Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-08
SELECTIONS OF HECKER BOARD
HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
NONE TO BE IN THE CITIES
PRINCIPAL GARRISON WILL BE
EIGHT MILES BELOW HAVANA.
Havana Aqueiuct to BE Tapped for
Water Suppiy-American Soldiers
Not to he Employed in Po-
HcinS the Various
Towns.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 7.-Coloncl Heck
er. with Colonel Lee. of the board which
was sent to Cuba TO select camp sites for
the American army Of occupation, has
reached Washington and has had several
conferences with the president and Secre-
tary Alger. During Colonel Heclfer's alb
senCe in Cuba he made Scveral reports by
mail, and although he probably will supple
ment these by another report, he has al
ready communicated verbally to the presi-
dent and Secretary Algcr the salient facts
of the forthcoming statement. Acting on
this report, arrangements are making Tor
the reception of the troops.
Secretary Alger has approved the loca-
tions selected by the fieckcr board. for the
principal garrison. which will be in the
neighborhood of Havana. The place select
ed lies about eight miles south of Havana,
in the neiShborhood OF. but not directly in
the town of Mariana, for Colonel Hecker
| advises very strongly against the quarter
ing of unacciimated troops in permanent
structures which may be infected with fe-
Yer.
Two camps will be pitched at this point.
one on either side of the splendid aque-
duct which supplies Havana with water.
This aqueduct will be tapped and the water
drawn by steam pumps from 1t to supply
the camps which Will be pitched on Il
plateau about lGO feet above sea level.
The greatest care has been given to sound
hygienic conditions III the selection.
AT the nearest point to the camp. on the
sea beach. a dock is being constructed. and
while it will not reach water deep enough
TO permit the accommodation of large
transports. it will serve to receive good
| sized lighters. The troops will be landed
at this point and marched directly to the
camp. the purpose being to avoid exposure
| to possible infection in Havana. The work
on this dock is being pushed with the
greatest energy, and its construction has
given employment to about 1,JvJ insurgent
| soldiers. who We're glad to receive the op-
| portunity to make a peaceable living by
| toll.
| Colonel Bliss, who was n member of the
camp site board, has been left in Havana
| to carry out the orders of the department
| in the execution of the board plans. lie
| will see TO it that, before a single soldier
I reaches camp, water connections will be
provided. transportation routes opened up,
| board floors placed and tents pitched.
Similar arrangements are making in the
nelghborhood of Puerto Principe. which
win be the first point to he ,sarrisoned,
| the case OF the Havana garrison, of keep
| Ing the troops from direct contact with the
towns. This is done under the best med
zeal advice, but one consequence of the
| adoption of the rule Is TO oblge the gov
| ernment to look to some other power than
| the military TO police the towns.
| Colonel Hecker has been able to make q
most iiatterinS report as to the good quail
| ties of what is known as the Cuarde cviiiti
In Havana for this work. The men COM
4
| the best men in the army and. at any rate.
all are picked for their physical and intel
| lectual qualities. They are able to COM
| Inand at once the respect and obedience Of
| the rather restless Havana population even
| better than soldiers. 1t is not doubted that
| they would be willing to continue in the
| discharge Of their duties when the United
States takes military possession of Havana
and If this can be arranged the government
will feel that a great load Of responsibility
| had been lifted.
| Already numerous incidents have hap
| pened in some of the towns. not only in
Cuba, but in the Philippines. which have
come into the possession of the United
| States to show that the United States SOL
| der is utterly untitled for the task of
| policing towns in time of peace this un-
| fitness being founded not only on ignorance
of the customs of the people, but on a
| strong repugnance to that kind of duty.
| 1t may be that congressional authorize
| tion would be required for the employment
| of the guards civilia in the manner sug-
eested, but it is believed that assent will
| be speedily given to the proposition when
| ii is broached by Secretary Alger One
strong recommendation for the plan If the
fact that it will serve to give employ
nent to a number of people who other
wise might be charge upon the commII-
nifty. 1t is understood that the mere sug-
| gestion that the guards will be employed
las given great satisfaction to the Gu
| bans.