Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-02-09
REPORT ABOUT CUBA
Robert P. Porter Tells About His
Mission to the Island.
NOTICEABLE SIGNS OF PROSPERITY.
Interview with Gen Gomez len. Chafiee
Has In Hand the Omp,ete scheme Of
Policing the lsland-Ths Situa-
tlOn Summarized.

washington, req. Robert +. POr-
ter has arrived in Washington. having
come directly from Havana after his
successful mission to Gen. Gomez,
whom he met at Remedies. He sub
mltted his report to Secretary Gage
yesterday. Aside from the successful
outcome of his mission the most inter-
esting part of Mr.. Porter's report re.
lates to his observation as to the con-
ditions in the islands as they exist to.
day.
| From Havana TO ST. Domingo nearly 200
miles, your commissioner went over the same
route as he did last September The difference,
however, ia the condition Of the country now
and then is very marked. In September the
whole distance was one scene Of desOlation.
There were literally no signs OF life, human or
animal, except at the railway stations, which
swarmed with starving humanity Never was
there such abject misery seen as then. To-day
conditions are improved There are beggars,
but of the chronic sort A decided change for
the better is noticeable in the country itself
The people are beginning to work again. The
quick growing crops have been planted and
some are ready for harvesting For ten hours
In September travelling on the same road, but
one yoke of oxen was seen. To-day in some
fields large herds Of several hundred cattle
each, greeted u.s. This Is the surest sign that
Cuba is pacifled.
Mr.. Porter was met at Remedies by
Gen. Gomezs staff and party of
American officers. An ovation was
rendered Senior Quesada, who had ac-
companied Mr.. Porter The next day
after his arrival at Remedies Gen.
Gomez, by appointment, came into the
city and an interview between him and
Mr. Porter took place. The general
said that he was completely identified
with the work Of commercial and in
dustrial 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 to
tender my services"
Mr.. Porter thanked Gen. Gomez for
these assurances and called his atten-
tion to the fact that in framing the
new tariff the president and the secre-
tary 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 the interest Of the United
States.
Gen. Brooke will be ready to take up
the matter of the distribution of the
army relief fund this week with Gen,
Gomez in the manner agreed upon.
Gen. Chaffee now has in hand the COM
plete scheme for policing the island.
The present situation in the island
Mr.. Porter briefly summarized as fol.
lows:
Gen. Proctor Of Vermont, Just up from the
most western province Pinar del Rio, says he
has been with Gen Davis, who reports the
most perfect order as being maintained " ma
live troops and that this has been done with
out money and without price. In fact, all the
police work is now done by Cuban police In
Havana province Gen Lee has the entire con-
idence Of the people while the Cuban police
'orce under Gen Menoeal is being formed for
Havana This force is now drilling every day
IN the public square Of Havana and they APP
pear to be line body Of men In Matauzas
province Gn Pedro Bcaneourt says all
is tranquil In Santa Cara province
,rler has been restored In Puerto
Principe the Cuban army has dis
banded, law anil order prevailed and the people
IRE RAPIDLY getting TO work again. In Santi-
,eo Gen Leonard Wood aud the Cuban gen.
rial Castillo. are masters OF the situation
some objection 70 the plan Of reconstruction
nav be made by some Of the leaders for various |
easons, but /, is not li6ely that their views
will prevail il once the United States and
Juban military leaders In each province can
ret together and meet around table with