Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-17
CUBANS MUST OBEY.
ALGER SAYS THE INSURGENTS
SHALL CONFORM TO OUR RULES.
MASTERING OUT The VOLUNTEERS.
One Hundred Thousand VIII He Dis
charged shortly-The Administra-
tive Affairs of Cube and Porto Rico
Now Being Arranged.

WASHINGTON. August 16.-Gradually
the framework of a government for the
civil administration of affairs ins Cuba,
Porto Rico and such portions Of the
Philippines as this government controls
Is being formed The development Of this
plan OF internal administration occupied
much Of the attention OF the Cabinet to-
day, and later Secretary Gage, Attorney
General Griggs, Postmaster-General
Smith, and Acting-Secretary- State
Moore held a two hours conference at
the State Department, going over the de-
finite detail of establishing a civil ad-
ministratlon General Corbin was present
part of the time.
THE CIVIL FUNCTIONS.
At the outset the military authorities
will be In charge of all administrative
affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico, and other ac-
quired possessions. But the military
forces can do little more than direct the
orderly execution of affairs. The carry
ing on Of postal communication. the coll
lection OF customs, ETC., are civil func-
tons which will be taken in hand by the
appropriate bureaus here, the entire work
being under the protection of the mill
tary authorities. The result OF the con-
ference to-day will be made known
through the various departments. AL
ready steps have been taken to restore
mail communication between this country
and Cuba, but the plans now under con-
sideration are likely to take in the ques-
ton Of handling mail inside of Cuba,
Porto Rico, and other points. mail
steamer will leave New York tomorrow.
carrying the first lot OF mail TO CuDa
which has left New York since the war
began.
COMMUNICATION WITH MANILA.
The Spanish Government has been quite
solicitous as to the method of administer
ing affairs in the Antilles. owing to the
large Spanish interests remaining there.
During the day the government began an
effort through diplomatic channels to re-
establish cable communication with Ma
Mia. IT was believed by officials tonight
| that the efforts would prove successful,
| although some days may elapse before
| the diplomatic representations have borne
| fruit The cable out OF Manila is under
| the control of British company. The
! line IS understood to be cut near Manila,
| but Admiral Dewey has buoyed the sew
cred ends. so that a connection can be
restored If the company will permit the
| line 20 be operated. Pending the renewal
of this cable route, the authorities here
remain without direct advices of the re-
| Iorted bombardment and surrender Of
| Manila last Saturday. The fact that the
| city has passed into American possession
is accepted as practically certain by the
authorities here, although there is no.
thing yet from Admiral Dewey or General
Merritt confirming the news.
1t is expected. that a dlspatch-boat
may bring advices to Hongkong at any
time as a move Of this important char
acter would not be allowed TO pass with
out getting speedy communication to
Washington. AS a German cruiser has
made the trip from Manila since the re-
ported surrender, it is probable that an
| American ship is not far behind with full
information.
CUBANS MUST OBEY US.
The War Department did not make pub
lie a dispatch received from General Law
ton relative to the Cubans in Santiago
but the order which General Corbin sent
to General Lawton indicates something OF
its nature. General Lawton reports that
the Cubans are, encamped about the city,
and do not seem disposed to accept the
conditions imposed by the armlstce, and
some trouble has occurred.
Secretary Alger, in speaking OF the mat
ter to-day, said that It might as well be
fully understood that the United States
| would control the surrendered territory
and that II would manage the affairs OF
the territory. Those who remained within
the Jurisdiction would have to obey the
laws and officers Of the United States, as
General Lawton was Informed.
MASTERING OUR VOLUNTEERS.
The War Department began the work OF
mastering out the volunteers, which will
not be needed in the service. The order
was prepared for mastering out 5000 men
bu, was not issued. as 1t was deemed best
TO wait news from Manila before dlsband-
ing any of the troops. 1t is expected that
all the cavalry and artillery of the volun-
teer force now in the United States will
be mustered out Unless there is de-
cided change in the present plans Of the
War Department 10000 volunteers will be
mustered out within tie next thirty days
Reports Of better conditions in the va
rious camps are being received, and espe-
cially do fiattering reports come from
Montauk Point, showing that the soldiers
are being well cared for there.