Evening star., 1899-10-09
IN SANTA CLARA PROVINCE
Conditions Described in General Wilson's
Report.
DesOlntion in the San Luis Valley
Sanitation Much Neglected in
the Cities.

The War Department has given out ao-
ditional extracts from Brig. Gen. Wilson's
report on the province Of Santa Clara,
Cuba.
Speaking of Trinidad Gen.. Wilson re-
marks that it is one of the oldest towns of
Cuba. Situated near the south coast. 1t has
a population of about 10000. The streets
of the town are narrow, more G. less
crooked and need repairs. Trinidad was
formerly one of the great sugar centers.
and still shows signs of its former gran
deur Many of the private residences indi-
cate the presence of wealth in days past
The plaza was once very pretty. but Is
now going into decay. The city of Trinidad
is located four miles from Casilda, the port
of the town. The roads between Trinidad
and the towns in the immediate vicinity
are bad. The only means of communica-
ton at present is by water. The railroad
between the port and the city has fallen
into disuse. The cars and rolling STOCK
have been DESTROYED or are unfit for use.
The projected railroad through the San
Luis valley has been abandoned.
Scene of DesoIation.
The valley of San Luis Gen. Wilson says.
as seen from the high hills back of Trini-
dad, presents one of the most beautiful
views in the province. While not wide, the
valley Is level, very fertile, and formerly
produced a great amount of sugar cane
All of the fields have been burned off, the
houses destroyed and the valley devastated
by the war. Except adjacent to the Amer
ican Sugar Company's central effort
has been made to restore 1t. On account OF
the destruction of the sugar fields in the
San Luis valley, and the neglect of the cof-
fee plantations formerly on the hills, the
town is in an impoverished condition. In
land telegraph communication 1t has none.
All urgent business must be transacted by
cable.
Gen. Wilson says that 300 machetes 400
hoes and 5000 pounds of seed corn. valued
at $6S7, furnished to the people of Sanctt
Spiritus, enabled them to make a start in
field work and to remove their families
from the city to their lands. The plan has
worked SO well In the production of results
as to justify. Gen. Wilson thinks. further
measures of relief. Wafer is sufficient for
present needs. The two hospitals and the
one orphan asylum in Trinidad are in good
condition.
At Sagua lie Grande.
Referring to Sagua lie Grande. also in his
department, Gen. Wilson says that 1t is
located on the northern coast of the prov
ince and has population Of 10000. 1t is
situated nine miles from the sea on the
Sagua lie Grande river. This is the nearest
point to the coast where a firm foundation
and high ground could be obtained. Its
port is called Isabella de Sagua, and it is
built practically on piles, as the country
between the two is low and marshy. The
Sagua river Is navigable for small schoon-
ers as far as Sagua. Sagua le Grande has
water works and sewers for rainwater, but
none for house discharges. The streets are
paved with macadam and are in fair condi-
ton There is a good bridge across the
Sagua river. Water is obtained from
large spring six miles from town, and is
distributed by pipes.
Santa Clara.
Situated in the center of the province Is
Santa Clara with population of 1900.
The surrounding country resembles the
buttes and rolling lands of Nebraska. BY
the Spanish it was considered healthy
place, and was used for acclimatization
purposes and for a convalescent station. 1t
has larger number Of hospitals and bar
racks than other towns of a similar size.
The streets are nearly all narrow and very
badly paved. The town proper is located on
q knoll sloping down on all sides. and Is
well adapted for drainage The water sup
ply is poor and is mostly drawn from wells
and cisterns
The most conspicuous building in the
town is a handsome theater erected by
Donna Marta @. Abreu de Esteves, the re-
ceipts of which are devoted to charitable
purposes. This lady has shown much
terprise in also erecting in the town a fine
hotel, hospital and other buildings for
the public benefit. A railroad is greatly
needed by ColabaZar to Cunercum on the
north coast, and the construction Of wa
RcmediOs.
Remedies, near the north coast, has
population of about 1900. 1t is one of the
old towns; its streets are narrow and Its
pavements bad. 1t has no water works
and no sewage. The ditch around the
town, built by the Spaniards has been put
in order since American occupation took
place. The houses are old and the side
walks are narrow. Caibarien, about four
miles distant Is the port of Remedies. The
townspeople are dependent for water on
wells and rain water.
Camajuani and Placetas lie in the to-
bacco region, which is rapidly recovering
from the effects of the war. There is
great lack of cattle with which to do farm
work.