The evening times., 1898-10-03

New YORK, OCT. "a havana ulSpatCn
to the Herald predicts the early occupa.s
tion of that city by the Americans. The
correspondent telegraphs under Satur-
days date. via Key West, yesterday:
Though it is a hazardous venture to
make predictions in the face of Spanish
procrastination, it may be prophesied
that the American flag will be flying over
Morro and Cabanas within three weeks
There are several reasons why the
Commissioners wish to see the occupa-
tion begin as soon as possible:
First-They believe the presence of
American forces and warships the best
kind of diplomacy to hasten negotiations
with the Spanish Commission.
Second-The presence of our men would
tend to crowd the Spanlards out.
Third-The immediate action would ia
cilitate the distribution of relief supplies
and prevent the aggravation attending
evacuation by armed and hungry Cubans,
| who cannot be freed from camp life I'M
| Til the Spanish soldiers disappear or there
are sufficient Americans present to con-
| troll them and guarantee Cuban safety.
Fourth-It would enable reconcentrados
| strong enough to work. but now prevent
! ed from doing so, 10 find Self-sustaining
! employment while making possible the
distribution of proper food among those
still dying in large numbers the deaths
being fewer than in Gen. Weyler's time
! simply because there are fewer TO die.
Fifth-While all is quiet and absolute
! security reigns Gen. Blancos cOntem-
plated withdrawal introduces a factor of
uncertainty. While he remains Ameri-
cans surely are safe because he has the
! power which will make them While
! his successor IS unknown. both power
and will to preserve order are unknown
| quantities.
Old Glory to Float Over MORO.
The plan is on the arrival of the first
American troops here to take possession
OF Morro and Cabanas simultaneously
and hoist the American flag over both.
This is advised as making a prominent
display of American sovereignty and also
giving possession of the harDor entrance
1 thus obviatng any possible submarine
! treachery against warships.
As soon as possible thereafter the
! Americans are to take control OF the GUS
/ toms house and collect revenues, pre-
serving Spanish rates till sufficient warn
ing OF the change has been given to i'm
porters and merchants.
Then gradually American control Is TO
municipal and provincial administration.
Capt. Brooks, the Commission dis
burser, and Capt Page, of Gen. Buffers
staff two of the most energetic officers
attached to the Commission, returned last
evening from "A trip through the center
of the island, particularly in the northern
section of Santa Clara province. They
started from here early Monday MORN
ing and covered nearly 1000 miles
by rail and upward of fifty on horse
back They visited Caibarien, Placetas.
Camajuani, Santa Clara and Matanzas.
besides taking copious notes through
their whole journey.
They bring back mass of most valua-
BILE and instructive information. They
met excellent treatment from Cubans ev-
erywhere and studied courtesy from
Spaniards. They called at the Cuban
camps that of Gen. Gomez, at Rojas,
near CaibaIien, and the neighboring camp
of Gen. Gonzales; that of Gen. Machado.
near Santa Clara City and Gen. Betan-
courts. near MatanZas.
sufYerinGs I'm santa Clara.
The arduous trip was undertaken on
Capt. Pages suggestion, with Gen. But
ler's Endorsement, with the object of in
specting possible camp sites, discovering
the real conditions of the country, and
StiAlllS uilOliiIidils ia AOdN4l h3NlA N'4S Az
surgent leaders shut off from all news
except such as is distorted before il
reaches them.
Reporting TO the commission this morn
ing, the two officers strongly recon-
mended Immediate measures of relief fol
Cuban soldiers by opening ports and
, abolishing the Spanish barriers against
food maintained, Notwithstanding sup
l posed peace. They also urge the imme
diate Spanish evacuation of sufficien
areas to permit surviving reconcentrado!
to work, at present they are prevent
i ed by irksome Spanish restrictions.
I They found conditions of extreme wan
Y in most of the Cuban camps. The con
e ditions We're worse in Santa Clara, wher
1 the death rate is still 400 month
mainly from starvation, having fallel
from a rate of 1000 a month. chief,
through the diminution of human ma
terial TO provide victims. OF 400 famlie
in Santa Clara City, taken from thei
own farms under Gen. Weyler's order
Q 800 have absolutely vanished under tn
l RECOMMENDATION system. Gen. Machad
said on Thursday that the 1850 men il
his camp had had no meal for fiftee
days, and their only food had been ric
and cornmeal Barely one days ration
then remained, even of that. They hav
. had periods of three days without food
= yet the discipline is such that. there ha
- been no case of theft. Medicine is ur
gently needed, 140 being i'll. Food an
a blankets are badly wanted
). The Reign of DesoIation.
: They found in Santa Clara an Ameri
can citizen, Lomez Dupuy, still imprison
ed. He was captured six months az
!. while with the insurgents They too
4 immediate measures to hasten his re
L lease.
The officers brought back a report O
/ death, desolation, disease, and socia
economy that is simply appalling 1t
| impossible to portray all the horro,
1 Capts. Page and Brooks were especial
impressed by the wonderful disciplin
| and high order of intelligence of tn
Cuban troops. white and black The
saw during the trip about 1880 Cuba
soldiers, all fully armed. Every man ha
machete and a gun, either a Remine
/ ton, Mauser, or Springfield. The Rem
ington Is the most popular and tn
i Springf1elds are fewest. Written record
are kept of all court-martials, and flu
accounts of supplies received and dis
bursed. There is a regular military an
| legal code, and nothing arbitrary in tn
l system.
They found towns literally wiped o
| the map, once prosperous estates heavil
| overgrown, roads reduced to goat tracks
| bridges destroyed, wires tangled wit
| tropical scrub, and death, destruction
and ruin everywhere, the natural richie
of the country only emphasizing the III
/ ter desolation where all should be smi
/ ing plenty.
II @ n N 10 n ha Epfu