New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-21
YELLOW FEVER IN CUBA ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
Sanitary Neglect Cause of Outbreaks,
Governor MACON Reports.

washington, Aug 20.-The War Department
to-day made public a long cabled report from
Governor Magoon of Cuba, which startled the
medical officers, showing as it does that IN the
short period since the withdrawal of the Amer
lean government of intervention and the re-
assumption of American government py the
Cuban army of pacification there had been
woful neglect Of sanitary precautions ana an
almost complete disregard of the treaty obli-
cations under which the Palma government was
placed to keep the island clean and healthful. 50
that II should no longer be source or danger
and infection to the United States and other
countries.
The Governors report also discloses the TACT
that the fever in this last outbreak has not oeen
confined to the hospital corps men, but mas
extended TO other soldiers He also Indicates
that the evil sanitary conditions cannot be
cured this year, in spite of the most vigorous
efforts on the part Of the American authorities
in which it appears they received little support
from the native Cuban physicians.
Before he left Washington Secretary Taft be-
came seriously concerned for the safety of the
American troops and residents in Cuba rs a
result of the occurrence of yellow fever at Glen
fuegos He cabIed to Governor Magocn a re-
quest for full statement Of the conditions { i
urged the Governor to take every step TINT
prudence and experience should suggest to eradl-
cate the disease. Governor Magoon complied by
sending to-day's report.
The report says there are three cases in town.
exclusive of soldiers. Twelve soldiers contracted
the disease and three of them died All the
soldiers contracted the disease in hospital NO
cases have appeared in soldiers quarters. Inc
report adds:
Proba bly, a case of yellow fever mild as to
be uarecognizabIe was admitted TO a private nos
pital, and stegomyia in the hospital became m
quarters occupied by the soldiers hospital Ine
infected mosquitoes may have remained dormant
became active when warm weather returned and
The Cubans are Indifferent to this disease, and
it is difficult to induce or compel native physicians
to take the time and trouble to distinguish yellow
fever from other fevers and make report thereon
If we accept the mosquito doctrine we must re-
except for failure 10 secure reports of all cases
Of fever or increased tenpeTatuIe, lot l! - a }o
teal impossibty 70 eliminate the stesoIy-4 ION
CienfuegOs until the completion or the water
works the sewers and the pavements, the COM
pIete drainage of the city and the discontinuance
of the of water containers. 49,
n9sd "a hod Wate- run through the litter in the
main hall Of the hospital contained stegornyla
Larvae.
After detailing measures to investigate and
designed TO remedy the situation Governor Ma
COON says he hopes the situation will permit the
immediate construction Of the Cienfuegos water
works and sewers now held up by the Reilly
contract controversy. He adds:
The sanitary work Of the island outside Of IA IA,
vana has been ineffective for years, due 10 the
fact that sanitation left 10 the local authori-
ties and sanitary officials INSTRUCTED and delayed
by local interferences. on November ! issued
decree making army engineers meIn2ers of sanitary
boards in towns where stationed and | deter9insd
natonalize the service The final draSt or the
decree was completed last week and is now In tie
hands Of translators and viii De issued within a
few days. .. -.
am pressing the Public Works Department to
complete the plans for the water and sewer sys-
ems and hope to get the work started IN ten OF
fifteen cities within the next few months
Outside Cienfuegos there are three caseS-two IN
MatanZas and one in Alacranes, near Matanzas-
The remainder Of the island Is free from the
disease. The situation calls for prompt and Wig
orous attention will receive II, but II Is nuc
better than it was last fall at this time, and
hope will occasion continued alarm. The MILL
tary authorities OF the United States and all
branches OF the Cuban government are co-operat-
ing heartily and fully.