Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-04
(By Telegraph to virginian-Pilot3

(by Telegraph to Virginian-Pilot)
Havana, May S.-The most recent re-
ports regarding the health of Havana's
population show a great and continuing
Improvement. with a death rate only
two-thirds of that officially recorded for
the corresponding period OF last year,
Not single case of yellow fever is
known to exist.
The health of the American troops
throughout the island is exceptionally
good
CORRUPTION CHARGED.
The Havana Herald publishes IL SEN
sational article to-day charging the
grossest corruption in the management
OF the city jail. 1t asserts that the
prison officials take money from prison.
ers and then place them at liberty I'M
der a pledge to return If they are ever
asked for AS many accused persons are
never brought to trial at all. and as it
OFTEN happens that the judges have no
notion as to who is supposed to be
locked pp. the jailors find 1t an easy
matter to speculate in this fashion.
woRK\oF BANDITS.
On the Constancia plantation. near
ClentuegoS, Santa Clara province BAN
dts have burned 100000 arrobas OF
sugar cane (the arroba is Spanish
'N'c'e ~ ~ PNuiiNSp COHldlnlIR 10
ounces)
During the month of April Havana
exported to New York T77I ticrces of
tobacco baled and 1S4O2.7lo cigars.
TO DIsBURsE THREE MILLIONS.
Major Francis S. Dodge. of the pay
department. who has been selected by
the Wara Department to disburse the
S3,OOoo00 allotted by the Government
for the payment OF the troops of the
cuban army. arrived here to-day.
testimony, was the substitution of othe
THE FUTURE OF CUBA.
The future of Cuba will probably be
largely influenced by a woman and one
who hold a salon which Is visited nv
the best known men. not only of Ha-
vana. but of the entire island. General
Maxine Gomez is 4 constant visitor
ana welcome guest of this lady. and
dimes with her from 3 to times a
week. Madame Cespedcs. the lady in
question, is the widow OF the first pres
ident OF Cuba In the ten years war.
She Is brilliant and witty woman. who
has lived many years in Paris. 1t is
considered in Havana TO be Il great
honor to be on Nine. Cespedes' visiting
list. Decisions reached at Mime. Ces-
pedes' salon are far more effective than
any DEGREES passed by the recently de-
funct Cuban assembly.
FIRST PRESIDENT.
1t is believed by persons who are In
n position to know, that n full under
standing has been reached by Nine.
cespedes and General Gomez. regard
ing Cuoas future and the first real
president of the proposed republic for
an former presidents have had office
without power. AT one time General
Gomez was seriously considered for the
presidency, but after the action of tha
Assembly in assailng his course ii was
considered that his candidacy would
PROBABLY meet with strong opposition.
The result of consultations at Mime
Cespedes' salon is, it is asserted that
me nrst president of Cuba shall be
carlos Cespedes, son of the war pres
dent.
me party OF General Gomez believe
mat 1t is none too early to begin n
movement in behalf OF Carlos Cespedes.
as they expect that American occupa-
ton Of the island will end before neyt
summer and probably by April 1900.
FOUR BANDITS KILLED.
Santiago de Cuba. May S.-Yesterday.
~ ~ Mayar'. In this province. between
Iiolsuin and Sagua de Tanamo. an at
tempt was made by four outlaws to
rescue the bandit chief, Miguel Com
@aieS. and five other bandits who were
IN the custody of the rural guards.
me sentinel who detected the attempt
mved' wounding one OF the outlaws
me guards rushed to the assistance of
the sentry and sharp fight ensued all
the would-be rescuers being kii,sd
Two of the guards were wounded Tho
prisoners have since been removed -
Baracoa GU ~
The efficient service Of the rsnd,r.
merle is rapidly restoring security in
this province.