Evening star., 1899-02-07
Conditions Are Improved.

Conditions Are Improved.
From Havana to San Domingo, nearly
two hundred miles" says Mr.. Porter, your
commissioner went over the same route as
he did last September. The difference. how
ever in the condition of the country now
and then is very marked. In September
the whole distance was one scene of desola-
ton There were literally no signs of life,
human animal except al the railway
stations which swarmed with starving hui
manity. Never was there such abject mis-
cry seen then Today conditions are i'm
proved. There are beggars, but of the
chronic sort. A decided change for the bet
ter is noticeable in the country itself. The
people are beginning to work again. The
quick growing crops have been planted. and
some are ready for harvest. For ten hours
in September. travelling on the same road
put one yoke of oxen was seen. Today in
some fields large herds of several hundred
cattle each greeted the eye. This is the
sign that Cuba is pacified. -
Mr.. Porter was met at Remedies by Cen
eral Gomez's staff and party of American
oHcers. An ovation was rendered Senor
Quesada, who had accompanied Mr. Porter
An Interview With Gomez
The next day. after arrival at Remedies,
General Gomez, by appointment came into
the city and an interview between him and
Mr.. Porter took place February l. The
general said that he was completely identi-
fed with the work of commercial and in
dustrial reconstruction of the island
Its wounds he said, will heal with
tie rapid prom otion of work This is the
battle we are now fighting, and | avail nv
self OF this opportunity to tender my SER
vices.'
Mr.. Porter thanked Gen. Gomez for these
assurances, and called his attention TO the
fact that in framing the new tariff the
President and the Secretary of the Treas
Try had directed that no discrimination in
favor of the United States should be made;
that the tariff was made In the interest of
cuba. and not in the interest of the United
States.
All these char ges looking to better con-
Gltlon were inuugurated the day the
United States began its military control
Gen. Brooke will be ready to take up the
after of the distribution of the army re-
lief fund this week with Gen. Gomez in the
manner agreed upon. Gen Chaffee now
has In hand the complete scheme for polic-
ing the island.
Summary of the Situation
The present situation in the island Mr..
Porter briefly summarized as follows.
Gen. Proctor of Vermont Just I'D from
the most western province, Pinar del Rio.
says he has been with Gen. Davis who re-
ports the most perfect order as being main
tanned by native troops, and that this has
Teen done without money and without
price. In fact. all the police work is now
done by Cuban police. In Havana province
Gen. Lee has the entire confidence of the
people, while the Cuban police force, un-
der Gen. Menocal, is being formed for Ha-
vana- This force is now drilling every day
in the public square of Havana and they
appear to be fine body of men, In Ma
tanZas province Gen. Pedro Betancourt
says all Is tranquil In Santa Clara PROV
ince order has been restored In Pnerto
Principe the Cuban army has disbanded.
law and order prevail, and the people are
RAPIDLY E getting to work again. In Santiago
Gen. Leonard Wood and the Cuban Gen
Castillo are masters of the situation. Some
objection to the plan of reconstruction may
De made by some of the leaders for various
reasons, but 1t is not likely that their views
VIII prevail If once the United States and
Cuban military leaders in each province.
can get together and meet around a table
with Gen. Brooke and Gen. Gomez If tbis
can be brought about at an early date all
outside opposition will surely disappear 1
and the Cuban problem will be in a fair
way oe solution