The evening times., 1899-11-07
has TOO many SOLDIERS
Brigadier General Wood Ready to
Send a Regiment Home.
The Province of Santiago Reclaim
ed and ReOrEanixed-The POpula-
tion Peaceable and the Troops Of
No Further Use-YOunger Officers
Needed Because of the Climate.

report to the department, speaks highly Of
the natives of Santiago province. Cuba,
who. he says. have shown a disposition
to accommodate themselves to the new
conditions. He believes few troops will be
needed in the province from now on. The
report says:
For convenience of administration the
province outside of Santiago city was di-
vided into four districts, known as the dis
| tricts of Manzanilla, Holguin, Guantana-
mo. and Mayari. The districts were made
as nearly as possible coincident with the
judicial districts of similar name under the
| Spanish regime. and each district COM
| mander received general letter of in
structions and was placed in charge OF
the military and civil affairs of his dis
trict. The city of Santiago and its vicin-
| ity retained under my immediate control.
This system resulted in a prompt and
efficient performance of public business,
and was most satisfactory in its general
working. Funds were allotted to each dis
trict commander to pay the monthly civil
and other expenses, very much on the gen.
eral plan now in vogue throughout the
island.
THE Cuban army in the province OF
Santiago at the time of the surrender num-
bered about II 900, of whom some 1000
were in the vicinity Of Santiago No diffi-
sulty was ever experienced with these
troops, and they disbanded during the
months of September and October. At the
end Of October there were no Cuban SOL
diers under arms anywhere in the prov
ince.
"Indigent rations were distributed at the
seacoast towns in quantities sufficient TO
relieve suffering and from these points they
were sent to the interior by pack trains In
charge of competent officers. who were in
structed to use their own judgment in is
suing these rations. giving only to those
who absolutely needed them.
Every effort was made 10 remove the
idle element from the seaport towns and
get them back to their farms in the nte-
yior With this end in view, efforts were
Made to place supplies of rations at sew
eral points in the interior Of the province,
SO that people going back TO their farms
could obtain supplies of food during the
period necessary 10 cultivate and grow the
first crop.
There was very little friction between
cur troops and the natives and, generally
speaking the relations which prevailed
we're of a very pleasant character. A great
deal of tact and ability were displayed by
our officers in dealing with the situation.
Especially was this true OF the work done
by Generals Ewers and Colonels Petit,
Hood Sargent, and Lieutenant Colonels
Wylly and Grubbs.
There have been numerous statements
In the press reporting extensive brigandage
In the department of Santiago. These re-
ports have been very largely exaggera-
tions.
There has been, however, some brigand-
age in the different parts of the province,
due to no particular cause other than idle
ness and viciousness. Most OF the men
engaged In this work were old hands at
it, and have returned 10 it naturally since
the end Of the war.
The Rural Guard has done excellent
work in running these men down. num-
ber OF them have been killed in resisting
attempts to arrest them. The condition OF
the department al present, SO far as brig
andage is concerned. is entirely satisfac-
tory. all sections OF the country being
reported quiet and practically free from
these law breakers.
Such public works as there were
funds for were started throughout the
province This work was principally road
building, bridge repairing. and sanitary
improvements in the larger towns. The
people have always displayed the greatest
willingness and readiness to work and
there has never been any difficulty expe-
rienced in procuring labor for public
works. I
"All the courts in the province were re-
established and schools opened in nearly
all of the towns: in the city of Santiago
5000 children have been in constant at
tendance and proportionately large num-
bers in the other large towns.
Every effort was made TO improve the
sanitary condition of the province, and the
result was very great decrease in the
death rate. and the general improvement
of the public health.
"A rural police force OF some three hum !
dred members WAS organized and placed |
upon an efficient basis. This force has per-
formed excellent service since its organiza- |
tion.
THE general plan in exercising control !
of civil affairs has been to act always. # !
possible. through the duly constituted civil |
authorities. The end of the year 1898 |
found the province peaceful and the people |
generally speaking at work. A very |
friendly feeling exists between the inhabI- |
tants of this portion of the island and the |
American troops. |
THE conduct of civil affairs In the va
rious districts Of the province has been
taken up very ably by the new command |
ing officers. and SO far as | know their |
personal relations with the people are on |
the WnOle ITlSEuly anu COTuidI DtiiSNc |
that the best and most trustworthy ele-
ment of the population is entirely friendly |
and in thorough accord with the military
authorities. The only element causing |
friction has been the unscrupulous politi-
cal element. composed of certain unprincI-
pied agita,ors. submit the following rec
in regard to the garrison of |
the department:
'The people being extremely friendly
and quiet the garrison may be safely re-
duced to the lowest point consistent with
This. think. would be accom-
plished by having in the province two
squadrons of cavalry and two battalions
Of infantry. In other words, recommend
the withdrawal, in the near future. of one
squadron of the Tenth Cavalry and one
battalion Of the Fifth Infantry: these to
be sent to the United States as home or
depot battalions of the regiments serving
in this department.
.All recruits should be sent 10 these bat
talions to receive thorough instruction be-
fore joining their regiments in Cuba.
also recommend that officers untitled ply
sically or otherwise for duty in the island
be assigned to these home squadrons and
battalions officers best suited for subor-
Innate commands here are men under fifty
years of age, who are capable of withstand
ing the effects Of the climate to much
greater extent than are older men.
The squadrons and battalions of the
regiments in Cuba should be kept at the
maximum strength. Recruits and officers
'hould be sent to them only during the