Evening star., 1898-09-28
CUBANS SELECT OFFICIALS
Gen. Woods Plan in Establishing Govern
ment in Santiago.
Committee of Fifty Reliable Native
Citizens Make the ChOice-Insur-
gents in Ugly Mood.

The system of civil government established
by Gen. Wood is practically complete and
in good working order. Maj. McCleary,
formerly attorney general for Texas, and a
Spanish scholar, has been appointed mayor,
and the Spanish officials are giving place
to Cubans. Gen. Wood says he does no;
know the capabilities of the men taking
office. They are chosen by a committee of
fifty prominent Cubans, whom he believes
TO be honest and conscientious.
This committee recommends men who,
its members think, would be efficient in
the various offices to be filled. The choice
Of men by the committee must be unani-
nous, and must be made over the sigma
lures of the entire fifty members. Gen.
Wood finds that the plan works admirably.
Lieut.. Blount has been appointed to codify
the Cuban laws.
Senior Rigney, one of the largest sugar
planters in Cuba, who has arrived here from
Manzanillo, reports the conditions there
worse than ever. The insurgents, he as
serts, refus to grant permission for the
carrying on the work on the plantations,
and the Spanish officials decline to furnish
protection to those desiring to work. Senior
Rlgney declares that since the cessation OF
hOStiit!1S the insurgents have conflScated
his provisions and destroyed a number of
valuable pictures. made his carpets into
saddle cloths, torn and trampled curtains
and broken glasses worth $500 each. They
of Campechuela. where they compel small
vessels which fall into their hands to hoist
the Cuban flag.
Gen. Wood Leases n Home.
Gen. Wood has leased the residence for
merly occupied by the late British consul,
Frederick w. Ramsden, and his family, one
mile from the city.
What archives the Sp2niards left have
been removed to Gen. Woods offices in
MIOnGw1Sk a
leave shortly with ordnance for Porto Rico.
The Cubans earnestly request Gen. Wood
to send to Manzanillo food and clothing.
They declare there is much suffering there,
but private advices received by Gen. Wood
deny absolutely the stories of destituton.
and declare that work is obtainable but
that the Cubans will not work, and he has,
therefore, refused to send the supplies ask
ed for.
William Stakeman. before the war Amer
lean consul at Manzanillo. arrived here to-
day and paid visit to Gen. Wood. He re-
counted many lawleSS acts on the part of
the insurgents. who he declares, demand
tribute from every one, terroriZe peaceful
people and threaten the confiscation of
property of merchants and planters. Many
persons say that the recognition Of the Gu
bans has not been granted because the
bandits make work and progress impossible.
There is a general feeling of alarm in Man
ZanillO over the departure of the Spanish
troops and the American soldiers are anx-
iouSly awaited.
To Deal With the Insurgents.
Gen. Wood has asked permission from the
Washington government to appoint De-
metric Castillo special chief of the Cuban
staff to represent him in dealing with the
Cuban insurgents in the country districts
The steamer AViles, which has arrived
here from Havana. reports that she nearly
ran ashore off the Catalanos reef. Her
captain says that the light on the reef
which is marked on the chart as white is
now yellow. He also reports that few lights
are burning between Nuevitas and Caman-
ero. The lighthouse men have not been
paid for months, and are deserting their
rOStS-
News received from Puerto Principe is
TO the effect that there is much sickness
among the Spanish troops. There are now
5000 Spanish soldiers in the province and
fully half of them suffering from scurvy
and dysentery. The Cubans hold the coun-
try and refuse to permit fresh provisions
10 be carried to the cities.