Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-10-06
He Had no Difficulty Whatever
With the Cuban Troops.
A GREAT DISPLAY OF TACT
Political HgitaiOrS Were the Only
Element FOoIed.-Permanenf I'M
proVemenfS liz SanfIsgo-Deafh
Rafe Reduced One.nsIf by Sani-
farY Measures.

Washington, Oct. 5.-The annual re-
ports of the different military depart
ment commanders have all been re-
ceived at the war department except
that of General Otis. The reports in
clude those lof the department COM
manders of Cuba, among them being
one from General Ludlow. command
ing the department of Havana. and
one from General Wood. commanding
the department of Santiago. General
Wood in his report says
THE Cuban army in the province Of
Santiago at the time of the surrender,
numbered about II, 900, of whom some
5000 were in the vicinity of the city of
Santiago No difficulty was ever ex-
perienced with these troops, and they
disbanded $during the months OF Sep
tember and October. At the end of
October there were no Cuban soldiers
under arms anywhere in the province.
There was very little friction between
our troops and the natives, and, gen
orally speaking, the relations which
prevailed were of a very pleasant
character. A great dsal CT tact and
ability WAS displayed by our officers
in dealing with the situation. Espec-
tally was this true of the work done
by General Emers and Coils. Petit,
Hood and Sargent, and Lieutenant
Coils. Wylly and Grubbs."
General Wood says that the idle ele-
ment was enticed from the seaport
towns by the distribution of INDECENT
rations at points in the interior.
COURTS were re-established," he
says, land schools opened in nearly all
Of the towns. Every effort was made
to improve sanitary conditions, with
results already reported. The rural
police organized has done excellent
service. Civil affairs have been con-
Quoted as far as possible through civil
authorities, who have shown ability
and established friendly and cordial
relations with the people. Political
agitators have been the only element
of friction. Ths end of the year 1898
found the province peaceful and the
people, generally speaking, at work. a
very friendly feeling exists between
the inhabitants CT this portion Of the
island and the American troops.
1.-TWO squadrcns of cavalry and two
battalions OF infantry are all the gar
risons required. The others should be
sent home to establish depot battaI-
ions where recruits can be trained.
The squadrons and battalions on duty
should be kept at their maximum and
sent only during November,
December and early in January. to give
them five OF six months in which TO
acclimate before the hot season
Troops should be maintained in Cuba
a number of years, as they must un-
dergo the acclimating fevers before be-
ing thoroughly serviceable. With the
exception of troops stationed near
large towns, all should be mounted.
infantry. Transportation is
abundant, mules straying during the
war having been gathered up"
General Wood gives a description OF
the permanent improvements made in
been doubled, the streets improved.
modern sewage and water systems in
and the death rate reduced
1ne-kalf. Surveys have been made for
| greatly increased water supply. The
department. has been equipped with
modern appliances, swampy lands
1lled in, an emergency hospital estab-
ished, and public buildings improved.
An ice plant has been built and the
lppealhnce of Santiago generally
transformed.
What has been done in Santiago has
,esn done to a lesser extent in Man
where Col. Petit did good
eal to improve the sanitary condition
# the town. His faithful and intelli-
ent work has been rewarded by a
,reat improvement in the health of
he people and marked diminution of
he death rate The same is true of
he work of Coils. Hood and Grubb at
Iolguin, of Col. Wylly and Captain
hatfield at BaracCa. and CT Co.'S Ray,
argeant and Icoton at Guantanamo.
n fact, wherever troops hive been
tationed, the policy has been to have
heir occupation marked by improve
lents such as mentioned above. The
roads in the province have
cen somewhat improved, 200 miles
aving been made passable for wag-
MS Road building and repair is
till an important problem.
The report contains important rec