New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-31
CUBAN RULE FEARED.
SANTIAGO MERCHANTS WANT AN AMER1-
CAN PROTECTORATE.

Santiago de Cuba July 2a-General Wood. the
Military Governor. yesterday afternoon Issued
an order esta blishing an officers patrol TOT the
city. The first detail! will make the ROUNDS AT
6 o'clock in the evening and the next at ~ ANY
officer found in the city without written per-
NIT from General Wood will be requested 10
report to Headquarters. II he refuses. the patrc!
is to take him there forc'bly.
General Wood II is understood. has taken this
precautionary measure owing to the fact that
night before last a Spanish cavalry officer mace
himself Objectionable at a club here. insulting
while in liquor several American officers None
Of the Americans paid any attention to him. but
later the Spaniard got into trouble with some
American soldiers on duty and was locked up
in the guardhOuse for forty-eight hours. Cen
eral Wood will report the case TO General Tora
saying that he does because he would wish
a report made to him by General Toral II any
American officer were guilty Of similar offence
AS a preliminary to strengthen the case. Cen
eral Wood has Instituted the officers patrol
WANT ASSURANCE OF AMERICAN CONTROL
The nervousness among the Spanish and for
eign merchants here. due they say ito the UNI
certainty as TO the attitude Of the American
Government toward the future administration
OF public affairs In Cuba" Is seemingly IN
creased by the report that the American troops
are to be withdrawn.
This morning the correspondent OF The As3o-
ciated Press had interview with General
Shafter, and called his attention TO the state
rnents made by the merchants here az to the
"impossbity Of a resumption OF business unless
assurances were given by the United States
Government that enough American troops would
remain 10 maintain order, and that a stable
Government would be established" Thereupon.
General Shafter cabled the facts set forth by the
merchants to Acknowledgement Corbin request
ing authority 10 give them the desired assur
ance in the name Of the President.
General Shafter says that four immune regi-
mcnts from Alabama and Mississippi, in all five
thousand men, half Of whom are expected to-
day, will remain 10 garrison the city. He has
recommended the withdrawal Of the cavalry and
their return North soon their state OF
health will permit 1t Is understood that the
balance Of the Fifth Army Corps will go 10
Montauk Poipt. Long Island. and there is great
rejoicing among the troops.
AMERICAN OCCUPATION NECESSARY.
The situation here is an extremely delicate
one on the one hand. the Cubans clamor for
the entrance OF their troops into the city. on
the other, the Spanish merchants and foreign
residents dread such a possibility, and the UNI
certainty as 10 the final conditions cause grave
apprehensiors. The merchants all anxious
10 dispose Of their merchandise at sacrifice
and TO leave the island rather than to remain
under Cuban rule They say a definite assur
ance by proclamation Of the continuation OF the
American occupation Of the city until complete
order is guaranteed under established Gov
eminent Is necessary 10 any immediate resump-
ton Of business and to the future prosperity
OF the ctys commerce.
1t seems from a survey OF the situation. the
nature Of the Cubans and their native army.
that 1t is fairly doubtful whether they would
be able to maintain order. 1t appears prudent
at this junciure TO make clear the facts and
conditions. and thus anticipate some possible
criticism Of the drastic measures which may be
rendered necessary here shortly. measures
which. II unexplained. might lay the Military
Governor and the associated authorities open to
censure.