EXHIBIT R.

Recapitulation of the statistical and fiscal condition of the municipalities of the province of Santa Clara for the six months ending June 30, 1899.

This municipality is in a lamentable state of administrative poverty,
owing to the natural depreciation of its country and town property.
A general disappearance of sugar estates and other elements con-
tributing to the expenses of the municipality. Work of recon-
struction is very slow; lack of railroads is a drawback to the
locality.
This municipal district was one of the wealthiest in the island of
Cuba. Up to the fiscal year 1894-95 it was free of debt. It is now
improving, and its fiscal affairs are much better.

The municipal district is situated in a rich agricultural zone of privi-
leged and special soil for the cultivation of sugar cane, produced
both by plantations and colonies. Owing to the war, this has
almost completely disappeared.

There are several cane-raising colonies, stock farming, and smaller
farms for other cultivation. Communication with Rodas by
steamer on River Damuji, navigable to the extent of 7 leagues.
The state of the municipality has suffered by the difficult economic
situation brought on by the war, and it is hoped that when this is
improved by the development of trade and agriculture, the munici-
pality will be enabled to attend to its various obligations.

Has no communication either by railroad or high road; nearest rail-
road is 10 leagues distant. There are only common roads communi-
cating with other districts.

The jurisdiction is rich in itself, because it has excellent lands for
all kinds of tropical cultivation, especially the Buena Vista dis-
trict, which is especially adapted for coffee. There is much virgin
forest which can be utilized with great benefit.

This municipality was formed in 1879, and made rapid strides in its
development. In addition to natives dedicated to agricultural
work, there are a considerable number of Canary Islanders engaged,
and such is the profit from personal labor that a good portion of
them visit their native country yearly, returning with others of
their nationality. This section is largely tobacco, and at the present
time $2,000 are distributed daily for work in the factories. If no
unexpected atmospheric disturbances occur, it is almost sure that
the next tobacco crop will be a normal one.

The present condition of this province is rather prosperous. Service
is well attended to, and the obligations for the six months ending
June 30, 1899, have all been paid.

Values have greatly diminished, and in consequence of unfairness in
appraisements, it appears now that the vast majority of farms do
not reach the rate of $5, and are therefore exempted from taxes.
At the present time almost all the farms and estates are in ruins and
abandoned, because the owners have not the means to reconstruct
them. There are a great number of peasants at work in the fields,
but with such scarce means it is a hard and little-productive task.
It contains 2 magnificent sugar estates, making 80,000 sacks of
sugar; 67 stock farms, 147 small farming, and 62 colonies, all of
which are in production. The smaller cultivations are carried on
in a large scale, and bee culture is an important feature.

Out of 324 farms of all kinds the war left only intact a portion of 1
sugar estate. Reconstruction is now under way, but is retarded
for want of oxen.
This district is in fair condition, being the center of a large sugar-
cane country. Sanitary work has been attended to, and mortality
has greatly decreased. On June 17 the town was reported as com-
pletely clean.

The municipality will be self-supporting when the resources of the
locality are reconstructed. It contains 7 sugar estates which are
producing. The lands are of good quality for the cultivation of
sugar cane, tobacco, and small productions.

Since January 1 the municipality has improved generally, although
it is still in a state of poverty due to the loss of its former wealth.
It is purely an agricultural locality.
Public health is improving, although slowly. Owing to want of
means, indispensable sanitary work has not been undertaken.
Mortality has nevertheless decreased. Malaria exists, but it does
not present alarming features.

The condition is rather satisfactory. There are great preparations
being made for the next sugar and tobacco crop, the majority of
the estates being now reconstructed. It is believed that the ingress
for the coming year will be sufficient to meet the obligations.
The families concentrated in the town during the war have all re-
turned to their respective country homes, but there are a consid-
erable number of farms uninhabited.
Sanitation has been carried on so that the hygienic conditions have
notably improved; only a few cases of malaria. Communication
between the different "barrios" is difficult, owing to the absence
of roads. Nothing special reported of an economic nature.
In May and June 7,459 families returned to the country. No state-
ment in regard to the agricultural outlook of the district.

Sancti Spiritus

EXHIBIT S.

Recapitulation of the statistical and fiscal condition of the municipality of the province of Santiago de Cuba for the six months ending August 31, 1899.

Recapitulation of the statistical and fiscal condition of the municipality of the province of Santiago de Cuba for the six months ending August 31, 1899-Cont'd.

81 330 Good

Remarks.

Fair

937 Fair

5 None

123

Fair

This district has met all its obligations for the past six months
and has a small balance in the treasury, without assistance
from the state. In the next fiscal year, with the improvements
going on, it is believed that the municipality will be self-sus-
taining in all respects.
The extensive stock farming, with fine pasturing, like everything
else is in need of reconstruction and cattle are needed for them.
Commerce has improved lately. Roads are in bad condition.
When this municipality is able to get pack animals to handle the
produce (cocoanuts and bananas) it will rapidly improve; it is
in no sense of the word an agricultural locality. Ores will be
found by prospectors. It has a good harbor-one of the best on
the north coast; it needs badly a new wharf, which would pay
for itself before long by being placed in charge of the collector
of customs.
The district is naturally rich in soil, but is to-day almost unex-
ploited; only one sugar mill in bad shape. Forest products
abundant and of superior kind and quality. Public order can
not be better; no cases of robbery have been recorded. There
is no record ir this municipality regarding rural nor urban
property. Valuation and assessments will be made in accord-
ance with land.

22

None

14

14

None

25

25

REPORT OF MAJ. EDGAR S. DUDLEY, JUDGE-ADVOCATE, U. S. V., JUDGE-ADVOCATE DIVISION OF CUBA.

HEADQUARTERS DIVISION of Cuba,
JUDGE-ADVOCATE'S OFFICE,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL, DIVISIOn of Cuba.

Habana, Cuba, September 30, 1899.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of this office in connection with civil affairs since January 1, 1899:

Matters connected with civil administration of the island have, from the beginning, occupied the attention of this office, the military work being but small in comparison with it.

On the 1st day of January, 1899, when the military governor assumed control of the government of the island, acting under the authority of the President of the United States, I received, by his order, and assumed charge of the following depart

ments:

1. That of the secretary of the general government;

2. The office of the presidency of the council of secretaries; 3. The department of grace, justice, and government;

The duties of the two former were most closely allied to former methods of administration, being intimately and directly connected with the governing power. Upon the assumption of control of government by the military governor the duties of these two departments became, therefore, very small, and they were merged into the newly organized department of state and government, and subsequently abolished in the reorganization of that department February 24, 1899.

In the department of grace, justice, and government there were matters requiring immediate action, and which could not be delayed; such as release of prisoners, pardons, designation of place of imprisonment of convicts, etc., but all matters not of immediate necessity were held until the duly appointed secretary could take charge. The appointment of José Antonio González Lanuza as secretary of this department was made January 12, 1899, but on account of his absence he did not take the oath of office until January 31, 1899.

The former departments of government were, on January 11, 1899, consolidated into four, viz:

1. The department of state and government;

2. The department of finance;

3. The department of justice and public instruction;

4. The department of agriculture, commerce, industries, and public works. The oath of office to all the secretaries of the above departments was administered by me on January 16, 1899 (except the secretary of justice, to whom I administered it later, as above), in the presence of the military governor, members of his staff, and others.

CONDITION OF LAWS, ETC.

It became at once necessary to examine into and understand the form of government which the military government was supplanting; its methods of administration; organization and methods of procedure of the courts; the nature of the laws and modifications most immediately needed to suit the changed condition of affairs.

The government of the island was that of monarchical Spain, ostensibly, but not actually, modified by the so-called government of autonomy, which had been in existence for about a year, and which was a concession to the protests of the United States against the system of oppression of the Cuban people, formerly pursued by the Spanish rulers. This government of autonomy was one in name rather than in fact, for the Spanish Governor-General of the island still retained supreme power and control, laws passed being subject to his sanction before promulgation.

The laws existing were those of the Latin-speaking races of people generally, existing under a monarchical form of government.

While the laws themselves provided in most instances proper remedies, the law of procedure and the administration of the laws were entirely antagonistic to our modern methods of practice and recognition of the personal rights of men. The courts were

said, and appeared from satisfactory indications, to be corrupt, largely due to the methods pursued in criminal cases.