The Indianapolis journal., 1899-04-23
TO AMERICANIZE CUBA
RECoNsTRUCTIoN WORK WE'LL Re
Gun AND RAPIDLY ADVANCING.
CubanS, Young and Old. Are BusfIy
Studying Our LanEuage-American
Charities I'm the Island.

Special Correspondence Indianapolis Journal.
TULIPAN SUBURB. Havana. April IA
That Cuba is becoming Americanized with
wonderful rapidity is apparent on every
hand. and even the most disgruntled anti
American patriot unwillingly admits that
the change is infinitely for the better.
Never before within the memory OF man
has there been so little sickness at this
time of year, owing 10 vigorous American
sanitation in the way OF clean streets. i'm
mediate disposal of all decaying matter and
constant use OF disinfectants. To-day there
is not a single case of yellow fever in Ha-
vana, Matanzas or Cardenas. the three cit
les Of consequence in western Cuba Yes
terday L made the rounds of the Havana
hospitals and gathered the official informa-
ton that the total number OF patients I'm all
Of them combined exclusive Of the Lepers'
Home) is 49, whereas I'm previous Aprils
and Mays it has been away up in the thou
sands. with an appalling death rate. For
the first time since the settlement OF the
island by the early Spaniards the streets
are actually clean and the cutters filed
with running water. instead of the foul.
putrefying excrements OF a mongrel popu-
lation. Medicos and coffn-mskers are COM
planning that their business is being ruined
by these meddesome Americanos. and the
vultures-those upclean scavengers OF the
air that erstwhile fattened upon abounding
carrion-are growing lean and hungry-eyed-
No longer is the Jesus del Monte road
thronged, as of yore, with spectacular fune-
raj professions, resplendent I'm gold lace
and gorgeous liveries bowling merrily along
10 the music of brass bands, and the sex
tons of the great, overcrowded Colon Gem
etery, like Uncle Ned, have lain down the
shovel and the hoe for lack of employment.
Just now the only prevailing diseases are
those incident TO the close Of the long dry
season-an affection OF the nose and throat,
caused by clouds of blowing dust. and the
peculiar complaint locally known as ''nerv-
ioso." which, at its worst, produces con-
vulsions In children and hysteria in adults.
but is seldom fatal. There is no good rea-
son why this balmy and beautiful island.
with its bright skies, fresh sea breezes and
delightfully."- even temperature, should not
be salubrious as any country under the
sun. The lion in the way OF perfect sani-
tation is hidden inside the handsomest
houses. Built after the fashion OF medi-
aeval Spain, none OF them had originally
any sanitary arrangements whatever and
the attempts of recent years have taken
walls. After two or three centuries OF oc-
cupation, the result to sight and smell can
be better imagined than described in print.
A SAMPLE RESIDENCE.
A fair sample is the once magnificent. but
now somewhat dilapidated. casa in the Cerro
suburb Of Havana which was rented last
week by the American National Red Cross
for the headquarters and residence Of its
representatives in Cuba. The large. impos-
ing residence, surrounded by ample grounds
and fronting a park. stands In the highest
and coolest portion of the city where the
streets are widest and the residences all OF
the better class. In such favorable environ
ment one would think that its great. airy.
marble-hoored rooms would be compara-
lively free from unsanitary conditions. But
listen. Little more than a year ago-a few
weeks before all Americans were compelled
to leave with Consul General Lee-the Red
Cross Society took this house for an or
phanage and collected therein 2O0 reconcen-
trado children under eight years or age. At
first all went well. under the beneficent
care OF Miss Barton, DR.. Lesser, Sister
Bettina" and other experienced workers, ana
when they were hurried from the island, just
before the blockade was declared, only two
deaths had occurred in the asylum. a we'll
known Cuban physician was left in charge.
with ample money and food supplies for six
months needs. What became OF the food
and funds IL Is now impossible 10 say. Per-
haps the good doctor, out Of kincness OF
his heart, and, like his fellow-Cubans. taxi
ing no thought for the morrow. forgot the
original purpose OF the provisions and dis
tributed them indiscriminately among the
poor Of Havana. Heaven knows there was
need enough everywhere when a nation was
dying Of starvation. At any rate. in less
than one month the cable brought plteous
appeals for more supplies for the orphan
age-which could not be sent because OF the
blockade The worst OF all was that In the
second month Of the institutions existence
the children began dying by scores. and In
a short time not half dozen OF the original
number remained alive.
CAUSE OF THE MORTALITY.
The cause of that terrible death
rate has only Eow been discovered
Last week, when the long-desired or
phanage was rerented for Red Cross occu-
pancy and repairs begun the government
sanitary inspector was sent for TO investi-
gate the plumbing (Which the owner de-
clared TO be in perfect order). and then was
discovered a state of things which. uncOr-
reCteQ, WOulQ nave meant sure -
the new tenants. Not being versed IN the
mysteries and technical terms OF plumbing,
| I may not be able 10 clearly explain the
situation, but perhaps you may guess at II
| by knowing that the pipes from the closets.
| instead Of conducting the deadly gases out
| side. were laid in such a way as 10 vent
| them all I'm the second story OF the cir
| cuar hallway, exactly in the center OF the
| casal. If the purpose had been to cOnfine
| the gases within the stately mansion and
| distribute them evenly throughout the
| apartments it could not have been more
| successfully accomplished. Thus after two
| hundred children and a score Of nurses and
| attendants had been using those closets a
| couple Of months the whole place became
| a pest hole, with the inevitable result Tor
| all corralled therein OF short route TO glory
| via typhus and dphtheria. IL such Is the
| condition OF one of the best houses in Cuba
| what must be that OF the poorer? The own
| er thereof-a proud hidalgo OF high degree.
/ but like his ancestral casa, somewhat down
| at the heel in these later days OF Cuban
| fortunes-is willing TO lavish paint and gid
| ing galore for liberal monthly considera-