The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-07
PEOPLE BEGINNING TO WORK.
Qusek-Growlng Crops Planted and Are Now
Ready For Harvesting.
INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL GOMEZ.
Wounds Of Cuba, Ne Said Would Heal With Tho
fapd iromOiloa Of Work Battle That
Is 10 Bs Fought

Washington. Feb. 7.-Robert p Porter
has arrived IN Washington, having CONF
directly from Havana. after his success
ful mission TO General Gomez, and has
submitted his report to Secretary Gage.
Aside f.jm the successful outcome or
his mission. the most interesting part
OF Mr. ForteT's report relates to his
observations as 20 the. conditions in the
island as they exist today From Ha-
vana TO ST. Domingo. nearly 20 miles"
says Mr.. Porter, Il went over the same
route as cid last September, The dif-
ference. however. in the condition of
the country, now end then, is very
MARKED IL Sc ptelAbcr the whole dis
trict VAS one scene of Gesolation. There
were literally 40 signs OF life. human
or animal except at the railway sta
tions, which weIe swarIniEg with starv-
Ing humanity. Never was there such
ali. misery seen as then. Today con-
ditions are imnroved. There are beg
gars but OF the chronic sort. A de-
cited change for the better Is noticeable
in the country itself The people are
beginning 20 work again. The quick
grow ing crops have been planted, and
Soiic arc ItdtN ioI hNiNtSts Il VI ~
hours i'm September. travelling on the
same road. but one yoke of oxen was
veen. Today I'm some fields large herds
Of several hundred cattle greeted the
eye. This is the surest sign that Cuba
ls pacified."
Mr.. Porter was met at Remedies by
General Gomezs staff lid "a party of
American officers. The next day after
arrival at Remedies. General Gomez. by
appointment. came into the city, and an
Interview between him and Mr.. Porter
took place Feb. /. The general said
that he was completely identified with
the work of commercial and industrial
reconstruction OF the island. Its
wounds" he said. will heal with the
rapid promotion OF work. This is the
battle we are now fighting. and ! avail
myself Of this opportunity 10 tender
my services" Mr.. Porter thanked
General Gomez for these assurances. and
called attention To the fact that in franz
ting the new tariff the president and the
secretary OF the treasury had directed
that no discrimination in favor Of the
United states should be made; that the
tariff was made in the interest Of Cuba.
and not "a tiie interest OF the United
States. All these changes. looking to
. better condition. were insugurated on
the day the United States began its
military control.
General Brooke will be ready TO take
up the matter of the distribution of
the army relief fund this week with
General Gomez In the manner agreed
upon General Chaffee uow has I'm hand
the complete scheme FOR policing the
island.
Tho present situation in the island, Mr..
Porter briefly summarized as follows:
Senator Proctor OF Vermont. just up
from the most western province. Pinar
del Rio. says he has been with General
Davis, who reports the most perfect
order is being maintained by native
troops. and that this has been done
without money and without price. in
fact all the police work is now done by
Cuban police.
"In Havana privince, General Lee has
the entire confidence OF the people, while
the Cuban police force under General
Menocal is being formed for Havana.
This force is now drilling every day I'm
tho public square os Havana, and they
appear 10 lie tlae body OF men.
'Ir Matanzas province General Betan-
court says all is tranquil.
"In Santa Clara province order has
been restored.
In Puerto Principe the Cuban army
has dlsbanded. law and order prevail
and the people are getting to work
again.
In Santiago General Wood and Gen.
eral Castillo are masters OF the situa-
ton.
Some objection TO the plan OF recon-
struction may be made by some of the