The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-08
CAMP SITES.
Col. Hecker Reports on Sc.
lections for Our Troops.

Washington, Nov. 7.-Col. Hecker
with Col. Lee Of the beard which was
sent to Cuba to select camp sites for
the American army of occupation, has
reached Washington, and has had sew
eral conferences with the president and
Secretary Alger.
During Col Heoker's absence in
Cuba, he made several reports by mail,
and, although he probably will supple
ment these by another report, he has
already communicated verbally to the
president and Secretary Alger. the sal
lent facts of the forthcoming state
ment According to this report, ar
engagements are making for the recep-
ton of the troops.
Secretary Alger has approved the To-
cation selected by Hecker's board for
the principal garrison, which Will be
about eight miles south Of Havana. 1t
is near, but not directly in the town
of Mariana, for Col. Hecker advises
strongly against the quartering of I'M
acclmated troops IN permanent struc-
lures, which may be infected with fe-
yer. Two camps will be pitched at this
point, one on either side of the aque-
duct which supplies Havana with
water.
This aqueduct win be tapped and the
water drawn from it by steam pumps
to supply the camps, which will be
pitched on plateau about 100 feet
above sea level. The greatest care has
been given to hygienic conditions in
the selection.
At the nearest point to the camp, on
the sea beach, a dock is being con-
structed which will serve to receive
good sized lighters. The troops will
be landed at this point and marched
directly to the camp to avoid exposure
to possible infection in Havana The
work on this dock has given employ
ment to about 1900 insurgent soldiers.
Col. Bliss, who was member of the
camp site board, has been left in Ha-
vana to carry out the orders of the
department in the execution Of the
boards plans. He will see to it that
before single soldier reaches camp,
water connections shall be provided,
transportation routes opened, board
floors placed and tents pitched. SINH
lar arrangements are being made in
the neighborhood of Puerto Principe,
which will be the first point to be gar
risoned, the principle being observed
thereof keeping the troops from direct
contact with their towns.
This is done under the best medical
advice, but one consequence CT acop-
ton of the rule is TO oblige the gov
eminent to look to some power than
the military to police the towns. Col.
Hecker has been able to make most
flattering report as 10 the good qualities
of the Guardo Civilia in Havana for
this work. The men composing this
force are usually chosen from the best
men in the army, and at any late all
are picked for their physical and in
tellectual qualities. They ara able ia
command at once the respect and ODE
dienee of the rather restless Havana
population even better than soldiers
1t is not doubted that they would be
willing to continue IN the discharge Of
their duties when the United States
| takes military possession of Havana
and if this can be arranged the gov
eminent Will feel that q great load OF
responsibility has been lifted. already
numerous incidents have happened in
some of the towns, not only in Cuba
| but in the Philippines, which have come
| into the possession of the United
| States to show that the Unired States
| soldier is utterly untitled for the task
of policing towns in time of peace. this
unfitness being founded not only on
| ignorance of the customs of the people
but on a strong repugnanee to that
kind Of duty.
! It may be that congressional author
l ization would be required for employ
ment Of the Guar3o Civilia in the
| manner suggested, but it is believed
its assent will be speedily siven to
the proposition when st is preached by
Secretary Alger. One strong RECON-
mendation for the plan is the fact that
| it will serve to give employment to a
number of people who otherwise might
a q 10
is understood that the mere suggestion
! that the guards will be employed, has
given great satisfaction to the Gu
bans