New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-03
CHANGES IN CUBAN LAWS.
MILITARY AUTHORITIES ISSUE DE-
CREES OF REFORM.
MUSTER ROLLS NOT TO BE REVISED
PLACES IN POSTAL SERVICE FOR
CUBANs-YELIOw FEVER AND

CUBANs-YELLOw FEVER AND
SMALLPOX EXTINCT.
fBY CABLE TO THE TRrBUNE.l
Havana. May 2.-The legal reforms planned
by the Military Government gradually nhu-
ing their way into the official Gazette" the de-
crees issued or to be issued this week abohsh
those features Of the criminal code which ciash
most harshly with Anglo Saxon ideas OF persohai
security. Judges are forbidden hereafter to deny
to prisoners the right of communication with
the outside world, TO shield accusers iroih
publicity Habeas corpus is also granted to any
prisoner who thinks himself unlawfully detained
in custody The examination of witnesses IN
criminal cases Will be broadened, but the Juus-
ment will be left, as before, exclusively in the
hands Of the Court.
These reforms are applauded by all clements
except. perhaps. the Spanish-speaking lawyers
who voted some time ago to do everything pos
sble to uphold the excellencies of the Latin over
the English common law. A decree Is also III
preparation which will make the civil ceremony
the legal proof Of marriage. and leave optional
the further celebration Of the contract before a
priest minister.
PAYMENT TO CUBAN ARMY.
General Gomez and his assistants on the COM
mittee representing the Cuban Army. having
Informed General Brooke that 1t would be almost
impossible to revise and reduce the lists on
which the payment of arrearages is to be made'
II is doubtful whether the military authority
will pursue its effort to purge the Cuban rohs'
as the soldiers themselves are most concerned III
seeing justice done to those who actually pore
the burdens of the insurrection, and theT repre-
sentatives are indisposed to encourage any crlt-
ical investigation. The Government VIII prop
ab,v have TO disburse the 100000 impartially
among the deserving and the undeserving.
General Gomez and his advisers are urging on
General Brooke the formation Of a Cuban MILL
tia recruited from the insurgent forces, WIN
which TO replace the American garr1sons as they
are withdrawn from the interior towns anu
cities This militia, 1t Is argued. could De oe-
pended upon TO preserve order and 10 suppress
anv possble outbreaks Of brigandage. The Gre
alton of such force would, however, make
necessary the disbandment of the existing rVral
guard an organization which. under American
military control has been developed IN mos'
Of the provinces into an effective Instrument oi
pacifcation The rural guard Is comparative
lv small and easily handled body. while the ne"
militia would probably be far less wieluy anu
subject to political influences OF a more or less
disturbing character. To revive the army unoer
the euise of local militia would nulhfy prac-
t,callv all the benefit OF its long-deferred dis-
bandment
POSTAL SALARIES INADEQUATE.
The Department of Posts has announced that
hereafter all vacancies in the island postal SER
vice are to be filed by Cubans. Heretofore the
opposite policy has been followed OF retaining
snenish ex-oflcials in office. AS the Spanish
service was conducted on antiquated methods,
and with great Indifference to public needs. no
,nonrovement could we'll be hoped for while for
mer postmasters and postal clerks were left un-
disturbed Far better results will be attained
when these inefficient holdovers have been got
rid Of The salaries paid in the postal service.
as i'm most Of the other branches Of the Cuban
Civil Service. are plainly inadequate. and little
anproach to American thoroughness and ac-
curacy IN handling mail will be made until more
liberal salaries tempt competent men to enter
the lower grades as clerks and carriers.
Two Cubans have been arrested and held on
tbe charge Of sending obscene literature through
the mails As there is no Spanish law making
such an offence criminal the postal authorities
are puzzled Just how to proceed. They VIII
nrobably try to have the courts declare the
United States postal regulations binding In
Cuba though such a view is scarcely sustained
by the Governor Generals declaration that
spanish laws would continue in force unless
specifically modified.
The Military Government has decided TO re-
turn TO the United States all ex-vounteers now
serving sentences in Cuba for misconduct IN
their terms Of enlistment.
The sanitary authorities enabled to report
to-day that active casesof either yello" le'er
or smallpox exist in Havana.
AN EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN PORTO RlCo.
pIstIoP MI.AREN, OF CHICAGO, AUTHORIZES I'D
FORMATION WITH THTRTY-sIX MEMBERS.
Chicago May 2-The First Protestant Episcopal
Cburch IN the islands OF the West Indies that re
Gently came under tho control Of the United states
will be organized at San Juan, Porto hco' WIN d
membership of thirty-six, under authority con-
ferred bv Bishop McIaren OF Chicago. in docu-
ments he forwarded last night to San Juan aP-
nointing the Rev. George Il. Pratt rector.
The Rev Mr. Pratt was formerly assistant rector
or the Church of the Epiphany. He left this coun-
try in February as the personal agent OF bshop
McIaren with instructions TO visit Porto RICO anu
the adjacent islands for the purpose OF making .,
careful survey of the field. Bishop McLaren seVefai
dovs ago received petition signed by thirty-slN
ros,dents Of San Juan asking to have church
Younded in that city and pedgng $500 year t9,Ti t0
ard its support. Major Guy Henry Mn, MN
tary Governor of the island was the htsl u ''e
On Easter morning number OF Armiy on,ce Nho,s
and merchants gathered in private dWeinhk t n
in San Juan 10 worship and decided TO tounu pn' .
church to be called the Church OF St; JT h eeting
tist The petition was the result OF TINS iee''"e'
DR. Rushton, secretary OF the Bishop SAID nrst
I'VE have the honor OF eSta3osnIgs nng are proud
a. The achievement The Bishop feels confident ,ha OF
the start made at San Juan VII, form pcd n"''e''
a great religious movement III for'o i'0'
Patty DE CLANS TESTIMONY