The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-15
ALGER'S OBSERVATIONS.
Interesting Talk with the General on
His West Indian Trim.

WASHINGTON, April 14.-Secretary of
War Alger returned tonight from his trip
TO Cuba and Porto Rico. where he spent the
last three weeks making a personal investi-
cation of conditions in those islands During
his trip he conferred with the commanding
officers of the Cuban provinces, visiting
four provinces personally. His reception ev-
erywhere was OF the most cordial character.
In an interview, tonight, Secretary Alger
said:
II had no adequate idea of the wonderful
possibilities of Cuba and Porto Rico before
my personal investigation and / return TO
Washington with renewed faith. All that
ever imagined has been more than realized
Under no circumstances would L now con-
sent TO the surrender of Porto Rico. which
is now our territory, nor would l place the
slightest check upon the great work which
is being done for Cuba The duty We have
taken upon ourselves of holding Cuba in
trust for civilization is a noble one.
THE problems are meeting satisfactory
solution and / see no reason TO fear the
future. None of the serious questions which
has already arisen or will arise is insur-
mountable. Havana is beginning to feel the
benefits of American control and the ad-
vance and development will be enormous.
The people of the United States must GER
tainly realize what cleanliness in Havana
and other Cuban cities means for this coun-
try, and that with removal of unsanitary
conditions. the scourge of fever will not
continue to menace our Southern States,
though there will be sporadic cases, of
course. If we can decrease to minimum,
as / believe we can, the danger of fever
visitation. we will save millions of dollars
which our Southern quarantines cost us,
while the indirect benefit 10 business
through the -emoval of disturbing fear is
incalculable.
II was agreeably surprised to find so lit
tie distress in the islands. The amount OF
rations for distribution among the people is
rapidly decreasing, and as fast as the people
find employment they will cease to be de-
pendent upon us for food. There is no in
tention of inviting pauperism in the island.
Il believe it is a mistake to believe that
fortunes can he made quickly In Cuba,
though there is a great deal of American
money invested there. Time is needed to
secure return from capital as for every
| thing else. 1t will take years TO raise peo-
| pie unaccustomed to what We consider even
| the necessaries of life, TO degree where
they will require a great amount of manu-
4 1aclureu BOONS, llIS btlllS AAolA-S NANN VI
| the rural population. The cities, however
| are full of business. Education among the
poorer classes is what is most needed in the
| island. The people of Cuba see that the
| United States is acting with justice and
! moderation with the chief end OF improving
| conditions feel encouraged because of the
friendly feeling manifested in my talks with
| leading citizens.
| Il never saw anywhere a finer body OF
| men than the American soldiers now il
| Cuba. They are like princes, athletic il
| build and brorzed and hearty in appearance
| They seemed contented and the United
| States has every reason TO feel proud o
| them They are having no friction Will
| the people 1 found harmony everywhere
| There are few troops now in Cuba eXcep
| regulars and the number OF the latter may
! be reduced. The people respect the author
/ ity of the United States and are as whole
| Iaw-abiding and peaceful. All the Amer
! lean troops are being quartered In excellen
| permanent barracks everywhere and the
| hospitals are of the best Our officers ant
men have learned TO be soldiers and how I,
care for themselves. showing a great con
| trast TO the new raw recruits that Were
| hurriedly gathered under the call for troop
| when war was declared. Had they had thi.
experience or used the same self-care the'
a. now. there would have been comparative