The herald., 1898-10-12
SANTIAGO SANITATION
WOOD AT WORK WITH SHOVEL
AND WAGON
THE CUBAN SUGAR PLANTERS
Decline to Resume Work Until Sta
BILE Form Of Government Shall
Be Established

Be Established
Associated Press Special Wire.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Sept 2s.-(Cor-
of the Associated Press) The
health of the United States troops now in
the province Of Santiago has considerably
not more than ten per cent now
being on the sick list. Most OF the cases
of indisposition are merely light malarial
fevers. Yellow fever has been practically
stamped out Of the city by the systematic
cleaning process put in operation.
For several weeks Major Barber, who is
at the head Of the street cleaning depart
ment, has had 500 men engaged In carrying
away the filth Of generations. which is
burned at one or the other of the cremato-
ries, General Wood has shown wonderful
executive ability.
General Lawtpn Is we'll satisfied with the
soldierly qualities displayed by his men
since they. have been here, ana all reports
from either place in the province as to the
behavior of the American troops are equal
ly satisfactory. There has been very little
drunkenness, which, when one remerbers
that, as a soldier tersely puts 1t. Drink Is
cheap and you are always thirsty" Is
really remarkable.
General Wood advises investors not to
come to Cuba IL they intend their invest
ments to take the form Of land purchases
as the records and archives have been left
in a shocking state by the Spanish author
tiles.
The man with little capital would do
we'll here with steam laundry, an Ameri-
can bakery or a small store with good
groceries.
Next month, October, is the last Of the
rainy season here. With November comes
fine weather, with cool winds and good
health.
The death rate in Santiago has decreased
six fold, from August, though, as a rule,
the end Of September shows heavy NOR
tality.
In Other Cities
GUANTANAMO, Sept. 24.-(Correspond-
ence of Associated Press).-Colonel Ray,
the military commander and Governor OF
this district. which includes Baracoa. and
Sagua de Tanamo. has just returned from
Santiago, where he has been to consult
with General Lawton. His command con-
sisted of the Third Regiment, United States
Volunteer Infantry, composed Of white
men enlisted in the Southern States, the
majority in Georgia.
Eight companies, consisting Of GAO men
are encamped about three miles from
Guantanamo. Two companies, consisting
Of 100 men, under Major Willy. are at
Baracoa. The same number are at Sagna
de Tanamo, under Captain Harris.
The health Of the troops since they ar
rived here on August 30 has not been ex-
actly good, but neither has 1t been 30 bad
as that of United States troops in some
places. The conditions locally are now
much improved. At one time or another
twenty-five per cent Of the men have been
on the sick list, almost all suffering from
calentura fever, which Is remittent ma
lignant malarial fever very debilitating
Only three deaths have occurred two from
yellow fever and one from pneumonia.
Major Norman. the surgeon In charge,
says that with more fresh meat and pota-
toes the health of the men will be as good
as could be reasonably expected in this
part of the world. Until a day or two ago
they had no beef at all. and Colonel Ray
took the first opportunity Of buying beeves,
obtaining ten at SIS head. Though natur-
ally, as an officer, he is retdcent regarding
the actions of others, he complains seri-
ously Of the mismanagement Of the SUBJ
sistence department, which is to blame for
the lack Of fresh provisions.
An oven is being built In the camp and
In few days the bread will be baked by
soldier cooks. At present the flour Is
turned over to bakery at Guantanamo.
Colonel Ray does not believe in the policy
of sending volunteers to conquered coun-
try, for, in the first place, the men en-
listed to fight. and now that the war ia
over they wish to be disbanded; and In
the second place they have no military fu-
ture, and are therefore desirous to return
to their accustomed occupations. Not a
day goes by without Colonel Ray receiv-
ing numerous applications for discharge.
The sufferings Of the Cubans in and
around Guantanamo have been very great
Over a thousand rations per day are issued
to them, but many who are in the direst
need are unable to come to the city to re.
ceive relief, owing to their being entirely
without clothing. A supply of the latter
was received a short time since-some 100
pairs of drawers and 200 undershirts-but
this scarcely fills the bill.
There is remedy for this suffering quite
apart from the charity Of the United States
government, and that would be the re-
sumption of operations by the sugar plant
ers. They, however, will do nothing until
a stable form Of government is firmly es-
tabltshed.
Within radius of twenty-five miles there
is invested some $115 900, 900 In sugar es-
tates. Some Of these estates have machin-
cry worth over a million dollars. Yet near
ly all are idle, though 1t Is time for plant
ing and going to work.
The planters say that If they had
guarantee even for two years from the
American government of the non-interfer-
ence Of the Cubans they would start up
and put nearly 10000 men to work. The
trouble is that many prominent Cubans
have threatened that these properties will
be confiscated on account Of the sympathy
shown by the proprietors toward the Span
ish government, and until American pro-
teotion in guaranteed no more money will
be spent.
Business here is in a state Of staRna-
tion. People are afraid that in q spirit of
reprisal the Cuban officials will 20 in for
wholesale confiscat!on and heavy fines
Until this question has been definitely set
tied the Industries Of this part Of Cuba will
remain at a standstill
The festivities arranged by the Cubans
to celebrate today, the thirtieth anniver-