Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-23
ToDArS CABINET MEETING
Judge Day WIN Hot Go q Commissioner to
Cuba.
The Application Of Gen. Miles to
Study the Grecian War In I'm.
der Consideration.

The cabinet meeting today was attended
by all the members except Secretary Long.
who is in Boston. The session was some
what longer than usual, and It was after
1 o'clock when the cabinet ministers took
their departure from the White House.
While the meeting was in progress, Sec
rotary Porter announced the prospective
appointments of Judge Day and Mr. Bell
amy Storer. so 1t is q fair assumption that
those appointments were considered dur
ing the meeting.
In connection with the selection Of Judge
Day as Secretary Sherman's chief assistant
In the conduct Of our foreign AFFAIRS II Ii
learned that the President has abandoned
his original purpose Of sending Judge Day
to Cuba as a special commissioner to assist
Consul General Lee In the proposed inter
rational investigation of the case OF DIR.
Ruiz, the American citizen. who met an
untimely death in Spanish prison.
The reason for this change of plan Is not
stated, but the inference is plausible that
the administration has concluded that the
proposed mission was not at all likely to
produce any tangible results that could
not be more easily accomplished through
the regular channels of communication be-
tween the consul general and the Spanish
authorities. Either this or the President
has concluded to send some one else there
In place of Judge Day.
1t Is agreed on all sides that his official
position as assistant secretary Of state
precludes his visiting Cuba for the pur-
pose Indicated, and also that there would
State Department at this time II 1t were
intended that he should not assume the
duties Of the Office until after he per-
formed the mission to Cuba. which would
most favorable conditions. Assistant Sec
rotary Rockhill is now in New York. where
he went to meet his wife on her return
from trip to Europe.
Ita asrv~.o To-. /.
OF the President ever since the change of
administration. but its acceptance was not
looked for just at this time.
Just before the adjournment of the meet
ing. Secretary Alger brought to the atten-
ton OF the President the application Of
Maj Gen. Miles for permission to visit 1ur-
Key for the purpose of observing the mill
tary operations of the armies now in open
conflict on the Grecian frontier
Gen. Miles desired to be near the scene
Of action, with a view Of studying the
movements Of the two armies from a mill
tary standpoint. In the case OF favorable
action, 1t is Gen. Miles intention to start
for Constantinole, with one or two aids.
by one of the steamers leaving New York
next week.
The President is disposed to accommo-
Gate Gen. Miles, but wishes time to con-
slider the matter in all it's aspects before
giving his consent to what some of his ad-
visers consider a dangerous proceeding, in
that the presence of the commander of the
military forces of the United States army
en- the scene of action in a foreign country
In his official capacity might possibly lead
to International complications.
Two officers of the United States army,
namely Captain Scriven and Captain Dorst
attached to the Rome and Berlin embas-
sizes. respectively, are now on their way
to ConstaEtinople and Athens to observe
the operations of the contesting armies
and 1t is not at all certain that similar per-
mission would be extended to others.
France refused to allow Gen. Sheridan to
accompany its army in the war with Prus-
sia, and it is possible that the same OBJ
lection might be made by Turkey or Greece
in the case of Gen. Miles. His high rank
and official position are the main difficult
ties in his case. The question Of expense
Is also a hard one to solve. At the con-
clusion of the meeting Secretary Alger told
matter under advisement, and was looking
up the question of presidents.
The impression Is that owing to the rapid
progress of the war and the likelihood that
it will be brought to an end before Gen.
Miles could reach the scene, the project
may have to be abandoned Should the
order be made by the President, however,
it will be the first time in our history that
the general commanding the army has gone
abroad during actual war as a military at
tache.
1t is true that General Sherman made a
tour of the world in time of peace in COM
pary with Fred. Grant, and that Sheri-
dan accompanied the German army as an
first case there was no war in progress and
in the second the officer was not at the
time of such high rank as is General
Miles,