The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-22
LEES TROOPS TO BE WORKED
WILL IMPRESS NATIVES BY SERIES
OF PRACTICE MARCHES.
Mai. Russell Harrison in the Role of
Fire Chief-Amateur TheatricaIs
for Benefit of Orphans.


in his activity in pursuing his policy of unit
ing the Cuban and Spanish elements in the
island He stated that it was necessary to
officially convoke the assembly in order to
direct the Cuban policy and that the pres
ence and influence of General Gomez would
be needed at the meeting which would be
held on the return of the plenipotentiary
commission from Washington. The time
had arrived he declared, TO take definite
action regarding the question of the Cuban
army and the islands future.
Senior Domingo Mendez Capote, who was
recently appointed by General Brooke to the
department of government in the Governor
Generals cabinet of advisers, has been
granted permission TO retain his position
under the American military adminstra-
ton without resigning the presidency of the
Cuban Assembly despite the fact that
resolution had been adopted that no mem
Der should accept a position under the
United States administration untn the ques-
ton of the Cuban army had been settled.
The carriage of the Marquis of Pinar del
Rio, a prominent tobacco man, yesterday
ran over d man in Cerro. The driver i'm
mediately whipped up his horses and tried
to escape, but the carriage was overtaken
by two mounted Cuban police officers and
the marquis was arrested and held in GUS
tody.
The new market house at Quemados was
burned last night. Major Russell Harrison,
provost marshal of the Seventh Army
Corps acted as chief of the fire company.
A bucket brigade was formed by a COM
pany of the First North Carolina Regiment,
but despite all efforts it was found to be i'm
possible to extinguIsh the flames. The
Americans. however succeeded in saving
$10O0 in cash which was in the building and
a physical conflict between them and
number of Cubans was narrowly averted,
the latter demanding the money and the
Americans refusing to give it up to them.
Major General Lee, military governor of
the province of Havana has ordered a series
of practice marches for the men of his com
mand with view of benefting the troops
and also in giving the people in the interior
of the island a sight of the United States
troops, and thus bringing to them a realiza-
ton of the fact of the American military
occupation. These marches will begin to-
morrow when a battalion of the Fourth
Illinois Regiment will start for Guines,
about forty miles southeast of Havana,
camping en- route at San Francisco and San
Jose de las Lajas. The soldiers will stay
reaching here by Jan. Is. A battalion of the
Sixth Missouri will go on a two days march
to San Antonio de las Banos, returning
by different route, the return march occu-
plying three days A battalion of the Sec
ond Louisiana is scheduled for a trip to San
Antonio de las Vegas, the march each way
occupying three days. One battalion of the
First North Carolina Regiment will also go
to San Antonio de los Banos and will re-
turn on Friday. The troops will go in
neaVy marching order carrying ratons.
All the battalions in the corps will in turn
be sent into the interior.
The United States transport OLDHAM will
sail tomorrow for Savannah with forty
five nurses on board
A banquet was given at the Union Club
this evening to Senior Perfecto Lacoste Ha-
vanas new mayor; Senior Federico Mora,
the recently appointed civil governor and
Gen. Marco Menocal, chief of police of Ha-
vana
There was a brilliant amateur perform
ance last night for the benefit of the
orphans of the island. Members of dis
t1nguished families took part in the play,
and the audience, which filled the house.
was composed of members of the best So
clety in Havana. ajor General Brooke
and his chief of staff, General Chaffee who
were present In full uniform, and Captain
Sigsbee, of the United States battle ship
Texas, and many other American officers
WSere present The orchestra played, The
Star-Spangled Banner" and the audience,
following General Brooke's example, arose.
General Sanger, the Governor of Matan-
1 2s' mas liberated thirty-f1ve prisoners from
satisfied him that they We're being unjustly
held in captivity.
4 battalion Of the First Maine Regiment.
Which arrived here yesterday on board the
united States transport OLDHAM from Savan-
nah, proceeded to camp to-day.
reports from Pfnar del Rio are excellent
on the coming tobacco crop, both in quail
lty and quantity. The harvest is beginning
Capt. Hickey, General Brooke's first aid,
has concluded a detailed inquiry into the
conditions prevailing at NatanZas and Car
donas and made his report He says that
the Twelfth New York and Eighth Massa-
cnuSettS Regiments, q signal company and
battalion of the Third Engineers have an
excellent camp al Matanzas; that the COM
manders are satisfied with the conditions,
ana mat they are in splendid health. The
Spanish barracks however, are in such
hlthy condition as to seem almost useless
to the United States troops, though it is
possible a complete renovation will make
them habitable. All the other camp condi-
tions are good. The tents are provided
with board fioors
The inspector general chief surgeon and
chief engineer officer of Wilson's staff Capt.
Hickey reports, are visiting various towns
the reported restitution and seeking points
suitable for military occupation General
Wilson is furnishing daily supplies of beef
to thirty hospitals, which have for year
been almost entirely without meat.
Twelve sugar estates in MatanZas prov
ince have resumed operations. Complaint
is made that the wages of the employees is
much less than before the war. The labor
ers refuse to accept any reduction demand
Ing uOlldI d udy III SllNei lie IlluIllClpdi
debt Of Matanzas amounts to $4,000 and
means are being made to liquidate it. 1t
is estimated that there are 1900 destitute
persons in the province. Those who desire
to return to agricultural labor find it inn
possible to obtain oxen and tools. General
Pedro Betancourt, with force or 700 Gu
bans, is encamped near the city. He has
his troops under perfect control and is dis
charging his men fast as they find en-
ployment. General Retancourt, who is high
ly respected and a man OF lnhuence in the
community, is aiding the American authori-
ties s much as possible. NO disturbances
are reported.
At Cardenas, says Captain Hickey, a com
pany of the Eighth Infantry is fairly ana
comfortably quartered in the custom house,
ard there is no sickness among Its mem
bers The condition of the Spanish barracks
there is similar to that of the MatanZas bar
racks. The merchants of the city are gath
ering the homeless children and are having
them fed and taught. The large deposit of
rations left by the steamer Comal in De-
cember are being issued regularly, but there
is great restitution among the people of the
better class, who are unsued to manual Ia
Dor and are too proud to beg. The military
authorities are unable TO furnish employ
ment to the Caoans The railroad employees
have gone on strike because of the failure
of the company to keep its promise TO IN
crease their pay after the war. Freight
trains are not being run, though mai ana
passenger trains are still being moved along
the line. The people are in sympathy with
the strikers. Captain Hickey has gone to
Santf Clara TO make a similar examination
there and report upon the conditions In that
province.
1t Is announced that Mr.. Proctor and fam
lily are expected to reach Havana about the