The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-23
GOOD ORDER PREVAILS
I'M THE CAPTURED CAPITAL OF
PORTO RICO
SPANIARDs ARE PACKING UP
Colonel Sem Fears Fevers But Thinks
the Island Worth Its Weight
in Gold
Associated Press Special Wire

NEW YORK, Aug. PA special to the
Herald from San Juan, Porto Rico, says:
Order prevails here, although some evil
disposed persons are trying TO stir up racial
and rancorous prejudices among the ig-
norant portion of the population. The soon
er the commission arrives to settle matters
and dispel doubts the better for the future.
The streets OF San Juan are filed with
furniture-laden carts and people return
ing from the suburbs. At The palace and
the other government buildings the work o.
packing the archives Is already going on.
Senior Camo, the Captain-Generaps chief
of staff, has resigned. It is understood he
owns considerable property here. His
resignation is likely to be accepted.
Telegraphic communication with all parts
! Of the island was opened yesterday and per-
mits granted to those who desire to visit
Ponce and other ports.
The Spanish authorities are doing every
thing possible to preserve order. One of
the first necessities on the part of the Amer
leans will be strong police force.
There is great anxiety here regarding
the probable changes in financial and Judi
cial matters. Reasonable haste is consid-
cred advisable.
The steamer Ibo Bosch on Thursday
brought the first news since the blockade.
There was an exciting scene when she ar
rived.
One paper here warns the natives that
the Americans are prejudiced against the
colored race
1t is still impossible for large ships to
enter the harbor and there have been no
importations yet. There are some signs Of
a scarcity OF food stuffs. General Macias
this morning received long dispatch from
General Miles. Both agree 10 do the utmost
TO preserve order. The Generals commuu-
icate every day about the news received
from Washington. Many merchants have
ordered extensive importat!ons.
The mines In the harbor ire being raised.
The Brigadier of Marine Is doing all pos
sible with small staff to raise the OBJ
structions at the entrance to the port, but
has no implements.
Typhoid and Yellow Fever
NEW YORK, Aug. 22.-Lieutenant-Col-
'onel Nicholas Sem, who went to Cuba as
chief Of the operating stan of the army.
has Just returned from Porto Rico and Is
In the city. Speaking of his experience, he
said:
I'm Cuba our army met as its most form
liable enemy. one of the most dreaded of all
acute infectious diseases-yellow fever. The
Cuban invasion was characterized by hasty
action, lack of organizatlo and inadequate
preparations on the part of the quarter
masters department, for which the medical
branch of the army was in no way respon-
sible. In less than two weeks after our
army landed in Cuba yellow fever made
1ts appearance.
'In less than two weeks from that time
nearly 800 fevercases. most of them yellow
fever, impaired the fighting force and Sc
riously taxed the resources Of the medical
department. Fortunately. for the army,
the type Of the disease was mild and the
number Of deaths was small in comparison
with some of the epldemics ir the past. 1t
twas extremely fortunate that Santiago
surrendered at the right time. Our army
would surely have met the fate Of the
Spanish forces, who lost over fifty per cent
OF their men during the last year from
sickness.
''In planning the Porto Rico invasion.
General Miles made the proper arrange
ments for preventing a repetition of this
calamity. Thus far. our troops In Porto
Rico have escaped yellow fever, but soon
after landing fever cases came into
the different hospitals at an alarming rate.
After landing at Ponce on August 9Th
found at least $50 cases of typhoid fever.
In some Of the cases It was difficult and
almost impossible to make different d.
agnosis between malarial and typhoid fever
without the aid of the microscope. re-
course which was, unfortunately, not at
hand. Following the order of Colonel
Greenleaf. chief. surgeon Of the army, I
investigated for two days all the fever
T. - g.
eating the origin Of typhoid fever.
"A careful study of all the cases showed
that ninety per cent. were genuine typhoid
fever cases, and that the infection in the
{. army was brought directly from the camps
occupied in the United States. am firmly
of the opinion that II the American army
now in Porto Rico remains there much
longer, the loss Of life due to sickness will
be as great as at Santiago.
1.-THE war has again demonstrated the
great value Of the small calibre bullet and
has shown that It is a most humane weapon.
Contrary to expectations, but few sargi-
cal operations were necessary and our at
tention was directed entirely to the proper
dressing Of wounds
II want to correct some Of the reports
which have come from Cuba and Porto
Rico as to the feelings Of the Spaniards
against the Red Cross. The Spaniards
never purposely fired at the Red Cross
representatives Of our country. and II any
of those were injured It was entirely due
to the fact that the red badge Of the order
could not be easily distinguished at dis
tance."
q, Colonel Sem is enthusiastic about Porto
tico and declares the island is worth It's
weight In gold.
Miles Will Return
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-The War De-
partment has been advised by General
Miles that he will return to the United
Estates soon, but fixing no definite date. It
h believed he will await the arrival OF
pGrs. Miles and daughter, who have gone
3 10 Porto Rico The command Of the Amer
ban troops In the islands will devolve on
~ General Brooke, who Is also a member Of
4 fhe Porto Rican Military Commission.
Z PYTHIAN KNIGHTS
S3Begin Biennial Session Today at In