Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-20
SANTIAGO REV|V|NC,
American Reforms and Improve
neats A|lsadyin Operation
TROUBLE ABOUT CURRENCY.
Ultimately American Money Viii Pre-.
vail Everywhere In Cuba.
sAGASTA on TRn SITUATION.
Says the Present state Of Things n
Neither Peace Nor war-Important
Questions fo he settIed-Funda,
mental Instructions.
sAGAsTA on TRr SITUATION
Says the Present state Of Things n

Correspondence Of the Associated PresSl
SANTIAGO DE CUBA. August 1.-The
past week in Santiago dc Cuba has seen
the furtherance of reforms and improve
ments already under way. New compli-
cations have arisen which we are caHed
upon 20 settle. and there has been a slow
and steady Increase in the death rate
The question OF Spanish and American
money and their respective values con-
tinues 20 agitate the town. and this will
probably continue until little Of the Span-
ish money remains.
SPANISH GOLD. -
Notwithstanding General Woods an
nouncement that Spanish gold would be-
deprived Of its Cuban increase of per
cent on It's face value, and that silver
was at 90 per cent. discount, many have
persisted in considering the centen-e5
francs-as worth $3.50 as formerly, and
at no mOney-changers could one get SD
in silver for s. in gold. Nine dollars in
silver was offered. and this only on small
amounts.
BLOCKADE PRICES ABOLISHED.
1t is being recognized that American
money will be the money of the future
in Cuba. one abuse that has been recti-
fled was the eXorbitant prices asked for
fOOd-a dollar pound for meat 81 for
bag Of charcoal. that once sold for 70
cents. and general continuation or
blockade prices long after their justihca-
tion had been removed.
The prices given out are great reduce
tion from those prevailing hitherto. but
even In the new arrangement there is am
pie opportunity for good profits, even TO -
per cent. in some instances
AN AGRICULTURAL BANK.
The advent Of an American trust com
| pany is considered rich in promise OF III.
| ture prosperity.
During four centuries OF Spanish con.
troll" says III Cubano, I'VE have not ha(
| an agricultural bank: such an institution
| is absolutely indispensable IN a country
where agriculture is the source OF al
| wealth. We have been in the hands o!
uaurers who have robbed us on all sides
| The operations Of this bank. which Is Il
| be the saviour Of the land and which will
| help our farms and plantations 10. produce
as with the touch OF a magic wand viii
| be IN American money. What we have
not obtained from Spain I'm four centuries
has been given as by the United States In
three weeks"
CLEANING THE CITY.
The cleaning OF the city and the health
Of the people are matters receiving much
attention. Probably the strangest order
Santiago ever knew-Santiaeo has had an
unusual experience I'm orders-is the or
der Of disinfectants that are being scat
tered through the city. The Street-Clean-
ing Department is hamperod by lack Of
carts.
The death rate continues very high.
from fifty to sixty per day. There are
nearly 10000 inhabitants. and this rate.
IL continued. would carry Off half tbs
population In year.
COMPLAINT ABOUT POSTAL SYSTEM.
The situation Is serious. The natives
think they are not being 30 well served
by our Post-Ohice Department as they
were under The old Spanish regime. In
those days lock boxes were used and
there was a regular house-to-house de-
livery OF letters Now, all that has been
abolished and the people say the American
clerks are so busy attending TO tho
American mail matter that they have
no time 20 attend 70 anything else.
a complaint on the subject has been
addressed TO General Wood, through one
Of the daily papers.