New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-27
OUESADA DEFENDS CUBA.
NO YELLOW FEVER THERE
The Minister Says Sanitary Precdu-
tionS IRE Vigorously Enforced.

washington, Dec. 26.-sehor Quesada, the
Cuban Minister in view of a report that yellow
fever was beginning again to obtain foothold
in Cuba and that the Cuban government was
not vigorously enforcing sanitary precautions
made the following statement tonight:
The rate of mortality in the island of Cuba has
steadily decreased since the establishment OF the
republic From official data the annual death
rate in the last four months has been in the as
trict Of Havana, as follows: August IS.4%;
September lo.z4 Oc1opeI' I.ots anu 49, Island
1860 per thousand ana Tor the Wh9le lS1 S,i
1851 1915, 1340 and IA respectively. rms
compares most favorably with the best snow
ings of the States of the Union ana OF the Co uI-
tries of Europe, and is due not Only 10 our
splendid climate but TO the conscientious EFFORTS
of the central sanitary department of CUBA.
There has been no epidemic of quarantlnaple
diseases yellow fever, smallpox. cholera anu
the plague have not developed in CUBA since the
proclamation of the republic. Neither OF the TWO
cases of yellow fever at Punta de Sal III OCTOBER
and November has propagated beyond the orig
inal case. .,,,i+
OF certain municipalities, brought about by the
recent war, and, up to this year, 10 tne low
prices obtained for staple products they
have been unable 10 do as much as they would
like for water supply, street cleaning paVeIheIs
and sewers but in nowise has this caused yer
low fever, which has not broken out In ths
norts or towns. President Palma has asked
several times for large sums for public improve
ments and to help the municipalities ah nno oR my
a few days ago an appropriation OF %IVO'oVO LOT
Immediate use, at his request, was passed py
the House of Representatives. The senate
amended the bill by increasing the amount
tbreefoId and as soon as Congress reassembles
IN January there will be ample means to at
tend to all sanitary requirements. CUBA is
nation governed by constitution, and without
the action of Congress no money can be dis-
bursed by the executive. YET, as evidence Oh
how anxious are the inhabitants TO maintain
the work of sanitation, the instance or Juan
tanano NAV be cited, where week ago the
people met and subscribed several thousand dol
lars for street cleaning, etc. The sanitary au-
olxrra hap
cases of illness, and have cared tor theIn Win
the skill of recognized experts.
Cuba to-day is the quarantine, 10 a great eX-
tent Of this country. Over twenty confirmed
cases of yellow fever have come TO the island
from other parts of America some IN steamers rs
bound for the United States. and they nave
been properly handled by the Cuban authori-
ties. ,.
cases of yellow fever a small hospital. suffi-
cient for all needs has been made available in
Santiago de Cuba for any cases which may
arise OF, shore, while the hospital at Cayo Duan
will be reserved for any imported cases, Spe-
ciaI INSPECTORS have been stationed at the dill
ferent mines, ana they VII report GaI u?
conditions of these stations, and two medical
INSPECTORS will undertake the medical and san
itary inspection of all the houses OF santiago
Dr. Nelson himself says that sporadic cases
are liable to occur There is no sanitation
known which can prevent such cases. Vaccina-
ton has been used for years, and still under
the best Of conditions there is smallpox. It
would be unfair, indeed, because tnere were
cases of yellow fever In Texas this year. or
cases of smallpox in many cities Of the
Union or deaths from yellow fever in Panama
since the Americans have been In the isthrnus 70
blame the excellent sanitary conditions estab-
Iished and maintained by American health OFF,
GERS and to misiudge the people and government
of this country. The utmost that can be eX-
pected of any country is that It sees to II that
it's sanitary conditions not menace to its
neighbors. and that If quarantinable diseases
should appear proper precautions be taken 10
prevent their becoming epidemic and reaching
other countries, TO their detriment.
The government Of Cuba is doing ats full duty
IN the matter. and intends 20 continue improv-
ing the sanitary conditions OF the small as
we'll the larger towns, which can be
compared, without any disadvantage. with
those OF any other country. Cuba thus far has
shown that ii is protecting its neighbors effi-
GENTLY and that its sanitary officers are fully
able to meet any emergency and court any
scientific investigation carried on IN good faith.