Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-02
ABOUT SANTIAGO
General Leonard Woods Report on
Its Conditions.
POPULATION GENERALLY FRIENDLY
Recommends That the Force of
Troops Be Reduced
II E FOOD S L Z p L Y
LAqlON GENERALLY FRIENDLY
THE FOOD UPPLY

The War Department has made public
the report Of Brig. Gen. Leorard Wood.
commanding the department OF Santiago
Cuba which is In addition to what has al
ready been made public OF other reports
from this officer. Gen. Wood gives an in
teresting account of the sanitary reforms
put in force, and of their good effect I'm re-
ducing the extent of yellow fever. small
poN and other diseases. In discussing pres
ent conditions. he says:
Il believe that the best and most trust
worthy element Of the population IS entirely
friendly and In thorough accord with the
military authorities. The only element
causing friction has been the INSCRIPTIONS
political element composed OF certain I'M
principled agitators."
Reduction i'm Force of Troops
In view of this specific and friendly atti-
tude of tho population. Gen. Wood recon-
mends a large reduction in the force OF
United States troops in the Santiago de-
pariment His recommendation in this re-
spect Is us follows:
The people being extremely friendly and
quiet, the garrison may safely be reduced
TO the lowest point consistent with eff
cheney. This. l think would be accom-
piished by having in the province two
squadrons of "avalry and two batjalions Of
infantry. In other words, / recommend the
withdrawal in ;he near future OF one squad
ron of the 10th United States Cavalry and
one battalion OF the 18th United States In
fantry, these TO be sent to the United States
as home or depot battalions Of the rcgi-
ments serving in this department"
Younger Officers Suggested
Gen. Wood "lges that the younger officers
be chosen for subordinate commands in
Cuba. Those under fifty years OF age, he
L
He says Cuba is no place to break in or in
struct recruits. and that when troops are
once sent to Cuba they should be retained
there for number of years, as all troops
must undergo The acclimatinG fever before
they thoroughly serviceable. one
mounted soldier, he says, is worth several
on foot, owing to the character OF the
roads.
As to yellow fever. he says our expert
ence is the same that of all nations
namely, that II has its inception in the
cid towns mainly in damp masonry build
ings, and that any amount Of preCaution
VIII not prevent infection in these old quar-
tiers. If yellow fever can be avoided, he
says, our troops can be kept in Cuba in
good health. Isolation. sanitation and sun
shine and fresh air ne gives as the best
means of coping with the disease. Gen.
Wood says that the different colors Of the
khaki uniform give a variegated appear
ance to the regiment. and he recommends
tons are made for the general improve
ment of the service, and the report also
Go ais extensively with the military or
ganization in all its branches throughout
the past year
There have been numerous statements
in the press reporting extensive brigandage
in the department of Santiago. These re-
ports have been very largely eXaggera-
items.
There has been. however some brigand-
age in the different parts of the province,
due to no particular cause other than idle
ness and viciOuSness. Most of the men
engaged in this work were old hands at it,
and have returned to it naturally since the
end Of the war Gen. Wood says the rural
guard has done excellent work in running
these men down. A number of them have
been killed in resisting attempts to arrest
them. The condition of the department at
present, so far as brigadange is concerned.
is entirely satisfactory.
As to Food supply.
In regard to the food supply, Gen Wood
says:
THE present ration appears to be ample.
If We are to be guided by the experience
of the British in the West Indies. the men
should have a comparatively light break
fast and supper, with a substantial mid
day meal. Over-eating is to be carefully
avoided and abstinence from spirituous
liquors must be insisted on. The refrig-
Grated beef furnished at the present time
in this department has been most salts
factory and is much to be preferred to any
native beef which we have been able to
get"
Speaking of the permanent improvements,
Gen. Wood says
I'm Santiago have doubled the water
supply, reduced the death rate, in COM
GARRISON with former years, fully fifty per
cent, five miles of first-class asphalt streets
have been built and curbed with either con-
crete blue stone curbing The same
amount of macadam streets have been con-
structed, and in all that portion of these
streets constructed I'm the city proper a
thoroughly modern sewerage and water
system has been laid. that when means
are available to complete and put in opera
ton this system throughout the entire city
ii will not be necessary to tear up these
newly constructed pavements."