Evening star., 1898-12-21
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Instructions Sent to General Otis
Read to the Cabinet.
how FILIPINOS WILL Be TREATED
Many Call to Congratulate the
President.
VII ERVICE ORDER

At the meeting of the cabinet today, after
amour cling that he had selected Mr.. Ethan
Allen Hitchcock to succeed Mr.. Cornelius
Bliss as Secretary of the Interior, and
sending his name to the Senate, the Presi-
dent brought up other matters, the chief
one being final and full instructions to Gen.
Otis to the conduct of affairs in the
Philippines. The instructions have been
mailed to Gen. Otis, and will not be made
public until they reach him. They, how
ever, do not differ materially from those
sent to the American commander at San
tiago after the capture of that city. Gen.
Otis will promulgate them as a proclama-
ton to the Filipinos. The proclamation
will make no promises, except that it is the
purpose of the United States to govern
wisely and kindly during the military occu-
patton of the islands. The Filipinos will
be told that SO far as possible the local
civil governments will be continued they
have existed, with an effort to continually
better the condition of the people The Fill
ipil.os will be called upon to lay down their
arms and conform to the laws, resuming
their ordinary occupations.
To BE Treated Like the Cubans.
To all temporary intents and purposes the
Fihpinos are to be treated exactly like the
Cubans. With the latter the United States
has made promise of Independent govern
ment. No promises bind this government
as to the Philippines, but the people there
will probably determine their future by
their department. Nothing can be stated
more positively than that the President has
not decided what he thinks should be done
with the Philippines. He will not make a
recommendation on the subject for year.
That year will develop the future of the
islands and their relationship to the United
States. If the Filipinos can clearly show
their right to independence and their ability
to govern themselves no one can now say
that they will not get their desires. For at
least year they will remain under mill
tary government and everything depends
on their conduct.
The Civil Service Order.
The Presidents civil service order will be
delayed only a few days longer. 1t is
understood today that the order will be
submitted finally to the cabinet next Friday
or by the following Tuesday at the outside.
Many Congratulations.
In a short time this morning. before the
cabinet met, President Mckinley gave audi
ence to a large number of senators and
representatives, all of whom desired to say
few words before leaving for their homes
dent expressed himself as feeling we'll after
his southern trip. He appreciated the
gratulations extended to him by leading
members of his party. Senators Chandler
and Nelson said the trip was most 'felici-
tous one" Senator Fairbanks said that it
was magnificent and historic" Senator
Elkins felt that politically the trip would
be worth much He said that he thought
the trip was one of the most valuable ever
made by a President.
Vice President Hobart was warm in his
congratuation on every speech the Presi-
dent made. Mr.. Hobart had short confer
ence with the President.
Mr.. Cheatham, recorder of dee,.S of
the District told the President that he be-
lieved the colored men of the south would
lndorse his views to the confederate
dead
Senators Shoup, Platt, Allison and Spoon
er, Representatives Boutelle, Bingham, Ma
hany and Wanger We're among the callers
Mr., Wanger said he talked to the President
about the proposed Philadelphia exposi-
ton for next year. He found the President.
he says, favorable to the plan.
Gen. Merritt Calls.
Major General Merritt accompanied by
General Corbin, called on the President
this morning. There was no opportunity
for an extended conference as the cabinet
members We're assembling for their ses-
sion General Merritt will call again for
long conference with the President and
Will later leave fer Chicago.
General Merritt said this morning that
he had made public his views as to the
Philippines and had nothing new to add
What l have said has been published as
well as much | didn't say" General Mer-
ritt was not in uniform.
What Mr.. Boxwen Wants.
Ex-Speaker Alex. BoXwell of the Ohio
legislature has come to Washington TO
ask the President to make him chief of
the bureau of engraving and printing IN
place of Claude Johnson Mr. BoxwelI was
fnr lye,~
of the Ohio house of representatives in the
struggle which ended in the
election of Senator Hanna. Mr. Boxwcll
was defeated for election by 4 combination
of the anti-Hanna elements but assisted
In managing the Hanna forces. He was
speaker of the Ohio house before the 1is-
toric struggle spoken of. Mr.. Boxwell mas
the heartiest support of Senator Hanna
and other republicans, and is liked by the
President but it IS unlikely that he will
get the position he seeks under present
Mr.. johnson is protected
by the civil service and by record which
is said to be unassalable.
In Behalf of Mr.. Wine.
Messrs. ]. A. Gordon. J. w. Jackson, H.
Stewart and James Blackwell, representing
the Interstate Republican Association, call
ed at the White House this morning to rec
Mr.. Louis d. Wine for appoint
ment as city postmaster to succeed Mr.
Willett They did not see the President,
but left their Endorsement with Private Sec
retary Porter