The Press., 1898-10-06
Washington Letter.
Wilmington October. ]. lsa.

Nothing startling and little that was interesting has yet occurred in connection with the investigation of the war, started a week ago, but something may be turn cd up during the coming week, as Gems. Fitzhugh Leo and Joe Wheeler are among the witnesses who have been ln- vlted to testify. Although several editors have boon asked by the commission to furnish the names of witnesses willing to testify to statements made in their papers none have yet done sO, although an at- tAche of New York paper has filed long statement concerning Camp Wykon There ls some objection because the com mission decided to allow only representa- tives of the press associations to be pres ent while testimony Is being taken, but it is confined to those representing papers not served by either of the press associa- tiOns. It must be perfectly plain to any body who will think a moment that the army Of Washington correspondents co uld not be admitted, unless the commission conducted the investigation In one of the largest halls in town. No one need fear that any important evidence taken by the commission will fail to get publicity.
 Secretary Hay held his first reception to the diplomatic corps, today, In the di- plomatic room, in the department of state. It was attended by representatives of all countries with which we maintain diplomatic relations, although several of tho embassys were represented by subordl- mates, owing to the absence of the ambas- sadors-tho French and German ambas- sadoTs are in Europe.
 Senator Hanna's statement in publish cd interview that the U. S. would not possibly consent to allowing the Spanish government to retain control of any pro- ton of the Philippine island has attracted much attention in Washington, where 1t Ia generally regarded as a statement of the presidents position, and as indication of the nature of the instructions given our peace commissioners.
 Among the apparent certainties of the coming session of congress, Is that action will be asked, In the presidents message upon important recommendations, which are to be made in the annual reports of the secretaries of the navy and of war but whether congress will comply cannot even be guessed Rt until the exact nature of the recommendations become known All that Is known at this time Is that they will include large increase in the regular army, the increase to be used outside of the U. s. proper and 6 number of changes In npresentmethods,w which experience in the war with Spain has shown to be faulty in one way or another. Gen. Miles will al- SO make some recommendations in his annual report, one of which will consist of plan for the reorganization of the regular army.
 The department of state has received communication from the U. s. consul, at Chemnltz, Germany, that Is important to American growers of apples, suitable for tho German market. It says This Is a good year to send American fruits, es- pecially apples, to this empire. Europe's fruit crop is anything but good. If your merchants will not repeat the folly of former years, by sending poor fruit that decays easily, they can command these markets for years, against all efforts to dialodge them. If baldwins, greeninRs, russets, and other hardy winter apples are sent, the results will not remain doubtful"
 The success of Gen. Wood, late Col. of the rough riders, in administering the af. fairs of Santiago, has resulted in the abandonment of the Idea of appointing a military government general for Cuba. According to present plans, which are subject to further change, the islands will be divided Into military districts, just as NhR .R Al the commander of each district will be held to a strict accountability for affairs within his jurisdiction. The advance guard of the army of occupation Is likely to be on Cuban soil inside of three weeks and the entire force intended to be sent is expected to be on the island before the first of December. The command of the Havana district will be the most import ant under this plan. Sometime ago it was understood-some say positively promised-that this command would fall to Gen. Fitz Lee, but since Gen. Lee was summonedto Washington, last week there huve been hints that 1t may go to a regular army officer, probably Maj. Gen. Wade.
 The navy department finds itself in a rather peculiar situation. So many off cers of the navy earned promotion by gallant conduct during the war that there Is probability that very few of them will get promotion, for the very simple reason that there are not enough positions to promote them to. Secretary Long will ask authority from congress to give a gold medal and an increase of ten per cont in pay to officers in lieu of promo ton, and the idea now exists that con- gress will accept that solution of the pro- blem. Some officers who have already been named for promotion, have express cd their willingness to give up the promo ton and take the gold medal and an in- crease of pay.