New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-11
TRIBUTE FROM A CUBAN.
THE WONDERFUL WORK BEING DONE
IN THE ISLAND.
PHENOMENA DEVELOPED DAY BY DAY

NOTES AND COMMENTS FROM HAVANA.
Havana, May 10-"La Patria." one Of the
best-edited papers in Havana, comes out to-
day with an editorial strongly indorsing the
American administration. Its utterances are
regarded as representing the best thought of the
thinking element of the community. The edi-
torial says. in part:
If any shadow of doubt could remain as to
the absolutely imperous necessity of the ex-
pulsion of the old Spanish regime In order that
Cuba might have true liberty and progress, IL
must vanish when one analyZes the series OF
phenomena developed before our sight day by
day. We eliminating traditional impedi-
ments and getting rid OF the apparently I'M
passable obstacles which four centuries OF evil
training in political administration had thrown
In our path.
La Patria" goes on to contrast the American
method with that of the obstinate Spanish
in dealing with even the simplest reforms. On
this point it says:
Formerly there was agitation among the peo-
pie; oceans of ink and tons of paper were useu'
floods Of oratory were poured out ana ,heh
everything ended at Madrid in the froth or span
ish promises On the other hand. In THESE uays >
of fruitful though silent work. we learn OF the
most radical reforms when they are publisneu
In THE Official Gazette" without being pre-
ceded by magnificent conglomeration or ora
tory and colored fire. An order of six lines, win
a very short preamble. will represent some pou
and benefcent measure One might say that loi
us a thin sheet Of paper separates the medl6Vai
world from the nineteenth century, and often-
times the writing is not indispensable to enaoie
us to pass from darkness to light
AS an illustration Of its argument. La "a
tra" cites the separation of Church and state.
and draws picture of the wild parliamentary
scenes" that would have occurred II such
subject had been agitated in the thirteenth CEN
tury. yet this has been accomplished" 1t
says. "by the Americans. and through this
thousand enormities have been effaced'
ILLEGAL TO EXPOSE UNDERsHIRTs.
Senor Perfecto Lacoste. Mayor of Havana.
with the approval of Major General Ludlow
will issue a decree prohibiting the wearing OF
undershirts exposed-that is. uncovered by outer
shirts or coats-in public places. doorways. WIN
dows or balconies, under penalty of imprison-
ment at hard labor in the discretion of the
Court AS teamsters, mechanics and most Ia
borers are accustomed to work in undershirts.
with short sleeves, the decree is likely TO IN
crease the use of profane language and harsh
expressions 1t is revival OF a municipal
ordinance of 1894 which had not been enforced
Another decree has been issued prohibiting
smoking in streetcars and omnbuses. with
reference to the latter La Lucha" will say to-
morrow that such an order Is petty ana ui-
reasonable among a population devoted to to-
bacco"
The United States transport Burnside CORNER
ly the Spanish steamer Rita in distributing the
S3,OOO,OOO allotted by the United States Govern
ment for the payment of the Cuban troops VIII
circumnavigate the island. the paymasters, un'
der escort going into the interior from the Vari-
GUS ports where she touches
The Spaniards continue to leave Cuba foI
Spain. Thirty five families arrived to-day from
the south coast. by way Of Cienfuegos' ana Will
take the next French steamer.
Senior Domingo Mendez Capote, Secretary oil
Government in General Brookes Cabinet. asks
the Governor-G General TO arrange FOR the return
TO Cuba Of thousand Cubans now IN San San, 70 10
r1ingo He also insists that SlOVO VIII De
needed annually to support vaccination hospl'
tails in the island. The United States ofhcas DC
not see that any such appropriation is required
as vaccine can be cheaply imported from New
York
The refusal of the coal dealers to accede &c
the demands of the men who have been unload
ing their vessels led the latter to go out OF
strike. An attempt TO arrange the dihculty M Ma'
| unsuccessful, the strikers attacking the new
EMPLOYEES and the police. who were finally called
| in, have placed the rngeaders under arrest.
HELPING THE RURAL POPULATION.
Mayor Lacoste and other prominent citizens
to-day proposed to Sefor Adolfo Saenz Yanoz
Secretary Of Agriculture. Industry. Commerce
and Public Works, plan for purchasing oxer
and agricultural implements and furnishing
these where needed General Brooke disap'
| proved some time ago the use of public revenues
| for such objects.
| Senior Ignacio Ramirez, the banker has called
| a meeting for Friday next of all creditors whe
are affected by the recent decree postponng th'
collection OF mortgages. The meeting Will ap
| point a committee to go to Washington and eN
| plain conditions to General Alger, Secretary OF
| War in the hope of securing a modlncatloh VI
| the order.
| The daily fluctuations in gold and silver con
| TRUE to disturb prices, and the appreciation "
i silver to nearly 80, Spanish gold, sends meat u
| blockade figures. The centem sold To-Day "a a
| S4 80 or a premium of seven cents upon III
| customs value ,
| Marous d 'Estevez declines to accept a judge
ship Of the Supreme Court, on the grounu .n,a
his European interests which call for prolongeC
absences from Cuba, prohibit his undertaking
any responsibilities Of that nature.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
A sensational report has been published in TN
| local papers here OF the discovery of five nun
| dred Mauser rifles in the possession OF a prom
mont anti-annexationist of Havana. Chief o
| Detectives Iopez characterzes the report a.
absurd and says that II was CUSTOMARY - ~
Spanish coonels to Keep tne s6 hn ccessb
| 70 the soldiers in case of need Senior Lopez sa'
| that he knew of many such oiilcers houses ~ ~.l"
! had not vet been searched, and he believed Una Una
| he could collect many more arms withln lolt9
eight hours and probably obtain ten thousai'
| rounds of ammunition. -,
Casa Blanca, the fishing village across IN
harbor. which was formerly a breeding -plac
| az disease has been disinfected ana While
washed and the Chinese have been retnoVe,'
from the village Surgeon-M Major John g. M Davl
reports that the place is now free from intectlon
| The engineering department is paving IacJ. Ii.,
st in front of General Ludlow's palace VIII
sheet asphalt A schooner is expected TO arIiy
| here soon with twenty-five thousand aspna, n
blocks for paving Obispo-st Tne deparlinei,ii ,s,i
| will also try vitrifed brick for paving ana WI WI
adont whichever material proves most saus
| factory. -, 49,, ,, ,bar
The Cienfuegos papers praise the work thel
| ~ the American authorities, saying that IN
| streets are kept clean. the poor are protecte
| ~ I l.r.tun md reneral trade are the best u