New-York tribune., 1899-02-07
'NR. PORTER BACK FROM CUBA.
SUCCESS OF HIS MISSION TO GOMEZ
GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN THE ISL
AND,S CONDITION.


Washington Feb 6-Robert p Porter arrived In
Washington last night. having come directly from
Havana after his successful mission to General
Gomez whom he met at Remedies. lie SUD-
mittod his report to Secretary Gago this morning.
Aside from the successful outcome Of his mis-
sion the most interesting part OF Mr. Porters re-
mort relates 10 his observations on the conditions
in the island as they exist to-day. From Havana
IN s. Domingo nearly two hundred miles says
Mr. Porter your Commissioner went over the
same route as he did last September. The differ
once however in the condition Of the country now
and then is very marked In September the whole
distance was one scene OF desolation There were
literally no signs Of life human or animal except
at the railway stations. which swarmed with starv-
ing humanity Never was there such abject misery
seen as then To-day conditions are improved.
There are beggars but Of the chronic sort de-
cidei 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 ten hours In
September travelling on the same road. but one
yoke OF oxen was seen. To-day in some fields large
herds of several hundred cattle greeted the eye.
This is the s,rest sign that Cuba is pacihed
Mr. Porter was met AT Remedies by General
GOmezs staff and a party OF American oHcers
The next day after arrival AZ Remedies Teherhl
Gomez, by appointment, came into the city ana an
interview between him and Mr. Porter took place
on February l. The General said that he was com
pleteIv identified with the work OF commercial and
industrial reconstruction of the islard. Its
wounds" he said. will heal with the rapid promo
ton of work This is the battle We are now hght-
ing and avail myself OF this opportunity TO tender
my services" Mr. Porter thanked General Gomez
for these assurances and called his attention 20 the
fact that in framing the new tariff the President
and the Secretary OF tho Treasury had directed that
no discrimination in favor NJ the United states
should he made. that the tariff was made In the
interest Of Cuba ard not in the interest NJ the
United states All these changes looking 10 a bet
ter condition were maugurated on the day the
United States began IT'S military control
General Brooke will be ready 70 take up the mat
ter OF the distribution OF the Army Relief Fund
this week with General Gomez. In the manner
agreed upon General Chsfee now has In hand the
complete scheme for policing the island
The present situation In the island Mr.. Porter
briefly summarizes as follow: Senator 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 CON
under General Menocal is being formed for Havana
THIS force : drilling every day In the public
square OF Havana ana they appear 10 ee padne me
Betancourt says al = tranquil In & santa flara psr
cipe the Cuban Army has disoanded. law and order
prevail and he people are rapidly gerrns 10 T9sH PIX
CUBAN General Castillo are masters OF the sltqa
ton Some objection 70 the plan ~ reconstructon
reasons but il is not rkely that their views Will
prevail Il once the United States and Cuban mill,
meet around a table with General Brooke and
General Gomez u THIS can be brought about at
an early date oil outside opposition VIII surely
disappear and the Cuban problem will be In fair
way OF solution