Arizona republican., 1905-08-04
THE NAVAL ASPECT.
The Mosquito Fleet and the Oyster
Squadron.

New Orleans. La. Aug. 3.-Although
there was a large increase of new
cases and a considerable spread of in
fection, there was diminution in the
number of fatalities today and the yell
low fever situation was regarded as
having a hopeful aspect. The authori-
ties have not concealed their expecta-
ton that for some time there would be
daily average of twenty to twenty
five cases and a proportionate number
of deaths owing to the extent of the
main infected territory and anything
less than these figures will be regard
ed as a distinct assurance that the
situation is still under control Car
rying on a scientific fight of this kind
is slow and tedious work, but the
confidence Of the authorities and the
enthusiasm Of the bulk of the public
show no impairment
Though the announcement that Cover
nor Blanchard had actually ordered the
naval brigade under arms and dis
patched it in the mosquito fleet of the
oyster commission to the louisiana
Mississippi boundary attracted atten-
ton, there is absolutely no apprehen-
sion that any serious collision will Oc-
cur. Hope generally is expressed that
Governor Vardamans instruction to
his guards not to tresspass upon Lou
isiana territory VIII be rigidly OBJ
served.
In addition to putting the naval bri-
gade on the ships. Governor Blanch-
ara today wired to the sheriffs and dis
trict attorneys of St Bernard and Or
leans parishes with a view to invok-
ing the assistance of the civil authori-
ties to clear the Louisiana waters of
any armed invaders. To the sheriffs
he sent this telegram: You will take
steps Immediately to capture and ar
rest all armed vessels and those aboard
found within that part of Lake BOrgne
situated in your parishes, SO that the
grand jury may act. Consult the dis
trict attorney and call upon Command
er BOstic Of the naval militia for as
sistance to effect captures. Go with
BOstic's expedition through the lake 3"
With a view to fnaugurating q
more thorough cleaning movement and
to strengthen the arm of the health au
thorities in fighting the mosquito
Mayor Behrman called a conference at
the city hall today. Opinions were ex-
pressed by Health officer KOhnke, by
| DIR. Beverly Warner in charge of the
ward work, and by Chairman Janvier
of the citizens committee, that while
yellow fever was known not to be
filth disease and that the most per
feet cleaning of the city could affect
in no way the fight against the dis
ase, it being the concensus of opinion
that yellow fever is only transmitted
by the mosquito, a general sanitary
movement would be certain to have a
fine moral effect and would enlist the
sympathy and active assistance of the
public in putting into effect the pre-
cautions deemed necessary to destroy
the breeding places of mosquitoes. The
result of the meeting was the ap-
pointment of committees that will take
in hand and carTE out the most COM
prehensive plans of sanitary work
Inspectors who are at work searching
out cases of illness are having manv
strange experiences. There still exists
a widespread antipathy among the
ignorant classes to making public cases
of sickness and a great deal of the
inspectors time is taken up in run
ming down suspicious cases which are
communicated by citizens to the board
of health.
The announcement that large
amount of money has been deposited
here to the order of the marine hos
pital service surgeons has created
false impression among a large num-
ber of persons now out OIL work anu
who are seeking jobs in connection
with the movement to stamp out the
fever The marine hospital officers
have been besieged by applicants for
various positions and there is appar-
emily a widespread belief that the
government is to turn loose a golden
stream in the plan of fever eradica-
ton. 1t is expected that no money
is to be spent by the government in
sanitary work here. The government
is not in control of the situation, nor
does it expect to be. All funds that
it will put out will be in the estab-
lishment and maintenance of deten-
ton camps and in any disinfection of
camps or steamboats, that may be re-
quired.
One of the good results that is ex-
pected to follow the present misfor-
tune of the city will be a vast exten-
sion of the mowers. now lodged in the