Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-12-17
TO MAINTAIN ORDER.
Four American warships arc Ordered
10 Proceed at Once TO Havann-Gcns
LudIOXy,s Great Task.

10 Proceed at Once to Havnnn-Gens
Lud1ow's Great Task.
Washington, Dec. 14.-'The Brook
lyn, Texas, Castue and Resolute have
been ordered to Havana.
While there is not the faintest de-
sire to convey threat in the dispatch
of these warships to Havana, it may
be noted that when they lie within
the harbor they will hold the town in
perfect subiection. 1t is surmised
that the suggestion came from Admi-
raj Sampson as a result of the erup-
ton Sunday night at the Hotel lngla-
terra. The event brought the author
tiles to a sudden realization of the eN-
act state of affairs in Havana, and the
imminent danger of another such out
break, which perhaps might run into
the proportions of a riot and cost
| many lives.
With only a small force of Ameri-
| can soldiers in Havana province, and
| those removed at such distance from
| the city as to make it difficult of ac-
cess in time to be of service to the
| American element in the city, now
swelled to large proportions by the
| advent of many hundred commercial
men and others seeking opportunities
| for employment, the necessity for
some protection was apparent. To
I increase the number of soldiers mate
| rally is not easy in view of the diff
Guilty of transporting them, as well as
| providing for them when they reach
Cuba, but the navy's motto now is al
ways ready" and it was decided to
hasten the ships named to Havana to
form formidable bulwark against
any outbreaks that might occur be-
fore the completion of the American
occupation of the city.
The Texas is full-hedged armor-
clad and might stand a deal of pound-
ing even from the heaviest fortifica-
tions; the Brooklyn with her protect
i've system can be rated as even better
than the New York of the same types.
the Castine is an efficient gun'boat.
, | and the Resolute is a transformed
merchantmen with battery large
enough to make her formidable.
Gen. Ludlow, the newly appointed
military governor of the city of Ha-
vana, is drawing up plans for the dis
, charge of the task set for him, so that
, he may start for his post in few
days. The first duty before him is
the organization of a complete staff.
as he will not take with him the staff
of his division. This staff must be of
a special and expert character, includ-
ing sanitary engineers, civil engineers,
i officers familiar with customs prac-
4 tices, financial officers and, in fact,
D men capable of undertaking the man
e agemcnt of the affairs of great city
e which is now in deplorable condition
and must be made model for re-
l. naming Cuban towns.
= Gen. Ludlow states that not all OF
n the members of his staff will be Sc
l. lected in the United States. 1t would
d be good policy to wait until he ar
o rived in Havana and ascertained what
d material was oStainable there to suit
n his needs. He will give attention al
"a the outset to the formation of a sys
"a TEN of police for the city. He was evi
- IDENTITY not aware of the functions sale
- TO have been reposed in ex-Chief o
Police McCullagh, who is now on ht
way to Havana, but has in mind tn,
organization of force that may b
u described as a slightly modified gen
darmerie to undertake the policing o
= Havana.
H. The organization will be general.
as on the lines of the orden publico, re
Id Gently withdrawn without leavin!
to substitutes. The men will be enlisted
st so as to secure the military disciplin
is essential, though otherwise they will
IN resemble the ordinary American po
I'd lice in many respects. Preference viii
ps be given to ex-soldiers in making u
20 the force and these may be draw
hit from the ranks of the Cubans if goo
Mt material is found, from the Unite
ed States army or even from those men
or bers of the orden publico who sti
av remain in Havana and whose eXper
r. ence with the people and knowledg
he of the criminal classes may be valt
| ahle-