New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-08-11
DEGENERATION OF CUBA.
vuAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED UNDER
AMERICAN CONTROL.

Up SANITARY CONDITIONS GREATLY
IMPROVED AND TITLE PASSED
TO THE CUBAN REPUBLIC.
washington. Aug 10 CSpeciaD.-The following
4scial review OF the administration of the gov
eminent of Cuba by the military authority OF
she United States has been issued from the Bu-
reau Of Insular Affairs Of the War Department:
The military government of Cuba was estab-
ushed by the United States on July Is, 1898, and
terminated on May 10, 1902.
At the close of hostilities in Cuba the military
authorities found the island a country in state
NJ devastation and ruin, both to its political
organization as well its industrial condition.
without precedent to guide, and many of them
without previous experience in state affairs. the
officers Of he United States Army at once
dertook to set up form of government which
would provide sufficient revenues for the i'm
mediate needs and which might be developed
into a stable and lasting system.
How well they succeeded may be best shown
by a summary of the fiscal affairs covering their
stay in the islands.
From July IS TO December 81, 1895 revenues
were collected amounting 10 $4,000 mainly
from duties on imports and municipal taxation,
and these revenues We're used for defraying the
extraordinary expenses occasioned by the condi-
ton Of affairs.
On January /, 1899 there were established In
Cuba sixteen custom houses. that at the chief
mort Havana and others at the principal sub
ports 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 rariff have
been the gradual reduction Of duties on exports
from time to time, until April l. 1901 when
these duties were entirely abolished
POSTAL SERVICE ESTABLISHED
Postofices were opened throughout the island
and native postmasters We're appointed More
than three hundred postofices were esta ollshed,
at the greater number of which the officers were
bonded, and in connection Herewith a money
order system instituted. both for domestic
and International business. a free delivery sys-
TEN was also established in all of the larger
cities. well as railway post lines, and in many
instances star routes in the interior and country
districts. giving 10 those even in the remotest
places the benefits Of a regular mail service
There was esta blished a department of finance,
presided over by a general treasurer and six
provincial treasureTs one for each province.
Subsequently these provinces were redistricted
and formed into eleven so-called fiscal zones.
These officers conducted the assessment and col
lections Of conveyance inheritance, commercial
and industrial taxes, and administered in
ternal affairs-municipal schools. hospitals pub
lie works. fostering industries and stocking
farms and plantations Thousands of brood
horses and cattle We're purchased and resold to
the natives on easy terms, enabling them to le-
sumo work which would not otherwise have
been possible.
The number Of schoolhouses provided nearly
equals those in this country for a corresponding
area.
There was constructed a telegraph line con-
Meeting with the principal cities throughout the
island and maintained by the United States
Signal Corps.
THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.
Public roads were opened throughout the
island, which, together with the construction
and repair of bridges. have been OF invaluable
benefit TO the inhabitants. Among the most
notable achievements in this connection may be
mentioned the concrete turnpike running from
Santiago 10 san Luis a distance of about TWEEN
ty-four miles. This road planned by and
constructed under the direction OF General
Wood under the immediate supervision of Lieu
tenant Matthew E. Hanna and Captain S. D.
Rockenbach. This road, crossing the noun
tains is considereded by experts as one Of the
finest mountain roads in the world. 1t gives &C
cess TO a fertile section Of country which before
had as its only means Of communication with
the outside world indistinct mountain trails
which were impossible in the rainy season. or
nearly half the year. AS a sanitary measure
the streets Of many Of the cities were paved and
extensive systems of sewerage constructed.
The harbors Of the island were greatly i'm
proved admirable system Of buoys and
beacons established, government ware
houses and docks were repaired and constructed,
and Lat RI IN
in this country, governing the harbors Of the
island were established
The total revenues from all sources collected
during the occupation were S57, 10000, and the
expenditures therefrom $55,37O.O00, the remain
der having been turned over to the Eepublic Of
Cuba at the time OF the withdrawal Of United
States authority. May 10 1902.
All expenditures were made With a view Of
contributing to the greatest good If the people
there. and throughout the entire period Of
American occupation the affairs were conducted
solely in the interests of and for the benefit of
Cuba
CHIEF SOURCES OF REVENUE.
More prominent among the items Of revenue
are the following:
Receipts from import duties:
S6s1366S IS