New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-04
OUT or WORK IN SANTIAGO.
TROUBLE FEARED OWING TO ORDERS
FROM HAVANA
BETWEEN TWO THOUSAND AND THREE
THOUSAND MEN IDLE GENERAL
WOODS ADMINISTRATION
UPHELD.

Santiago de Cuba. March S--The hral blow
has fallen. Between two thousand and three
thousand men have been suddenly thrown out
of work in the Province OF Santiag0-Over seven
hundred in the immediate neighborhoOd Of this
city Although Governor General Brooke has
telegraphed $4,000 required for the February
payrolls there is still deficit Of nearly S2O'Oo,
and the orders from Havana still hold good
limiting the expenditure for the month OF March
for the entire province to $4,000.
The effect Of this order on Civil Governor Cas-
tiuo Mavor Bacardi and other Cubans promi-
nent in official circles is simply paralyzing.
Mayor Bacardi has sent a dispatch to the
Governor General desiring to know what he is
exnected 10 do with such a large number OF
men suddenly thrown out Of work Ihoush
we are perfectly friendly to the Americans ne
said in the dispatch, "the present policy seems
suicidal for public improvements are greatly
needed and the men also are greatly IN neeo
Of work"
civil Governor Castillo wonders what will
hanpen. He cannot see that the men suddenly
thrown out of employment have any alternative
to becoming bandits, and he regrets exceedingly
the damaging blow the province has received
Owing TO his office he may not comment upon
the orders Of his superiors. but he considers the
prospects gloomy.
Major-General Wood Military Governor re-
fuses 10 make any further statement than that
he will obey orders Nearly $4,000 is still due
for February, for which he will be personally
nnswera BILE but under the present orders ne
cannot continue to keep the men at work out
wardy he is one Of the calmest men to-day IN
Santiago AS matter Of fact, he is greatly
worried over existing conditions.
Groups Of men on street corners. In clubs ana
cafes openly abuse the American Administra-
tion saying that the Spanish was Infinitely
preferable as in the worst tin g. during peace,
considerably more men were engaged on pubic
works under the old regime than are now so en-
ployed Probably the full effects Of the new
policy will not be visible before Monday, as the
men will receive their pay tomorrow; and al
though General Wood does not expect disturb
ances Cubans who affect to be cognizant with
the whole situation say 1t will he Impossible to
avoid an outbreak Of some sort
In spite Of all the antagonism displayed TO-
ward the American authorities at Havana. Gen
eral Wood remains popular among Cuoans OF
all classes w?o declare the Havana instruc-
tions "an outrage upon his administration
Among the speeches made at the San Carlos
Club to-day the sentiment that the new
orders ought to be attributed to envy Of Cen
eral Woods successful methods IN this depart
mont. and. so far as the Province Of Santiago is
concerned the Cubans say that II vote were
taken tomorrow they would select him for the
highest position in the island in preference even
10 any Cuban.
The new regulations have brought to stand
still all the improvements including the dredg-
ing Of the harbor roadmaking and sewerage.
Probably nnass-meetings will be held on Monday
70 make protests. and innammatory speeches
are likely 70 be made in spite Of the orders
prohibiting any criticism at public meetings Of
the acts Of the military authorities at Havana.