The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-27

The work of changing the old barracks
throughout the island into school
houses has progressed. aud $3.50, 900 have
been expended Hpon this work during
the year with good results. 4 thorough
" modern school is now under con-
structior nt Santiago to cost 100000.
one in Habana has 3 rooms, with
modern kindergarten. Misunderstanding
branch. 9 eymnaiiums. and baths.
Large schools have bccn established
by changes in government buildings
at Guines, Pinar del Rio. Matanzas,
Ciego tle Avilt and Colon. The first ex-
hiDit of Cuban school work ever made
was at the Pan-American exposition at
Buffalo, where IL received over 80 med
ais. There are now over $500 teachers
employed, with an average enrolment
of 10000 and an average attendance OF
40, 900 scholars The teachers have i'm
proved. There has becn n large in
crease in the number of pupils In tho
universities ana the provincial insti-
tutes, which have been provided with
new laboratories and we'll equipped
with the best modern appliances. Gen
orally, the schools now In existence are
well supplied with modern books and
the most modern furniture.
Extensive state aid has been fur
nished INDECENT farmers by the distri-
button of cattle, and over 100000 farm
ers have been assisted in this way. An
expert has been sent from cuba TO
Washington to study diseases prevalent
among the animals of the island. and
his work has been attended by good re-
suits. Chambers, formerly prevalent in
the island to an extent unknown in
other countries, has been practically
eradicated. y systematic combat with
tuberculosis. which has one of the larg
est death rates. has been inaugurated.
Systematic vaccination against small
poX is going on throughout the entire
island. The death rate from malaria in
the large towns has been much reduced
by sanitary improvements. The cnst-
ern part of the island is entirely free
from yellow fever. The western part is
practically free. there being but It few
cases in or about Havana. This dreaded
disease has passed from one of the
leading causes of death to one of tho
least frequent. The reduction of the
death rate in Habanit alone. as conf
pared with the former death rate.
shows an average Of approximately
800 lives per year saved. and HAbana
has changed its position from among
the list of the most unhealthy cities to
one of the most healthy.
The only direction in which the secrc-
tary's report is not wholly encouraging
is in the administration of Justice.
There has. he says, been Il general i'm
from what they should be. Good judges
are hard to find. Nor is the jury sys-
tenn working well. These improve
nIents come slowly and call for
patience.
Financially Cuba is in fair shape
Last year her revenues We're SIT .l67,
S66.2l ana her expenditures $l1.3S5.-
ooa.'3. The tobacco crop will be less
than last year on account Of bad mar
kets and low prices. The sugar crop
on the other hand, will be much larger
One hundred and fifty-seveu planta-
tions are in operation. and the crop of
growing cane will produce over 500. 900
tons of sugar as against G15,000 tons last
year ana 30S, 543 tons the year before
Thirty-seven new mines have been sur
veyed and located and 251 900 tons of
ore have been shipped 10 the United
States. Two hundred ana siXty-thrcc
thousand dozen sponges We're gathered
in the sponge fisheries.