Evening journal., 1898-09-23
DISEASES RAMPANT
Il the Ranks Of the Native
Cuban Soldiers.
YELLOW FEVER IS INCREASING.
Decnyed Fruit sold by Auction-In-
formation Gathering For the
American Govcrnment-Tobac
co Prospects Promising.

iofinhtioh Nnthering For the
American GOvcrnment-TObac-
co Prospects Promising.
HAVANA, Sept. 2s.-Day by day re-
ports from all points Of the island,
besides confirming the statements
regarding the want and restitution ex-
listing among the Cuban soldiers, say
the health in their camps is very bad
and that dysentery and malaria are
decimating the forces. Onlcial returns
as to the mortality in Santa Clara
province during the month of July
show 1858 Deaths of which 115 result
ed from smallpox.
Free soup Kitchens are stu open in
the following wards: Pillar. Penalver,
Arsenal. Santa Teresa, Tacon, San
Ysidro, Wives. Chaves, Santo Angel,
Punta, Vedado and Principe All the
others are closed.
Major Page and Lieutenant Reid have
been appointed commissioners to sur
vey and report upon the conditions in
Matanzas, where they arrived on
Wednesday. They paid an official visit
TO the military governor. General Mo-
lima, and to the civil governor
Robert +. Porter, who is on a special
mission from the United States, returned
Wednesday night from Cienfuegos and
Trinidad. He was accompanied by an
assistant. During his trip Mr.. Porter
had occasion to interview leading
planters of the island, such as the Mar
quis of Aperteguia and others, gather
ing information which he will send to
President Mckinley Mr.. Porter ex-
pressed himself as pleased with the
success of his trip during which he has
obtained information as to the condi-
tions in the island which will be in
valuable to the American government
in shaping their future policy in re
gard to Cuba.
Yesterday morning the bishop OF Ha-
vana had another long conference with
the civil governor. 1t is understood that
the meeting was in reference to church
charities interested in the relief of
the suffering poor.
The American commissioners contin-
ne inactive, spending their days at the
Trocha hotel where, so far as can be
learned, no official business is being
done All are in excellent health, and
no cases of fever Of any kind are re-
ported among the members of the COM
mission or its staff.
Among the passengers who arrived
on Wednesday from Key West on the
steamer Mascotte was Sonora Luz No
riega, widow OF DIR. Hernandez. She was
known as the queen of Cuba" and
figured prominently in the instruction,
existing In General Maceo's command
in which her husband was staff sur
geon. Her husband was killed IN the
war, and she was taken prisoner by
the Spaniards near Sancti Spiritus and
deported. She returns to the island with
the intention of actively resuming work
in the cause Of the freedom of Cuba.
Advices from Pinar del Rio. the great
Vuelta Abajo tobacco district are most
encouraging The Cuban troops station
ed in the province have been behaving
well, anu labor in the fields has been
resumed. most of the planters sowing
as much tobacco as possible in view OF
the scarcity OF oxen. most of which an
imals were confiscated during the war
for the maintenance Of both armies.
Several important sales of tobacco of
previous crops are reported at good
prices. The general tone of the district
is healthy, and confidence Is manifested
on every hand.
Yesterday the steamer Olindo arrived
from Vera Cruz. She sailed for this
port with $40 head of cattle, of which
luo ultu uullHE the NoydSt- lnefe also
arrived the steamers Juan Forgas. from
Cadiz, and Dorset. from Vera Cruz.
with cargo and passengers. and the
schooner Edward, from Pascagoula.
with lumber
The battalions Of Sevilla, numbering
3d. and Burgos. &c. are concentrating at
Cienfuegos in readiness for emharka-
ton for Spain. The soldiers are suffer-
ing greatly owing to the intense heat,
which has caused atmospheric disturb
ances, and severe storms are of daily
occurrence.
Sales are held every day at the pub
lie wharfs in this city of damaged fruits
and vegetables. already in a state Of
decay, which constitute serious men
ace to the public health.
yellow fever. which has hitherto been
OF a very mild type and comparatively
few cases of which have been reported,
has lately assumed a more dangerous
form and is increasing.