New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-31
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
HOW TO GARRISON CUBA.
CoLoRED CHAPLAIN SUGGESTS THAT ONLY
coLoREp SOLDIERS BE USED.

'F'fT''@''''
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: When the question OF taking Porto RICO was
before that country was represented as being
exceptionally healthy for tropical place. and 1t
was thought troops GONG there would suffer com
paratiVely little inconvenience from climatic all
ments The arrangements for the invasion of the
island were planned quite leisurely by that prince
Of soldiers General Miles. and we're carried out
with the utmost success. There was practically
no hshting. and II was quite popular six weeks ago
10 point the contrast between cuba and Porto RICO
between campaigning with Shafter and campaign
Ing with Miles; between the army returning from
Cuba and the army returning from Porto Rico
That has all passed now. and we have before US
two other grave facts. in the army remaining IN
Cuba. and the army remaining in Porto Rico To-
day. October Is. when the flag Is to he holsteh au-
thoritativey over ali Porto Rico what IS the con-
dtion Of the army there-there. In sauprious
Porto Rico. with ideal management. ample sup
plies and no fghung? The morning papers tell us
that the army was too enfeebed" for any appro-
pirate military display How must such tact
impress the inhabitants Of Porto Rico? How must
II AFFECT the Spanish residents and sympathEers'
In cuba the army now there appears u S,'o
much vigor but grave questions are raise"
concerning the prospective fate OF the arse army
destined to occupy that great Island VIII Lee
Seventh Corps of acclimated white soldiers. nov IN
excellent health. and going TO cuba in the most
favorable time OF the year. with preparations ~
nearly perfect as human forethOught ana govern
ment generosity can make them-will this solve
the problem? Already there are serious msgiVngs'
M it is not improbable that what has taken place
In Porto Rico will take place in Cuba-the army
will succumb To the climate.
1t IS said that with the withdrawal Of the Voiun-
teers from Porto Rico there will go TO that islanl
ten thousand Regulars. VIII this solve the prop
lem Can the Regulars do garrison duty IN Porto
Rico? Doubtless they will withstand the evils OF
the climate somewhat better than the volunteers
have done but Red Cross Agent Barnes, now IN
Porto Rico predicts that one-half OF them will fall
sick and the constant declaration Is that. once
sick they DO not rocuperate in tsat climate. TINS
means that within short period after transport
ing thousand Regulars to Porto Rico the Gov
eminent will be under the necessity Of bringing
five thousand back hospital ships, less. Of
course. the number buried on the island.
We have no Army well fitted for such service,
simply because We have ignored too much tie plain
physical facts belonging 10 the tropics. nave
In our midst in the sea and ISLANDS OF me cast OF
South Carolina. I'm the rice sections OF the sour
Atlantic States I'm Florda. and in the alluv al bot
toms of Mississippi. Alabama and LOUISIANA PEG
pie practically tropical. They originally from
Africa ana have lived constantly In mr'aridl
feI0ns ina, they are IN E1Snt m n c ~
Cuba or Porto Rico rs soldiers and do gar ison
duty with less cost Of life and money than any
other element of our populat with proper on
courasement they are ready TO 90. and with pr per
training they vii do for our country and our 'ae
what no other people in the land can do except az
enormous cost.
The Government should enlist specially for a
period Of three years twenty thousand ~ thes
men. taking only those Nho have never had ma
larial fever or who have not had II within three
years They should then he encamped in the ma
.arial section and given practical sanitary and h! .
gienic training under the best authorities. unit n
called upon to 60 10 their stations These black
Soldiers. raised in the sections describe. properly
instructed and properly treated after going TO their
stations would ! believe. solve the problem. Eng
land garrisons her West Indian possessions with
black soldiers and Toussaint maintained an army
OF tVerty thousand wel-clothed and wellfed blac
soldiers In Hayt. while the French Army melted
like frost before the sun. 7 suppose to-day HaYii
could lend troops enough 10 garrison Porto RICO
can these black men speak ~ he raised Yes.
Just let them know that the country really wants
them for noble service and they will respond az
TO the call of God To this same humble rice
swamp and sugar-cane black man il will he wise
tor the country 10 look Get him to see and -
know tina, he can serve his GENTRY and his race
hy rallying the support Or the Stars and stripes
In the tropics and hc Nil come with enthusi-
Asm and cheer that will melt the hearts Of his
most stubborn foes The Southern plantation negro
T. nov the Nations best bower. and the Nation
will not chll FOR his service In vain There must 'e
officers M We'll az soldiers. chosen from the black
What some States-notAhly Iinois-have done. the
United States must do II must give us an open
field for promotion With 'fead line, across our
path. T.. 9 STE EH!1
Fort Logan. Colorado Oct IL lS9s