Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-15
WHY EVACUATION OF PORTO RICO
SHOULD BE FASTENED.
MEDICAL OFFICERS CONCERNED
AMERICAN TROOPS IN UNHEALTH-
FUL POSITIONS.
Must Stny There Until Evacuation
Terms Are Arranged-SpnnIsh
Reply Satisfactory-Storiex
of Fraudulent Property
Transfers In Cuba.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE delay of
the military commissioners in Porto Rico
IN arranging for the evacuation of the
Island is deprecated by the medical Off
GERS here, because of the danger to which
1t exposes the United States troops on the
island. After the lapse of month from
the appointment of the commission, moth
ing has been accomplished beyond the ex-
change OF few formal courtesies. 1t has
peen represented to the president by Gen.
eral Miles that the cause of the sickness OF
the American troops was to be found in
this delay.
1t appears that under the truce now ex-
listing. according to military law, neither
side Is authorized either to advance or
Withdraw troops. Consequently, the Amer
ican troops are obliged to maintain the DO
sitions they occupied when the news Of
the signing of the protocol reached them.
lhese positions, while We'll adapted for
Ishtins, We're unhealthful and were not lit
lot permanent camps. The troops were
iyins around in the grass and out in low
country, when they might be brought into
the towns and comfortably housed and
cared for If the evacuation commissioners
forced the Spaniards to an issue, as they
should do.
Ihe conditions in this respect are not so
pad III Cuba, where the only American
troops are as well settled in the neighbor-
mood Of Santiago and in the town itself
as they could be-
SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO, Sept. 14.-The
United States Porto Rican evacuation COM
MISSION met this morning. The reply of the
oPd!usn commissioners, setting forth their
position in accordance with the Instructions
from Madrid, was received last night Ii is
satisfactory to our commissioners. who
nope the main details of the evacuation
VIII De arranged within a few days. The
protocol says immediate" evacuation
which is construed to mean reasonahIe
time.
1t is understood that Spanish steamer
IS expected here in a few days from Cadiz
TO embark the first detachment of troops,
the PrincipaGo de Asturias regiment num-
oering 500 men. who arrived here from Cuba
prior to the outbreak of the war, and a
battalion of engineers. The Spanish SOL
diers dread yellow fever, and this fear may
hasten the evacuation of the island. Over
1,Oo Spanish troops perished during the
epidemic of 1896.
The steamer expected here to embark the
first detachment is the Conde Wifredo of
2,I6I tons. belonging to the Pinillos line
She left Cadiz September 1 for this port
HAVANA, Sept. livery quiet and
peaceful is the situation here. the resident
Spaniards giving evidence of a good sense
by many Cubans. The latter hold meet
ings nightly at private residences. where
they adopt resolutions demanding the alb
testing against the delay of the United
States in recognizing it. Each meeting re-
suits in the nomination of president and
ministers of its own, a condition of things
which. If 1t leads to nothing else, is bound
to cause great confusion when the day
comes for sorting out the different public
servants elected.
The report that the United States evacu-
alton commissioners had discovered fraud
ulent transfer OF public buildings and other
and foreigners since the signing Of the
protocol and had protested against the il
legality of such transactions. thus causing
without foundation. Indeed. it is fatty
contradicted in every responsible quarter.
1t originated in q story that grounds be-
9ngs 70 % fhf b,S n a0 10 e paa as
ish club for a club house and consulate.
The archives De Las Indias are open to
the public and there has been no transfer
of government property recorded nor any
mortgage since August u.
On the other hand, the Jesuits, at cost
of 800 centenes are believed to have sue
ceeded within fortnight In obtaining reg
istration of their property here with
back date. 1t is. of course, impossible 10
get proofs in a case like this. but consid-
cradle property never before registered in
the ofIicial registry of landed property ap-
pears to-day entered in their name.
The reasons are obvious. Although
church property would not in any event
be confiscated as separate from the state
and government property. the Jesuits fore
see the end of their influence, and their
consequent departure from the island. and
they are anxious to establish their right
and title to the property bequeathed to
their society in order to avoid any possi-
BILE trouble at the moment when they de-
sire to sell ii.
General Butler. of the American commits
sion. and Robert P. Porter, the special
American commissioner to Investigate the
financial and economic situation In Cuba,
have already taken up their permanent
island E,lvpda10
The other members of the commission are
still on board the transport Resolute.
Mr.. Porter yesterday visited and inter-
viewed the leading merchants, lawyers and
planters. in order to learn personally of
the needs and conditions OF the island. He
viii 60 on to Cienfuegos on Friday. where
he Will probably stay five days. returning
by way of MatanZas. Mr. Porter will urge
sending supplies to Cuban camps. where
there 'e a great lack at present. a condi-
tion that may give rise to raids and dis
orders.