The Mena star., 1898-08-17
FUTURE PROBLEMS.
Administration Considering Govern
 Elent of Newly-Acquired Islands.
Most s ri"us Discussion win Be Over the fhih"pines Disposition of Cuba and | orto Rico-Nc sIore Troops
 for Mssnila.

Washington, Aug. 15. = President Mckinley believes that the most se- rious problem which the peace com mission will be called upon to deal with is the Philippines. Be fore the commission assemblies it is hoped the affairs of Cuba and Porto Rico will be found in such process of adjustment as to leave lite tie for the commission to consider un- der that head The absolute relin- quishment by Spain of all sovereignty over the islands in the West Indies will allow only the property questions to be settled between the govern ments: that is, what Spain shall take away and what shall remain as cap lures of war, and the protection of Spanish subjects aud their property in the islands. The greater questions growing out of the war, as relating to Cuba and Porto Rico, will have to be dealt with by the United States alone.
 The fact that the Philippines will present the difficult problem in the peace negotiations has caused the ad- ministration to give it a great deal of careful attention. It is believed, however, that the administration and the commission will be greatly in- huenced by the reports which Admiral Dewey and Gen. Merritt will make on the subject Their reports are expect ed before the commission meets.
 Viii be Under Military Control
 The final determination as to the government of Porto Rico and the set tiement of the government of Cuba are problems for settlement, but the impression prevails that these islands will become quite rapidly American ized, and every encoura cement for them to do so will be given. Porto Rico will be under military control for the present. Cuba also will be similarly governed. but it is probable that American reforms in the matter of goyernment will be such that the people of Cuba will see the advantage of becoming annexed to the United States.
 There has been little doubt about soon setsling theStransfer of Porto Rico. and the reception which the American troops have received in that
  Porto Rico will be treated at once as an American possession.
 No nore Troops for Merritt
 No more troops will be sent to Gen. Merritt unless he asks for them. It is believed at the war department that the 1G 090 men now there are sufficient to garrison Manila and the ground which the United States for the pres ent will occupy
 Shafter's Men wnI Re Home.
 All of the troops that were with Gen. Shafter in the Santiago campaign will be out of Cuba by Friday of this week. Gen. Shafter will accompany them to Montauk point. There will remain at Santiago five regiments of immunes to do garrison duty. It is yet possible that a battery will be sent to Santiago to take the place of batteries which are to be removed.
 Gen. Miles Has Sufficient Force.
 Gen. Miles has about 5000 men in Porto Rico. They will be sufficient for the occupation of the island and perhaps more than are needed after the Spanish evacuate. The remainder of the troops will remain in the vari- ous camps to which they have been as- signed for the present, though some thing may be done looking toward di- minishing the number when it becomes apparent that they are no longer needed. All vessels of the navy that can be spared from service in the w est Indies will be ordered to ports in the states, where the men will be given brief holidays. The big battleships of the fleet will be put in dry dock as so n as possible and undergo such re- pairs as may be necessary.