Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-11-10
The Natives Too Indolent and En-.
ervated to Do Much Work.
CARE IN SELECTING CAMP SITES.
Secretary Alger Approves the Locations
Chosen by the Heckcr Board In the
Neighborhood Of Havsna--Arrauge-
msnts In Puerto Principe.

VI NuUh ~ Ato cuOTt w eHIow VI VIC
lethargy Of centuries are those which,
to greater or less degree, affict all
communities, namely, capital and Ia.
Dor With regard to the first, there
are very large number Of people only
desiring an opportunity to invest in
the island as soon as settled form Of
government Is decided upon, but who
naturally, under present conditions,
knowing nothing regarding the future
safeguards to property or the amount
Of taxes to be levied. or the stability
OF the future government when 1t Is
formed, hesitate to risk their money.
In this province alone 1t is estimated
that there are fully 10000, 900 only
waiting for an assured form Of govern.
ment to be at once invested in business
enterprises.
A still greater problem to be solved
is the labor question, for even the ex.
listing industries are crippled for want
Of hands, this particularly applying
to the mines. The pay is from rs
cents day upward, or about the same
as paid in the phosphate mines Of
Florida, and the mines will board the
laborers ut % cents day. 1t may be
taken as an established fact that the
present generation Of Cubans will
never become miners. They are far
too enervated and INDECENT and the
negro race here find the means
OF lazy subsistence too easily
at hand to have any incentive to Ia
Dor. The Cuban may do little light
work; he may make few cigars, or he
NAV even condescend to do a little
house work, you do not expect too
much in the way OF cleaning, but
what he prefers is to put on few
stars, a huge pair of boots, enormous
spurs and handsome chapeau won
drous to behold, mount an easy going
Cuban pony and parade the principal
streets. Give this to the Cuban, white
or colored, and you have him as pleased
as child with new toy, as proud as
q peacock and about as sensible US an
ostrich.
The mine owners and other large
employers Of labor are considering
some plan whereby they can overcome
the difficulty Of obtaining men. The
Spanish. American Iron company has
sent to Spain for 500 men. No one can
take three hours ride over this part
Of the island without being impressed
with the fact that the earth is about
the most productive on the face Of the
globe, and that man with family
and 5000 or $500 is probably better off
here than anywhere else in the world.
CARE IN SELECTING CAMP SITES.
Washington, Nov. s--Col. Hecker,
with Gen. Lee, Of the board which
was sent to Cuba to select camp sites
for the American army of occupation,
has reached Washington and has had
several conferences with the president
and Secretary Alger. During Col.
Hecker's absence in Cuba he made
several reports by mail, and although
he probably will supplement these by
another report he las already com.
municated verbally to the president
and Secretary Alper the salient facts
of the Forthcoming statement. Acting
on this report arrangements are max
inc for the reception of the troops.
Secretary Alger has approved the
,...t,ons so,oo,od bv tho HscLer hoard
- AZ. r,no;nol oorr;sor which will
w. ~, ~ tha no;rh horhood ~ Havana
w NJ IL Wy, w.. n 1920 IT, ,ho,. o;nht
IL. LUZ p sou,h ~ Havana in tho neieb.
.