Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-26
Details reported by Representatives
of Gen. Garcia.
HIS HEADQUARTERS ARE AF BAYAMO
Forces on the Island Estimated to
Be Between 10000 and $4,000.
COM NJ Z NICATION OPEN

1erred today with two officers from the
staff of General Garcia. General Enrique
Coilazo and Lieut.. Col. Charles Hernandez
who came direct from Garcia's headquar-
ters bearing credentials from him to effect
plan OF cooperation with the American
FORCES. They accompanied Lieut.. Rowan
of the United States army, on his return
from Garcia's camp. and shared with him
the dangers of a two days voyage in an
open boat from the north coast of Cuba
until picked up by small sloop which car
ried them to Nassau. They reported first
to the Cuban delegation here, and Secre-
tary Quesada was careful to keep their
presence secret until after their interview
with General Miles. This relieved them
from further secrecy, and today General
Collazo ard Col. Hernandez gave an inter-
esting account of General Garcia's forces
and surroundings. and the general equip
ment of the Cuban army.
Headquarters at Bayamo.
Col. Hernandez says Garcia has his head
quarters at Bayamo. one of the large towing
of Cuba in the central part of the island.
1t was surrendered by the Spanish forces
a few weeks ago after. Garcia and his
troops had maintained a long siege. Gen.
eral Garcia and his staff, with a body
guard of several hundred men, are quarter
ed inside the city The commanding gen.
erals headquarters is in one OF the prin-
cipal buildings on the main street, called
Commercial street. With him are General
Iabi ard his staff and body guard. The
men, infantry and cavalry, are quartered
in the suburb of south Bayamo. Tents are
not used, but In their place men hastily
construct coverings made of palm leaves
and guinea grass which Is more effective
than canvas as a shelter against the sun.
In all about 5000 men are thus quartered.
They are well armed. with Remingtons and
with Mausers captured from the Spaniards.
Most OF them have machctes. but only the
officers carry other small arms. The caval-
ry have small horses, much like the Indian
mustangs, hardy and reliable. Mules are
used for pack purposes. Colonel Herman
dez says that the commissary and quarter
masters department is unknown in the
sense used by army officials here. In lieu
of these the companies not fully armed are
organized as "predios." The duty of the
''predios' is to bring meat, ample supplies
being secured from Puerto Principe. and
vegetables which are grown quickly in the
woods. The system works perfectly, Col
Hernandez says, and the troops are kept
well fed and in good spirits. There are no
dress parades, and none of the regularity
of daily drill usual in the United States
army The main occupation lis in making
long daily marches to keep the men in con-
dition.
Rowan Causes Enthusiasm.
The Cuoan generals say that the arrival
Of Lieut. Rowan aroused the greatest en-
thusiasm throughout the Cuban camp.
There was no notice of his coming, and the
first known of Lieut. Rowan was when he
galloped up Commercial street, followed
by the Cuban guides who accompanied
him from Florida. He was warmly greeted
by Gen. Garcia. and the two held three
hours conference. 1t was decided that
Lieut. Rowan should return that afternoon.
and Ger. Garcia assigned Gen. Collazo ana
Col. Hernandez, with three guides. to ac-
company MIN. he had come in from the
south shore, but the party went out north
ward. They had expected to secure large
sail boat, but the best thing available was
an open yaw! or life boat, with a cubic
capacity OF only lo4 feet.
There were no sails, and improvised sails
were made out of the tents carried 10y the
officers. The first night out was stormy.
and the small craft was bare!y kept adoat.
but after that the weather was good. The
first morning out the party saw twelve
American warships of Admiral SIMPSONS
fleet, but they made no attempt TO board
the ships. The next day they were picked
up by sloop off Bayamo Key and carried
to Nassau, coming thence to Washington.
Communication With Cubans.
Col. Hernandez says communication is
with Gen. Gomez and with
points along the coast From these he has
a general idea of the Cuban forces out
He estimates that there are 1900, all of
them well armed, east of La Trocha, and
the forces In the eastern di-
vision of the island, under Cen. Garcia.
These include the 1900 at Bayamo, the
He estimates Gen. Gomez's immediate COM
mand at about 5000 men, with 60O0 men
scattered at various points. under the gen.
eral command OF Gomez in the western
section. In all, there are, according to the
estimates of Gen. Pclloxa and Col Herman
dez, 10000 to 5000 troops actually I'm the
field.
1t is understood that the purpose Of the
present visit of Garcia's officers is to give
that generals assurance to the authorities
here Of his desire to give every possible
TO the American movements
Similar assurances have come from Gen.
Gomez. and have been presented by Secre-
tary Quesada. The Cuban officers have
made good impression here, and the au-
thorities were agreeably surprised to find
them men Of ability and soldierly bear
ng, speaking English well. They will re-
main some days longer and then return
10 Gen. Garcia's camp.