The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-11-12
CAMP SITES SELECTED.
The Hecker Board Has Made Prepa-
rations for the Army of Oc-
cupation in Cuba.
MEN WILL Be KEPT OUT OF THE TOWNS.
The Greatest Care Has Been Given to Sound
HygenIc Conditions In the Selection of
Camp Sites-The Problem of Policing
the Townsville GuardIa Civilia May be-
Retained.

the Townsville Guardla Civilia May be-
Retained.
Washington, Nov. s.-Col. Hecker,-
with Col. Lee, of the board 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.
Approved the Locations Selected.
Secretary Alger has approved the To-
cations selected by the Hecker board
for the principal garrison, which Will
be in the neighborhood of Havana
The place selected lies about eight
miles south of Havana. in the neigh
borhood or directly in the town of
Mariana, for Col. Hecker advises very
strongly against the quartering of I'M
acclimated 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
splendid acqueduct which supplies,
Havana with water. This acqueduct
will be tapped and the water drawn
by steam pumps from it TO supply the
camps, which will be pitched on a pla-
teau about 16O feet above the sea level
The greatest care has been given to
sound hygienic conditions in the selec--
ton.
Constructing a Dock for the Use of the
Men.
At the nearest point to the camp,
on the sea beach, a dock is being con-
structed, and while it will not reach
water deep enough to permit the &C
commodation of large transports it
will serve to receive good sized light
ers. The troops will be landed at this
point and marched directly to the
camp, the purpose being to avoid ex-
posture to possible infection in Ha-
vana The work on this dock is being
pushed with the greatest energy and
its construction has given employment
to about 1900 insurgent soldiers, who
were glad to receive the opportunity
to make a peaceable living by toll.
Col. Bliss Left to Carry Out Orders.
Col. Bliss, who was Il 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 plan. He will see to it that
before q single soldier reaches camp
water connections will be provided,
transportation routes opened up,
board floors placed and tents pitched.
Similar Arrangements at Puerto Principe.
Similar arrangements are making in
the neighborhood of Puerto Principe.
which will be the first point to be gar
risoned, the principle 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 adop--
ton of the rule is to oblige the gov
eminent to look to some other power
than the military to police the towns.
Col. Hecker has been able to make a
most fiattering report as to the good
qualities of what is known as the.
guardia civilia in Havana for this
work. The men composing this force
are usually chosen from the best men
IN the army, and at any rate all are
picked for their physical and intellec-
tual qualities. They are able to COM
mGnd at once the respect and ODE
dience 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,
n if this can be arranged the gov
eminent Will feel that a great load of
responsibility had been lifted.
Soldiers Utterly Unfit for Police Duty,
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
United States soldier is utterly unfit
ted for the task of policing towns ir
time of peace, this unfitness being
not only on ignorance of the
OF the people, but on a strong
repugnance 10 that kind of duty. 1t
be that congressional authorize
ton would be required for the en-
ployment of the guarde civfIia in the.
manner suggested, but it is believed
that assent will be speedily given to.
the proposition when it is preached BY
Secretary Alger.
VIII Give Employment to the Idle.
One strong recommendation for the
plan is that it will serve 10 give en-
ployment TO a number of people who,
otherwise might be a charge upon the.
community. 1t is understood that the
mere suggestion that the guarde' will
be employed has given great satisfac.
ton to the Cubans. e,
Col. Hecker suffered severely IL.
health while in Cuba, and was re-
duced at least so pounds in flesh.
though he began to improve as sooI
he started north.
Joseph Jefferson III.