New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-08
CTrSTOMS AT HAVANA.
prrrIPTS ABOVE THE NORMAL FIG
TRES OF THE SEASON.
r1yIr, ADMINISTRATION UNDER AMERICAN
CONTROL SUCCESSFUL-TAX COLLEC-
TIONs BY THE SPANISH BANK.
Icy CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNE.

T1ONs BY THE SPANISH BANK.
Icy CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNE.
u.vsna IAN THE first week OF American
administration closes successfully in the civil
aenartment The Custom House receipts to-day
u..rs $4,000 which is somewhat above the
cornal figures at this season The weeks re-
ce,nts exceed 100000 These cover four days
y, actual business. Nearly one-half the customs
duties are paid in American money, which VIII
he put in circulation soon as the custom
House begins paying out. The wharves are
still piled high with goods unloaded from the
ships Collector Bliss has made several pro-
v,sional appointments Of Cubans as "vistas.' or
appraisers TO replace Spanish employees who
have resigned
Director Rathbone has got the Postoffice IN
hetter shape Twenty-one clerks arrived to-
day They will be able TO expedite the work in
the Havana office Colonel Lane will also be
sent 10 the interior towns where the mail SER
vice has been completely demoraized.
The news from Washington that the Spanish
Rank of Cuba will continue to collect taxes is
IN accordance with an understanding reached
sore time ago The bank has been reorganized
as private institution 1t has all the ma
chnerv for collection through the main insti
.ution in Havana and through branches The
hank gives security OF 81 500, 900 through the
American Surety Company, of No. 100 Broad
xay New York City The American authorities
will place military officer a representative
IN the bank TO supervise the collections The
measure is intended TO be one Of temporary
military control. The collection of taxes is
profitable to the bank. but a change to a differ
ent system at once would be difficult. During
the last quarter few property owners paid their
taxes to the bank for fear the Spanish officials
would seize the receipts. Ultimately the system
will be changed. The Cubans find in its tenn
porary continuance one objection to American
control
STREET BEGGING FORBIDDEN.
General Ludlow has issued order forbid
ding street begging. which had become in
toersble nuisance. The police are instructed
10 report all cases of destitution, and provision
will be made for them.
More quantities Of arms which formerly be-
onged TO the volunteers have been collected.
Some OF them we're given up by their owners.
Cuban soldiers are being organized into police
forces for the Havana suburbs.
large number Of arms with ammunition was
discovered and confiscated by the military
thorites yesterday, but this fact should not
cause the impression that the public order is
menaced Havana is as quiet and orderly as a
were IN information furnished by Cubans and
were in houses formerly occupied by Spanards.
The arms belonged to Havana volunteers. In
the arrangements for the evacuation of the ISL
and by the Spanish troops provision was made
for disbandng the volunteers but not for dis
arming them Each volunteer owned his arms,
and these were not stored in armories but were
kept personal property.
DISARMAMENT PROCEEDING. ,.-
When the feeling was most intense between
the Cubans and Spaniards 1t is believed the
volunteers arranged meetings in different parts
OF the city and placed their arms in certain
houses. The Cubans had an inkng Of this, and
are showing zest in having these arms con-
hscated The military authorities also vigor-
ousy disarming all individuals, whether Span
iards or Cubans, and former Chief of Police
McCullagh. who is directing the organization of
the Havana police force. said tonight that the
conditions for continued peace and order were
as favorable as in any city in the world.
Attention has been given to the Nahigos who
arrived yesterday from the Spanish penal set
Elements. Many Of them are harmless creatures
without employment, who can be easily handled.
General NJ c. Butler has written letter TO
Nr. Vedal. Cuban. who wanted his opinions.
The work Of the Commission has ended. but
General Butler had no objection to giving pub
lcity to views he had formed in his four months
stay. He tells the Cubans that the troops are
In Cuba American citizens. we'll as SOL
ters; that they interested In rebuilding the
Islands, and will help the inhabitants TO that
end. II the Cubans learn that the first principle
OF government is TO govern themselves. there
VIII be no trouble between them and the Ameri-
can authorities He further says that he is not
Tv,fta ID OF
are not disposed 10 assume that the Cubans
are incapable Of self-government. and he coun-
sels them 10 demonstrate that this confidence
Is not misplaced by. cooperating fully with
the American authorities. General Butler adds
bis personal opinion that ultimately the island
will reach its development. and bring the great
est prosperity TO It's people as State of the
american Union. with the form Of complete
autonomy. but this must come from their own
volition, and cannot be imposed from without
General Butler is popular with the Cubans and
ns letter will have good effect.
CURRENCY TROUBLES
The money uncertainty is causing some small
strikes One is by the printers Spanish
newspapers, who want their future wages in
soid' instead OF silver. Some dealers having
s'ais In the great Tacon market have made a
formal complaint that the Spanish Bank Of
cuoa has arbitrarily raised their rentals from
SILVER 10 gold basis. General commercial bust
usss mas so far shown no arrangement.
General Ludlow has refused TO grant licenses
'or either bullhghts or cockhghts. but some Of
'he people want cockfghts permitted.
HEALTH CONDITIONS IN HAVANA
DEATH RATE DECLINING AND A FURTHER DE
CREASE LOOKED FOR