The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-03
CkPOTE TALKS OF THE CUBANS
VICE PRESIDENT ESTIMATES THE
ARMY AT 10000 MEN.

Thirty thousand of Them neprcsent-
cd ns Fully Armed and Equipped.
The Additional 10000 Armed with
Machetes-ThOusand of Others Al
legged TO Have Left the Towns TO
Join the InsurGent Fighters.
New York, June 2.-Vice President Ca
pote Of the Cuban republic arrived in this
city at noon to-day. After going to a
hotel where he met Gen. Palma the
head of the Cuban junta, he visited the
cuban headquarters, where he met a num-
Der of newspaper reporters with whom he
talked quite freely.
Horado S. Rubeas, the counsel for the
junta. acted as Interpreter.
When asked what his mission to this
country was, Senor Capote replied that.
before saying anything about that he
wished to thank the American press, coll
lectively. for the stand It mad taken IN
behalf Of the Cuban insurgents, stating
that the Cuban people ana the govern
ment were deeply grateful for the support
given by the American people and for the
action of this nation IN coming to their
support.
Continuing, he said: MY mission is not
public one All public acts relative 10
the situation between the United States
and the Cuban republic VIII continue, as
heretofore, to be conducted by Gen
Palma. He has the thorough confidence of
our people, who have "A high apprecia ton
of what he has done
Il do not come here to negotiate any
loan. l come to consult Gen. Palma on
matter which does not concern interna-
tional questions or public interest / have
no present intention of calling upon Pres
ident Mckinley, although ! shall probably
make call upon him before l return
How long l shall remain here 1 cannot say
at this time. but shall make my stay as
short as possible"
Mr.. CapOte holds the position of Judge
advocate general in the lnsurgent army
Questioned as to the strength Of the army
ne sald; Not counting those who have
recently Joined the forces. Gen. Garcia has
about 1900 men under HIM in the Eastern
department at Santiago and Puerto Prin-
cipe. About $500 of these men We're In
the neighborhood Of Santiago when last
received word. All were fully armed and
equipped, and 1t was the intention to con-
centrate all Of the forces in the eastern
portion at that point.
Il cannot tell definitely how many men
NiANAN a. = III AAA' ptiiNl provinces ArOIltL
has about 5000 men at Santa Clara. Prob
ably 5000 men, all fully armed and
equipped, are IN the ranks OF the Cuban
army. A large number, probably 20O00
more are armed with machetes, and there
are thousands of others who have recently
left the towns to join the army because
they could no longer live in the town.
From Puerto Principe alone, 10000 men,
women and children have left because of
the scarcity of provisions, preferring to
take their chances in the country, and fur
ther Influenced by the fear that at the
| last moment, the Spaniards, driven to dos
pair, will out Of revenge, resort to slaugh-
ter"
He last saw Gomez in May, at which
time The headquarters of the Cuban gov
ernment was at Sebastapol, town Uf
! Puerto Principe.
''We had complete dispatches from Gen.
| Palma said Mr.. Capote, Keeping us in
| formed of the action Of the United State.
| and Of the movements of the army and
navy. Lieut. Rowan saw Gomez at Giber-
| ga, and had a conference with him con
| cerning sailors and guides to be furnished
the invading troops from the insurgents. -