The record-union., 1898-09-21
No One Had Any Thought That He Would
Leave the Army.
Friction Between Himself and
Communicating Gomez the
Probable Cause-Cuban Soldiers
Suffering From Lack OF Food
The People Well Satisfied With
the Way General Lawton Han
dies Affairs at Santiago.

NEW YORK, Sept. 29-Major Ben
1amin Glberga of the Cuban army, who
arrived here from Santiago on the
transport Victor, was at the headquar-
ters OF the Cuban Junta last night Ma
Jor Glberga went to Cuba in April last
and for short time served as Secre-
tary TO the President of the Provisional
Government. He then Joined General
Garcia and became his Secretary Ma
Jor Glberga left General Garcia on Sep
TENDER 4th, after the latter's resigna-
ton from the Cuban army. Garcia was
then at Barre with a few members of
MS staff. Baire is about fifty miles from
Santiago, in the interior of the island,
and is the town where the present rev.
oiution started on February "a, 1895.
According to Major Giberga, the res
lgnation of General Garcia and its ac-
ceptance by General Gomez was a COM
plete surprise to the civil officers of the
Cuban Republic. 1t was known that
there was some friction between the
tow officers, but no one thought Garcia
would resign from the army, and even
if he should present his resignation,
they did not believe Gomez would ac-
cept it. The whole affair of the resig-
without the knowledge of the civil au-
thorities, as General Gomez, as Com
mander-in-Chief of the Army, prompt
ly accepted it without consulting the
civil authorities.
Major Giberga was inclined to believe
that Garcia's resignation would cause
no dissension, although, if it had been
rendered prior to the cessation of hos
tilities it might have injured the Cuban
cause. In speaking Of the condition
now existing in the interior of the ISL
and, the Major said:
THE Cuban soldiers are suffering for
lack of food. Before peace was declared
they could obtain food by foraging
from the country, but now they cannot
do this. AS result, the men, who have
not been paid since they Joined the
army, are suffering from starvation.
They have no money with which to
purchase food. and cannot take it from
the field. The troops should be paid
off as soon as possible and allowed to
return to their homes, where they can
once more engage in peaceful pursuits.
The payment of the troops is, however,
a serious problem. which will have to
solved at an early date.
II do not Believe that it will be neces-
sary for the United States to send a
large army to Cuba In fact, I think
10000 men wouldI suffice to look after
the island. There is no danger of a
conflict between the Cubans and Span
iards. The latter are pleased that the
war is over. AS an illustration of the
way the Spaniards act, 1 would say
that just before I left Cuba a party of
Cuban officers in uniform went into
Holguin and were at once greeted in a
most friendly way by the Spanish Off
GERS there. The latter embraced the
Cubans and invited them to break
fast.
Everything was quiet at Santiago
when + left the city. The people are
satisfied with the way Genral Lawton
handles affairs. He maintains order and
is courteous to all classes of people.
Some improvements are needed there
such as the reopening of the schools,
but that will come in good time