Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-29
CIB1NS Is SOLDIERS

Major General Greene's report to the
War department giving the results Of
his investigation OF conditions in Cuba
is especially interesting in what it says
of the Cuban soldiers. lie found these
troops able-bodied, Injured to hardship,
well disciplined and fully under the
control of their officers. General
Greene was favorably impressed with
the officers, whom he found to be intelli-
gent, educated men. He expresses the
opinion that this force possesses the ele-
ircnts of a fine body of native troops, if
properly organized, equipped and their
regimental and possibly battalion COM
manders selected from American Otfi-
GERS. He suggests that he Organiza-
ton of these troops should be begun at
The earliest possible moment, because
there is danger that otherwise the force
may disintegrate and turn into brigands.
General Greene says it would be posi-
bic to get from 10000 to $1,000 such men
who would be suitable for military serv-
ice, the others, who are not especially
adapted to the life Of a soldier, to be
put at work in the construction and ~
pair OF roads and the rebuilding of hos
pitfalls, asylums and public buildings.
These suggestions seem eminently jul
dicious and If carried out. would prob
ably settle the question growing out OF
the demand of the Cuban soldiers that
they shall be paid before disbanding.
If Il government should organize one
half of this force for military service and
provide work for those who are not
suitable for such service they would
very likely be satisfied. In that event
the task of pacification would be re-
lieved of what now threatens to tie a
serious difficulty.
These native troops would relieve an
equal number of American soldiers,
nearly half of whom are now incapaci-
tated for duty. General Wood told the
house committee on military affairs that
not more than fifty per cent of the
American troops in the province OF
Santiago, the only part or Cuba where
our soldiers have been stationed long
enough to test the effects Of the Cuban
climate mt all thoroughly, are fit for
duty. The rest are incapacitated by
sickness. When it is considered that
the troops in General Woods command
have not been called upon to 40 any
thing but the easiest kind of garrison
work, that they have had no lighting
and no severe exposure and that this is
the most favorable port of the year in
Cuba, the statement of General Wood
suggests what may be expected when
the unhealthy seasons come. Not only
will most of the American soldiers be in
capacitated for duty, but many of them
will die. Our government should re-
from this danger and If it is practical
BILE to organize native troops who will
take the place of American soldiers NJ
time should he lost in doing so.
The work of pacifying and %regenerat-
ing Cuba presents many difficulties, not
the least of which is presented in the at,
titude of the Cuban soldiers. If a por.
ton of these can be made United States
troops and the others are given EN-
ployment-and evidently General Greene
thinks this entirely practicable-one diff
fculty will have been disposed of, our
government will secure the gratitude
and cooperation of n large element OF
the Cuban people and thousands of
American soldiers will be enabled to re-
lturn home. 1t is to be presumed that