The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-08
None of the United States Army of Oc-
cupatiOn TO Re stationed I'm cities
for Fear of Infection.
SANTIAGO'S LABOR PROBLEM
NEITHER CUBANS NOR JAMAICA Me-
GROEs WILLING TO WORK.
Spaniards Searching for the BOdies OF
Two Generals-The Santa Cruz Der
Sur Assembly in Session.


with Colonel Lee, of the board which was
American army of occupation has reached
Washington and has had several confer
ences with the President and Secretary AL
ger. During Colonel Heckers absence in
Cuba he made several reports by mail ands
although he probably will supplement these
by another report, he has already CONF
municated verbally to the President and
Secretary Alger the salient facts of the
forthcoming statement. Acting on this re-
port arrangements are making for the re-
ception of the troops. Secretary Alger has
approved the locations selected by the
Hecker board for the principal garrison,
which will be in the neighborhood of Ha-
vana. The place selected lies about eight
miles south of Havana, in the neighborhood
Of but not directly in the town of Mari
anaO, for he advises very strongly against
the quartering of unacclimated troops in
permanent structures which may be in-
fected with fever. Two camps will be
pitched at this point, one on either side OF
the splendid aqueduct which supplies Ha-
vana with water. This aqueduct will be
tapped and the water drawn by steam
pumps from 1t to supply the camps, which
will be pitched on plateau about 100 feet
given to sound hygienic conditions in the
selection.
At the nearest point to the camp, on the
sea beach, dock is being constructed, and
while it will not reach water deep enough
to permit the accommodation of large
transports it will serve to receive good
sized lighters. The troops will be landed at
this point and marched directly to the
camp, the purpose being to avoid exposure
to possible infection in Havana. The work
on this dock is being pushed with the
greatest energy and it's construction has
given employment to about 1900 insurgent
soldiers who were glad to receive the OPP
portunity to make a peaceable living by
toll
Colonel Bliss, who was member Of the
camp site board, has been left in Havana
to carry out the orders of the department.
in the execution Of the boards plans. He
will see to it that before a single soldier
reaches camp, water connections will be
provided, transportation routes opened up.
board floors placed and tents pitched. Sim
liar arrangements are making in the neigh
borhood of Puerto Principe, which will be
the first point to be garrisoned, the prin-
cipe being observed there as in the case
of the Havana garrison of keeping the
troops from direct contact with the towns.
This is done under the best medical adj
vice, but one consequence of the adoption
of the rule is to obige the government TO
look to some other power than the military
to police the towns.
Colonel Hecker has been able to make a
most fattering report as to tho good quail
:ties of what is known as the Guarde Civilia
in Havana for police work. The men COM
posing this force are usually chosen from
the best men in the army and at any rate
all are picked for their physical and intel
lectual qualities. They are able to command
at once the respect and obedience of the
rather restless Havana population even
better than soldiers. 1t is not doubted that
taey would be willing to continue in the dis
charge of their duties when the United
States take military possession of Havana,
and if this can be arranged the government
will feel that a great load of responsibility
has been lifted.
Already numerous incidents have hap
pened in some of the towns, not only in
Cuba, but in the Philippines, which nave
come into the possession of the United
States to show that the United States SOL
der is utterly untitled for the task of polic-
ing towns in time of peace, this unfitness
being founded not only on ignorance of the
customs of the people, but on strong re-
pugnance to that kind of duty. 1t may be
that congressional authorization would be
required for the employment of the Guarde
Civilia in the manner suggested, but ii is
believed that assent will be speedily given
to the proposition when it is preached by
Secretary Alger One strong recommends
ton for the plan is the fact that it will
serve to give employment to number of
people who otherwise might be charge
upon the community. 1t is understood
that the mere suggestion that the guarde
will be employed has given great satisfac-
ton 10 the Cubans.
Colonel Hecker suffered severely in health
while in Cuba and was reduced at least
thirty pounds in flesh, though he began TO
improve as soon as he started north.
The War Department has decided to send
the Eighth Cavalry Regiment to the prov
ince of Puerto Principe in advance of the
Fifteenth Infantry or the Third Georgia.
Six troops each of the Eighth are TO be
sent to Nuevitas and Puerto Principe. the
capital of the province, The transport Man
itoba will take the Eighth to Cuba.
SEARCHING FOR BODIES.