New-York tribune., 1900-05-06
PEACE AND LNDUSTRYIN CUBA
SIGNS OF PROGRESS FOUND BY COLONEL
WHITSIDE ON TOUR OF
INSPECTION.
INSPECTION

santiago, Cuba, April 25.-Coonel Whitslde,
commanding the Department Of Santiago and
Fuerto Principe. returned this morning from his
nrst inspection of the southern portion OF his de-
partment He was accompanied by his staff and
correspondent OF The Associated Press. The trip
occupied one week and made on the United
states transport Wright The object Of the inspec-
ton was more TO the condition OF the people
and obtain suggestions to their needs than to
make a conventional inspection OF Army posts, al
though the inspection thorough IN every re-
specI.
At Manzanillo the first post visited. the garrison
consists Of three troops OF the 10th Cavalry Colonel
whistles own regiment, the gallant colored
troopers whose bravery the San Juan battle
Held, with that of the other colored regiment, the
sth Cavalry probably saved the Rough Riders
from repulse and disaster. This regiment takes
kindly to Cuban service. officers and almost
unanimously saying they prefer Cuba to the hard
frontier posts where they have served so many
years in the United States. Everywhere the col
ored soldiers are popular among the Cubans They
have fitted up their comfortab bic barracks in a
homelike manner, and have excellent gym
nasium and library in Manzanio. The excellent
regimental band is stationed there. and gives BIZ
weekly concerts on the plaza that greatly en-
joyed by the people
Near Manzanillo are five prosperous sugar plan
tations, which have produced this season over
twenty-five million pounds of sugar This IS
small fraction Of the capacity of these plantations
all OF which are preparing TO plant large areas of
cane this year. Ceba Hueca Plantation the prop
erty OF John Rigney, Of New-York. the largest
sugar plant in the Province of Santiago. Wis
tied All the operating plantations on the Man
zanillo coast owned by Americans or English.
IN A FORMER NEST OF OUTLAWS.
From ManzanilIo Colonel Whitside went by am
bulance 10 Bayamo. founded in 1921, a city Of
10000 people. inhabited by probably 5000 per-
sons, and garrisoned by troop of the 10th Cav
airy. The road is excellent at this season
Of the year. and has been greatly improved by the
rFcba- acyTi-
cultural portion the province. Last October this
district inundated by foods. and Government
rations issued 5000 persons for two OF
three months. Colonel Whitside that time com
manded the district and he announced that as
soon II possible for the people to raise a
crop Of sweet potatoes and vegetables which only
requires a few weeks, further rations would be
given. Now the road IS skirted by continuous
line Of little farms and filed with Cubans carrying
fruit and vegetables to the market. The tobacco
crop is immense, considering the time since the
foods It is estimated that 10000 pounds will be
marketed this summer Manzanillo No Govern
ment aid whatever is given or needed except en-
ployment public works which being pushed
by the officers Of the 10th Regiment. Two large
schooners were being loaded with mahogany and
cedar logs for European ports. Immense quantities
Of these valuable woods shipped from Manza-
milo, having been hauled for leagues by oxen to
the port or foated down the Cauta River from the
remote interior.
General Rabi lives near Bayamo. His record as
fighter IS brilliant, and he has steadfastly re-
fused all offers OF position and profit under the
American Government. This IS so unusual that he
IS regarded as a really dangerous man The place
of Inspector Of Forests with high salary and no
duties, offered to him. but he declined with
dignity and thanks. He says the forests belong to
the Cubans and he reason for any Ameri-
can inspection of them He knows the forests has
fought in them for years. and 1t is said is ready
do again
Bayamo was the only place visited where politics
4 seemed talked about any extent. II IS a
place OF The town has been destroyed ana
devastated J..
During last years bandit operations Bayamo was
OF the most dangerous places a rendezvous
of outlawry. Every outbreak against Spain has
been conceived there and few other points
in Santiago Province. The last bandit captured
taken near Bayamo. The people are naturally
! turbulent. and the United States Government is
acting wisely in encouraging industry. giving en-
ployrnent and aid 10 all who need II in the dis
trict and sternly suppressing every laWless move
Inent.
AIONG THE WESTERN TROCHA.