New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-26
GEN. GREENE on AFFAIRS ~ CUBA.
REPORT OF HIS OBSERVATIONS MADE
TO THE WAR DEPARTMENTAL GOOD
WORD FOR THE NATIVE TROOPS


Washington. Jan. 25-Assistant Secretary Meikle-
John made publlc to-day a synopss Of Major Cen
erai Francis V Greene's report concerning the
duties recently assigned to him In Cuba. Speaking
OF an inspection which he made OF the CUBAN
troops General Greene found them 10 he OF all
colors-mulatto and white. They were an able
bodied lot NJ men. although smaller in stature
than Americans. They had been Injured to hardship
In the last three years seemed well disciplined and
50 fully controlled by their officers that. although
their sunerings for lack Of food were great. no
cases OF pllage had been reported Their equip
ment was wratched The officers impressed Cen
ernI Greene most favorably For the most part
they intelligent educated men. well mounted
and wel-dressed General Greene gives IT as his
opinion that this possesses the elements OF a
fine body Of native troops. provided they arc prop
eriy organized. equipped and their regimenfai anu.
possibly. battalion commanders selected from
American officers. II is his opinion that the or
ganizatlon Of these troops should be begun ut the
earliest possible moment Otherwise there is dan
ger that the force may dsintegrate and turn into
brigands Under the existing conditions OF lack OF
food and clothing. It Will he difficult to hold them
much longer.
The chief Of one OF tho cavalry regiments, Cofo-
mel Degado was IN his youth the most ho'eu
brirand In Pinar del Rio Province. General Greene
believes that this officer and the under him,
under proper discipline would be eflcient as d
part OF a rural constabulary. The roaming IRE
they have led for several years has disauanhed
them for the work Of peaceful farmers IT wouln
he possible get from ten thousand 10 fifteen thou
sand such men who would he suitable for military
service About Ave thousand men suitable for MILL
tary service could probably be obtained from mo
discharged Spanish soldiers.
Tho remaining half Of the Cuban forces. about
ten thousand TO fifteen thousand who are not espe-
ciallv adapted to the life OF soldier and are peace
full lahorers and farm hands. seemed anxious to re-
hair "A homes
DESTROYED their families having perished In the
reconcentration their fields grown up with weeds'
and as they have no money TO purchase lWpe-
ments for farming purposes. Tor the time oel"E
this IL mprac ticable II Is OF the utmost urgency
70 nrovide work for these Immediately. In
General Greene's opinion. money could he put I'M
medately into the hands Of the starving lnnorng
classes by employing them IN me constr a'
repair of roads and the REBUILDING OF "o'P''"'''
in a few months. by pursuing this course. they
would be enabled to return TO thet MONIES n,id
start life over again. Money thus disoursed Wouo
find It's way through the ordinary channels OF trace
This would revive business. money would accuInu,
late In the banks. from which II coud De ioaeu ~
such planters could give reasonable security
This would also enable them 10 repair the dam am
ages done 10 their plantations and enable them aiso
purchase cattle and farming implements ana 20
begin planting The prosecution Of thls TorS ana
tude OF the Cubans. and at the same time enforce
respect for the authority and Government OF the
Nothing would more sharply indicate the differ
ence between the Spanish and American methous
than the prompt payment of wages In good com
the faithful carrying out Of the Government oDn-
cations and the prompt suppression OF anything
tending to disorder . ~
The most important question affecting the future
OF cuba is the and education OF the great num-
Der OF orphans whose parents perished IN tne re,
concentration. They are found In every town and
village in n semi-starving condition ana living on
a precarious charity. IL they are not cared Tor
they are liable to grow UP az vagabonds ana prost-
tutes.
BY reason of investigation made OF the west
nrn part OF Pinar del Rio Province. General 'reehc
says that the climate is entirely different from mat
Of Havana. being dry and saubrous at all seasons
of the year.