Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-22
Discussed by Secretary Root and
General Wood.
FIGHTING YELLOW FEVER RAVAGES
No Trouble Expected From the
Coming Convention.
GOOD CROPS HARVESTED

Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, governor gen.
eral of Cuba, was at the War Department
this morning and discussed with Secretary
Root the conditions existing in Cuba. One
of the principal topics of interest just now
is the yellow fever situation, which, Gen
Wood says, is not at all serious. 1t is con-
| fined almost wholly to the city of Havana.
Gen Wood points out that out of a popula-
ton of 100000 people there are only from
eighty to one hundred cases, and but few
of these prove fatal. Outside of the city of
Havana, where the troops are stationed
there are no cases, but the staff officers of
the army stationed in Havana are obliged
to take the chances of contagion. He says
that the greater number of cases in Ha-
vana is due to immigrants from Spain
Since October of last year there have been
about 10000 Spanish immigrants, about 10
per cent of whom are Spanish soldiers who
Formerly served in the islands, the others
belonging largely to the peasant class of
Spain.
These latter take up quarters in the
cheapest lodging houses and do not take
proper precautions. and it is among them
that most of the fever cases occur. Gen
Wood Is having constructed an immigrant
station, which will accommodate 100 inlm-
grants at a time, and he hopes to improve
the condition of these immigrants in the
future.
The Coming Cuban Convention.
General Wood does not anticipate any
trouble whatever in the convention which
will assemble November ). He says that
the people of Cuba are as anxious to have
a quiet, orderly and successful convention
as would a similar body of people In the
United States. There were no soldiers or
civil officers on guard during the election,
and predictions were made then that there
would be trouble, yet not a single arrest
was made. He does not think that the
predicted introduction of a resolution, de-
handing the immediate withdrawal of
United States troops will occur. In this
connection he points out the great improve
ment that has been made in Cuba. and
says that its school system Is in excellent
condition, there now being 10000 scholars,
with the probability of 100000 at the end
OF next June.
Good Crops.
Industrially the island never was in bet
tie: condition, and it is expected that
there will be larger sugar crop than ever
before in its history. Sugar and tobacco
crops will bring S1oo0O0,000 to the island,
while there other crops which have
been successfully harvested. The city of
Havana is making arrangements to spend
about S9,ooo,OOO on street improvements,
sewerage. &c, which will greatly improve
the sanitary condition of the city. The
city will issue bonds for that purpose and
Gen. Wood is confident that they will be
disposed of at par with ) per cent interest
Speaking of the Dady interests in connec-
ton with these works he says that a
board of appraisers will be appointed to pay
Mr. Dady fair price for what he has
already expended in the matter of plans
for these new improvements.
The Wreck of the Maine.
Gen. Wood saw Secretary Long and rec
commended that steps be taken to remove
the wreck of the Maine from Havana har-
Dor, saying that 1t occupies a great deal
OF space which could be utilized to advan-,
tage. He said that he thought the wreck
would have to be taken up piecemeal, in
stead of being raised as a whole.