The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-28

Santiago de Cuba Given N New System
of Civil Government.

government
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Sept. 27-The
system OF civil government established by
General Wood is practically complete and
in good working order Major McCleary,
formerly attorney general for Texas, and
Spanish scholar, has been appointed mayor,
and the Spanish officials are giving place TO
Cubans. General Wood says he does not
know the capabilities of the men taking Of
flee. They are chosen by committee of
fifty prominent Cubans whom he believes to
be honest and conscientious. This commit
tee recommends men whom its members
think would be efficient in the various Of
fees to be filled. The choice of men by the
committee must be unanimous and must be
made over the signatures of the entire fifty
members. General Wood finds that the plan
works admirably. Lieutenant Blount has
been appointed TO codify the Cuban laws.
Senior Rigney, one of the largest sugar
planters in Cuba, who has arrived here
from AIanzanilo, reports the conditions
there worse than ever. The insurgents, he
asserts, refuse to grant permission for the
carrying on of work on the plantations, and
the Spanish officials decline to furnish pro-
lection to those desiring to work. Senior
Rigney declares that since the cessation of
hostilities the insurgents have confiscated
his provisions and destroyed a number of
valuable pictures, made his carpets into
saddle cloths, tore and trampled curtains
and broke glasses worth $500 each. They are
encamped in numbers at the sea town of
Campechuela where they compel small ves-
sells which fall into their hands to hoist the
Cuban flag.
General Wood has leased the residence
formerly occupied by the late British con-
sul Frederick w. Ramsden, and his fam
lily, one mile from the city. What archives
the Spaniards left have been removed to
General Woods Office in the palace The
transport Nrinnewaska will leave shortly
with ordnance for Porto Rico
The Cubans earnestly request General
Wood to send to Manzanillo food and cloth
ing. They declare there is much suffering
there but private advices received by Cen
eral Wood deny absolutely the stories Of
destitution. and declare that work is OBJ
tainable, but that the Cubans will not work,
and he has, therefore, refused to send the
supplies asked for.
William Stakeman, before the war Amer
lean consul at Manzanillo, arrived here to-
day and paid visit to General Wood. He
recounted many lawless acts on the part of
the insurgents, who, he declares, demand
tribute from every one, terrorize peaceful
people and threaten the confiscation of the
property of merchants and planters Many
persons say that the recognition of the
Cubans has not been grained because the
bandits make work and progress impossible.
There is Il general feeling of alarm in Man
zanillo over the departure of the Spanish
troops, and the American soldiers are
anxiously awaited.
General Wood has asked permission from
the Washington government to appoint
Demetro Castillo special chief of his Cuban
staff to represent him in dealing with the
Cuban insurgents in the country districts.
The steamer Avilles, which has arrived
here from Havana, reports that she nearly
ran ashore off the Catalanese reef. Her cap
tain says that the light on the reef, which
is marked on the chart white, is now
yellow. He also reports that few lights are
burning between Nuevitas and Cal
maneira The lighthouse men have not
been paid for months. and are deserting
their posts.
News received from Puerto Principe is to
the effect that there is much sickness
among the Spanish troops.
There are now 1900 Spanish soldiers in the
province, and fully half of them are suffer-
ing from scurvy and dysentery. The Cubans
hold the country and refuse to permit fresh
provisions to be carried to the cities.