The times., 1899-09-24
GENERAL LBDBeW'S VIEWS.
Stable and Eesponsib1e Govern
ment fnraCnfa Urged.

| The War Department. has received from
Brig. Gen. William Ludlow, commanding
the Department of Havana and the Mill
tary Governor OF the city of Havana, his
annual report, which describes the situa-
ton in Havana in Decen Der, 1898. the op-
erations there sinca then, the organization
of the police, organization of the civil gov
ernment, and the Sanitation of Havana
The situation in Havana in December Gen
eral Ludlow describes as one of strain and
confusion. The physical condition, he
says, can only be described as frightfui-
with several thousand reconcentrados
herding like swine and perishing like flies.
They were found dead in the streets and
| in their noisome quarters, where disease
and starvation were rampant. The regu-
lar service of this city was practically par
| alyEed, The Spanish officials had looted
the public buildings. even TO the infected
clothing and bedding from hospitals. The
newspaper correspondents INDUCED in ex-
aggeration and sensation, SO that bar
| room row was a battle and meeting OF
Cubans revolutionary rising.
| The taking over of Havana is described
in detail. A complete record is given OF
military and civil orders and correspond
! ence and memorandum is submitted OF
special recommendations as to matters re-
quiring administrative or legislative fen-
| edy. Under the administrative head, Gen
eral Ludlow considers that one of tae most
important adjustments that could be made
would be an equitable apportionment OF
! the surplus custom revenues among the
several departments, in proportion to their
population area and special needs; an I'M
mediate increase of local revenue, in which
connection it is urged that the state taxes
on real estate which have been reduced
| from % to per cent be increased TO II
! per cent; it is a matter of importance that
a thorough revision be made OF the values
of real estate in Havana and OF rental val
ues, upon which taxes are collected that
| the system be changed so as to include all
property, whether productive or unproduc-
I tive, and that there be an equitable re-
vision of the tax schedule, SO as to correct
the method of collection, which is known
to be defective and probably corrupt; the
cities of Regla, suburb, and Havana
should be reincorporated and placed under
! one jurisdiction; the composition OF the
| city council is defective, because 1t Is too
numerous a body and because the members
discharge an unpaid service
! The civil governor of Havana now dis
! charges many functions which are purely
| local and should be In charge of the city
/ government a bureau of statistics should
| be established under the legislative head;
| it is urged that city magistrates be d.
rectly appointed or nominated by the city
! council; that one or more police courts
! be established that due recognition be
given to the autonomy and individuality OF
| the several municipalities in each province
and in the several provinces themselves.
! In concluding these observations General
| Ludlow says: 1T will be observed that
! the above remarks, while urging as indis-
| pensable to the establishment OF an or
derly stable and responsible government
! in the Island of Cuba, the recognition OF
! local authority and the. educational prac-
| tical exercise by the Cubans of the duties
and responsibilities of local administration
omits from consideration what should De
the form and conditions of the general in
| sular government The writer has his
own and very distinct views upon TINS
point, but does not deem it expedient IN
| this report to DISCUSS questions OF such
gravity. which must shortly come up for
consideration and sdiscussien by the higher
executive authorities and by the Congress
| of the United States. "