The Atlanta constitution., 1900-01-01
General Leonard Wood Will
Get a Complete List of
the Prisoners.
REFORM PRISON RULES
The Habit of Keeping Men in Jail Six
Months without Trial Is To Be
StOpped-vile Conditions
Found by New Gov
ernor OF Cuba.

Havana. December E.-Genersi Wood
says one Of the firs; things he looked into
after hts arrival was the nagement OF
Cuban prisons. Investigation has proved
that even among American prisoners there
has been an average detention OF five
months without trial. There are many
things calling for immediate attention,
particularly in the matter OF sleeping ac-
Communications. Reforms viii be promptly
instituted In this respect and hanimOcks
will be supplied. 80 that the prisoners will
not De compelled TO sleep on the bare
floors as Is now tie case with those who
are without friends or money only a few
who are able - pay for Ihem have cots.
lie Intends 10 make weekly visits 10 the
praspus until a majority " the existing
abuse are ahAted anu nc Is trying TO
Seyi.e means tha< will insure prompt trial
I0E reczous accused
80 gar Gs sAe Havana penitentiary Is
Concerned gE.s has been found TO be In a
perfectly s.atisfAcscEy condition II is
clean. airy. well drained and well vea-
tIla;esl ami the inmates seem healthy.
= lawyer Who recently visited several
o. the island prisons says the Charlton
LeWs report gives only portion Of the
terrible srsstl- Early last January General
3
alire Harv NEe question over So prisoners
were reported upon and General Ludlow
issued orders tor the release OF more than
-. Before Ifgy mad been discharged. how
ever. General Brooke ordered n halt and
tile matter w@r referred 10 the cabinet
secretaries. since wAlca time practically
nothing has been done. Men whom Gen
eraI L-Uligw ordered released are still
held. after three or four years waiting
Hw#M Il Fwku hus
when MS order goes into effect calling
upon Ell judicial officers and military
commanders to send complete lists OF pris-
Cne-s awaiting trial. the congestion Of un-
t-led prisoners VIII he relieved within ff-
teen days thereafter end he does not In
tend that similar conditions shall arise
again.
Warrants ara out for the rearrest OF
three III the custom house appraisers re-
Gently released. Two custom house brOk-
ers and SIX other men were arrested
today tr connection with the charge of
rseTraufsus the government. Tut were re-
leased in Se-aoa hath each Tho cases will
tse pushed to the utmost Considerable
Gtfnculty IS heing experienced in obtaining
evidence with reference ta most Of the i'm
E0rters and their employees. because some
~ the best families have relatives who are
belevei - De funl.cateI
The tuveStl l-atiou shows \ widespread
conspiracy 10 sscfraud. Heretofore Col
lectur E7IIss when hs has had persons ar
rested for fraud. has been referred to the
governor generals secretaries and he has
found the entire judicial system appar-
entity banded against him and against ron-
VIctiou scw the matter sens 10 have
been taken up by the military authorities.
who are determined that the courts shall
act with gfrmness and that decisions shall
Ie impartial anl fn accordance with the
evidence.
Legal talent Of a Aigh order has been
engaged by both sides. The government
intends. * possible. to make an example
of those against whom there T. absolute
proof and viii enLeavor - strike terror TO
the others The corrupt system which II
s. Euughr 70 break down has existed for
more than n century and scarcely any one
has looked upon Il until the present pro-
cecd1rfa were instituted as "a durable evil.
Probably some weeks Will eiapSe before
tho cases can b. brought 20 trial.
Tho Cuban Planters Association. IN
View - the alleged urgent need OF immi-
grafton TO Cuba. nave finally published
Spain and other foreign countries. The
circular says
'.suaElarls VIII nnd - home I'm Cuba. the
ouIy sliae different being the government.
CuLa4 can easily support 6.ess.es9 people.
where's a. pses7Lt there are only 10000
II tlae island The climate Is excellent and
q coed future IS assured 10 the steady
AMhIENE-