Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-28
1atlp Kei,nebec Journal.
MAJ. GEN. BUTLER
Reports to President on the
Evacuation of Cuba.
Thinks Spaniards Will Be Deported
10 Days Before the Limit.
Says Island Will for Some Time Need Mill.
tary Government.

Washington, Nov. 27.-Gen. NJ. c.
Butler of South Carolina, a member of
the Cuban evacuation commission, ar
rived here, Saturday, from Havana in
response to Geographic summons
from Pres. Mckinley. and in the after
noon he had two hours consultation
with the President at the White House.
He made an extended report of nego-
tiations for the evacuation and of the
terms upon which the Spaniards had
agreed to complete the evacuation by
Jan. /.
Gen. Butler gave it as his opinion
that all the Spanish troops would have
departed 10 days before the date fixed
in the agreement. He stated that the
Spaniards had met the American COM
missioners with reasonable fairness
and there had been little friction. Some
of the claims they had made for COM
pensation for Spanish property had
been ridiculous, and they would, of
course, be abandoned in the end.
Gen. Butler denied all the reports of
dissensions among the members of the
American commission.
In addition to his report upon the
actual work of the joint commission
Gen. Butler gave to the President
much valuable information as to the
general situation in Cuba, the ability
of the Cubans for self-government, the
sanitary conditions of Havana, and
generally the results of his observa-
tons during his stay there.
He expressed the opinion that the
military government of the island
must be continued for some time, but
that it should be as vigorous as might
be necessary to preserve order.
He said he thought the Cubans We're
ambitious for government, and
anxious to avoid friction with the
American authorities. If military con-
troll should be exercised with discre-
ton, he believed there would be little
trouble.
One of the most troublesome features
of the situation, he stated, was the
criminal class and the difficulty of de-
termining in the case of prisoners who
were incarcerated for political offenses
and who for crime.
There has existed in Havana in the
past an oath-bound organization SINH
lar to the order OF the Italian Mafa
known as the Mango, which has been
a source of terror TO the inhabitants.
One of the few oommendable acts of
Weyler was. the deporton of about 500
of the members of this organization to
the penal colony of Ceuta. But fears
are expressed that these criminals may
return or that the order may be re-
vived by some of those who were not
deported.
One of the features of the situation in
which the authorities here are especially
interested just now is the sanitary condi-
ton of Havana. The shipment of troops
has already begun, and the existence OF
yellow fever in Havana all the year
round makes it absolutely necessary that
the city should be placed in thorough
cleanly condition
Gen. Butler described the city now as
a pest hole, filled with filth, -squalor and
restitution. The Spanish authorities had
however, he said, agreed to inaugurate
the work of putting the city in sanitary
condition with the aid of the American
authorities, and work to this end was tc
begin at once.
Gen. Butler painted a dark picture OF
the restitution among the poorer classes
and said it would probably be necessary
lOI us u LUZ lllSu SOiIlG dlu " lIlt Sldl
ing wretches.
Gen. Butler paid high tribute to the
discipline and accomplishing suffering
of the Spanish troops. They endured
hardshps, he said. which would have
caused American soldiers to revolt. AS
an illustration of the admirable disci-
pline of the Spanish soldiery, he said thai
at one time there were $4,000 Spanish sol
diers in Havana, yet he never saw Oh
heard of an act of violence nor did ht
hear or see single Spanish soldier in
toXicated.
Gen. Butler will remain here severa
days and will probably have another IN
deTview with the President. He will ther
go to his home in South Carolina. whence
he will return in about 40 days to Ha
Vana.
His wife and daughter will ACCOMPANY
him on mis- return This fact leads to the
belief that he may be destined for mill
tary service in Cuba, as his present mis-
sion expires with the completion OF TN
evacuation.
At SANTIAGO DE- CUBA.