The record-union., 1898-11-24

HAVANA (via Key WesD, Nov. 23.-
The last few days have seen a revival
Of activity in every quarter. Things
appear to take on more definite forms
in every branch of military occupation.
Here at Havana wharves are being
built and railway connections made.
The camps chosen have actually begun
to be constructed. Government boats
and supplies are arriving, and the first
installment of United States troops IS
expected on Friday. AT the Custom
House the archives are being packed
hurriedly, preparatory to turning over
the building to the American authori-
ties. The best energies of the Spanish
now seem bent upon an immediate
evacuation of the island
All this has had salutary effect up
on the general tone of commercial and
social life in the city, which looks to
the immediate future for relief from a
season of long stagnation.
With the advent of cooler weather
the health of the general public has inn
proved No new cases of yellow fever
among foreigners have been recorded,
and the situation can be said to be
visibly better. There are, however, two
discordant notes, the increase of crime
and the continuance of official corrup-
ticn. The newly constituted police
force, known as Rif1eres Gubernatives,
armed with machetes and rifles, is to-
tally inadequate to cope with the GRIM
inal classes, whose ranks are daily
swollen by the return of deported prs
oners from the penal colonies. The
Rif1eres make a very poor substitute
for the disbanded Orden Publico. The
alarming increase in vice and crime
renders it unsafe to walk the streets un-
armed or unprotected after nightfall.
The police reports show scores of hold
ups, murders, burglaries and highway
robberies, which never get into the
local papers, thanks to the watchful
censor,
Corruption, bribery and wholesale
stealing in the military and civil <ad-
ministrations continue unchecked. Some
insight into the condition of municipal
affairs can be gained from the report
of a secret session held at the Mayor S
office on Monday The regulation hours
for killing at the slaughter house are
during the afternoon, but special per-
nit entities certain contractors to
Sid uSl HUT OllG nSdu each IOI
which those who have the privilege pay
a prescribed fee. AS a matter of fact,
over a hundred head are killed every
day before noon, the fees for which
exceeding $3.50, never find their way
into the city treasury. These beeves are
distributed by the contractors for the
| military hospitals in the city at s.
cents per kilogramme, while the pub
| lie pays only the market price of about
| 3S cents. The difference per kilo-
| gramme, together with the amount oi
unpaid abbattoir fees, is presumably
| divided among the select few, who
silently defraud the city of a much
needed source Of income At the secret
session where this glaring abuse was
under discussion, a commission was ap-
pointed to inform Captain General
Blanco of the fact, requesting that the
contractors be compelled to pay the
arrears of fees since July Oath.
Street cars and omnibuses have paid
no taxes for several years. Although
strictly forbidden by law, more than
1000 wooden houses exist within the
city limits Such cases of bribery. cor
ruption and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. could be
multiplied indefinitely. Nothing is done
1
1 to check them.
/ On November 18th, the partially dis
banded guerrillas of Sagua La Chica
took the field, burning and Destroying
property. They did great damage or
the sugar plantation of John Harris. q
British subject. The British Consul
Mr.. Jerome, two days later filed al clairr
for damages, an acknowledgment OF
which has been made by Captain Gen
eral Blanco.
$50 p. m.-This afternoon Senol
GirantR, Secretary of the Spanish
Evacuation Commission. delivered two
notes to the United States Commis.
sioners. The first announced that the
troops in the province Of Pinal del Rio
and the province of Havana would elm.
bark for Spain at the city of Havana,
/ that those in Matanzas province woul6
embark at Matanzas City, and those II
the province of Santa Clara at Glen
| fuegos.
The other note announced that the
| Trinidad division would be evacuated a.
| the end Of November, and the Sanct
| Spiritus division on December Sd, botf
divisions belonging to Santa Clara pro.
virce.
Major Davis of the medical corps viii
commence tomorrow an inspection O.
| all the hospitals in the city.
PORTO RICAN ADvICES.
Two Batteries Of U. $. Artiller,