Evening star., 1902-08-11
-FOUR YEARS IN CUBA
American Administration of
Affairs.
DISBURSING REVENUES
A BALANCE OF NEARLY $4,000, 900
TURNED OVER.
Statement Issued by the Bureau of In
sular Affairs of the War
Department.

The bureau of insuiar affairs, War De-
partment, has issued a statement In regard
to the administration of the government of
Cuba by the United States during the pc
riod from July 49, 1898, to May 10, 1902 1t
is in part as follows:
"At the close of hostilties in Cuba the
military authorities found the island
country in a state of devastation and ruin,
both as to it's political organization and
its industrial condition. Without prec-
edent to guide, and many Of them without
previous experience in state affairs, the
officers of the United States army at once
undertook to set up a form Of government
which would provide sufficient revenues for
the immediate needs, and which might be
developed into stable and lasting system.
How wen they succeeded may be best
shown by a summary of the fiscal affairs
covering our stay in the islands.
From July 1S to December 81, 1898, rev.
enues were collected amounting to $500, 900,
mainly from duties on imports and munic-
tpal taxation, and these revenues were used
for defraying the extraordinary expenses,
occasioned by the condition of affairs.
"On January 1. 1899, there were estab-
lished in Cuba sixteen customs houses, that
at the chief port, Havana, and Others at
the principal SUPPORTS Of the island. These
offices were fully equipped from the outset,
and a uniform tariff was observed in the
assessment Of taxes and duties. These
rates We're generally about the same as
those which obtained in the United States.
The principal changes in the tariff have
been the gradual reduction of duties on ex
ports from time to time, until April 1, 1901.
when these duties were entirely abolished.
Post Offices and Public Roads.
Post offices were opened throughout the
island, and native postmasters were ap-
pointed. A free delivery system was also
established in all of the larger cities, IS
well as railway post lines, and in many in
stances star routes in the interior and
country districts. giving to those even in
the remotest places the benefits Of regu-
lar mail service.
There was established a department of
finance, presided over by a general treas
urer, and six provincial treasurers, one for
each province. Thousands Of brood horses
and cattle were purchased and resold to the
natives on easy terms, enabling them to re-
sumo work, which would not otherwise
have been possible. e
THE number of school houses provided
nearly equals those in this country for
corresponding area.
There was constructed a telegraph line
connecting with the principal cities
throughout the island, and maintained by
the United States signal corps.
Public roads were opened throughout
the island. which, together with the con-
struction and repair of bridges, have been
Oh lnNdiudDle DeNeHl the lnaDIanLS.
Among the most notable achievements in
this connection may be mentioned the con-
crete turnpike running from Santiago to
San Luis, a distance of about twenty-four
miles. AS a sanitary measure the streets of
many of the cities were paved, and ex-
tensive systems of sewerage constructed.
THE harbors of the island were greatly
improved, an admirable system of buoys
and beacons was established, government
warehouses and docks were repaired and
constructed, and regulations conforming
to those in vogue in this country governing
the harbors of the island were established.
The Revenues.
'The total revenues from all sources COL
lected during the occupation were S57, ,200, 900
and the expenditures therefrom $55370, 900,
the remainder having been turned over to
the republic of Cuba at the time Of the
withdrawal of United States authority, May
IS. 1902.
"a feature of the expense account in
Cuba was occasioned by the condition of
the various municipalities, all Of which
showed large deficits in their annual bud
gets. In the fiscal year 1899 more than
one million dollars was contributed to de-
fray those deficits, and thereafter the
schools, police and municipal hospitals and
charities were maintained almost entirely
at the expense of the insular government.
This condition has been very largely over
come, and the majority of the municipali-
ties are now self-sustaining
THE following shows some Of the ex-
penditures made from Cuban revenues:
Justice and public instruction .......Sf1 1H5 S3S
Rural guard and administration. 5247, ,6s5
Agriculture. industry and commerce.. d,I29, 5s5
Public buildings, works. ports and har-
M DOTS OTIS ond ho:nt.,s aS3 5g 5sg
1.-The buildings selected for barracks and
quarters for the army were used only tenn
porariy by the troops and when put In
thorough repair and good sanitary condition
were turned over to the municipalities as
hospitals. Many of the most completely
appointed hospitals in the island have been
fitted out In this way.
THAT the administration Of the depart
ment of sanitation was Judlcious and thor
ough In it's results is apparent in the large
decrease Of the death rate In the island
since modern sanitary measures have pre-
vailed. The death rate prior to this time
had been as high as 80 and 90 in the thou
sand, but decreased to less than % in one
thousand; and during the season just pass
ed, when yellow fever was formerly at it's
height, Havana was entirely free from this
epidemic.
Marine Quarantine.
1.-THE marine quarantine conducted by the
United States marine hospital service has
been effective in preventing the spread of
contagious diseases, and this service has
greatly aided the other officers in their ef-
forts to establish healthful conditions. The
gulf states of the Union have also profit
ed by these measures.
"All of the branches Of government were
organized and had been gradually put into
tile hands Of native officers who had been
associated in the respective departments
with American administrators, whereby op-
portunity was given for full understand
ing of our methods of government.
THE former assistant auditor under the
American administration became the audi
tor of the new republic; the assistant treas
urer became the treasurer, the native ad-
ministrators Of justice, finance, public in
struction and public works continue to hold
office under the Cuban government
"a clear title to the public buildings,
roads, wharves and school houses passed to
the C,lban republic"