Gilpin observer., 1902-08-14
AMERICAN WORK IN cvsA.
What This Country Has Done for the
New Republic.

washington, Aug. l2.-The Bureau OF
Insular Affairs of the War Department
has prepared a statement showing
what the United States achieved dur
ing the occupation of Cuba from the
time the military government was es-
tablished, July Is, 1893, until May,
1902.
At the close of hostilities In Cuba, it
is stated, the country was in state
of devasttion and ruin, both in it's
political organization and its Industrial
condition. Without precedent to guide,
and many of them without previous
experience in state affairs, the officers
Of the United States army at once un-
dertook to set up a form Of govern
ment which would provide sufficient
revenues for the immediate needs and
which might be devoted into q stable
and lasting system.
Sixteen custom houses were estab.
lished, one at the chief port, Havana,
and others at the principal supports
Of the island, and tariffs were put in
force. The principal changes in the
tariff have been the general reduction
of duties on exports from time to time,
until April l, 1901, when these duties
were entirely abolished.
Postoffices were opened throughout
the island and native postmasters were
appointed. More than 300 postoffices
were established.
There was established department
of finance, presided over by general
treasurer, and six provincial treasur-
ers, one for each province. Subse-
quently these provinces were redis-
tricted and formed into eleven so-called
fiscal zones. These officers conducted
the assessment and collection of con-
veyances, Inheritance, commercial and
industrial taxes, and administered in
ternal affairs-munlcipal schools, hos
pitfalls, public works, fostering indus
tries and stocking farms and planta-
tions. Thousands Of brood cattle and
horses were purchased and resold to
the natives on easy terms, enabling
them to resume work, which would not
otherwise have been possible.
The number Of school houses pro-
vided nearly equal those In this coun-
try for a corresponding area.
There was constructed a telegraph
line, connecting with the principal cit.
les throughout the island, and main
tained by the United States signal
corps.
Public roads were opened throughout
$50 icsAhu, WhlCli, tOSclueT WIFI Tie
construction and repair of bridges,
have been of incalculable benefit to the
inhabitants.
As sanitary measure the streets of
many OF the cities were paved and ex-
tensive systems Of sewerage con-
structed.
The harbOrs Of the island were great
~ improved; an admirable system of
buoys and beacons established, govern
ment warehouses and docks were re-
paired and constructed, and regula-
tions, conforming to those in vogue iu
this country, governing the harbors of
the island, were established
That the administration Of the de-
partment Of sanitation was judicIous
and thorough In Its results is apparent
In the large decrease OF the death rate
In the island since modern sanitation
measures have prevailed. The death
rate, prior to this time, had been as
high as eighty and ninety In the thou
sand, but decreased to less than twen-
ty-three In one thousand; and during
the season just passed, when yellow
fever was formerly at its height, Ha-
vana was entirely free from this cpl
demic.