The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-15
in SANTIAGO PROVINCE
EFFECT OF THE SUSPENSION OF
WORK ON PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
Fears Entertained that Many Cubans
Will Tnke to the Woods and Turn
Bandits-EducatiOn Plans.
Correspondence o, the Associated Press.


SANTIAGO DE CUBA, March THE
event of the past week has been the COM
plete suspension of all public work in the
province, over 800 men having been thrown
out of employment last Friday. as there
was no money to pay them for the month
of February and only $4,000 was allowed
for the month of March. 1t is claimed that
an outbreak on the part of the hot-headed
portion OF the population vas only prevent
ed by the fact that the majority of these
laborers had served in the ranks of the
Cuban insurrectionary forces and are look
ing forward in the near future TO obtaining
their share of the United States gift of 49,
10000. So far as this 100000 is concerned
in this province. large portion of it will be
invested. probably half of what is received,
but the other half will undoubtedly be
squardered. and already merchants here are
laying in supplies of silver spurs. Mexican
saddles and other gewgaws that a Cuban
dandy loves to bedeck himself with.
The real effects of cessation OF work have
been understood best by those Cubans who
are the leaders of public affairs in the prov
ince. such as the two generals Castillo.
Mayor Bacardi and the judges Of the Su-
preme Court of Santiago and men similarly
prominent in Manzanillo. Guantanamo.
Sagua &c Tanamo, Gibara, Holguin and
Baracoa- These men recognize that it is a
great blow to the eastern end of the island,
and it is due entirely to their personal 10y
atty to Gen. Leonard Wood that they have
persuaded their countrymen that the cessa-
ton Of work is mainly due to causes that
will be explained and remedied within a
very few days. The CastilloS and Mayor
Bacardi are men who have proved them
selves in this crisis admirable assistants of
General Woods policy. One General Cas-
tllo admitted that, with these large num-
Der of men lying idle in the province, it can
only be a matter of a week or two when
they would have to take to the woods and
become bandits for want Of another means
of livelihood, for. he very truly said, if
the men do not want to starve they will
have TO rob If work is unobtainable. Mayor
Bacardis sentiments are same as those of
General Castillo on this subject, and he has
admitted that the problem of what to do for
Santiago's large number of destitute labor
ers anxious to work is one that has caused
him more than one sleepless night.
General Wood himself has been most reti-
cent throughout, merely stating in answer
TO questions that he has to obey the orders
OF his superior officer, and that ii he were
TO keep these men employed he would be
committing breach OF military law that
would render him liable to a court-martial.
lie refuses IN any way TO comment on the
situation, 10 even state If he considers it
desirable that the men should be thrown
out of work, to even say whether he is an
noyed al the suspension Of the works he had
In prospect, works that would have been of
lasting value to the lCovince OF Santiago
and an ineffaceable monument TO the success
OF his administration. Though General
Wood himself refuses to say a word for
publication. his friends, both Cuban and
American officers and civilians, are by no
means reticent and complain bitterly of
the alleged injustice that is being perpe-
trated.
General surprise has been felt here over
the fact that in the list of major generals
and brigadier generals in the regular army
that was sent 10 the Senate the last day
of the session the name of Gen. Leonard
Wood did not go in as a brigadier general.
Prominent Cubans Of the San Carlos Club
claim that it is owing to General Woods
influence, to the magnificent work he has
done here and TO the better feeling with
which he has inspired Cubans of every
shade and color that this province has not
since the early part of January been plunged
into another instruction.