The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-07-27
Scorchlng But
Very Dignifed.
Gen. Garcia Writes a Letter
to Gen. Shafter: Then
Tenders His Resigna-
ton to Gen. Gomez.

new OK. u uiy - oISp"eo
from Santiago gives the following as
being letter sent by Gen. Garcia to
Gen SKATER:
Sir-On May IL the government OF
the Republic of Cuba ordered me as
commander of the Cuban army in the
east 10 cooperate With the American
army. following the plans and obey
ing the orders of it's commander |
have done my best, sir. to fulfill the
wishes of my government, and | have
been until now one of your most faith
iul snbordinates, honoring myself in
carrying out your orders as far as my
powers have allowed me to do it
The city of Santiago surrendered
10 the American army, and news of
that important event was given to me
by persons entirely foreign TO your
staff / have not been houored with
5 single word from yourself inform
ing me about the negotiations for
peace or the terms of the capitulation
BY the Spaniards. The important
ceremony of the surrender Of the
Spanish army and the taking pos
session Of the city by yourself took
place later OF, and ] only knew of
both events by public reports.
I was neither honored, cir, with a
kind word from you inviting myself
or any officer of my staff to represent
the Cuban army on that memorable
occasion
Finally. I know that you have left
3 in power at Santiago the same Span
ish authorities that for three years |
have fought as enemies Of the inde-
pendence of Cuba. ! beg to say that
these authorities have never been
elected at Santiago by the residents
Of the city, but were appointed by
royal DEGREES of the queen of SPAN
I would agree, sir, that the army
under your command should have
taken possession of the city. the garri
son and the forts
I would give my warn co opera.
ton to any measure you may have
deemed best under American mill.
tary law to hold the city for your
army and to preserve public order
until the time comes to fulfill the
solemn pledge OF the people of the
United States to establish in Cuba a
free and independent government.
But when the question arises of ap-
pointing authorities in Santiago de
Cuba. under the peculiar circun,stsn-
css of our 80 years strife against
Spanish rule, l cannot see but with
the deepest regret that such authori
ties are not elected by the Cuban
people. but are the same ones select
ed by the queen of Spain, and hence
are ministers to defend against the
Cubans and Spanish sovereignty.
q rumor, too absurd to be believ
ed, general, ascribes the reason OF
your measures and Of the orders for
bidding my army to enter Santiago
for fear of massacres and revenge
against the Spaaiards. Allow, me,
Sir, to protest against even the
shadow of such an idea We are not
savages ignoring the rules Of civilIz
ed warfare We are poor, ragged
army. as ragged and as poor as was
she army of your forefathers IN their
noble wa: for independence. but, as
did the heroes of Saratoga and York
town, we respect too deeply our
cause to disgrace it with baTbarism
and cowardice.
In view Of all these reasons, | sim
cerely regret to be uoable to fal6li
any longer the orders of the govern
ment, aud, therefore, / have rendered
today to the commanderiu chief OF
the Cuban army. Maj. Geu. Maxine
Gomez. my resignation as commander
of this section of our army
Awaiting his resolution, | with
draw my forces to the interior
Very respectfully yours.
Calixto Garcia