The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-12
A CORRIDOR OF MARBLE
The Mecca of Correspondents in
havana.
A TALK WITH GEN. BROOKE
Where the Notables Are Waylaid for In
terviews - Reforms Which the
Americans Propose to
Make in Havana.
Special Correspondence of the Standard.

Special Correspondence of the Standard.
Havana, Feb. 6.-There is a wonder
full marble corridor in Havana wnare
brilliant incandescents CLEAN brightly
in the evenings and fair women ard
stalwart officers in handsome uniforms
and shining buttons lend color to and
make the scene quite picturesque. The
corridor is the Mecca of correspondents,
for through here, every evening ifter
dinner, pass most of the notables, CT
big guns" whom the president has de-
tailed down here to govern and look af-
ter the affairs of the Island of Cuba.
Here in this magic corridor are they
waylaid, or watched until they have
gone upstairs, for inevitable interviews,
with inevitable intervieWsrs. and here
it was, and upstairs, that I saw and
spoke with the big guns this latter
treats of. The wonderful corridor Is
that of the Hotel Inglaterra.
General Brooke, who, by the way, is
arranging to move his headquarters TO
the Trocha hotel, before l saw him had
been represented to me by my fellow
scribes as being an fcicle who, when
ever anyone attempted to interview
him invariably began the reception by
handing out the ice pitcher. But on
the first evening I met the appointed
commander of Cuba he must nave
thawed out a bit. for he allowed a |it-
tie conversation to trickle through the
barrier of reserve, and on the follow
ing evening dfscoursed so pleasantly
that one could almost say he had been
sociable.
General Brooke is unquestionably a
strong man, with his leonine head, and
when he talks he carefully weighs each
word before he utters it.
''Of course" replied the general when
I asked him what reforms he contem-
plated making throughout the island,
what reforms we find it necessary to
make we must judge from time to time
as occasions arise, or as they come I'M
der our notice: but as yet I can say
absolutely nothing, as I have been so
occupied since my arrival that I have
been really not out of the hotel more
than three times. I shall, as l did in
Porto Rico, endeavor as much as Jossi-
BILE to look around and observe for my
self and keep in personal touch with all
reforms: but as it is impossible for one
man to look into everything my staff
will be very useful for many investiga-
tons that will soon follow. In the
meanwhile l will always be glad to re-
ceive reports and counsel from people
who are familiar with the needs of the
country, so that we may go over the
ground.T t%M
While General Brooke in proclama-
ton has promised the people of Cuba
the same liberty and protection receiv-
ed by the people of the United Sta-es.
it is hardly TO be doubted that he VII
rule with an iron hand.
ant Colonel Guild of General Lees staff.
Major General Chaffee, one of the he
roes Of Santiago, will hold quite an i'm
portant position in the government of
this island. When l stopped this lug
ged old soldier at the bottom of the
stairs leading to the marble corridor
he said
Now that the government of the
island has changed hands. and we have
taken possession, it's better while the
times are troublesome that the Cuban
people should not make any big de-
monstration, but to rather rejoice in
their hearts, without any outward pow
WOW. and later, when things are Gid
ing along little more peaceably, they
can come forward for the pleasant fes-
tival. But for the present the best
thing they can do is to behave peace
ably and interest themselves in pro-
HlolllS the commerce. VI lHe country.
AS to reforms the general echoed
ing they would come gradually as &C.
casions arise. In conclusion the gen.
eral said:
The only thing for officers and
Americans coming to the island to DO is
to conform with the laws of the coun-
try, and if any of these laws prove I'M
just, why, General Brooke, as the MILL
tary governor has always the power to
change them"
Above the headquarters of General
Brooke, on the top floor of the Ingla-
terra, are the present headquarters of
General Ludlow, the military governor
of the department of Havana, which
embraces merely the city of Havana
After one evening telling me that he
did not think the city of Havana ex-
traordinarily dirty, the general the next
day, among other things, made to me
the following extraordinary statement:
AS an officer. as an engineer, as an
American citizen and a citizen of Ha-
vana. I will do all in my power to make
reforms wherever they are needed and
l have as yet seen nothing that l
think will not stand reforming.
Il will no doubt begin these reforms
in the department of street cleaning,
looking to the better sanitation of tie
city: l Will repair the streets, and
many other things, but all in good
time"
Ludlow, as military governor of Ha-
vana city, does not strike the writer as
being happy appointment He is has
ty, quick-tempered and intolerant. and
in no way compares with the calmar,
cooler. more diplomatic and more mas
terful officer, General Green, who, it
was first supposed, would get the posi-
ton that General Ludlow now occu Dies.
General Ludlow has surrounded nm-
self with group of men who allow
their swords to trail and clank upon
the floors of the corridors, who ''awsk'
| for ''menia,s," wear their hats cooked
on one side of their heads and whom he
| calls his staff.
| General Ludlow has already managed
| to fall out with his fellow officers. col
! onel Moulton, who was appointed chief
of the unorganized police, and who is
an able officer, selected for the position
by General Green, has had his plans
| for the formation of a force vetoed by
| General Ludlow, and besides has beer
Inundated by the appointment of the
| Cuban general Menocal to the most CA