The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-05

within a few DAYS. before could make any
further progress with the inspection,
was ordered to Washington to report to the
Secretary of War. in person. l left here
on the right of May for Washington,
and returned May 30. for period of six
days. to gather data to go as witness
before the extraditon court, and left on
June for New York.
Il make this explanation more in detail
than / otherwise would, because l under
stand that the Fidelity Trust Company's
agents here, who are on Mr.. Neely's bond
for $50, Geo. have reported through the As
sociated Press that l knew Mr.. Nicely was
a Gefaulter in January OF 1900
THE above statement of facts shows
first, that Mr.. Nicely was a receiving Oh
fieer. whereas General Rsthb0ne was a
disbursing officer. and that their accounts
were entirely dissimilaT; second, that prior
to April 25 when l discovered his defalca-
ton. had never been ordered to. nor did
ever, inspect Mr.. Neely's accounts, and
hence 1t was impossible for me &c have
known at that time that he was de-
faulter."
The Cuban Election.
Regarding the elections General Will
son says: THE recent municipal cleo
lions passed in these provinces without
ths slightest disturbance to public order.
The excellent order everywhere pre-
served was due to the individual effort
Of the civil authorities and people them
selves. The temperate character of the
people made election day throughout
the department appear more like
Sunday than a day of anxiety. No
drunkenness nor disorder Of any kind
was observed While l feel sure that
large majority CT the people of the
provinces are in favor Of Independence
and are impatient at what appears to
them to pe the slow progress that ras
been made in that direction, yet there
are others who, while wanting anneXa-
tion in its full sense of dependency IN.
some measure, still feel the same ira"
patience with the existing delay.
obviously the Foraker resolution, so
long as it continues in force, will be re-
garded by many as standing in the way of
prosperity, but in my judgment it should
not be repealed until the governments OF
the island is definitely established. Mean
while no enterprises requiring public fran
chises can be undertaken"
General Wilson says that the greatest
need of the island is for the establishment
'of such trade relations with the United
States and other neighboring countries as
will stimulate agriculture. commerce, and
immigration" He says in conclusion: i
lance of the good and successful manage
ment of the insular affairs by the repre-
sentatives of the intervening Government,
aided, as they have been. by the tranquil
lily, patience, and tractability of the Cuban
people, do not doubt Cuba will become at
an early day a rich, independent, and WE'LL
governed country"
The Foraker Amendment.
Major Dudley reports that there have
been many efforts to secure grants or
concessions" but the Foraker amendment
is very comprehensive in its terms. and
prevents many works and enterprises
which would benefit the island and its peo-
pie" He declares that the time has come
when this law ought to be modified, so as
to give some latitude to the municipal
corporations in the matter of municipal
franchises. He says: THE growth of the
cities and their pressing needs demand it.
The power to grant concessions for rail-
roads and their extension; for telegraph
and telephone lines and other improve
ments that will conduce TO the general
welfare of the people and public interests
should be given with as little delay as
possible, under such restrictions thereon
as will prevent speculation, ensure honest
dealing, and limit such grants TO honest
investors after due competition
Major Dudley also refers to the develop.
ment of the Cubans toward self govern
ment and remarks: There are many of
the bad habits and customs of Spanish
tyrannical government to overcome and re-
place with good ones, the system of re-
preston to be set aside for liberal ideas,
and this is not to be accomplished 1T
day or a year, or in two years. 1t Is un-
fortunate for them and for the United
States that there have been dishonest cfi-
Gals found among Americans employed
here One dishonest. self-seeking. THEY
ing American has done more injury to
these people at this critical stage OF their
governmental development than all the
honest officials can undo"
Health of the Troops.
Major Hazard, reporting on the health Of
the troops in Cuba, says: ITO maintain the
health and efficiency of the United States
troops on this island requires great care
and particular precautions. They must be
kept away from the hot sun and only ex-
ercised or drilled in the morning and
evening. Their barracks must be on high,
well-drained grounds, away from towns,
swept by breezes, with good and abundant
water supply and excellent sewerage.
He says regarding yellow fever Tat
the increased experience with The dis
ease has shown that there ~ much
about the nature, development and COM
municabiIity of the contagion that the
officers are ignorant of why the
germ should remain quiescent and in
active and then suddenly become @ctiye
and virulent is question still IN
answered"
Major Hazard declares that contract
surgeons are not qualified by profess
sional attachments or military expert
ence and knowledge to perform succcss-
fully the duties required of them, which
leads him to endorse the opinion of the
surgeon general of the army that the
medical corps of the Regular Army
should be increased.
General Lee agrees with Major Havard
regarding yellow fever. saying: 'If
vigilance is at all times exercised troops
can be kept in the tropics without loss
of health, vigor. or military efficiency.
but we must never forget that the
germs of yellow fever are ever present
and are still a mystery to the medical
profession" General Lee advocates the
army canteen, about which he reports:
Satisfactory results have been OBJ
tanned in my command" he says, from
the establishment and maintenance of
canteens. There is no question but that
the eanteen affords an outlet to those
soldiers who are more or less inclined
to the drinking habit and also keeps
them in camp. when otherwise they
would be running out to the nearest
grog shop. where only the worst liquors
are served"
Benefits of the Cantcen.
He refers to the report of his inspector
general, who says: although 1t was just
after pay day, there was not a man in the
entire command inspected who showed any
effects of the use OF intoxicating liquor"