Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-08
SITES In CUBA.
BEING MADE on
BASIS OF HECKER REPORT.
BAHAMA GARRISON At HlRIAEA0.
Troops fn All Cases TO BE Kept rs
Far as Possible from Actual Con-
tact with Towns-Guardia Civiie
for Police Work.

WASHINGTON, November 7-Colonei
Hecker, with Colonel Lee, OF the board
which was sent to Cuba TO select camp
sites for the American army OF occupa-
ton, has reached Washington, and has
had several conferences with the Presi-
dent and Secretary Alger. During Colo
mel Hecker's absence In Cuba he made
several reports by mail, and although he
probably will supplement these by an
other report, he has already communi-
Gated verbally TO the President and Sec
rotary Aiger the salient facts OF the
forthcoming statements. Acting on this
report, arrangements are making for the
reception of the troops.
Secretary AIger has approved the loca-
ton selected by the Hecker board for
the principal garrison. which will be in
the neigh borhood OF Habana. The place
selected lies about eight miles south OF
Habana. in the neighborhood of, but not
| directly in, the town of Marianao, Tor
| Colonel Hecker advises very strongly
| against the quartering the unaccllmated
| troops in permanent structures which
| may be infected with fever. Two camps
| will be pitched at this point, one on
| either side of the splendid aqueduct which
| supplies Habana with water This aque-
| duct will be tapped and water drawn by
| steam pumps from IL 10 supply the camps
which win be pitched on a plateau about
100 feet above sea level. The greatest
| care has been given to sound hygienic
| conditions in the selection.
LANDING Ag MARIANNE.
At the nearest point TO the camp, on
the sea beach, dock is being construct
ed. and while it will not reach water
deep enough to permit the accommoda-
| ton of large transports, il will serve 10
receive good-sized lighters. The troops
will be landed at this point and marched
directly to the camp. the purpose being
to avoid exposure to possible Infection
in Habana. The work on this dock is
being pushed with the greatest energy,
and its construction has given employ
ment to about 1900 insurgent soldiers,
who were glad to have the opportunity
to make a peaceable living by toll.
Colonel Bliss. who was a member OF
the Camp-Site Board, has been left in
Habana to carry out the orders of the
| department in the execution of the
boards plans. He will see to 1t that be-
fore a single soldier reaches camp, water
will be provided, board floors placed, anC
tents pitched.
Similar arrangements are making In
the neighborhood of Puerto Principe
which will be the first point to be garri
soned, the principle being observed there
! as in the case OF the Habana garrison
of keeping the troops from coming II
contact with the towns. This is dom
under the best medical advice, but on
consequence OF the adoption of the rul
Is to oblige the government to look 4
some other power than the military {
- police the towns.
e GUARDIA CIVILE FOR POLICEMEN
Colonel Hecker has been able to max
a most fattering report as to the goo
qualities OF what is known as the Guardi
= Civile in Habana for this work. The me
composing this force are usually chose
from the best men in the army, and a
~. any rate all are picked for their physics
: and intellectual qualities. They are abb
to command at once the respect and obs
J. dience of the rather restless Habana Dol
: ulation. even better than soldiers. IL
d not doubted that they would be willin
TO continue i'm the discharge OF the
duties when the United States takes mil
. tary possession of Habana, and If tn
can be arranged the government WI
n feel that a great load OF responsibll'
Z | has been lifted.
K Already numerous incidents have hal
d pened I'm some of the towns, not only
cuba. but in the Philippines,Nwhich hay
come into the possession Of the Unite
l. States. 10 show that the United State
Il soldier Is utterly untitled for the task
n noticing towns in time OF peace, this III
= dtness being founded not only on ign
= rance OF the customs of the people, bl
: On a strong repugnance 10 that kind
a. | duty