Evening star., 1898-08-17

whole effort of Gen. Wheeler will be to
put the men back in condition to go o
their homes after the review. Nearly all of
the volunteer soldiers in the Montauk camp
are to be mustered out of service under
the order now being prepared by the War
Department This order will go into effect
Immediately after the great parade.
General Wheeler told the President an in
terestinS story of the bravery of the Amer
lean soldiers.
Misunderstand;nSs With the Cubans.
Then the famous cavalry leader talked
to the President about the misunderstand-
ings with the Cubans. General Wheeler
assured the President that If the Cubans
are properly handled there will be no fric-
ton, and that they will obey orders. Hs
explained how easy it is for the Cubans,
speaking different tongue and with diff
ferent IDEAS and sentiments to misunder-
stand and become offended. When situa-
tion is explained to them patiently and
cautiously, ne said, they become satisfied
and appreciate what is being done for
them.
Beyond the fact that he had been ordered
by the Secretary of War to report in
Washington, Gen. Wheeler said he knew
little about the object of his visit Soon
after his arrival, Gen. Wheeler went TO
the War Department and had a brief chat
with Adjt. Gen. CcIbin.
Gen. Wheeler intended to go to his home
in Alabama for few days, but will defer
his visit until relieved of his command at
Montauk Point.
Gen. Wheeler thinks that the soldiers at
Montauk will recuperate rapidly from the
diseases contracted in Cuba.
The Cubans," he says were badly
clothed and badly fed. They do not make
an impressive, appearance as soldiers. My
belief is that they misundcrs TODD, probably,
the conditions about Santiago which we
had to encounter. Few of them could speak
English, and communicat ton between them
and the American troops was difficult Yes
l know of the charges that they refused to
work on the roads and other projects for
the assistance of the American army but
l think their refusal was due to some ex-
tent, at least, to a misapprehenson of the
necessity for the work l found Cubans
who were willing to work after the neces-
sity OF it was explained to them by inter-
preters'
Gen. Wheeler did not care to discuss the
Santiago campaign.
He is gratified at the prospect of another
term in Congress. The collapse of the op-
position to his denomination and the de-
cisfon of the republicans of his district not
to nominate candidate to run against
him he noted with considerable and very
pardonable pride. Unless his services are
needed by the country, it is the expectation
of the general to resign from the army
some time during the autumn, SO that he
may resume his duties in the House OF
Representatives.
At the War Department.
Gen. Wheeler was at the War Depart
ment today and had an interview with the
Secretary. Gen. Wheeler was told by the
Secretary TO purchase everything that was
necessary for the comfort of the men and
to spare Lothing that will alleviate the
sufferings of the sick and wounded Gen.
Wheeler will leave tonight for New York
and go thence to Montauk Point
During the interview with Secretary
Alger the Secretary asked him about the
conditions prevailing at Santiago, and also
about the Cubans. Gen. Wheeler in the
course of his answer said that he believed
amicable relations with the Cubans would
be the final result. He spoke of their con-
dition, the privations which they had suf-
fered, their lack of knowledge of United
States language and customs, their entire
ignorance of the intentions of the United
States government, which, he said. when
better understood by them, would result in
their acceptance of the conditions which
the United States had created Gen. Wheel
er believed the Cuhans in time when freed
from oppression and given stable, and