Evening star., 1898-11-07
CAMP NEAR HAVANA
Garrison to Be Located Eight Miles
South of the City.
THE AQUEDUCF WILL Be TAPPED
Every Precaution to Be Taken
Before the Troops Are Sent.
POLICING THE CAPITAL

Col Hecker and Col Lee of the board
which was sent to Cuba to select camp
sites for the American army of occupation
have reached Washington, and already
had several conferences with the President
and Secretary Alger. During Col. Hecker's
absence in Cuba he made several reports
by mail. and although he will probably
supplement these by another report he has
already communicated verbally to the
President and Secretary Alger the salient
facts of the forthcoming statement
Acting on this report arrangements are
already being made for the reception of the
troops. Secretary Alger has approved the
location selected by the Hecker board for
the principal garrison. which will be in the
neishborhood of Havana. The point Sc
lect5d lies about eight miles south of Ha-
yana. in the neighborhocd of Mariana but
not directly in the town; for Col. Hecker
advises strongly against the quartering of
Unaccltmated troops in permanent struc
lures. which may be infected with fever.
Two camps will be pitched at this point
one on each side of the splendid aqueduct
which supplies Havana with water. This
aquedUct will be tapped and the water
or"wn by steam pumps from it to supply
the camps. These camps will be pitched on
d plateau about 16U feet above sea level.
and the greatest care has been given to
sound hygienic conditions in the selection.
To Land the Troops.
At the nearest point to the camp. or the
sea bca"h. a dock is being constructed. and
while it will not reach water deep enough
to permit the accommodation of large
transports, it will serve 20 receive good
sized lighters. The troops will be landed
at this point and marched directly to the
camp. the purpose being to avoid the ex-
I0sure of troops to possible infection in
Havana. The work on this dock is being
pushed with the greatest energy, and It's
construction has given employment 20
about 1.5nO CLbans. These were insurgent
soldiers. and they are glad to receive the
opportunity 10 make d peaceable livirg by
toll
Colonel Bli -; 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
viii see To II that before a single soldier
reaches camp water connections shall Be
provided. transportation routes opened uD.
board floors placed and tents pitched, so
that everything will he in readiness for the
troops 10 drop into a comfortable camp.
Similar ARRANGEMENTS are being made in
the neighhorhOod of Puerto Principe, which
VIII be the first point to be garr:sOncd, the
principle being observed there. as in ei!c
case of the Havana garrison, of keeping the
troops from direct contact with the towns.
This is done under the best medical ad-
vice. but one consequence of the adoption
OF the rule is to Oblige the government to
look to some other power than the military
10 police the towns.
Policing the City of Havana
1t so happens that Colonel Hecker has
been able to make most flattering report
as to the good qualities of what is known
as the Guarde Civilia in Havana The men
composing this force are usually chosen
from the best men in the army and at
any rate are picked for their physical and
Intellectual qualities They are all men of
intelligence. sturdy. sterling and steady in
nature, and 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 they
would be willing to continue in the dis
Cnarse- OF their duties when the United
states government takes military posses
SION OF Havana, and if this can be arranged
the government will feel that a great Ina
o1 responsibility has been lifted.
Soldiers Unfit for Police Work.
Already numerous incidents have happen
ed in some Of the towns. not only in Cuba
but in those parts of the Philippines which
have come into the possession of the United
States, TO show that the United States SOL
der IS utterly unfit for the task of no1fc:ne
towns IN time of peace, this unfitness being
founded not only on ignorance of the cus-
toms Of the people but on a stronq, ra-
pugnance 70 that kind Of duty Ii may he
that congressional authorization will he re-
CURED Tor the employment of the Cuban
fudrde Civilia In the manner suggested
nut t can scarcely be doubted that assent
VIII speedily be given to the proposition
Wh@n II Is brOached by Secretary Alger
one strong recon mendatiOn for the plan is
the TACT th4t 1t Will serve to give enlpIoy-
mint io number Of people who Wouid
perhaps otherwise be a charge upon the
community in the end. and it IS understood
& lhI' 'he mere suggestion that the guarde
Wi. be employed mas given e-reat saIisf,c
t.ou To the Cubans
Sgi- Hecker- suffered severely in health
WAAr IN Cuba. and was reduced at least
.n-Fly pounds IN flesh, though he began to