The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-27
Senior Quesada Says Cuba Isl
Using All Precautions
U, s. NEED HAVE NO FEAR
A Few Isolated Cases Have Been DIE
covered, as They Always VIII, But
the Government is Taking All
Precautions.

washington, December 26.-Senor que
sada, the Cuban minister, ir view of re-
ports that yellow fever was beginning
again to obtain a foothold in Cuba, and
that the Cuban government was not vig-
orously enforcing sanitary precautions.
tonight gave out the following official
statement
THE rate of mortality in the island OF
Cuba has steadily decreased since the es-
tabllshment of the republic. From of
hcal data the annual death rate in tho
four last months has been. In the dis
trict of Havana. as follows:
August. 1912; September, 1924; October,
1871, and November 26.6O per thousand.
for the whole island, 1915; 1S.45; 1910 and
IA respectively. This compares most IA
vorably with the best showings of tha
states of the union and of the countries
OF Europe, and is due not only to our
splendid climate, but to the conscientious
efforts of the central sanitary depart.
ment.
There has been no epidemic of quar-.
antinable diseases. Yellow fever, SMALL
pox. cholera and plague have not develop.
ed in Cuba since the proclamation OF tins
republic. Neither of the cases of yellow
fever at Punta de SAL in October and
November, have propagated beyond ths
original cases.
Financial Inability.
.It is true that owing to the financial
inability of certain municipalities
brought about by the recent war, and up
to this year 10 the low prices obtained
by our staple products, they have been
unable to do as much as they would Ike
for water supply, street cleaning pave
ment. and sewers, but in no wise has
this caused yellow fever, which has not
broken out in any Of the ports or towns.
President Palma. has asked several times
for large sums for public improvements.
and to help the municipalities, and only
few days ago an appropriation OF SlOo,-
600 for immediate use at his request was
passed by the house of representatives.
the senate amending the bill by increas-
ing the amount three fold and as soon as
congress reassembles In January there
will be ample means to attend TO all
sanitary requirements. Cuba Is a nation
governed by a constitution and without
the action of congress no money can be
disbursed by the executive work of sani-
tation, the instance Of Guatanamo may be
cited where a week ago. the people met
and subscribed several thousand dollars
for street cleaning, etc.
Have Reported Cases.
THE sanitary authorities always have
reported any suspicious cases of illness.
. !, xsytt1
recognized experts.
Cuba is today the quarantine station
to a great extent of this country over
twenty confirmed cases of yellow fever
nave come to the island from other parts
of America, some in steamers bound Tor
the United States, and they have been
properly handled by the Cuban authori-
ties
Since the two isolated cases of yellow
fever. a small hospital sufficiently large
for all needs has been made available In
Santiago de Cuba for any cases which
arise on shore while the hospital at cayo
Duan is reserved for any important cases.
Special inspectors have been stationed
at the different mines. and will report
daily through the local sanitary office
the sanitary condition Of these stations.
and two inspectors Will undertake the
medical and sanitary inspection of all the
houses OF Santiago de Cuba.
Cases Liable to Occur.
DIR. Nelson himself says that sporadic
cases are liable to occur. There Is no SAN
itation known which can prevent such
cases. Vaccination has been used for
years. and still under the best conditions
there is smallpox. 1t would be unfair in
deed to say that there 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
isthmus, to blame the excellent sanitary
conditions established and maintained by
American health officers to misjudge the
people and government of this country.
The utmost that can be expected of any
country Is that it sees that it's sanitary
conditions are not a menace to Its neigh
bors, and that IL quarantine cases should
appear. proper precautions be taken to
prevent their becoming epidemic and
reaching other countries to their detri-
ment.
1.-The government OF Cuba is doing its
full duty in the matter, and intends to
continue improving the sanitary condi-
tlons of the small as we'll as the larger
towns, which now can be compared with
out any disadvantage with those of any
other country Cuba thus far has shown
that 1t is protecting its neighbora eff
GENTLY. and that its sanitary officers are
fully able to meet any emergency and
court any scientific investigation carried
or in good faith"
Wants Reglcldes Executed.