The Yale expositor., 1899-02-24
LETTER FROM CUBA.
Pinar Del Rio, Cuba,
February 9Th, 1899

February 9th, 1899.
Dear Father
For some time | have been in
tending to write you more at length
about the people and country of so
much interest during the past year or
more. | am in charge of an outpost
guard at the Engineer Corps camp, and
the night will afford me plenty of time
to execute my intention.
Have just heard a rumOr that there
has been little trouble between Gen.
Davis, the Department Commander of
Pinar Del Rio, and the Commander of
the Cuban forces here. Two troops of
the eth Cavalry are being held in read
mess, and if the Cuban Commander
follows up his threats he will find he is
dealing with men who come outside
the blockhouses to fight. However, l
do not think it is anything more than
the act of man who is sore over not
receiving as much recognition from the
American Commander as he would
like. Gen. Davis is enforcing an order
closing factories, saloons, and stores on
Sunday, and also allows no liquor to be
sold our soldiers, and other reform
measures, for which he deserves great
credit.
The soldiers are much disappointed
because congress did not allow increase
OF pay for service in foreign lands.
The weather here is like good mid
summer weather in Michigan. 1t
seems strange to get letters telling of
storms and billiards.. 1t was 100 in the
sun to-day. We have plenty of sun
shine with cool nights and heavy dews.
Think of going in swimming in Janu-
airy and February.
The country is well watered and
quite hilly in this vicinity, but is more
level toward the coast along the Carrib-
can sea. a low range of mountains lie
to the north of our camps. The soil
here is very rich. Tobacco is the great
crop. / believe they could raise almost
anything in the line of fruits and veg
etables. The water is quite clear and
is the source of water supply for our
camps. AS this province was a great
insurgent stronghold, there are great
number of Spanish blockhouses scat
tered over the country.
Pinar Del Rio city is the railway ter
minus, and vast amount of stuff
goes in ana out of the city on pack
mules, and the large, rough carts, with
their two immense wheels, drawn by
two to three yoke of oxen. The road
to the southeast of Pinar Del Rio is as
fine stone road as any / ever saw in
Ohio or Michigan. The existing tim
Der is the different kinds of palms,
little hemlock, and On soil that has
never been cultivated, pines,-hence
the name of the river, province and
city.
The people are much ahead of what
l expected in modern improvements.
The railways are not much inferior to
some lines in Michigan, but their ex-
orbitant price for both passenger and
freight ratesshould Immediately be
looked to by Gov. Pingree. Many of the
churches, stores and public halls are
very creditable in appearance when we
consider the cloud of war which has so
long hung over the land. The Catholic
is the only church here. There is an
excellent hospital.
The people generally seem to be in
telligent and keen, especially when it
comes to matter of money in dealing
with American soldiers. However, /
think prices here have passed their
hlgh-water mark, and soldier will
soon be able to get as much for his
money as native.
The u. >. government is issuing ra-
tions to quite large number here, as
also free medical treatment to the
poor.
The troops are well cared for, and
but few complaints are heard, yet it
seems to me to be folly to garrison the
country during the sickly season which
will mean the loss of health or life to
many young American soldier, and
long pension roll TO the government.
This is feature to the expansion ques-
ton that do not see discussed. The
lives and health of the men who must
garrison these new provinces must not
be forgotten. Many Jealous philan-
thropists and humanitarians are eager
to help the Cubans establish a govern
ment which they are perfectly able to
inaugerate themselves. a majority of
the people are fully up to the standard
of good citizenship in any land, and
they should not be judged by the action
or sentiment of the few. Why not give
them q chance to show whether they
are capable of self-government? Why
pronounce them guilty without trial /?
The editor of "El Parevier." at this
place can speak pretty fair English.
asked him what the people thought of
the intentions of the United States
toward Cuba. He replied, "The in
telligent people have confidence i'm the
Americans, but certain Spanish ele-