The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-30
BRIG..Gt. WOODS REPORT.
HE lad I'd DIFFICULTY WHATETER
"LIH LIE CUBAN TROOPS.

Political 40 tors Wore tho Only Element
OF IT'D Permanent Improvements
mads tntiAGo-The Death Rate Re-
ducsd N half by Sanitary Measures.
WAsHnHqt Sept. 2e.-The annual reports
o. the diatntt military department command
ers havs a BEN received at the War Depart
ment er'p0 that OF Gen. Otis. The reports
1ncludetAosD Of the department commanders
OF Oubl a org them being one from Gen.
LUDLOW e&bnmandinR the Department OF
Havana Adj one from Gen. Wood. command
ing tm ID bartment OF Santiago. Gen. Wood
In hisHpot says:
d FhonNhn army in the province OF Santiago
at thttnN Of the surrender. mum bered about
III HON some 5000 we're In the vicin-
ity %hs ~ OF Santiago. No difficulty was
everHu1 fenced with these troops. and they
dish3ieh during the months OF September
>ndWtcber At the end OF October there we're
no 0yah soldiers under arms anywhere In the
proyhEs There was very little friction be-
twesfs bur troops and the natives. and. Rener-
ally &Aeking. tho relations which prevailed
weHEHa very pleasant character. A great
ded& tact and ability was displayed by our
oflehJ in dealing with the situation. Especi
allL&s this true OF tie work done by Gen.
Ey& md Coils. Petit Hood and Sargent. and
LIN Tolls. WILLY and Grubbs." =
MWood says that the idle element was
ed u from the seaport towns by the distri-
ID u OF INDECENT rations at points in the in
III rts were re- established" he says. and
g us opened In nearly all Of the towns.
RN II effort was made ~ improve sanitary
q vions. with results already reported. The
bolice organized has done excellent SER
HCivi affairs have been conducted as far
W ssible through civil authorities. who have
Nm ability and established friendly and
Htrdial relations with the people. Political oeI-
tors have been the only element OF friction.
10 end OF the year 1898 found the province
'ceful and the people. generally speaking at
H.. A very friendly feeling exists between
finhabitants Of this portion OF the island
n the American troops.
1.-TWO squadrons Of cavalry and two battal-
ems Of infantry are oil the garrisons required.
DEPOT battalions whore recruits can be trained:
The squadrons and battalions on duty should
only during Novem Der. Dscem Der and early in
January. to give them fye or sig months in
.boSS IN the hot
Der OF years. as they must undergo the acci-
mating fevseTs before being thoroughly ser.
stationed near large towns. all should be
moHntsd including inian,ry TrSnspostation
having b been gathered here d up NN '0'nN '"' "a'
Gen, Wood gives a description Of the rerma-
rent improvements made In Santiago city.
streets i'm proved. modern sewage and water
systems introduced and the death rate reduced
one-half Surveys have been made for a greatly
increased water supply. The Department has
been equipped with IN odern appli ances. swamp
lands filled In. an emergency hospital sstab-
lished and public buildings improved. An ice
Plant has been built ana the appearance oil
Santiago generally transformed.
What has be en- done in Santiago has been
done to lesser extent in Manzanillo, where
Col. Petit did q good deal to i'm prove the sani-
tary condition Of the town. His faithful and
intellgentSwork has been rewarded by a great
improvemen t in the health OF the people and a
marked diminution OF tho death rate. The
same is true OF the work OF Coils. Hood and
Grubb at Holguin. OF Col. Wylli and Capt. Chat
feld at Baracoa. and OF Coils. Ray, Sergeant and
Hooton at Guantanamo. In fact. wherever
troops have been stationed. the policy has been
to have their occupation marked by improve
mepts such as m entioned above. The wretched
roads In the province have been some what i'm :
proved. 200 miles having been made passa b q
for wagons. Road building and repair Is still
IN important problem.
The report contains important recommends.
lions for the improvement of barracks and
quarters. Khaki Is recommended for all troops
but OF uniform shade. Canvas leggnRs OF the
lame color and fair leather shoes are recon-
nended. The helmet should be covered with
khaki. campaign hat should be added
There is now too great variety in uniforms
Pommel stiokers should be furnished To
mounted troops. The present ration 10 ample
OverIeatng should be avoided and spirituous
liquors prohibited. The refrigerated beef IL
most satisfactory.