The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-26
CABINET CONSIDERS CUBA.
ATTENTION GIVEN TO HECkER
REPORTS on CAMP SITES.
of Territory - Fast - Evaeussed
Needed Changes In Porto Rico
Are NJ Pre,cut Under Discussion.

WASHINGTON. Oct :5---Secre;ary Al
ger carried With him TO the cabinet meet
Ing 4 mass OF data relative TO the eFacGA-
ten O: Cuba by the Spanish troops aud 70
me establishment OF camp sites Tor tne
occupation OF American troops OF the TAT
Ter. Col. Hecker's commission furn4snel
nearly all the iEformafie1. and there were
no less than three separate reports on me
subject. Tire commission has already pref
~ welt exploited Havana province. has
made some excursions inlo Aatanzas prov
ince and al las. account vas working N
pinar Gel RIO.
The "a binet gave good deal G. attention
20 the Hecaer boards report, aid II may
be remarked as significant that /. IS uH-
decided whether the United States Will
build PIERS and other permanent aids
to landing troops or depend up
on lighters such as were used at Santiago
for landing them. TIE signhca See OF the
decision TO be reached lies in the fact that
Il may Indicate a determination on the
pa.t OF the administration to make a long
.r or shorter occupation of the island OF
Cuba. II the stay Of the United States
troops in Cuba Is to be short. lighters viii
probably serve all purposes, IL On the other
hard a long military occupation Is looked
forward 70 permanent landing structures
would Dc the most economical and service
able
The situation in Cuba was gone over for
the infornat.op OF those members who did
not Sec The president yesterday. IL was
explained that the time limit for the
svacua ion OF the island had been extended
from December ! 10 January ana that
the United States would assume control
Of the government Of the several cities and
provinces AS fast as they were evacuated
10y he spaniards. but no faster. Havana
probably will he the last OF the cities TO
remove liz troops and the last 10 surren-
der civil control 10 the United States. This,
however. must he accomplished by JAnd-
AIRY l.
The question of the relations Porto Rico
snail bear 20 the general government Of
the United States IL receiving the careful
consideration 90 the president and the
rnemb.rs % the cabinet. The question Of
change in the currency system OF the
island. the customs and internal revenue
laws. suffrage and many other incidental
but highly important subjects are now un-
der consideration, and VIII probably be
treated upon at some length in the presi-
dent's forthcoming message 70 congress
II is not unlikely that congress Will be ask
ed 10 pass some needed general legislation
respecting the temporary government Of
the Island. with a recommendation that a
commission be appointed 10 consider with
more delibera.ion than IS possible in Il
short session or congress. all OF The Ques-
tons involved and make a report at fu
ture time.
There was some talk OF the work Of
The Paris commission. and although ii is
feaiizeo that the situation is not salts
factory, confidence was expressed in the
ultimate success OF the American demands
The Spanish commissioners, as was stated
were asking For everything In the hopes
of getting some hing.
During this afternoon and tonight in
formation received ny the president from
Paris was Informally discussed at the
White House by Mr. Mckinley and sew
eTai members Of his cabinet
Tonight four members or the cabinet
Secretary Hay. Secretary Aiger. Post
master General Smith and Secretary WI
son. were with the president for some
time The information received from the
American peace commissioners which was
sad 10 De disquieting. WIS informally dis
cussed. but as far as could be ascerta.ned,
no action OF any kind was taken
Precisely tire nature OF the information
received by the president from the Ameri-
can commissioners was no. disclosed to-
might II is sad, however, that the stu
alton Is embarrassing. II not critical in
the opinion of the commissioners although
there ia still reason for the expectation That
negotiations will rot be broken of and
that they Will proceed II a successful Is