The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-24

other local governmental body in Cuba or
Porto Rico or the Philippines, except on the
approval Of the major general commanding
the military forces of the United States in
Cuba. Porto Rico or the Philippines. who
shall, before approving any such grant or
concession, be SO specially authorized by
the secretary of war"
Since the close of the war numerous
schemes to secure the monopoly of street
lighting, street railroads, etc, have been
started on the assumption that when the
United States took the control of affairs
large sums of money would seek investment
there, and that fortunes could be easily
made. The local governments, it Is said,
have been disposed to grant these monopo-
lies very freely upon the payment down of
considerable sum, but from this time for
ward each case will be fully scrutinized and
all wildcat schemes will be promptly vetoed.
There is every evidence in the War De-
partment that strenuous efforts are making
to put enough American troops in Cuba to
meet any call on them through the speedy
evacuation of the Spanish garrisons. All
the transports available at Atlantic ports
are being prepared under rush orders for
sailing south. The Spanish are carrying
out their evacuation contract with unusual
celerity, and there is some question wheth-
er American troops can be concentrated at
certain points before the Spaniards leave.
Meantime the Cubans are preparing for
demonstrations during evacuation week,
and it is thought very desirable to have an
adequate force on hand to prevent any out
break that would jeopardize the American
entente at the outset. There will be thir-
teen customs ports on the Cuban coast to
be turned over to American control, and,
although some of these doubtless will be
closed, these ports will require a large
guard. Besides this, the department is hav-
ing quite a search for competent customs
men who understand Spanish to fill the
customs offices.
The Minnewaska and the Manitoba will
leave Havana tomorrow for Savannah and
Charleston. Two regiments will leave
Savannah for Cienfaegos and Matanzas by
Dec. % and it is hoped to get off one at
least by the a6th The Mobile is now at
Savannah and will take the first regiment
to move It is hoped to put at least four
additional regiments in Cuba by the first of
the year.
The surgeon generals office will send six
female trained nurses to Cuba from New
York tomorrow. They are destined for the
other female nurses were started for Cuba
on Dec. is and it is intended to place one
hundred altogether with the division hos
pitfalls of the Seventh Corps.
The following has been received by Presi-
dent Mckinley from the Marquis Esteban,
president of the City Council of Havana:
1.-THE City Council in solemn session has
resolved, in the name of the people of Ha-
vana, to return it's warmest thanks to you
for the contribution sent in aid of the needy
poor"
General Henry, commanding in Porto
Rico to-day cabled the War Department
the following deaths in his command: Pri-
vate George lingering, Company l., Nine
teenth Infantry, dysentery; William Ford
Fifth Cavalry, smallpox. The department
does not feel that the smallpox presages an
epidemic, as the disease is epidemic in the
island and sporadic cases are common in all
quarters.
General Woods daily report from Santia-
go for yesterday follows; Deaths-Privates
Richard Sheehan, Company E. Third Vol
unteers, malarial cachexia: James T. Pugh,
Company B, Third Volunteers, cancrumoris,
Dec. 20 *%%
Gen. John r. Brooke and the members
of his staff left Savannah Ca; this after
noon for Miami, where they will take a
steamer for Havana. General Brooke has
been in Savannah several days recovering
from an illness which began soon after his
return from Porto Rico.
The headquarters and one battalion of the
First Texas Regiment, together with Col.
Wheaton's headquarters, sailed from Savan-
nah for Cuba this afternoon on the trans
port Michigan. The other two battalions
of the First Texas and the Second Louisiana
Regiment will leave tomorrow on the Mo-
bile.
The postmaster general to-day announced
the establishment of seven additional mill
tary postal stations in Cuba. as follows:
Pinar del Rio Guanajay. Marel Trinidad,
Las Tunas, Sancti Spiritus and Cardenas
General Bates, now at Macon, Ga, and
General Sanger now at Americus Ga. have
been ordered to Charleston. S. c., to en-
bark for Cienfuegos and Matanzas. respect
lively, on Dec o. Each general will be ac-
companied his headquarters and regi-
ment of volunteers not yet named
PRESENTS FROM CUBANS.
Medals of Honor for Gen. Wood and