The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-27
GEN. BUTLER ON
CUBAN SITUATION.
There Has Been Little Friction in the
Evacuation Negotiations.
HAVANA A VERlTABLE PEST HOLE
The Question of Sanitation One that
Demands Immediate Attention.
Criminal Glasses Form Trou-
blesome Feature in the Case.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 25.-General VI.
c. Butler. one Of the members OF the
Cuban Evacuation Commission, arrived
here to-day direct from Havana In re-
Spouse TO "a telegram, and this morning
he had a two hours consultation with
the President at the White House. He
made an extended report of the negoua-
lions Of the evacuation and of the terms
upon which the Spaniards have agreed
10 complete it by January lst. General
Butler gave it as his opinion that all the
Standards have met the American com
mssioners with reasonable fairness and
there has been little friction some OF
the claims they have made for compensa-
ton for Spanish property have been
ridiculous, and they will OF course bs
abandoned in the end.
General Butler denies AN the reports
Of discussions among the members OF the
American commission
VALUABLE INFORMATION
In addition TO his report upon che ace
tual work Of the Joint commissions. Cen
eral Butler gave the President much IN
formation as to the general Situation in
cuba. the ability Of the Cubans for self
government the sanitary condition Of
Havana and generally the results of hts
observations during his stay there.
General Butler is of the opinion that
the military government ~ the island
must be continued for some time. but
that it should only be as rigorous as may
be necessary TO preserve order. lie thinks
the Cubans are ambitious for ielf-eOv-
crnmcnt and anxious 90 avoid friction
with the American auth0ritics il mill
tarv control is exercised with discretion
he believes there will be- little trouble.
A TROUBLESOME FEATURE.
one Of the most troublesome features
of the situation is the criminal class and
the difficulty Of determining in the case
~ prisoners who are iucarcerated for
political offences and who for crime.
There has existed in Havana IN the past
an cath bound organization on the order
OF the Italian Malta known as the Mani
60. which was source OF terror tO the
inhabitants. one of the few commend
able acts of Wcyler was tho deportation
of about 100 of the membe- of this or
ganization 70 the penal colony OF COuto.
But fears are expressed that these Grim
lpals may return or that the order may
be revived by some Of those who were
not deported.
one of the features Of the situation In
which the authorities here are especially
interested lust now Is the sanitary con-
dition of Havana. The shipment OF
troops which has already begun and inc
existence of yellow fever in Havana all
the wear around makes b. absolutely NO
cosarv that the city should be placed IN
thorough sanitary condition. General
Butler describes the city now as pest
hole. filed with unmentionaole MIN
soualor and destitution. The Spanish
authorities have. however agreed 10 in
augurate the work Of putting the city
in sanitary condition with the ana OF me
American authorities and work 10 TINS
end is To begin al once.
MUCH DESTITUTON.
General Butler paints a dark picture
of the destitution among the poorer
classes ana says it will probably be ne
cassarv for MS 10 furnish some aid 10 TIE
starving wretches General Butler paid
u high tribute to the discipline and un-
complaining suffering Of the Spanish
troops They endured hardships, Zee SAID.
which would have caused American sol
diers to revolt. As an Illustration OF the
admirable discipline of the Spanish sol
diery. he said that al one time there
were 1900 Spanish soldiers i'm Havana.
vet no never saw or heard of an act Of
violence nor did he hear or see single
Spanish soldier intoxicated.
General Butler will remain here several
days and probably have another interview
with the President. He viii then go 10
his home i'm South Carolina. whence he
will return I'm about ten days 10 Havana.
His wife and daughter win accompany
him on his return.
This fact leads 10 the belief that ne
may be destined for military service in
cuba. as his present mission expires as
soon az the evacuation IS completed