Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-25
the NEW CUBA.
Postmaster General Smith Enthusiastic Over
the Great Change Tor the Better.

t1dNdI!l. MafCH United states
Postmaster General Charles Emory
Smith, who arrived here, last Saturday.
to take a special look at the work of
the department of posts under the
management of Col. Rathbone. before
sailing for the United States, today,
said to a correspondent of The Asso-
ciated Press regarding the results of
his trip:
My dLcect and immediate purpose in
coming here was to examine into the
postal service of the island as 1t has
been inherited and re-organized and 10
see what its requirements are. but, of
course, my eyes and ears have been
e',en and l have been very much inter-
eSted in my observations and confer
ences of more general character I
am gratified and even surprised to find
how much has already been done here
by the American representatives. /
did not see what Havana was under
the former rule. but l have had an OPP
portunity, at some points, OF specially
noting the contracts with present con-
ditions and l assure you it is Of the
most signal character. l have seen
houses ripped up and laid open as they
were. and l have seen houses of the
same kind next door, where removal
ton and reconstruction has been
wrought. The difference is that be-
tween medaevalism and high modern
civilization. The change of sanitary
conditions is enormous. No one can
begin to appreciate without personal
observation what has been accom-
plished by American intervention in
the saving of life and the improvin :
o.. health condition.
THE military governor. Gen. Brooke,
and his associate, have taken up the
work of administration with great ca
pacity and Judgment. / have had con-
siderable opportunity for seeing what
Gen. Brooke has inaugurated and ac-
complished. believe that every
American. if he could personally see
and understand ii. would be deeply
gratified with this work. Gen. Brooke
has been deliberate. considerate and
we'll poised and at the same time he
has been firm and decided. He has care
fully gathered the best information
from The most trustworthy sources and
has applied it to present conditions
with excellent Judgment. He has call
: co I uDdn aboul MN, bnt
has kept the determination of immed-
ate questions in his own hands and has
| labored faithfully and successfully 10
carry out the spirit and purpose OF
President McKinley's instruction and
policy.
Cen Brooke is re-esta bishing the
/ civil machinery in cuba on just lines
and is carefully providing for the
equitable adjustment Of personal and
/, property rights as well as for public
protection. He has just completed the
| organization of a supreme court which
becomes the appellate tribunal. and un-
der which the law will be justly admin
| istered. All branches of the civil adj
ministration are being taken up in tbs
same careful way.
| Here in the city of Havana. Gen
! Ludlow has shown great vigor and q
| gradual reformation of police and san
! itary arrangements is going on. Ny
only opportunity of observation out
/ side of Havana during this hurried trii
has been in Matanzas. where Maj. Gen
Wilson is in command. His large pub