The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-23
TAKING 1T EASY.
American Commissioners in Cuba En-
joying Life

joying Life
Havana, Sept. 23-AIr. Robert P. Por-
ter, who is in Cuba on a special mis-
sion from the United States, has re-
turned from Cienfuegos and Trinidad.
He was accompanied by an assistant
During his trip Mr.. Porter had occasion
to interview the leading planters of the
island, gathering information which he
viii send to President Mckinley Mr..
Porter expresses himself as pleased
with the success of his trip during
which he has obtained information as
TO the conditions in the island which
Will be Invaluable to the American gov
eminent in shaping their future policy
in regard to Cuba
This morning the bishop of Havana
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 suf-
Ter1ng people. The American commits
sloners continue inactive, spending their
days at the Trocha hotel, where, as far
as can be learned, no official business
IS being done. All are in excellent
health. No cases of fever of any kind
are reported among the members of the
commission or its staff.
Among the passengers who arrived
yesterday from Key West on the steam
er Mascotte was Sonora Luz Norieda,
widow Of DR.. Hernandez She was
known as the queen of Cuba and figur-
ed in the instruction, enlisting in Gen
Maceo's command, in which her hus-
band was staff surgeon. Her husbnd
was killed in the war and she was ta-
ken prisoner by the Spaniards near
Sancti Spiritus and deported. She re-
turns to the island with the intention
OF actively resuming work in the cause
of the freedom of Cuba.
Reports from all points of the island
besides confirming the statements re-
garding 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 de-
cimating the forces. Official returns a
to the mortality in the Santa Clara pro-
vince during the month of July show
1858 deaths of which lis resulted from
smallpox.
Free soup kitchens are still open in II
wards, all the others being closed.
Major Page and Lieut.. Reid have ap-
pointed commissioners to survey and
report upon the conditions in Matan-
zas, where they arrived yesterday. They
paid an official visit to the military gov
ernor, Gen. Molina and to the civil
governor.
Advices from Pinar del Rio, the great
Vuelta Abajo tobacco district, are en-
couraging.
The Cuban troops stationed in the
province have been behaving we'll and
labor in the field has been resumed,
most of the planters sowing as much
tobacco as possible in view of the scare
ity of oxen, most of which animals were
cOnfiscated during the war for the
maintenance of both armies. The gen
eral tone of the district is healthy and
confidence is manifested on every hand.
Today the steamer Orlando arrived
from Vera Cruz. She sailed for this
port with 500 head of cattle, of which
100 died during the voyage. There also
arrived the steamers Juan Forgas for
Cadiz and Dorset from Vera Cruz with
cargo and passengers and the schooner
Edwards from Pascagula with lumber
The battahons of Seville, No. SO, and
Bourges No So are concentrating at
Cienfuegos in readiness for enbarka-
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 public
Wharves in this city of fruits already
in state of decay, which are a menace
to public health. Yellow fever which
has hitherto been of a very mild type
and comparatively few cases reported,
has lately assumed a more dangerous
form and is increasing.