Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-25
UNITE WITH CUBANS
Proposed junction on North and
South Coasts.
INSURGENTS LACK AMMUNITION
Surgeon General Sternberg Issues
Sanitary Rules.
LATE NEWS OF THE ARMY

| 1t is being urged on those directing the
| stra tegtc movements of the army and navy
| that the blockade be supplemented by the
| taking of one port the north coast of
| Cuba and one on the south coast for the
purpose of establishing a juncture with
| General Gomez's insurgent troops at Sancti
Spiritus. and with General Garcia's insur-
| gent forces in Santiago de Cuba. Secre-
| tary Albertini of the Cuban legation said
! today that movements of this character
| would be extremely valuable in opening up
| connections with the insurgent forces.
| 1t is felt that small ports could be taken
| practically without opposition, and that
| Cienfuegos, on the south coast. and Sagua
| la Grande. on the north coast are probably
best fitted in point of location and lack of
| coast defenses bases of supplies. Glen
fuegos, the south coast. is the point
| most accessible to the commands of both
Gomez and Garcia, while Sagua is within
| easy reach of Gomez. BY having two
bases, one on the north and on the
south, the danger of interruption in the
communication from one or the other would
! be avoided. and. most likely through COM
munications between the two could be eff
| fected. 1t is said that these points could
other large ports able to present. The
| large ports have fairly good shore bat
teries, and it would take a considerable
| naval force. and the delays incident to Civ
| ing the non-combatants time for departure,
before they could be taken. On the other
| hand, smaller ports could make little more
| than formal defense, if indeed they did
| not surrender at the outset. knowing that
! opposition was useless. With two such
| bases Of operation secured the Cuban au-
/ thorities here feel that the Cuban forces
| in the field, and those ready to take the
| field, could be speedily and effectively
| equipped with arms, ammunition and sup
| plies.
| 1t is said that Gomez and Garcia have the
men and the enthusiasm capable of striking
| an effective blow once they have arms in
hand. ard that the only reason for the pres
| emit inaction is their lack OF adequate am
munition for a strong forward movem ent
! on the Spanish forces. Recent conferences
| between the Cuban military officers here
| and General Miles leave htu. doubt that
| the War Department will equip the Cuban
| forces in every way practicable with the
| present heavy demand for arms and ammu-
| hilton made by the calling into active SER
| vice of the full force of the army and 49,
ooO volunteers. But it will still be neces-
sary to effect a tuncture with the Cuban
| forces, and to this end the suggestion is
| made that ports on the north and south
| coasts, respectively, of Cuba, be taken. A
| decision on the move has not yet been
made. but it Is likely to follow as soon as
| the War Department feels that it is ready
to place adequate supplies of arms and am
munition in the hands of thu Cubans.
| Sanitary Rules for Camp.
Anticipating that the army will be called
| upon to serve in Cuba. Surgeon General
| George NJ. Sternbe: g Of the army has issued
a circular of instructions to medical officers
| giving directions for obtaining the best san
| itary conditions in camp life. The circular
| is follows:
| In time of war a graat responsibility rests
| upon medical officers of the army, for the
| result of 4 campaign may depend upon the
sanitary measures adopted or neglected by
| the comma nding generals Of armies in the
| field. The medical officer is responsible for
| proper recommends tons relating to the
| protection of the health Of troops in camp
| or in garrison, and it is believed that as a
| rule medical officers of the United States
| army are well informed as to the necessary
| measures Of prophylaXis and the serious re-
| suits which infallibly follow a neglect of
| these measures especially when unaccli-
| mated troops are called on for service in a
| tropical or semi-tropical country during the
sickly season. In Cuba our army will have
| to contend not only with malarial feysrs
| and the usual camp diseases-typhoid fever.
| diarrhea and dysentery, but they will be
| more or less exposed in localities where val
| low fever is endemic and under conditions
extremely favorable for the development of
an epidemic among unacclimated troops In
view of this danger, the attention of medi-
cal officers and Of all others responsible for
the health of our troops In the field is in
v1ted to the following recommendations:
When practicable camps should be estab-
lished on high and well-drained ground not
| previously occupied
Camps should be changed to fresh
ground every ten days or oftener.
Sinks should be dug before a camp is
occupied, or as soon after as practicable
The surface of focal matter should be
covered with fresh earth or quicklime or
ashes three times day.
New sinks should be dug and old ones
filled when contents of old ones are two
feet from surface of ground.
Every man should be punished who fails
to make U.S. of the sinks.
All kitchen refuse should be promptly
buried and perfect sanitary police main
tained.
Troops should drink only boiled or filter
ed water and coffee or tea (hot or cold).
except where spring water can be obtained
which is pronounced to be wholesome by a
medical officer.
Every case of fever should receive
prompt attention. If albumen is found in
the urine of patient with fever it should
be considered suspicious (of yellow fever)
and he should be placed in an isolated tent
The discharges of patients with fever
should always be disinfected at once with
| Il solution Of carbolic acid g per cent? or
Of chloride Of lime &c OF. to gallon of water)
or with milk of lime made from quicklime
WLeI ever a case of yellow fever occurs
in camp the troops should be promptly
moved to fresh camping ground located
mile or more from the infected camp.
No doubt typhoid fever. camp diarrhoea
| and probably yellow fever are frequently
communicated to soldiers in camp through
| the agency of flies, which swarm about
focal matter and filth Of all kinds deposit