Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-01
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The President and Cabinet Grati6ed
at the News.
KILOGRAMS OF THE FIGHTING READ
All Expressed Confidence That
Victory Would Result.
LATE WAR INFORMATION

Enthl siasm showed in the face of every
cabinet member who gathered around
President Mckinley this morning. The
deepest interest was manifested. and the
situation at Santiago was eagerly ana
freely discussed
The utmost confidence was expressed py
the President and every official That the
American forces would win a glorious vic
tory.
The meeting had hardly gathered before
q messenger arrived from the War De-
partment with a telegram which had just
been received from Col. Allen. in charge
of the signal station at Playa del Este.
The idea at the cabinet meeting was
that the attack of Gen. Lawton far to the
right was a feint and that the real at
tack was to be made on the left, probably
at Moro Castle. 1t was thought that the
attacking army would capture MORO and
tf1at he mines in the channel would be
Immediately removed to allow Admiral
Sampson to make dash into the harbor.
That appeared TO be the program as re-
yealed at the cabinet session. Nobody had
any doubt that it would be carried out
with success.
Secretary Long and every other member
was certain that She American forces
would be successful. 1t was the old story
of faith in American prowess and belfer
that nothing can defeat American soldiers,
no matter in what cline or under what
conditions.
1t is said that no other telegram was
read at the cabinet meeting 1t was an
nounced. however. that news of a definite
character was expected at any minute.
Secretary Long was looking for something
t,y in no He knew
he said that they were doing their duty,
and he did not doubt the result
The cabinet meeting was fully taken
I'D in talking over the situation at Santa
go that no time was given to discussion of
the Philippines.
II the battle at Santiago goes as expect
ed no time will be lost in invading Porto
Rico This may be stated with positive
ness. Porto Rico will fall next. That has
been decided on by the administration.
Receipt of War News.
Immediately upon the receipt and trans
lation of Gen. Skaters dispatch, Adjt
Gen. Corbin went to the White House and
laid 1t before the President The confer
ence he had with the President was ap-
parently satisfactory to both.
After the first telegram had been read by
the President and Gen. Corbin had gone,
messengers from the War Department
went hurriedly to the White House with
messages of some kind
There were many callers at the White
House during the morning, but the Presi-
dent spoke to only few of them of the
dispatch from Gen. Shafter. They learned
of the news unofficially, however, and
manifested the most intense interest. With
cut exception every man expressed his be-
rx-fv,
didn't think anything else could happen,
although they admitted that under the
rules of warfare the Spaniards ought to be
able to defeat the attacking force. Univer-
sal military opinion is that a force strong
Iy intrenched and fortified like the Span
iards at Santiago ought to be able to whip
three times their number when attacked.
Gen Shafter has fsw more men than the
spaniards. and if Pando Joined the be-
sieged last night Linares had more men
than the American commander.
1t was about 1920 o'clock when the news
first reached the White House. At II
o'clock. whe1 the cabinet officers reached
tho Executive Mansion to attend the reg
rlar cabinet meeting. most Of the members
had not heard the news. When informed
they evinced thrill of satisfaction.
White House employees all exhibited in
dications of excitement, and were eager for
every available word of news.
1t Is said that President Mckinley was
aroused at o'clock this morning to re-
ceive a telegram announcing that the at
tack would begin at daylight. but this could
not be confirmed The President was Of the
opinion last night that something was be-
ing done This was suspected because Gen.
Shafter had failed to send messages for
mere than twenty-four hours. 1t was taken
for granted that he was too busy to prepare
dispatches. All day yesterday he was plan
mig the attack and comforting with the
officers under him.
1t is now thought probable that the
American forces made considerable ad-
vance during last night. to be close
UP to begin the attack this morning.
VIII Fight Mr.. Martin.
The officials Of the knights of Labor say
they will fight the proposed appointment of
II. 3. Martin as a member of the Industrial
commission Mr.. Martins name was pre-
scented to the President yesterday by Sem
ator Shoup. He was at one time editor OF
ths official organ OF the knights of Labor.
John W. Hayes, the head of the organiza-
ton. says he will fight Mr.. Martin. Mr..
Hayes has presented the name of ]. G.
Schonfarber of Baltimore as the represent
alive of the knights of Labor on the indus
trial commission Mr.. Schonfarber was at
the White House yesterday.
The U. ". U. Encampment.
General E. NJ Wilson of Rock Island,
ILL.,. department commander of the U. ".
T., saw the President to urge that he at
tend the annual encampment of the organi-
zation at Rock Island on August o. The
President is anxious TO attend the encamp-
ment. but does not know whether he will
be able to do so.
Urging Mr.. De YOung's Selection.
The California, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho,
Washl- Igton, Oregon and Nevada delega-
ton IN Congress visited the President this
afternoon and strongly urged the appoint
ment of NJ H de Young of San Francisco,
as commissioner general to the Paris expo
sition- Mr.. De Young Is the editor Of the
San Francisco Chronicle. His case was
presented by Senator White and others
The President Hstensd attentively.
Appointed Private Secretary.
Clarence z. Dawson. who was private
secretary under Postmaster General Gary,