The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-02-09
The Affairs of Cuba Brlgh-
tening.
Generals Gomez and Brooke are Get
ting Together on n General Re-
vision of Affairs.
Reyiying.

Robert Il. Porter arrived in wash
ington last night having come direct
Iy from Havana after his successful
to General Gomez, whom he
met at Remedies. He submitted his
report to Secretary Gage this morn
ing.
Aside from the successful outcome
of his mission, the most interesting
part of Mr.. Porter's report relates to
his observations as to the conditions
in the island as they exist to-day.
"From Havana to st. Domingo,
nearly 200 miles," says Mr. Porter,
"your Commissioner went over the
same route as he did last September,
The difference, however, in the con-
dition Of thu country now and then
is very marked. In September the
whole distance was one scene of de-
ISOLATION. There were literally no
signs Of life, human or animal, ex-
cept ut the railway stations, which
swarmed with starving humanity.
Nevsr 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 harvest. For 10 hours
in September, traveilng on the same
road, but one yoke Of oxen was seen.
To-day in some fields large herds Of
several hundred cattle each greeted
us. This Is the surest sign that Cuba
is pacified."
Mr.. Porter was met at Remedies
by General Gomez, staff and party
of American officers. An ovation
was rendered Senior Quesada, who
had accompanied Mr.. Porter. The
next day after our arrival at Re-
medios, General Gomez, by appoint
ment, came into the city, and an i'm
terview between him and Mr.. Porter
took place February l. The General
said that he was completely identi-
fed with the work of commercial
and industrial reconstruction of the
island. ats wounds" he said, "will
heal with the rapid promotion Of
work. This is the battle we are now
fighting, and 1 avail myself of this
opportunity to tender my services"
Mr.. Porter thanked General Gomez
for these assurances, and called his
attention to the fact that In framing
the new tariff, the President and the
Secretary of the Treasury had direct
ed that no discrimination in favor Of
the United States should be made !;
that the tariff was made in the in
terest of Cuba and not in the interest
of the United States.
All these changes looking to .
better condition were inaugurated
on the day the United States began
its military control.
General Brooke will be ready to
take up the matter of the distribution
of the army relief fund this week
with General Gomez in the manner
agreed upon, General Chaffee now
has in hand the complete scheme
for policing the island.
The present situation In the island
Mr.. Porter briefly summarized as
follows:
General Proctor, of Vermont, Just
up from the most western province,
Pinar del Rio, says he has been with
General Davis, who reports the most
perfect order % being maintained by
native troops, and that this has been
done without money! and without
price. In fact, all the police work is
now done by Cuban police. In
Havana province General Lee has
the entire confidence Of the people,
while the Cube n police force, under
General Menocal, Is being formed
for Havana. This force 10 nov drill
Ing every day In the public square
in Havana, and they appear to be
hne body of mon. In Matanza's
province General Pedro Betancourt
says all 10 tranquil. In Santa Clara
province order has been restored. In
Puerto Principe the Cuban army has
disbanded, law and order prevail
aud the people are rapidly getting to
work again. In Santiago General
Leonard Wood and the Cuban Gen.
eral Castillo are masters Off the situa-
tion. Some objection to the plan of
reconstruction may be made by some
Of the leaders for various reasons,
but 1t is not likely that their views
will prevail If once the United States
and Cuban military leaders in each
province can get together and meet
around table with General Brooke
Ind General Gomez. II this can be
'rought about at an early date all
outside opposition will surely disap-
'ear, and the Cuban problem will be |