The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-25
POSTAL SERVICE WAS CRUDE.
WILL REQUIRE SOME TIME TO
FULLY RECoNSTnUCT 1T.

smith Says Much Progress Has
Been Made-Had an Opportunity
10 Contrast Conditions and saw
Many improvements in the Island.
soldiers in Late War Must Not he
Prosecuted.
Havana. March s4-The United States
Postmaster General Emory Smith. who
arrived here last Saturday to take a spe-
c!al look at the work of the department
of postofilces under the management OF
Col f. c. Rathbone, formerly deputy
commissioner at Washington, before SAIL
ing for the United States to-day. said
IN an interview with correspondent of
the Associated Press regarding the re-
suits of his trip, said:
My direct and immediate purpose in
coming here was 10 examine into the pos
tai service of the island as it has been
inherited and recognized, and to see
what its requirements are. But, of course.
my eyes and ears have been open, and |
have been very much interested in my
observations and conferences of a more
general character. / am gratlfied, and
even surprised. to find how much has al
ready been done here by the American
representatives.
Il did not see what Havana was under
the former rules; but / have had an op-
portunity at some points, Of especially
noting the contrast with present condi-
tlons, and l assure you il is Of the most
signal character. The change of sani-
tary conditions is enormous. No one can
begin to appreciate, without personal OBJ
servaton, what has been accomplished
here byAmerican Intervention in the saw
ing Of life and the improving of health
conditions.
Work of Brooke and Ludlow.
"The military governor. Gen. Brooke,
of administration with great capacity and
judgments l have had considerable oppor-
tunity of seeing what Gen. Brooke has in
augurated and accomplished. l believe
that every American, If he could person
ally see and understand Il, would be deep
ly grathed with this work. Gen. Brooke
has been deliberate, considerate and we'll
poised, and al The same time, he has been
firm and decided.
Here in the city of Havana, Maj, Gen.
Ludlow has shown great vigor; and rad
ica7 reformation of police and sanitary ar
rangements is going on. My only oppor-
tuntty of observation outside Havana dur
ing this hurried trip has been in Matan-
zas, where Mai Gen. Wilson Is in COM
mand. Ills large public experience and
military capacity are illustrated In the i'm
provement which has been effected there,
and in the admirable relations he has es-
tablished with the Cuban people.
Much Improvement Needed.
''The things that Is now needed is a gem
eral understanding that these conditions
are to continue The development of the
island. and even a general feeling of secur-
jty. are retarded by uncertainty as to the
future. The impression needs 90 be diff
fused in Cuba that the United States, hav-
ing expelled the other government, will
accept the duty and responsibility of lead
ing the way to the crea ton of a new gov
ernment OF such character as Will com
mand universal confidence and support, be-
cause fully capable of assuring perfect
peace and order and the fun adminlstra-
ton Of law and justice, and that the
United States win remain long enough,
whatever time may be necessary, TO see
that this is effectively done.
Let me say word of the postal SER
vice. II was found to be of the most crude,
disorganized and Inefficient character. IL
Will be a work of some little time to re-
construct II completely and to make IL
such a service as exists in the United
States; but this will be accomplished"
The New Cuban Party.
Last night the members of the
various patriotic societies held
at tuh knfac Ia
TO appoint deputies from the wards OF the
city 10 arrange mass meetings throughout
the island, with view to determining The
platform OF the new national Cuban party
News was received this morning that
eighteen bandits had taken the field near
Guanajaya, province of Pinar del Rio, and
had slept last night In the neighborhood OF
Cayajabos. The Cuban. Gen. Diaz,
promptly headed band of Cuban horse
to pursue them, and Il possible, to take
them alive, otherwise to Kill them.
Prosecutions Must stop.
That the Cuban and Spanish rancors and
hatreds, The outgrowth of the war condi-
tons. are sin actively pursued in Cuba,
Is eVinced by a communication recently
sent TO Gov. Gen. Brooke by Senor Lanuza,
head OF the department of justice and pub
lie instruction. He says 1t is a matter Of
daily occurrence that In different parts Of
the island proceedings are taken against
those who belonged to guerilla and other
Spanish forces during the war for crimes
imputed TO have been committed at that
time Cubas peace Senor Lanuza adds,
requires that this be stopped.
Following The suggestion contained In
Senior Lanuzas letter, Gov. Gen. Brooke
VIII issue O. decree to the effect that the
civil and military judges must not recog-
nze and must dismiss all present and
pending actions against troops in the field
for or against Spain during the war for
acts committed then. Further, the gov
ernor general Will order the Immediate re-
49, Of all men now held IN custody on