Washington sentinel., 1899-04-08
Americaniziur a Cuban CITY.

When Brigadier General Leonard
Wood, United States Volunteers, late
colonel of the Rough Riders, assumed
charge Of Santiago de Cuba the domes.
tic, sanitary, commercial aud political
conditions OF the city were about as bad
as they could possibly ME. They were
not the result alone Of the Cuban revo-
luton, the succeeding war between
Spain and the United States, and the
siege of the city by the American army.
Ia immediate hardship and suffering for
the citizens of Santiago, the war had
been tragically effective; but it would
have been much less so had the pc opIe
not been living, time out of mind, IN
utter contempt of the most rudimentary
precautions adopted by civilized men
/ for the preservation Of health and COM
fort. For two centuries Santiago had
borne the reputation of being one Of the
most unclean cities on earth. Oft an
old merchant captain had said ut could
be smelt ten miles at sea- When Gen.
Wood assumed the government OF it, on
the 10th day of last July, its streets and
courts and houses had come to the last
degree Of filth and notsomeness, and OF
its forty odd thousand residents great
numbers were sick. no small number
were starving, and all we're utterly
miserable. Bodies Of the DEAD lay in
the streets, and as Gen. Wood rode
about the city, making his first inspec-
ton, vultures flew up before him from
teasting on human carcases. There was
no food to speak or The FIRST meal
eaten by Gen. Wood himself in the Cafe
Venus, on the Plaza de Armas, cost him
fourteen dollars in gold, and the meat
| served was horse.
Within a few hours Of the receipt OF
his appointment General Wood had
thrown of his coat and was heartily at
work. Happily for the quick and sure
execution Of his task, he began with
ample powers; his appointment carried
with it money and authority equal to the
utmost Of his legitimate needs. The
matters that first claimed his attention
we're the feeding Of the starving people
and the amendment of the ctys sani-
| tary condition. AS many rations as
could. be obtained were issued with a
| free but careful hand, food depots were
| established at various places: and before
| forty.eight hours had passed actual
famine had been brought to an end
After the first pangs ofhunger had been
| aPpeased,a system, guarded by stringent
regulations, was promulgated for the
supply OF TODD. Meat had gone up to
ninety cents pound, and was scarce at
that. Bread sold for fabulous prices,
the few bakers who had flour being
arrogant and exacting. The market
place-the centre oil traffic, and, in
ordinary times, all life and bustle-was
silent and deserted. Shops, factories.
and cafes were equally still and unpeo-
pied. The city Hafader0, or slaughter
house, stood idle, amongst rank growth
OF weeds. No supplies Of any sort came
in from the surrounding country. Only
the rations issued from the Government
depots arrested actual starvation. But
very soon there came a change; provi.
| siUus began " come ronn The Ordinars,
sources and by the ordinary WAYS. As
the supply increased, however, there
was no diminutiou in the prices Of
| food. Gen. Wood seuc for the alder
men representing the different wards Of
the city, and he also summoned the
butchers. When they we're assembled
IN his Office, he arranged them in two
lines, facing one another. Then, by
means Of an interpreter, he asked the
butchers: How much do you charge
for your mest?" Ninety cents a pound,
senior" "What does It cost you"'
There was hesitation and a shutting OF
feet; then one Of the men said in a whin-
inc voice; Meat is very dear, your
excellency." "How much a pouud2"
Fifteen cents, your eNCellenCy; but we
have lost much money during the war
and 80 have your customers
| Now meat will be sold at IS cents q
pound, and not one cent more. Do you
understand? Then. turning TO the
/ aldermen, he charged them to see tha
e his order was carried out to the letter
e unless they wanted to be expelled from
y office. Thenceforward meat was sole
= in the markets at IS cents. A simila
;. reduction was made in the prices O
IS bread, vegetables and all food products
e It was the first showing Of the maste
Is hand to the public, and confidence ii
IS the American methods Of administrative
IS ngthsned rapidly.