The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-08-11
WHATWE DIDINCUBA
A Summary Of the Results of
United States Occupation.
GOOD START FOR YOUNG REPUBLIC.
Schools, Custom Houses and POst-
offices Established, Public Roads
Opened and Telegraph
Lines Put Tn,

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE bu-
reau of insular affairs of the war de-
Jrlrtment has prepared statement
showing what the United States ac-
complshed during the occupation of
Cuba from the time the military gov
ernment was established, July Is,
1898, until May 10, 1902.
At the close of hostilities in Cuba, it
is stated, the country was in state
IF devastation and ruin, both as to its
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 I'M
dertook to set up a form OF govern
ment which would provide sufficient
revenues for the Immediate needs and
which might be developedfinto ii sta
Bile 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 gradual reduction
Of duties on exports from time to time
until April 1, 1901. when these duties
We're entirely abolished.
postotfices were opened throughout
the island. and native postmasters were
appointed. More than 800 postoftices
were established.
There was established a department
of finance, presided over by general
treasurer, and six provincial treasur-
eis, one for each province. Subsequent
ly these provinces were redistrictcd
and formed into eleven so called fiscal
zones.
The number of schoolhouscs provided
nearly equal those in this country for
a corresponding area.
There was constructed a telegraph
line connecting with the principal cit
les throughout the island and main
tanned by the United States signal
corps.
Public roads were opened throughout
the island. which, together with the
construction and repair Of bridges,
have been of invaluable benefit to the
Inhabitants.
AS sanitary measure the streets
of many Of the cities were paved, and
extensive systems of sewerage We're
constructed.
The harb0rs of the island were great
ly improved, an admirable system of
buoyS and beAcoHs was established,
government warehouses and docks
were repaired and constructed and
regulations conforming to those in
vogue in this country governing the
hHrhoIs Of the island were established.
The total revenues frCm all sources
collected during the occupation were
SaI,2OO,OO) aud the expenditures there
from S11,370 900, the remainder having
been turned over to the republic of
Cuba at the time of the withdrawal of
United States authority, May 10, 1902.
TIN" buildings selected for barracks
and quarters for the army We're used
only temporarily by the troops and
when put in thorough repair and good
sanitary condition. We're turned over
to tn" municipalities as hospitals.
That the administration OF the de-
partmout Of sanitation was judcious
and thorough in its results Is apparent
in the large decrease of tn" death rate
in the island since modern sanitary
measures have prevailed The death
rate prior to THIS time had been as high
as so and 80 per 1850. but decreased
to less than 90 per 1000, and during
the season Just passed, when yellow
fever was its height, Havana was en-
tircly free from this epidemic.
a clear title to thu public buildings.
roads. wharfs and schoolhousrs passed
9 to the Cuban republic.