The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-23
Last Formal Joint Meeting of Evacu-
alton Commissioners to BE Held
in Havana To-Day
PRAISE FOR GENERAL WOOD
ROBERT y. PORTERS REPORT ON
CONDITIONS AT SANTIAGO.
How the City Was Cleaned and Civil
Government ReOrganized-RecOm
mendatiOns as to Taxation.

HAVANA, Dec. 22.-Maj. Russell Harri-
son, the provost marshal, who on Tuesday
raised the stars and stripes over Fort
Atares without orders and in contravention
of the promise of the United States evacua-
ton commissioners that no American flags
should be raised in Havana or its suburbs
until JAM 1, was to-day formally repri-
manded by Major General Lee and in
structed to lower the flag. Lieutenant Lee
reported a few hours later to headquarters
that the flag had been lowered. Neverthe-
less, at the hour of filing this dispatch-4:3O
p. NIT is still flying on a tall staff over
the famous fort, plainly visible from the
harbor and CITY,
The last formal joint meeting of the
United States and Spanish evacuation COM
missioners will be held tomorrow. If after
that any new questions arise they will be
settled by individual interviews or CORE
spondence. The United States commission
will adopt a written resolution of thanks
for the courtesies extended by the Spanish
authorities at Havana and elsewhere in
Cuba under trying conditions, and bear
testimony ito the excellent discipline and
soldierlike conduct of the officers and men
of the Spanish army" Brigadier General
Clous to-day delivered the memorandum
agreement regarding the places where Span
ish troops are to be stationed after Jan 1.
1t will be discussed at tomorrow s meeting
Surgeon Major Archinard has visited the
Spanish hospital outside Havana, and to-
morrow, on behalf of Surgeon General
Stefnberg, win inspect the hospitals within
the city limits.
Ell Vedado, the suburb of Havana where
is situated the Hotel Trocha, which has been
~ .sr4
tary commission, will be evacuated to-mor-
row, when the seacoast forts will be occu-
pied by the United States troops. GUIANA
bacoa will be formally occupied on Monday
next.
Major General Lee having received a ca
BILE dispatch from General Alger saying that
the secretary of war understood that there
were thousands of persons starving in Ha-
vana and directing him to feed them with
cut delay" Immediately ordered Lieutenant
Colonel Wood to distribute rations and to
make systematic efforts to feed the helpless,
carefully avoiding waste. There are hun
hundreds in Havana to-day who, though
not actually starving, are in deplorable
state of weakness and disease, the effects Of
the cruel recommendation policy. They need
hospital treatment, which is not always
available Much of the wretchedness is due
to the neglected condition of the tenements.
Every day or so the relief distributors come
upon dead bodies, terribly emaciated. Two
were found in the suburb of Cerro yester-
day 1t is difficult to distinguish between
the professional vragrant and the really de-
serving cases. but the committees with the
local knowledge are able to render excel
lent service.
1t is the custom Of Havana folk to cele-
brate Christmas eve by street dancing and
firing crackers Tomorrow Captain Cen
eraI Castelanos will issue a bando forbid
ding the gathering of crowds, in order to
avoid any possible disorder.
The military telegraph from Puerto Prin-
cipe southwark to Santa Cruz the cable
point, is nearing completion. Thus wire con-
nection with General Carpenter will soon be
made Colonel Dunwoody, of the signal
corps, says the telegraph will be built as if
for military purposes and will require no
land lines to Santiago as projected
The War Department has directed the
transport Chester to take General Greene
and staff to Savannah. She will sail to-mor-
row morning.
Marshal Blanco, though not requested to
do so by the American commissioners, is
sued directions before leaving Cuba that the
rich palace silver service be left for the
Americans and that the rich furniture of
the reception room be also left for the
American officials. The official coaches, with
the arms of Spain, and the furniture of the
Treasury Department will be sold
A proposition has been made in the
municipal Council to change the name Of
Obispo street to Lee street This thorough
fare for time was called Weyler street
Action in the matter has been deferred.
The United States transport Minnewaska,
which left Savannah for Cuba on Dec 10
with the Forty-ninth Iowa Regiment, ar
rived here this afternoon. The steam lighter
Laura arrived at Cardenas yesterday with
United States troops