The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-01-26
ARMY OF CUBA
General Green Makes a Report OF
His Inspection, Recently
Finished.
Says the Soldiers Are Hardy
and Under the Best of
Discipline.
Half the Number Would Make a
Fine Body of Native
Troops.
Other Half Should Be Given
Work---0rphans of Recon-
centratiOn.

w ASHlNGTON. Jan. S0.-.ASSlStanG Doc
rotary of War Meiklejohn has given art
the report of Major General Francis-E.
Green, concerning the duties recently
assigned him in Cuba.
Speaking of an inspection which he
made of the Cuban troops, General
Green found them to be of all c0lors,
mulatto and white. They were anable.
bodied lot of men, although smaller in
stature than Americans. They had
been Injured to hardship during the last
three years. seemed well disciplined and
so fully controlled by their officers that,
although their suffering from lack OF
food was great, no case of pillage had
been reported. Their equipment was
wretched.
Officers Impressed Him.
The officers impressed General Green
most favorably. For the mostpart they
were intelligent. educated men, well
mounted and we'll dressed. General
Green gives it as his opinion that this
force possesses the elements of fine
body of native troops, provided they are
properly organized, equipped land their
regimental and, possibly, battalion
commanders selected from American
officers.
1t is his opinion that the organization
of these troops should be begun at the
earliest possible moment, otherwise
there is danger that the force may dis.
integrate and turn into brigands. Under
existing conditions of lack of food and
clothing, it will be difficult to hold them
much longer. The chief of one of the
cavalry regiments, Colonel Delgado,
was, in his youth, one of the most noted
bandits in Pinar del Rio province.
General Green believes that this of,
ficer and his men under proper disci
pline would be very efficient as part OF
rural constabulary. The roaming life
they have led for several years has dis
qualified them for the work of peaceful
farmers. 1t would be possible tc get
from 10000 to $4,000 such men who
would be suitable for military service.
About 5000 men suitable for military
service could probably obtained from
the discharged Spanish soldiers.
saould Give Them Work.
The remaining half of the Cuban
forces, about 10000 to $4,000. who are
not especially adapted to the life of a
soldier, and are peaceful .laborers and
farm hands, seemed anxious to return
to their homes, but as their homes have
been destroyed, their families having
persisted in the Recommendation. their
fields having grown mp with weeds, and
as they have nomoney TO purchase i'm
plements for farming purposes for the
time being, this is impracticable. 1t l.
of the utmost urgency to provide work
for these men, In General Green's
opinion money could be put Immediately
into the hands of the starving laboring
class by employing them in construc.
ton and repair of roads; the rebuilding
of hospitals, asylums and public build,
ings.
In few months, by pursuing this
course, they would be enabled to re
turn to their homes and start life oveI
again.
Orphans of the Recommendation.
The most important question affecting
the future of Cuba is the care and edu,
cation of the great number of orphans
whose parents persisted in the concen'
tration. The estimates of mortality
during the three years since Weyler's
RECOMMENDATION proclamation was is
sued, vary from AGO. 900 to 100000 per.
sons. or from 80 to 40 per cent. of the
population of the island. The number
of orphans cannot be even approx,
mately estimated. but there must be a
great many thousand of them. They
are found in every town and village, in
semi-starving condition, and living OF
a precarious charity. If they are mot
cared for they are liable to- grow up as
savages and destitutes.