The Portland daily press., 1898-09-08


resentative Cuban May Be Taken TO
Paris.
Washington, September with the
arrival of the Cuban military commission
at Havana within the next few days the
real work of terminating Spanish rule in
the island will begin. 1t is realized that
many difficulties will confront the COM
mission in working out the details of
agreement from which both sides start
is the clause of the peace protocol provid-
ing for the immediate evacuation of Cuba
and other Spanish West Indian posses
sions by the Spanish forces. But the
word "immediate'' is relative term and
it remains to be seen Just when the actual
embarkation of the Spanish forces will
begin and under what circumstances the
departure will be conducted.
There are said to be about 100, 600 Span
ish troops scattered through Cuba. Most
of these are in the western provinces, only
about 10000 remaining in the eastern
provinces of Puerto Principe and Santi-
ago. For that reason it is being urged
that the evacuation by the Spanish should
begin at the east end Of the island, work
ing westward until Havana and the west
ern end are included.
1t is expected that the evacuation of
Havana will come last, as the Spanish in-
terests there doubtless will make the
Spanish element most tenacious of their
stay at the capital.
If the commission confines its discus
sions to the time and places of evacuation
1t is felt that the work will be compara-
lively brief. But the fear is that the
Spanish commissioners will seek to bring
up the future government of Cuba, the
payment OF the Cuban debt, the immuni-
~ of government reservations, forts,
prisons. ETC., from forfeitures to the Unit
ed States, the right of the Spanish troops
to carry their arms and also to remove
heavy ordnance. Much will depend upon
tho instructions which the state depart
ment has given the commissioners, but it
is believed these guard against endless
diplomatic wrangle over collateral Issues.
The dispatches from Havana, stating that
the Spanish authorities have levied heavy
duties on relief supplies and fine OF
$500 on a Red Cross consignment, is not
re-assuring of the Spanish purposes. The
American case to be presented at Paris
is being made up at the state department.
preparing the case by the limited amount
of money available to the state depart
ment for work of this unusual character.
The name of Commodore Bradford,
chief naval bureau OF equipment, is be-
ing mentioned among those of the party
likely to go to Paris.
Commodore Bradford has charge of the
coaling of our naval vessels, the establish
ment of coaling stations, ETC., and his
advice would be valuable in settling
questions of new coaling stations. Lieut..
Stafford is mentioned as the naval attaohe
in case Commodore Bradford does not
wish to go. Lieut.. Stafford is strongly
recommended. He speaks French and
Spanish and has had much experience In
Spanish countries. 1t is understood that
Adjutant General Corbin's son will be
an attache of the commission. The report
that Gen. Merritt will be accompanied to
Paris by Filipino in order that the In
surgents may have an unofficial recog-
milton in the settlement of the Philippine
question, has led to the suggestion that
some representative of the Cubans ac-
company the American commissioners
| unotficially.
1t is understood that the Cuban repre-
sentatives in Washington view this sug-
gestion with favor, feeling tnat the ques-
tion of Cuban debt, Cuban government,
etc., which may come up at Paris are
quite as important to the Cubans as the
Philippine question is to the Filipinos.
1t is said President Palma or Secretary
Quesada would not be averse to going to
Paris in such an official capacity. paying
their own expenses with Il view to aid
ing the American commissioners and
giving them the advantage of Cuban CO.
operation.