, 1898-10-19
WAR INVESTIGATION
COMMISSION AT JACKSONVILLE
EXAMINES THE SELECTION
OF FERNANDINA.
Problems Involved in Americanizing
Porto Rico Embrace Currency and
Banking, Monopolies, and Educa-
tion-Masses Being Densely Ignor-
ane and Priests Oppose Education.

Jacksonville, Faa., Oct. 18.-The war
investigating commission held three
sessions. today, dealing during two
days sessions, with the general staff
officers and men of the Second South
Carolina regiment. The general Off
GERS examined included the chief sur
geon, chief commissary, chief quarter
master and inspector general OF the
corps, and all gave detailed information
as to the their respective departments
service.
The meetings today were held in
General Dodge's private car. but nov
ing trains made so much noise that it
was necessary to secure other quarters
and hereafter the meetings. will be held
in the city council chambers. The sub
committee, consisting Of General Will
son and Captain Howell appointed to
investigate the selection of Fernandina
as a camp, returned tonight and re-
ported approval Of the selection. They
made special inquiry into the report
that the camp had been located there
for the purpose Of enhancing the value
of the land owned by a son of Secre-
tary Alger, going through county rec
ords as a part Of their work. They
failed to find his name in any of these
documents and their investigation con-
WINGED them he never owned any real
estate in that vicinity, or had been in
any way interested in any.
PROBLEMS INVOLVED.
London. Oct. 1s.-The San Juan cor
respondent Of the Times says:
The remodelling Of the currency and
banking system is among the most
serious OF Porto Rican problems con-
fronting the United States. The at
tempt Of the military authorities to
establish al exchange on the basis OF
two Porto Rican dollars for one Amer
lean has completely failed.
1t ts not unlikely there will be com.
plications witt" France II the United
States refuses to recognize SPANS con-
cession to a French railway company
in Porto Rico. Many existing conces-
sions are m~onopolies and as such are
contrary to the American constitution,
but local opinion demands that the,
be respected.
Education is the most difficult prob
lem Of all. The great majority of Porto
Ricans are in the densest ignorance.
The parish priests do not favor instruc-
ton. believing it tends to ALLEVIATE the
youth from the Spanish Catholic
church. If the United States can OBJ
tain the friendly cooperation Of the
priesthood many troubles will he re-
moved, but 1t will be necessary for the
American authorities to act in such a
manner toward the church in Porto
Rico as to eradicate the strong preju-
dices against Americans.
CUBAN ULT1MATUM.
Havana, Oct. ia conference last
ing three hours this morning between
General Wade, General Butler and
Admiral Sampson as to the contents Of
five official notes delivered to the Amer
lean commanders yesterday, by the
Spanish evacuation commission. The
%Spaniards claim it would be practically
impossible t. effect an evacuation In
the short period Of time fixed by the
Americans. They disclaim any author
ity to treat on any political subjects
outside the strict limits Of military
evacuation. They insist that the SOW
ereignty Of Spain will continue until
the final treaty OF peace is signed in
Paris. In reply Admiral Sampson
personally dictated q brief note stating
emphatically that December LIST posi-
lively would be the date on which
Spain's rights, claims, and sovereignty
in the island Of Cuba would cease 10
exist.