New-York tribune., 1898-12-26
CHANGED CONDITIONS IN CUBA
WHAT THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT
WILL EFFECT.

BETTER POSTAL ARRANGEMENrs-ARMy TO con-
TRoL THE Observation-Disclosures
HOPE FOR BACK PAY
Havana. Dec 20 (speciaD.-Cuba is feeling
the benefits OF prospective and Of actual Ameri-
administration. Some OF the streets are
really clean General F V Greene had $4,000
for public sanitation authorized by the Depart
ment at Washington But Spanish sovereignty
had TO be respected. although it was unable to
remove the garbage from single alley. The
Havana Aqutamento or Common Council had
not dollar to spend SO by permission OF the
Spanish authorities the United States took hold
Of the work. Marquis de Esteban. the Alcalde.
Mayor. OF the city. had prociamations posted
up. in which the inhabitants OF the streets
cleaned were told that II was done by the
American Government. and they were exhorted
TO second the efforts OF the United States MILL
tary authorities
STREETS CAN BE KEPT CLEAN
This removal OF the accumulations OF gar
hase does not solve the sanitary problems OF
Havana. however. II shows that the streets can
be kept fairly clean and the city be made hab
liable, whilc the changes tha; must be made in
the sewerage system and other hygienic i'm
provements carried out. Five years may be
necessary before the plans which Colonel George
z Waring prepared can he made effective.
That Will not prevent Havana from being kept
clean for the next five months. which is the
period in which IL is important TO forestall
epidemic diseases among the American troops
General Ludlow will probably be appalled, by
the tasl, before him Military and Civil Gov
ernor OF Havana City. Every American Army
commander when he faces his responsibility
possibly has that feeling. But there is usually
some simple point at which a beginning can be
made. IN Havana II is clean streets.
BETTER NAIL SERVICE NEEDED.
Americans who are in Cuba engaged IN bust
the mall service both domestic and foreign. II
would not be fair TO judge Spanish admnistra-
ton by the complete decentralization which has
appeared in the postofice arrangements in the
lasI few weeks Some disturbance was inevta-
bic. The knowledge OF the employees that they
would receive none OF the back pay Increased
their indifference. Most Of them will necessarily
be KEEP, for time, and they know they will re-
csive their wages. That and the desire 20 please
the American officials will spur them 10 the bet
ter performance OF their duties. Though the
service is badly disorganized. the methods OF
administration are simple. and they are easily
adjusted 10 the change. This is shown IN the
ease with which the military postofice for the
American troops has been put In operation.
GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF TELEGRAPHS
Under the Spanish rule the Government owned
the telegraph lines and operated them In connec-
ton with the Postoffice Department. The rail-
roads were not permitted to have lines OF their
own. Their ordinary and necessary business was
transacted under vexatous restrictions. The
official regulations were voluminous and as
intricate as the code Of civil law 1t cannot be
l.. os
least offers encouragement 10 those who favor
a Government postal telegraph. The United
States will not have to meet that question now
because Of the practical difficulties in the way
Of administering the telegraph system as par,
Of the pOstoffice system. Under the military rule
which is 10 be established for the entire island
the telegraph lines will be military ones. The
Signal Service Corps will have charge OF them.
The lines are in bad condition. To repair them
and get the system in working order Will re
Quire several weeks. When this is done In ao-
cition to the by the Army. the lines Will af-
ford ample facilities for the transaction OF pri-
vate business The volume OF commercial mes
sages is not likely 10 be large for a year or
more.
WHAT MILITARY GOVERNMENT MEANS.
Some Of the Havana merchants do not have
clear idea OF what the American military con-
troll means They do not understand why Colo
mel Bliss an Army officer. should be named for
Collector Of Customs, why similar positions
been rnisled into believing tha: all civil en-
plovrnents are 70 be turned over 70 the military
arm 4 little experience under actual admins
tratioo will remove their misgivings Military
responsibility will exist for ell administration.
and for that reason Army officers Will be at the
head OF all important departments. but there is
no intention Of having soldiers 10 discharge the
duties which can only be satisfactorily per-
formed by civilians
WILL, SPANISH DUE BILLS BE PAID?
MANY OF the Spanish employees. both military
and civil. whose functions will cease on January
have been led to think that the United states
will make good the due-bills. or / y IS
which the Spanish authorities have been issu-
,n1 IN satisfaction Of all obligations This pehef
&c not universal. but 1t is general enough 10
raise hopes which will be disappointed "A cap
.ain ~ the "Movilizados' or irregular spanish pi
Sorces was Yesterday showing the America, u
oNfcers the e-bill given 70 MN ana aehiiiS =. =
ne Tinted States would not honor II. ne
snonnt was 81. 500 and the due-bil represen!ssoo - u
iyb.een months back pay some one on toIu onn 6S
aC,ain that When Spain received the s-V'yyVV ~,
.r5rn the American Government for .he rnrp ,h
-ioss his due bill might be PAID Inc opa"iS1 y.
nAcials also hold out that encouras eiilent - -
O. 80, ~ nrove doubtful dependence now