Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-10
An Interview with General Pando.

An Interview With General Pando.
Since the close of the war there has
been sad tendency on the part OF
many Americans in high stations, SOL
diers and civilians alike, to do toe
much talking. But this is by no means
a characteristic peculiarly American
as is shown by the loquacity of those
on the conquered side. Admiral Ger
vera has conducted himself like mod
est gentleman but as much cannot be
said Of the first high officer of the
Spanish army to visit us since the
protocol was signed. This parsonage Is
none other than General Pando. who
was popularity supposed to be leading an
army to the relief of Santiago when
General Shafter was pounding at its
gates.
General Pando arrived in New York,
this week, from Mexico, and at once
delivered himself Of some surprising
statements to the newspapers. Among
other things he said that during the
early part of the war he was in Florida
in disguise and saw the preparations
for the embarkation of Skaters army
1t seems almost incredible that man
well known in Cuba and known to
many Cubans in Florida could have
passed unrecognized through such an
adventure. Yet it is a fact that for
more than two months after the wal
began the whereabouts of PandO was a
mystery. He had been in Eastern
Cuba, but it was soon discovered that
he was there no longer. He was then
said to be in Havana, but this turned
out to be false. He was discovered
lust before the cessation of hostAities
in Mexico, collecting contributions fol-
the Spanish cause. 1t is rather SHOCK
to believe it, but he may have been as
he claims, in Mobile and Tampa.
He says of our army that it was
brought together without order OF
system. The generals were without
authority and the soldiers did not
know how to obey. t'The army of the
United States" HE declares, sis in
effective, almost worthless" and he
grudgingly admits it's wonderful work
against the awful odds at Santiago. In
contrast to this he warmly praises the
American navy, both as to ships and
personnel. Its officers, he says, are
competent and it's sailors excellent.
At first sight this looks like a dis.
eliminating view, but it's purpose is tC
pave the way for the trouble he
threatens to give General Toral wher
he gets home. General Skaters mis-
takes, which he dilates upon, are wei
enough known, now, for anyone to dis
cuss them, but it must be said fol
Toral that they were well concealed
from him at the time-thanks to thu
good wit and courage of Wheeler
Iawton and other commanders o
brigades THE health of the American
army was lost" says Pando. That /:
true, in a sense. The health of Toral'.
army was worse, however. than that o
the American forces. The Spanish sol
diers had been starved for weeks, tn,
Americans had only been hungry for :
few days.
All this criticism comes with a poo
grace from a man who was within
reach of the fighting and did not par
ticipate in it. Pando was the com
mander of all the Spanish forces il
Eastern Cuba. When he dispatched
reinforcements to Linares me nigh
have accompanied Them and Stakel
command. Instead, he left all respon
sibility to General Torai and fled from
danger to Mexico to- raise money fo
"the cause" which funds have not We
been accounted for. Now he is goin,
home to make trouble for men who di,
their duty, as they saw it. and to follow
his late master Weyler in the effort t,
get political place in Spain in orde
that they may enjoy honors in addition
to their ill-gotten wealth.
There is one fatal defect about all o
| Pando's bombast. He reckons withou
his host. Cuba might have resiste,
longer, but if it had Spain would hav
suffered more. Had the struggle bee
| prolonged the navy-which he con
cedes to be efIicient-would have bee
laundering at the gates of the PENN
sula before Pando had completed hi
Mexican subscription. Pando, how
ever. is not sincere. He is talking 70
effect in Spain. If he We're less a rogu
he might be considered more an ass.
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