Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-05-16
AROUND CAMP COLUMBIA.
1T is NOW AN ARMY POST
NEAR HAVANA.
Daily Routine of Army Life Visitors TO
The Camp Social life, The Band.
Great Field For Army Work.
BRIGADIER- GENERAL AIRY
IN COMMAND.

And General Barry did make the in
spection. not only of the troops at
Camp Columbia, but throughout the
Island of Cuba, and he did fnd the
American Army of Cuban Paeification
in good shape. But, like everything
else that is successful there must be a
few rehearsals, and so the army did
few stunts in that line at Camp Co
lumbia, and / fancy at the other
army posts on the Island, before the
real thing happened.
On two occasions, 10 my certain
knowledge, all the officers aud men
were called out in review previous 10
General Barry's inspection, once before
the General arrived in Havana, and
once after his arrival, but he did not
appear to witness the sight. These re-
hearsals or practice reviews We're
great events for the army families at
Camp Colubmia, and the residents of
Havana, and were witnessed by at
least thousand people. Handsome
carriages (only one kind used in Cuba
tho pony victoria) and automobiles
lined the roadway in front of the pa
rade ground, and beautifully gowned
women, many of whom had officer
friends, thronged the camp.
The relieving officer on each of these
rehearsal occasions was Col. w. l..
Pitcher. of the Twenty seventh In
fantry, in command of Camp Column
bia, an army officer of more or less
fame in the early days of Havana after
the Spanish American War-a man
whom most of the Cubans of the lower
class despise. But of that we will
speak later. The sight of these troops,
thnacosa1 cfr M in 20
view in all the panoply of war, was
an inspiring one. The men carried
themselves well, the Signal Corps,
cavalry, engineers, batteries, marines,
artillery, infantry-all did themselves
proud. 1t was g grand sight, and
Colonel Pitcher was pleased. Certainly
when General Barry reviewed the
troops he must have been more than
pleased.
There is no gaiusayin g that the pres
ence of the American Army in Cuba
has a salutary effect, and the native
Cubans of the better class would like
to see the troops there indefinitely,
although their presence means an
expensive luxury. 1t is said extra
ordinary expenses of the United
States Army of Pacification in Cuba
aggregate. about 81, 500, 900, according
10 figures which have been prepared
by the War Department. The navy
mas made no extraordinary charges,
but the Marine Corps has charged
extra expenses for the organization
of brigade of marines. 1t has not
been determined exactly when this
money will be collected from Cuba,
and the time for its collection seems
rather vague and indefinite.
Uncle Sans Army comes high,
but the rich Cuban planters say they
must have it to protect their interests
from the native political grafters
who will not hesitate to seize per
sonal property and real estate at any
time if it will serve their own ends.
1t is not an uncommon thing for the
Cubans who have a grudge or want
| TO pay back ''old scores'' to set fire
| to and perhaps entirely destroy a sugar
| cane field or tobacco plantation OF
their wealthy neighbor from pure spite
and righteousness. The American
| Army's presence on the Island has
protected life and property and ha:
| held in check vandalism and willfui
| destruction of public property as well
| as maintained law and order.
Continued.