The Portland daily press., 1898-09-24
TO REMOVE COLUMBUS REMAINS.
Blanco Wont Let The Great Discoversr
Rest on Cuban Soil.

Havana. September 23-2.4 45 r. m.-The
American commissioners, in view OF the
great number of American citizens in the
island who require aid and having no
American consul here to distribute re-
lief have, according to report, asked the
Washington government for special
credit to attend to these urgent require
ments. According to information re-
ceived the commissioners have advised
the government that 1t will be very dam
gerous to bring to Havana troops to be
housed in the existing barracks. as they
have become infected by the overcrowd-
ing with sick Spanish soldiers and be-
ca use of the bad sanitary condition OF the
whole town. 1t is, therefore, proposed
that ready-made, frame barracks. ready
to be put together, shall be shipped from
the United States before the American
troops are brought here.
Mr.. Robert P. Porter, who was sent to
Cuba on a special mission by the Ameri-
can government, was given q banquet by
the leading clubs Of Cienfusgos while
in that city. Mr.. Porter at the banquet
made speech, in the course OF whlcn ne
said that his mission to the island was
purely that of studying the riches and re-
sources of the country and the best means
of developing the same and every branch
of indus try and commerce, and that ne
hoped he would find the Cubans ready to
help him succeed in his mission. He
expressed himself as strongly in favor OF
the free importation of cattle, both for
AGRICULTURAL work and for consumption
and also Of the free Importation of all
material and implements OF agriculture
and manufacture. He dwelt upon the
necessity for cooperation by every man
of property and all laboring people,
szIS hox, 70, hnI oor W
out the plans of the United States for the
prosperity of the island and said it was
we'll known that annexation was no part
of the United States programme in Cuba,
but that if annexation should be granted
eventually the iniative stepshould emanate
from Cuba herself by her asking the
| United States for annexation.
Mr. Porter finished his remarks by say
ing that the United States government
was occupied by and interested solely In
the development of commence and In
dustry in Cuba, which it was prepared to
use every effort and resource OF the coun-
try to secure. Mr.. Porter expressed him
self as much surprised and pleased with
the aspect of Cienfuegos, the cleanliness
of its streets, it's beautiful bay and fine
buildings and the many immense sugar
estates In the vicinity. He strongly fav-
ored the immediate establishment OF an
electric plant for the lighting of the city
ana Gl0 movements OI ltS SbT0eU CtfS. ne
was much struck with the beauty and
elegance of the native women.
Gen. Blanco has conferred decoration
upon a colored woman named Barbara
Gutierrez, for bravery displayed during
the bonn bardment of Manzanillo, where
she fought side by side with the regular
troops displaying the utmost courage.
Captain General Blanco in view of the
governments decision to transfer the
remains of Columbus to Spain, has is
sued the following order:
First-The monument containing the
remains shall be removed from its mount
ing, leaving as it now Is, the base upon
which its rests and shall be properly
packed for shipment
Second-A commission presided over by
the captain general and composed of the
Bishop of Havana, tha colonial secretary
of Justice, the civil and military COVER
nors the dean Of the cathedral the state
architect and a doctor commissioned by
the board of health, shall examine the
niche containing the remains and adopt
necessary measures for their prompt ship
ment to Spain.
The commission will meet on Septem-
ber rs at the cathedral. The finance de-
partment will appropriate $4,000 to defray
tine expenses of packing and shipping the
| monument.