Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
AND The CUBANS
Not Inclined to Act Without Being
Thoroughly Informed.
PRESIDENT WISHES TO BE PERFECTLY FAIR
Arss,y Men Believe that n Miii-
tary Commission Will visit Cuba
to Ascertain the Exnct
Condition of Affairs.

WASHINGTON. March s.-There are under
surface indications that President Cleveland
is again about TO make bold stroke in inter-
national affairs. The representative Of the
New York World last night telegraphed that
journal that before acting upon the resolu-
tions touching the recognition Of the belligsr-
ent rights Of the Cuban insurgents the presi-
dent will send a military commission TO Cuba
to investigate the true military status Of the
island. The World representative further in
timated that General Wesley Merritt, COM
mander of the Department Of the Missouri
stationed at Chicago, and several other high
officials in the army have suddenly been sum
moned to Washington. While 1t can not be
stated positively that the visit Of these officers
has anything to do with the Cuban mission. it
is believed that such is the object Of their
hssty summons to the capital.
A dispatch from Chicago says: "The re-
port that General Wesley Merritt. COM
mander of the Department Of the Missouri.
has been summoned to Washington for
conference with the president and his ad-
visers ON a secret mission OF Importance is
believed by army men in this city to be
true. At army headquarters 1t IL said that
President Cleveland contemplates a military
commission to Cuba to examine into the
is surmised that General Merritt is to be
entrusted with the leadership of the COM
mission. No member Of General Merritt's
staff, however, is willing to be quoted in
the matter. as the secrecy which is being
entertained in Washington enjons silence.
The president, it is said. favors the idea
Of a commission to Cuba to report on the
condition of affairs there. He took this
course when there was a question Of the
true status of affairs in Hawaii by sending
Commissioner Blount TO that island, and he
recently obtained the appointment of the
venezuelan boundary commission. That the
president believes in the wisdom of COM
missions is further shown by the fact that
he favored the appointment of commits
sioners to all international bimetallic con-
gres9es to consider the final situation
Besides General Merritt several other high
officers OF the army have been suddenly sum-
moned to Washington. 1t is also possible
that they are to consult with the president
and secretary Of war as to the best means OF
mobiIfzing the United States troops in event
of war. II Is suggested that II single COM
missioner went to Cuba IL would be a mill
tary man, as his investigation would have TO
be principally Of a military character. 1t
would not surprise those who regard the
sending Of a commission as probable IL Gem
eral Merritt was selected. He is a great
friend Of the president He is third in rank
in the army. a distinguished soldier, and,
moreover, possesses judicial temperament.
Major General Wesley Merritt, command
ing the Department Of the Missouri arrived
in Washington last night, accompanied by his
aide. Lieutenant Strother. First infantry. He
Is here by appointment to talk with Secre-
tary Lamont respecting the business OF his
department, especially about the location Of
certain posts in the northwest. II as re-
ported, his visit has any reference TO the
state Of affairs in Cuba. that fact is not
known to General Merritt.