Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-05
SAINT |AG0 AFLA {,
Customs Order Has Excited The
People Greatly
THE SITUATION CRITICAL
II Not Relieved Il HAY Result In a
Revolt.
ROOKIE IGNORING WOOD,
He Is Cabling Directly to the Gov
ernor's subordfnates-Wnr Depart
Misunderstood by snntiagonns.

SANTIAGO, CUBA, January i-Neet-
ings were held at all the principal clubs
last night. and even the most conserva-
tive people those favoring the annexa-
tion of Cuba TO the United States, were
astounded at the order from Habana for
the Capitalization of customs money
there. The past fOrty-eight hours have
here. The province had gradually settled
down, and was contented with the order
Of things prevailing. recognizing the bene-
it conferred. Now. there is a complete
change, and there is no exaggeration in
saying that the situation is critical, that
a spark would set up a blaze which would
plunge the province into insurrection. 1t
is generally admitted that If 1900 men
were suddenly discharged from the public
works, such action would probably cause
a revolt which ii would be hard to quell.
MajorGeneral John r. Brooke, the Coy
ernOr-General Of Cuba. is apparently
ignoring General Leonard Wood in COM
mand here. and is cabling direct to his
subordinates. He has ordered the acting
collector Of customs to bank no money,
and the commanding general of the pro-
vince has ordered the post-office to close
several minor offices, including Songo and
Bayamo, practically shutting off the mail
of the regiments there.
Or. Castillo will accompany General
Wood TO Washington, representing British
into IN
ters before the President.
General Woods work here is now mosa
thoroughly appreciated by the Cubans.
THE ORDER MISUNDERSTOOD.
WASHINGTON. January 4.-Regardlng
the sensational reports from Santiago
that the whole province had been infiamed
by the recent order of the War Depart
mcnt. Concentrating all customs money
in Habana." thus threatening to stop all
public improvements and throw thousands
Of Cubans out of employment, it may be
authoritatively stated that any excite
ment existing in Santiago is due 10 mis-
apprehension OF the War Department. 8
order. II seems TO have been taken for
granted that the order cOntemplates send
ing all currency collected for customs
dues to Habana and thus cutting off the
Governor Of Santiago province from the
employment of local labor The fact IS
that the officers in charge Of customs at
the various ports OF entry are merely or
dered 10 make weekly reports to the col
lector OF customs of the island. at the
chief port of all transactions at the sub
port over which he may have jurisdiction,
with comics Of the entries Of merchandise
duly certified
The customs from all the ports in the
island are TO be used for the betterment
OF the condition of the Cubans. not only
I'm Habana and Santiago, but elsewhere.
GENERAL RELIEF WORK.
Expenditures will be divided as equita-
bly, as possible. so as 10 relieve the dis
tress existing in various quarters. and to
make this relief correspond as nearly as
possible TO the emergency.
So far from the War Departments con-
templating any curtailment Of the relief
work i'm Cuba. an order has already been
issued TO the governor-general, directing
him to furnish work to every able-bodied
Cuban applying for il, at "A fair rate Of
weekly wages. measured by Cuban stand
ards. The order suggests that the best
lines Of employment are in sanitary work,
road Improvement and municipal works
OF various sorts. IL is intended 10 offer 4
chance for remunerative work TO all who
are able to take advantage or II, and to
cut off the gratuitous distribution of ra-
tions among those natives able to work for
what they eat The employment cOntem-
plated will not be offered. however. 10 any
resident Of the island who retains his alle-
glance to Spain.