New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-03
THE NEWS or HA TANA.
CONFLICT BETWEEN AMERICAS MA
RINES AND SAILORS AND THE
POLICE-CORRtPT COURTS.

Havana April Late this afternoon shgnt
conflict occurred at La Machina Wharf between
the police and some marines and sailors OF the
Resolute. The appearance Of General Ludlo"
and the police reserves quelled the disturbance
II IL asserted that the marines were more or
less Intoxicated. that one OF them started the
trouble that the police interfered, ana that
thereupon. the companions Of the intoxicated
marines set upon the police. Several shots were
fred before the arrival Of the Military Governor
and the police reserves under Chief Menoca.
The marines returned to the Resolute. and II
was reported at headquarters this evening that
one policeman was wounded in the ARRAY
To-day as under the Spanish regime, bribery
and fraud direct the Cuban courts. This Is the
firm conviction Of the Military Administration.
Governor General Brooke is taking the matter
up. and intends to clean out the corruption to
revise the judicial procedure. to change the
court personnel and to abolish the barbarous
practice OF incommunicado. by which judge
may imprison for life person ignorant or the
accusation against him and OF the names OF his
accusers.
II IL true that statutes allow only three days
detention incommunicado. but a Judge. under
the practice that has grown up. may make n
Lew commitment at the expiration OF the third
day another at the expiration Of the sixth ana
80 on without limit More than this, the EVIL
dence in criminal causes is taken by escribanos
or clerks who for a consideration write into the
testimony things that were never uttered thus
often making the best friends Of the accused
man appear TO condemn him. Apparently the
whole criminal and civil systems have been ar
ranged so as to make 1t easy to buy and sell
Justice
The island Government az administered by
the United States military authorities, has yield
ed for the first quarter 100000 as customs re-
cepts OF this amount S2100,000 has been
spent the city Of Havana getting S1.100,0o0 and
the city OF Santiago $4,000. Each Provincial
Governor received all he asked. Havana's en-
cheering estimates for April aggregate S21OOOO
or the cash balance. S1,400.000, almost all Is
American currency. Spanish gold and especially
silver are going abroad. so that Cubas treas
ury keeps out OF circulation from 10 To ID per
cent Of the currency in the island. Silver IS
appreciating Worth - cents during the block
ade. # has now risen to o. on the basis OF the
local value OF the centen. 50 80. Change IS
scarce. and there is little American fractional
| currency circulated. American bills. however
arc often to be met. and prices are going on the
| American gold basis.
Agricultural conditions throughout the coun-
| try are improving The tobacco crop is good
| Guines the market garden of Havana Will put
| on the market in few days 10000 barrels or
| Irish potatoes worth SO a barrel. and 10000
| mounds Of onions at three cents n pound. A
| large proportion OF both will be supplied to the
| American troops through the Commissary De-
partment.
postmaster Thompson has been installed in his
official duties and the military branch Of the
| postal service has been abolished in Havana.
| II will soon be abolished OF other points.