The evening times., 1900-10-03
WOODS REPORT ON CUBA
4 Massive and Elaborate Volume
on Many Subjects.
Includes General Lees Report of the
Army Canteen, Which Is Endorsed.
Recommends That All Troops in
the Island Should Be Mounted.

Tha War Department has just received
from Havana a copy of General Woods
annual report on the work in Cuba. The
book contains 800 pages and includes re
ports on the geographical and physical
features of the island, present state of
improvement on plantations, census, in
land transportation, mineral resources,
public lands, and forests. 1t is profusely
illustrated and presents the reports of
the various staff officers and department
mmanders.
feature of General Lees report given
by General Wood is the result of prac-
ticai test of the Army canteen which re-
ceiyes General Lees endorsement, the test
showing a better condition of the health
of the troops having the canteen system.
General Wood says in part:
There has been steady diminution in
the strength of the garrisons of the island
siEce December, 1899. In January the Fif-
teenth Infantry was relieved from duty in
the island and the Home Battalion of the
Tenth and Eighth Cavalry were sent 10
the United States; also the Home Battal-
ions of the First, Second, Eighth, and
Tenth Infantry and Second Artillery; in
the month of July, 1900, the First, Second.
Fifth. and Eighth Infantry were relieved
from 3uty in the island.
The general reduction in the garri-
sons resulted in the abandonment CT tae
posts OF Baracoa, GibaFa, Nuevitas,
Caibarien, Cardenas. Sagua La Grand
Placetas, Saneti Spiritus, Trinidad, Pi-
mar del Rio. and Guanajay, and the
abandonment of many temporary sta
lions and the concentration of the
troops OF the remaining regiments into
comparatively large garrisons, the Sew
tTT-h hsiT-S ~ Iad OF =
Columbia, the Second Artillery CARR Sons
the defences OF Havana and one light
battery at Columbia Barracks The eE
tire Second Cavalry has heen assemble
at Aatanzas, headquarters and Cne bat
talon Of the Tenth infantry at CieL-
fTegos, the remaining battalions be ng
stationed at MORO Castle, Santiago"
General Wood recommends that all
troops in Cuba be mounted. He says:
'All troops intended for service in Cuba
should be mounted. Infantry engaged in
active work in Cuba during the hot and
rainy season, and even during the winter,
viii suffer frcm malaria. heat. aid ex-
haustion. whereas mounted troops can
perform hard service without bad Ie-
suits
The posts in the division are in good
condition to shelter troops. After two
years service in the island / think it can
be said that our troops can serve here
without difficulty. The health OF the en-
tire command is excellent.
The general conduct of the troops has
been most admirable and ii may be said
that complaints against the troops from
the civil authorities and individuals have
been of extremely rare occurrence The
general conduct of officers and men has
been such that the military occupation has
been free from scandal or evil reports re-
fleeing in any way upon the service. Spe-
cial attention has been given to military
instructions and the fine appearance of our
soldiers. their efficiency in drill and high
state of their discipline are conclusive
proof that officers have given careful and
personal attention toward attaining this
degree OF efficiency