Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-13

! readers OF your paper with an article
about this place. Yielding however. to
/ a desire on my part to furnish your read
crs with a true portrayal of the charac-
teristics OF the average Cuban, ! have
summoned sufficient courage to write this
letter. My description of the Cuban
! though true in every detail-I hope will
| not wound the sensitive feelings Of that
| portion Of our people who have sought
In many ways to aid this poor. down
| trodden' people. but. on the contrary
l trust, will tend to enlignten them as
to the true principles Of this much
"cussed" and discussed people.
BOGUS CLAIMS.
| While at Santiago, it was my pleasure
| to become acquainted with a member Of
the United States Army Board Of Claims.
board established for the consideration
Of all claims arising on account Of pro-
perty damaged or destroyed during the
spanish american war. Through his
| courtesy and kindness I was able to
CLEAN a good deal Of information regard
ing The numerous claims presented by the
Cubans for alleged damages sustained by
them.
In the short period Of two months over
hfty claims were presented. aggregating
in round numbers about 500 90, and upon
investigation Of this sum there was
found only $500 which the United States
Government, either in law or morals,
were deemed obligated TO assume and
In recommending that this sum be al
lowed the board was actuated more
through u spirit Of equity than OF strict
justice.
Every class and condition Of Cuban
| citizenship was represented in the horde
Of caimants-from the poor ''peon."
whose matched habitauon had been de-
strOyed TO the wealthy landowner,
whose fields were devastated. 1t is TO
be regretted thar qualities and charac-
| toristics were disclosed IN the prosecu-
ton Of the investigation which would
not rebound 10 the credit Of any people.
over 80 per cent Of the claims SUBJ
mitted were conceived I'm spirit of dis
honesty. and were supported throughout
by the most unblushing falsehOods. The
most absurd and extravagant demands
were made, and generally a crowd of
witnesses were gathered 10 swear 10 any
proposition which was deemed necessary
AN UNGRATEFUL PEOPLE.
Entirely Obvious Of the fact that the
United States had expended large sums
OF money. and sacrificed some Of her purest
and brightest men for Cuban liberty, We
find these people demanding that rent be
paid them by the United States for the
land which the American soldiers Occu-
pied while actually engaged in fighting
Cuba's battles around Santiago. Worse
still. they complained bitterly that their
fields should be disfgured by the tenn
pOrary graves of our peerless, heroic
dead. They have also endeavored to make
the United States pay for property and
repair losses for which the Cuban and
Spanish armies were responsble-dam-
age done long before the American army
set foot upon the soil Of Cuba. Such a
want Of appreciation, such beastly in
gratitude, such utter want Of knowledge
OF the higher dictates of civilization and
dccenCy would dishgure the character
Of the Digger Indian. and cause the cal
lous-hearted. cowardly coyote TO cover
himself with shame. Yet the average
Cuban claimant with an air of perse-
cuted and injured innocence, makes his
demand as though he were the bene-
factor and the Americans The beneficial
ries. Summed up they are as conscience
less as a cancer, and as cruel as they are
cOwardly.
it is sincerely 20 be hoped that IN the
event these claims are appealed 10 Con-
gress. which IN all probability they viii
be- the facts in each and every case may
be made known. as those who are ac-
quaintcd with them know them, and that
Justice may be dealt out strictly to the
wouId-be robbers.
AMERICANS NOT FAVORED.
To conclude with this portion Of my
letter, / will say that it was my expert
ence while resident i'm Santiago that the
people as a whole were exceedingly an
tagonstic TO everything mat sGvored of
the American. and were supremeiy in
different to all the benefits and privileges
accorded them by the American Govern
ment Blessings which they did not for
merly enjoy under the Spanish admins
ton they fail 10 appreciate now.
They are an ignorant. supersti.ious set
of indictments, continually brewing trou-
bic, and IL viii take the major portion
Of ten years or more 10 educate them in
the higher walks of civilization. 1t IS all
most q hopeless task TO begin, but with
the noble virtue of patience to the rescue,
together with the aid of q stout club,
civilized habits. customs &c. may be
eventually taught these people.
YELIsOW-FEVER.
Referring to the present ycllow-fever
epidemic at Santiago. / must say 1t is sin
cerely deplorable that it should have oc-
CURED at a time when the city was in
perhaps the most cleaniy condition it had
been since its occupancy by the Ameu-
cans.
The epidemic has been attributed by
some TO the tearing up Of the streets con-
sequent upon the laying Of the street
sewerage system. But. be that as it may,
the first appearance of the disease was in
the barracks occupied by the Fifth United
States Infantry, series Of long, low
buildings situated on the outskirts Of the
city, and which. when taken possession
OF by the United States troops, were in
as filthy condition as it is possible TO
conceive The United States Military
Hospital is also another building where
the disease made its appearance. This
building, covering over an acre of ground, |
was formerly used by the Spanish IS
their Military Hospital, where all dis
eases-infectious and contagious-were |
treated with the utmost disregard of any
precaution for preventing communication. |
In consequence of this. these buildings |
are thoroughly infected with all sorts or
germs, and in my opinion-shared by a !
number of the medical staff at Santiago /
they should be abandoned. and other shell /
ter provided for our troops in Cuba.
STRENGTHENING.
The street-ceaning department organ |
lied by General Wood, under the efficient |
supervision OF Major Barbour. a man or /
extensive experience in this work. has en-
to clean the town as much IS |
possible. The members of the street. |
cleaning force Qhe white Wings of San |
1891 !.