The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-08
THE CUBAN
EVACUATION
Commissioners Have Many
Difficulties.
sPANlARDs WILL HAGGLE.
rrs.sn, disposition !. 4ss.rasa =.
Not Reassurine.
SPANIARDS WILL HAGGLE.
ALL DEPENDS ON INSTRUCTIONS.

Washington. Sept.8--With the arrival
OF the Cuban military commission In
Havana the real work Of terminating
Spanish rule In the island will begin.
1t is realized that many difficulties will
confront the commission In working out
the details of Spanish evacuation. The
only point Of agreement from which both
sides start is the clause OF the peace
protocol providing for the immediate
evacuation Of Cuba and other Spanish
West Indian possessions by the Spanish
forces but the word immediate" is a
relative term. and II remains to be de-
termined just when the actual embarka-
tion Of the Spanish forces will begin and
under what circumstances the departure
will be conducted. There are said to be
about 100000 Spanish troops scattered
through Cuba Most OF these are In the
western provinces, only about 10000 re-
naming In the eastern provinces OF
Puerto Principe and Santiago. For that
reason Il Is being urged that the evacua-
tion by the Spanish should begin at the
east end OF the island. working west
ward until Havana and the western end
are included. IL is expected that the
evacuation OF Havana will come last. as
the large Spanish interests there doubt
less will make the Spanish element most
tenacious OF their stay at the capital.
IL the commission confines it's discus
sions to the time and places of evacua-
,tion IL is felt that the work will be com
paratively brief. but the fear In that the
Spanish commissioners will seek to bring
up the future government of Cuba, the
payment OF the Cuban debt, the i'm
.munity OF government reservations.
forts, prisons. etc, from forfeiture to
the United states. and the right of the
Spanish troops TO carry their arms and
10 remove heavy ordnance. Much will
depend upon the instructions which the
etate department has given the COM
missioners. but IL is believed these guard
against generalization and an endless
diplomatic wrangle over collateral is
sues. The dispatch from Havana. stat
ing that the Spanish authorities have
levied heavy duties on relief supplies
and fine OF $500 on a Red Cross consign-
ment IL not rcassuring OF the Spanish
purposes.
The American case 10 be presented I'm
Paris is being made up at the state de-
partment Some trouble has been cx-
.perienced In preparing the case by the
limited amount OF money available for
work Of this unusual character. The
name of Commodore Bradford chief OF
the naval bureau of equipment. In being
mentioned among those OF the party
likely 10 so TO Paris. Commodore Brad
ford has charge OF the coaling OF our
naval vessels. the establishment OF coal
ins stations. etc. and his advice would
be valuable In settling questions OF coal
ing stations. Lieutenant stafford IL
mentioned AZ the naval attache. In case
Commodore Bradford does not wish "a
go. Lieutenant Stafford is strongly rec
commended. He speaks French and
spanish. and has had much experience
I'm spanish countries. II is understood
that Adjutant General Corbins son will
be an attache Of the commission.