The evening times., 1898-12-23
MERRITT DECLINED
COMMAND In CUBA
Feared the Results of a Diyis.
ion of Authority.
MISTAKES ALREADY MADE
Though Harmony Exists at Present
Clashes Are Expected.
No ConstabuIary System Yet Ar
Spanish Soldiers Want Places.


New York, Dec. 23-The Herald corre-
spondent at Havana telegraphs to that
paper under date of December % as fol-
lows:
From an officer Of high rank in the
American army, who recently had several
confidential conferences with President
Mckinley, l today received the informa-
ton that Ma jor General Merritt would
have been the first governor general OF
Cuba had he consented to accept the posi-
tion Gen. Merritt's objection was that
sufficient authority was not vested in the
office and that the first six months of the
American occupation was sure to result
in little except trouble for the command
ing general.
This objection is one that commends it
self to all army officers who have given
any study 10 the situation in Cuba. Ii is
with no desire to criticise any officer or
commissioner that certain mistakes are
pointed out which, in the light shed by
the Santiago campaign, should have been
avoided.
Early in october the Evacuation Com
mission, in reports sent 10 Washington,
suggested that then was the time to begin
active preparations for the reception or
American troops. 1t was also suggested
that as a division of authority was re-
sponsible for most of the mistakes OF last
spring and summer, some one who was TO
remain In authority should make pans
for the occupation.
The latter suggestion was not acted
I will sng
in general command of Cuba, Gen Lee
commanding all the troops in Havana
proyince. but without authority in Ha-
yana city. and Gen. Ludlow governor OF
this city, with practically no authority
over the troops. Then Col Bliss Is 10
have absolute charge OF the coiiectloh
and disbursement of customs. II must
| not be inferred from this that there mas
been anything except harmony among
| the officers here, for thus far all are
| working in complete accord, but II Jan
| uary passes without clash OF authority
| it will. indeed, be strange.
What has been done however, Is TO
waste much valuable time during OTTO
| ber and November. One commission fol-
| lowed another to Havana. Each was
| composed of competent men, but having
| no authority little was accomplished.
| Early in October 1t was announced that
| piers were TO be built. railroads con-
| structed, camps prepared, tents erected
| and water supply arranged-all IN ad-
vance-so that upon the arrival OF troops
they might evade probable contagion In
/ this CITY and take up camp life immedi-
| ateIy. A contract for the. pier and rai.-
road was awarded at the last moment
| and work is now progressing upon those
| enterprises, which may possibly be OF fu-
| ture use but in the meantime every
| transport arriving has discharged troops
| upon San Jose pier, in the most injected
| portions of this harbor.
! Men have marched through Havana to
| railroad stations, there to take passage
| in ancient cars for the places where they
| proposed TO camp
How this division of authority has op-
! Grated can best be understood when 1t is
| known that the camp in which Gen
| Lees troops are sheltered has had its
| location changed six times since it was
| first planned two months ago. !.
| Gen Greene was the first one TO TAKE
| hold of affairs with a strong hand, but
| even he was unable fully to maintain his
| position When Gen. Lee arrived he fail
| ed TO approve the camp as arranged L
receive his troops and ordered another
| change. He also found their plans fol
tapping the Ventro water works unsat
|
| Greene organized the work of putting
Havana into a more sanitary condition
and his staff officers did admirable work
| Now Gen Ludlow takes charge, anC
| while the change is not likely to worl
| permanent disadvantages, no one know:
whether his work is to continue or not.
| In the meantime Humphrey has failed
| to see the advantages claimed for the
pier at Marianao, and that structure re
mains idle Gen. Ludlow feels that h
should have general supervision of the
collection or at least the disbursement o.
Havana's customs receipts.
Major Harrison, provost marshal, las
night told me he had no idea as We
over what territory his authority vii
extend.
The foregoing was written at the re
| quest of an officer who has few superior!
in rank in the army. 1t is not intended
as a criticism of officials as men, but o
| TIE system which all who are now herr
feel. if continued, will bring discredit up
on the army of occupation.
January is little more than weel
distant yet no attempt has been made t.
| arrange a constabulary system Ior TN
| country districts.
| Those who know Cuba and the Cuban
know that the American volunteers ar
| not fitted to act as country police. 1t
| supposed that a native force Will be re
| cruited but it has not as yet taken form
| Many former Spanish soldiers are apply
ing for positions within the army, bu
Cubahs are protesting vigorously agains
their employment.
The Spanish and American Commission
exchanged notes today concerning tn
position the Spanish troops will occup,
after the day of formal evacuation.
4