The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-24
REGENERATION OF CUBA
The Wonderful Work Which is Beine
Done in the Island.
HIGH PRAISE FROM A CUBAN.

La Patria Contrasts the Spanish and
American Ways of Doing Things, and
Says Our Work is Wonderful-Phe,
nomena Developed Day by Day-HoU
the Islands Condition is Being Bettered
HAVANA, Cuba (By Cable).-La Patria,
one of the best-edited papers in Havana.
has come out with an editorial strongly In
dorsing the American administration. Its
utterances are regarded as representing
the best thought OF the thinking element
of the community.
La Patria contrasts tho American method
with that OF the obstinate Spanish" in
dealing with even the simplest reforms. On
this point 1t says:
Formerly there was agitation among
the people; oceans Of ink and tons OF paper
were used, floods of oratory were poured
and then everything ended at Madrid In
the froth OF Spanish promises. On the
other hand, in these days Of fruitful though
silent work, we learn OF the most radical
reforms when they are published in tho
Official Gazette, without being preceded
by magnificent conglomeration OF oratory
and colored 1re. An order OF six lines.
with very short preamble, will represent
some bold and bene!lcent measure. Ono
might say that for US u thin sheet OF paper
separates the mediaval world from tho
nineteenth century, and oftentimes the
writing is not indispensable to enable US to
pass from darkness to light.
Senior Perfecto Lacoste, Mayor OF Ha-
yana, with the approval OF Maj jor-General
Ludlow, has issued decree prohibiting
the wearing OF undershirts oSposed-that
is, uncovered by outer shirts or coats-in
public places, doorways, windows or bal
comics, under penalty OF Imprisonment at
hard labor in the discretion OF the Court.
It Is q revival OF municipal ordinance OF
1894, which has not been enforced. An
other decree has been issued prohibiting
smoking in streetcars and omnibuses.
The United States transport Burnside
formerly tho Spanish steamer Rlta) IN
distributing the 33,000.00o allotted by the
United States Government for the pay
ment Of the Cuban troops will circum-
navigate the island, the paymasters,
under escort, going into the interior from
the various ports where she touches.
Casa Blanca, the fishing village across
the harbor, which was formerly " a breeding
place Of disease, has been disinfected and
whitewashed, and the Chinese have been
removed from the village. Surgeon-M Major
John G.. Davis reports that the place Is
now free from infection.
The secret police have discovered crimi-
nal association, the object OF which was tc
kidnap girls about twelve years old and
send them to Mexico. Several girls were
rescued and the kidnappers arrested.
An asylum for the orphans OF reconcen-
tredos has been established at Matanzas
under the protection and at the instigatlon
OF General Wilson, the military commander
Of that province. 1t will shelter all the
destitute children in Matauzas. General
Wilson Is highly praised for his action in
this matter.
The Cienfuegos papers praise the work
there OF the American authorities, saying
that the streets are kept clean, the poor
are protected and shipping and general
trade are the best in many years.