The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-28
Only Two States, So Far,
Accept the Offer.
TROOPS UNDER ORDERS.
Cavalry Ordered to Fort Myer-The
Second Regiment Under Orders for
Cuba-Volunteers Returning to be
Landed at Several Southern Ports.
Miss COckrell tO] Christen the Mis-.
souri-Improvements Being Made I'm
Cuba

Cuba
Washington, March 24.-Troop H,
Third cavalry, Captain Geo. H.. Nor
gan commanding, now at Augusta, Ga,
has been ordered to com to this city
Immediately and take station at Fort
Myer, Va. Three other troops of the
same regiment will also be ordered to
take station at Fort Myer in a few
weeks.
Only two Of the six South Atlantic
states which have been invited to avail
themselves of the cruiser Prairie as
r. drill ship for their naval militia have
Tar accepted. These are Louisiana
and Virginia. The Florida militiamen
nare in a dilimma- The weeks cruise will
cost 80 cents per man per day for sub-
sistence or a trife over $500 for the $50
men. Yet the legislature has appropri-
ated only $50 for the purpose. The navy
department has no fund applicable to
this use, so that unless some public
spirited citizens come to the aid Of the
militiamen their cruise must be aban-
doned.
Orders of the war department for
LII 1dllllSollOIL VI liz udSSdSG OH IHS
steamer Olivette at Tampa have been
carried out. 1t is stated that all regu-
lations of the authorities of the south
ern states to prevent the introduction
of yellow fever will be followed by the
department in bringing the volunteers
home to be mustered out.
The Second United States infantry
is unde orders to go from Admission,
Ala. to Cuba. Before sailing eight
companies and headquarters will go TO
Savannah and four companies to Au-
gusta-
Owing to the large number of troops
hat will arrive from Cuba up to the
first of April and the possibility of a
congestion at Savannah, arrangements
are now being made to have some of
the transports lane at Sapelo, Bruins
wick and Charleston. Meanwhile prep
arations are being made at Camp
Meade, Pa, for the reception of the
troops destined for muster-out in the
northern states.
The secretary of the navy has invited
Miss Marion Cockrell, daughter of Sem
ator Cockrell, of Missouri, to christen
the battleShip Missouri, now in course
of construction at Newport News. The
vessel is to be launched next October.
1t is of the same class as the Maine
7 and the Ohio and is expected to be a
) great fighting machine. Miss Cockrell
is a very accomplished and popular
young woman and her friends are al
ready promisingNt the occasion shall
be a notable one. Many distinguished
persons will be present from Missouri
as we'll as from other sections of the
country.
IMPROVEMENTS GOING ON IN
CUBA.
Havana March 24.-United States
Postmaster General Emery Smith, who
arrived here last Saturday to take a
special look at the work Of the depart
ment of posts under the management
of Colonel E. G.. Rathbone, formerly
deputy commissioner at Washington,
before sailing for the United States to-
day said, in an interview, with a cor
respondent of the Associated Press, re-
garding the results of his trip:
My direct and immediate purpose in
coming here was to examine into the
postal service of the island as 1t has
been inherited and re~-organiZed, and
to see what it's requirements are. But,
of course, my eyes n ears have been
open, and 1 ave been VerX much in
terested in my and con-
ferences of a more general character.
l am gratified and even surprised 70
find how much already has been done
here by the American representatives.
II did not see what Havana was I'M
der the former rule; but L have had an
opportunity, at some points,, or spe-
cially noting the contrast with present
conditions, and, I assure you 1t is or
the most signal character. The change
of sanitary conditions is enormous. No
one can begin to appreciate without
personal observation what has been
accomplished here by American inter-
vention in the saving of life and the
improving of health conditions.
The military governor, General
Z Brooke, and his associates, have taken
up the work of administration with
great capacity and judgment. / have
had considerable opportunity of see
ing what General Brooke has inaugu-
rated and accomplished. I believe that
every American, if he could personally
see and understand it, woald be deeply
gratifed with this work. General
Brooke has been deliberate, consider
ate, and we'll poised, and, at the same
time, he has been firm and decided.
Here in the city of Havana, Major
General Ludlow has shown great vlgor
and a radical reformation OF ponce anC
sanitary arrangement is going on. M!
only opportunity of observation out
side Havana during this hurried trll
has been in MatanZas, where Ma1ol
General Wilson is in command. Ills
large public experience in a military
capacity are illustrated in the mproV
ment that has been effected there anf
in the admirable relations he has es'
xtablished with the Cuban people.
THE thing that is now needed is {
general understanding that these con
ditions are to continue. The develop
ment of the island and even a genera
feeling of security are retarded by un
certainty as to the future. The 1mpres
sion needs to be diffused in Cuba tina
the United States, having expelled IN
old will accept the dut.
and responsibility of leading the wa.
to the creation of a new government o
such 2. character as will command UNI
yarsal confidence and support, becaus
fully capable Of assuring perfect peac
and order and the full administratlo
of law and Justice, and that the Unite
Statos will remain long enough, what
yer time may be necessary, to see tina
this is effectively done.
Let me say a word Of the postal ser
VIC II was found to- be of the mos
crude, disorganized and inefficien
character. Tt will be a work OF som