The herald., 1898-10-02

force Of about 10 men constantly employed
and az many times had nearly double this
force working day and night, to remove
the vast accumulation Of indescribable
filth, which had accumulated in the out
houses and yards. as well as the streets Of
the city, which Is reputed to be one
of the most unhealthy and dirty In the
world. The death rate has dropped stead
lily since we came in and is now about one
fourth Of what 1t was In July.
"The city has been divided into flve
parts in each of which Is a relief station,
where food is distributed and a physician
in attendance who prescribes for those who
present themselves sick and visits the sick
In the houses. The Police Department, all
doctors and the officials in each ward have
received instructions to furnish these ply
sicians list Of sick requiring attention,
and also Of the worthy poor In order that
we may be somewhat protected in the dis
.tribution Of medicines and rations. / am
Issuing at present about 15 900 rations per
day. The physicians are probably pre-
scribing for 600 or 700 people, and some days
more. The physicians are native Cubans.
educated in the United States and en-
ployed by our government as contract
surgeons.
"The garbage and material which col
lect in the streets, have dumped outside
Of town and burned. I have also had the
lower and most unhealthy portion Of the
city ditched and drained and the bitches
running into the harbor cleaned out, also
the waterfront system of sewerage, which
was completely obstructed and in fright
full condition. Later this year, when the
epidemic season shall have passed. 1t Is
my intention, II am granted funds and
authority to have the shallow places
dredged out. so that at least thin layer Of
water will cover them at low tide and pre-
vent the present condition of affairs.
"The receipts Of the city from customs
since we occupied 1t, understand from
Generals shafter and Lawton, who have
charge Of this matter, have been about
500 900. The expenses Of the city per week,
supporting the hospitals, cleansing the
streets, doing the necessary engineering
work and the many little things required
to keep up the different departments of
the city of $4,000 people are at present
$45O0 to $4,000. OF this $1,000 is for sanitary
work and engineering, the balance for
hospitals. police, etc.
IT have been as economical as possible.
but have felt In this matter of sanitation
expense BnOulu HOt Uc tuken lntO consider.
alton, as the lives of all Americans here
might be said to depend upon a prompt
and thorough correction Of the frightful
unganitary condition in which the city
was found.
1.-THE great expert on yellow fever, DR..
Guiteras. assured me in July that an epi-
demic of yellow fever Of great severity
was absolutely unavoidable and that we
were destined to lose large portion of our
people here. Thus far, 1t has been avoided.
and not only avoided, but today don't
know of an authentic case of genuine vel
low fever in Santiago de Cuba proper and
every day increases our chances of es-
cape"
General Wood says the military force has
been used only when the police have been
inadequate. He continues:
IT am anxious to have the schools started
IN the city and get the children out of the
streets. also to get the issue of rations
down to such point that we are sure we
are not pauperizing the people,"
General Wood thinks 1t would be we'll
to get the rations out to- the small places
in the country so that the Cuban soldiers
AZ they leave the army may be able to get |
to the farmers In the vicinity Of the towns. |
After the first crop nearly all the assist
ance should be brought to an end.
General Wood communicates the graft |
flying intelligence that all indica-
tions now point to the speedy |