New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-01
TO MODIFY CUBAN LAWS.
NEEDED CHANGES IN METHODS OF AID
MINISTERING JUSTICE.
INCoMMUNICADO SYSTEM WILL PKopADN'
BE REvOKED-MANY AMERICANS

START NORTH.
Havana March 3i-The whole question OF I'M
prsonInent incommunicado by the CUBAN au'ho''-
ties has been brought conspicuousy to the a''eh-
ton of Governor General Brooke by such expert
ences as that OF the American. DR.. c. {. Jellire'
recently arrested for practising medicine WITHOUT
license and kept incommunicado for two days. Ihis
method of administering justice together WITH
others equally harsh such rs the arrest or wiz
nesses and the absence Of trial by jury Is sun
regularly resorted TO- under the new rule as uder
the old and the Cubans who used to complain pi'-
forty OF the incommunicado imprisonment under the
Snanish domination now apply It with all It's risors
chief of Police Menocal the judges and the court
taiers have been protesting against the refusal OF
Governor General Brooke to allow them to Keep
DR. Jelliffe and Mr.. Barton. another American ana
friend OF Jelfre. incommunicado ana the Mill
tary Administration now contemplates Issuing
decree abolishing the incommunicado system
Former Captain-General Casteanos. before leav-
Ing the island signed DEGREES releasing from Jail
Spanish volunteers confined on charges OF crime
Some secured their discharge. but others were over
looked. The latter have petitioned the Governor
General to release them and he Is about to issue
decree directing the Cuban courts, now con
stituted TO carry out the decree OF General Cas-
tcanos. dated December 16 and December "a. 1885
as modified. granting pardon to members OF the
Spanish volunteer corps.
The modification merely leaves TO the Cuban courts
the power to declare whether the DEGREES apply in
any particular case In other words. those who arc
still in prison are to be set free. providing they es-
tajlsh to the satisfaction OF the court, by proper
documents that they were members or the voun-
teer corps and are thus entitled 10 the benefit OF
the Castellanos decree
General Brooke will abolish the local Tribunal of
Administrative Contentious. composed OF certain
Judges and officials who have had the determination
OF a special class OF legal question. and the litga-
ton that formerly came within the jurisdiction of.
this is hereafter TO he dealt with by the civil
branch of the Audencia at Havana.
The GovernorCieneral will also abolish the dues
heretofore paid to the Government for issuing pro-
fessonal and academic degrees which are 10 be
issued hereafter free OF cost.
ERNST DETAINED IN CUBA
Brlgadier-General Ernst was the point Of
starting for the United States this morning. hav-
ing been called to Washington 20 testify in the
Army beef invesilga ton. when he was instructed
not TO go. It would not be practicable for both
General Ernst and General Chaffee to he absent
at the same time. The latter expects to sail for
the United States Tuesday next, and General
Ernst VIII remain until his return which VIII
probably he in about three weeks.
The completion OF the overland wire TO Santiago
Seven miles Of the line was destroyed Captain
Ricard Of the Signal Corps, was sent to make re-
will be ready for use in the course Of few days.
Tne mustering Out OF the volunteers removes some
spondingly crippled. General Greedy who arrived
here this morning will take the matter into special
General Gomez has received letter from Tala-
drid Bros. well-knOwn merchants here, reciting
various cases OF recent murders of Spanards in
the Province Of Pinar del Rio said 20 have been
committed by. Cuban soldiers. asserting that the
authorities bury the victims, but take action to
discover the murderers. and asking him TO advise
planning of these things.
General Gome7 in his reply laments these &C.
currences. but says that since his deposition he
has no official authority to take such radical steps
Fcrnandez de Castro president Of the Planters
Protective Association. has sent the following dis
patch TO Secretary Algcr at Cicnfuegos:
The planters alarmed at the delay in tho
publication OF the decree extending the time for
YOU to hasten lis publication as postponement
help to solve the problem Of reconstructing
proasnt delay renders Impossible the resumption
OF work throughout the island"
DECREASE IN TRADE NOTICED.
Two thousand civilian Americans have left
Havana in the last eight days. in order to reach
the United States before tho quarantine period
begins Comparatively few remain and those are
such as are detained by business interests. The
cafes. hotels and clubs nothing like we'll
patronized as they were ten days ago. and there
Is noticeable decrease in the retail trade due to
three months has amounted TO hundreds Of thou
sands OF dollars.
sudden departure from old traditions In the nom
Observance of Holy Thursday and Good Friday
customs. Formerly both days were observed with
pilgrimages on foot. by The rlch and poor. 10 he
sort has been observed. and business has scarcely
been suspended at Nil.
This afternoon General Ludlow conferred with
Governor General Brooke regarding the city
counts.
Captain Campbell. Of General Brookc's STAFF.
sailed for the United States to-day With other
officers he had examined the consignment OF re-
frigeratod beef which arrived by the transport
Fitzpatrick. reporting il in excellent condition
Sanchez. the alcalde OF Pnar del Rio.
Gently deposed by Senior DOZ. the Civil Governor
Of Pinar del Rio because OF the friction which eX
listed between the alcalde and the CRY Council, IN
which both sides alleged misconduct In Office. Ac-
cording Governor General BrOoke's decree Of
February l. he alone has the right to dcpose and
name civil officials Therefore the action Of Senior
Dolz IA ineffective. and Senior Sanchez VIII retain
his office until the Governor-General decides the
matter in dispute.
The steamer Montserrat sailed this morning for
SPAIN having on board 2s0 Spanish passengers.