the Seguranca.
and when the veteran general came
down the gang plank at the Ward Line
| dock he was greeted with rousing
cheers 1t was with great difficulty
that the police cleared the way for the
| party to reach the street, so dense was
the crowd Those of the party accom-
| panying Gen. Garcia were Gen. Jose
Miguel Gomez, Lieut.-Col. Jose Ramon
Nillalon, Col. Antonio Gonzales Lanuza,
former secretary of the Cuban iunta in
this city; Col. Cosme Terriente secre-
tary to Den. Garcia Col, Carlos Martin
Iy Popey, Col. Cirque Villendues and
Lieut.. Richardo Koby.
| Gen. Garcia, when seen on the
steamer, said he was delighted to be in
New York again, and that he looked
forward with much pleasure to the com
missions call on President Mckinley.
Their Feeling Is Friendly.
Il will go to Washington in day or
two to see the president, and after my
work in the United States is accom-
plished will return to Cuba.
"The Cubans have no other feelings
for the Americans than those of friend
ship and gratitude. As for myself, !
believe in American occupation of Cuba
until order has been restored. believe
in the United States having Cuba, but
not forever. ! am for free Cuba, and sc
are all other Cubans. There is no sen
timent on the island for annexation
All Cubans have faith in Mr.. Mckinley
"The commission of which | am the
head is not going to Washington with
any propositions for the presidents con
sideration. We are going there to tel
of the country and to better the ar
rangementS for the establishment of ;
postoflice system. American occupancy
| is necessity-but not forever
Gen. Garcia said that he was in sym
pathy with Gen. Buffers plan to employ
Cuban soldiers as policemen.
II believe the plan is a good one,' h'
said. "rhe men could be under tn
direction of Cuban colonels who woult
report to the general.
Present Plan For Cuban Troops.
"The present plan is to keep the Gu
ban soldiers under arms until the Amer
leans come into a district, and then th'
Cuban officer in the district will otfel
|
colonel. Those who are wanted are re
tanned by the American officer and tn,
others are sent home"
Gen. Garcia said he did not know
where the capital of the island woult
be situated, nor did he know when th,
first presidential election would b,
| l,1l Ia hn nf n.
island was progressing as slowly as th'
Spaniards can do it. They still hate tC
give up the customs receipts.
He thought the stories of the trouble
with soldiers owing to their salaries
being in arrears, were greatly exag
gerated, and that in time whatever wa
due them would be paid. Gen. Garci'
said there was still great suffering il
the towns. They were lacking in foot
and medicines. In the field, however
the men did not want, as they wer
supplied by volunteer contribution
from the people which were given il
spite of need.
He also said that he had NOT hear,
that Gomez had discharged all tn
Americans who are acting as officers il
the Cuban army, and that he did no
believe Gen. Gomez was unfriendly t.
the Americans.
Gen. Jose Miguel Gomez, who is net
relative of the colnmander-in-chief,s SAT-
there was no truth in the stories tina
Gen. Gomez was unfriendly to Ameri
cans