The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-14
THE PEACE COMMISSION
MEMBERS ARRIVING IN WASHING
TON TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS.
Policy to the Philippines Discussed
by the Cabinet, but No Agree
ment Reached.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 13.-The Cabinet
held two sessions to-day. at which the in
structions to be given to the American men,
bers of the peace commission were discussed.
Although the document is practically agreed
on as a whole, the matter will be left open
until the meeting here of the members of
the commission. two days hence, when a
final revision will be made. 1t is the Pres-
dents wish. as expressed to the Cabinet
members, that nothing concerning the in
structions be made public. Indeed, so thor
oughly did this understanding obtain among
the members of the Cabinet, that Secretary
Day authorized the statement that so far
from making public anything of the nature
Of the instructions to be given the peace
commissioners, the President and Cabinet
had decided positively to do all in their pow
er to prevent any publicity in the matter.
Secretary Long reached Washington to-
day. having run down from his New Eng
land summer home to meet the Presidents
wish that there should be full attendance
at the Cabinet meeting. 1t is the secretary's
expectation, unless something unforeseen
develops, to return almost Immediately to
his family. The purpose of the President in
calling for full attendance at the Cabinet
meeting was to submit to the members the
instructions which will be given to the peace
commissioners. The time is very limited in
which to properly charge the commission.
AS the members will sail from New York
Saturday on the Campania, they must leave
Washington on Friday, so that only two
days are available to close UP their business
in Washington. 1t is believed the President
has not finally and definitely concluded on
a line of policy regarding the Philippines
whether they shall be retained or reln-
quished. He was strongly disposed at the
time of the signing of the protocol to ac-
quire nothing more than a coaling station,
or perhaps a naval station at most in the
Philippines. From the many inquiries he
has made of public men, and from the notice
he has taken from the attitude assumed to-
wards this question by the press of the
country, it is inferred that he is still open
to conviction to the best line of policy
to be pursued, and it is probable that his
principal purpose in calling the Cabinet
meeting to-day was to gather from the
members their personal opinions which are
supposed to be freshly acquired from con-
tact with the people where they have been
as in the case of Secretary Long and others,
paying visits to their native States One
element in the Cabinet is disposed to post
pone the final decision on the future of the
Philippines, arguing that the matter might
safely be left to the discretion of the peace
commissioners and pointing cut that impor-
tant developments changing the whole as
pect of the question could fairly be expected
before the joint commission had taken up
the subject for consideration.
Senator Davis of Minnesota, was the first
member of the peace commission to reach
Washington after Secretary Days arrival.
He came alone exDectines tn he Joined nv
Mrs. Davis in New York just before the
commission sails. He made a brief call on
the President and then had short talks with
Secretary Day, Assistant Secretary Moore
and Acting Secretary of War Meikeljohn
The senator did not know just when the
other members of the commission might pc
expected in Washington, and could not
say when the first meeting would be held.
House, where he dined with the President.
Commissioner Whitelaw Reid. of New York,
also reached the city tonight, coming by
very late train, and stopped at the Shore
ham. Senator Frye is scheduled to arrive
tomorrow night.
Several members of the Cabinet were at
the White House in consultation with the
President tonight. Secretary Day spent
some time there, presumably comforting
over the instructions to the peace commits
sioners, and Secretaries Long and Bliss
were also at the mansion.