The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-08-29
WHAT WAS DONE IN CUBA
Statement Showing What United
States Accomplished While in
Control of Island.
A WASHINGTON BUREAU GIVES FACTS.
Revenues Were Organized, Schools
Established, Telegraph Lines Con-
structed and Streets and Hnrbors
Improved-Receipts and Expendi-
tures-CIenr Titles Given.

Washington, Aug. 19.-The bureau
of insular affairs of the war depart
ment has prepared statement show
ing what the United States accom-
plished during the occupation of Cuba
from the time the military govern
ment was established July is, 1898, UNI
til May 10, 1902. At the close of hos
tilities in Cuba it is stated the country
was in a state of devastation and ruin,
both as to 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 undertook to set
up form of government which would
provide sufficient revenues for the inn
mediate needs and which might be de-
veloped into a stable and lasting sys
tenn.
Departments Established.
Sixteen custom houses were estab
lished and tariffs were put in force.
The principal changes in the tariff
have been the gradual reduction of
duties on exports from time to time
until April 1, 1901, when these duties
We're entirely abolished. More than
300 post offices were opened through
out the island, and native postmasters
were appointed. There was estab-
hshed department of finance, presid-
ed over by general treasurer, and six
provincial treasurers, one for each
province. Subsequently these prov
inces were redistricted and formed
into IL so-called zones.
Education Cared For.
The number of schoolhouses provid-
ed nearly equals those in this country
for a corresponding area. There was
constructed telegraph line connect
ing the principal cities throughout the
island and maintained by the United
States signal corps. Public roads
were opened which, together with the
have been of invaluable benefit to the
inhabitants. AS a sanitary measure
the streets of many of the cities were
paved and extensive systems of sew
erage built. The harbors of the island
were greatly improved; government
warehouses and docks were repaired
and constructed. and regulations con-
forming to those in vogue in this conn
try governing the harbors of the is
land were esta blished.
Receipts and Expenditures.
The total revenues from all sources
collected during the occupation was
$57,2O0,O0O and the expenditures there
from $55,370,O00, the remainder having
been turned over to the Republic OF
Cuba at the time of the withdrawal of
United States authority May 10, 1902
penditures made from Cuban rev.
enues: Justice and public instruction
$11, ,s3s; rural guard and admins
tration, $5,247,6S5; agriculture, indus
try and commerce, $1,129,535; bar
racks and quarters, $2,524. 6s2; public
buildings, works, ports and harbors
$5,955,39O; charities and hospitals, $4,.
12s,O57; sanitation, $9,703,457.
Given Clear Title.
All of the branches of government
were organized and gradually put into
the hands of native officers, who had
been associated in the respective de-
partments with American administra
tors, whereby opportunity was giver
for full understanding of our meth
DDS of government. The former as.
sistant auditor under the American ad.
ministration became the auditor for
the new republic; the assistant treas.
urer became the treasurer; the ma tive
administrators of justice, finance, pub
lie instruction and public works, con.
tinue to hold Office under the Cuban
government. A clear title to the pub.
lie buildings, roads. wharves and
schoolhouses passed to the Cuban Re
public.
Barred from Belgium,