The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-16
General Lee in Washington Giving
Advice Regarding the Reconstruct
ton of Affairs in Cuba.
WAR VESSELS FOR HAVANA
TWO OR THREE MAY ACCOMPANY
THE MILITARY COMMISSION.
Naval Militia to BE Relieved from
Service-No Decision Reached as
to Reduction of the Army.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-The recon-
struction of affairs in Cuba. Porto Rico and
throughout the Spanish West Indies is re-
ceiving earnest consideration in official
quarters, and at the White House to-day
the President saw number OF prominent
callers in connection with this reconstruc-
ton in our new insular dependencies. Cen
eral Fitzhugh Lee spent some time with the
President going over the condition Of Cuban
affairs. While no announcement was made,
the impression prevailed that General Lee
would be one Of the Cuban military commits
sioners to be named within a few days.
Acting Secretary Allen, of the navy, also
saw the President concerning Cuban affairs.
| 1t is probable that an American naval YES
sci will go to Havana harbor before long,
and at least two naval vessels will be or
dered to Havana when the military COM
mission assemblies there to determine en- the
details of Spanish evacuation.
| Secretary Day also conferred with the
| President, and later determined, the peace
terms being matured. to take weeks va
cation. He will leave either tc might to-
morrow morning. going probably to Carton.
Assistant Secretary Moore will be acting
secretary of the State Department during
Judge Days absence. The secretary's re-
tirement from the head of the department is
likely to follow soon after his return from
/ Canton, and, indeed, it may come during
! his absence, although there was no outward
evidence to-day that he was about to close
| his connection with state affairs.
Al.
day to yield as far as practicable to the
public desire at New York for a naval re-
view for the ships of Admiral SIMPSONS
| fleet. Accordingly, Acting Secretary Allen
issued the following order: 1.-THE depart
ment is much gratifed at the desire ex-
pressed to see a review of the battle ships
and cruisers recently ordered home and so
| far as practicable is desirous of carrying out
| the wishes of those citizens who wish to
see the ships But neither the officers nor
|, the men of the feet are in condition to par
|. ticipate in a street parade. The department
|. is taking the opportunity of the armistice
|: to put these ships at once into the best pos
i sible condition for such uses as may here
i after be required of them. 1t is expected all
other work will be suspended and the en-
Il tire available force of the navy yard d.
Erected to this work in order to secure the
greatest possible dispatch. The department
twill direct that, upon arrival in New York
llharbor, the fleet will steam up the North
river as far as General Grants tomb, fire
a salute and steam back to the anchorage.
1T is expected that the fleet will reach New
York Saturday, the 10Th inst"
|: The plan is to have Admiral Sampson met
Ioff Sandy Hook with orders for the pro-
scession up the North river. 1t is expected
tsr. L.
time Friday night, but the ships will lie out
side the harbor until Saturday morning.
| The Navy Department is taking steps to
reduce the force of naval militiamen called
into service from the several States. The
Minneapolis is to transfer part of her crew
to the Yosemite, thus relieving the Mich
igan naval miitiamen, who man the Yosem-
lite. The Columbia is also to transfer her
crew to the Dixie and other auxiliary craft
thus allowing the naval militiamen on these
| auxiliaries to go home. In this way the
naval service will speedily be returned into
the hands of the regular officers and crews
President Mckinley is canvassing public
sentiment as to the needs of military or
ganization in the time of peace, and has
consulted a number of visitors as to how
much Of the army they think should be kept
up after the treaty of peace is executed
No conclusion has been reached as yet on
this point, but it is receiving considerable
attention on the part of the administration
Governor Shaw, of Iowa, was one of the few
prominent visitors at the White House to-
day. He was presented by Secretary of Ag-
riculture Wilson, who drove over with him
from the department and placed his car
riage at the disposal of the Governor who
has Just reached here from a trip of inspec-
ton at Chickamauga and Jacksonville and
also visit to Fernandina, where a brig
adler general represents the State. To-day
he paid his respects TO the President and
took occasion to report the condition of the
Iowa troops in camp. He said that in
general way they were in very fair shape
but made a number of suggestions looking
10 their convenience and comfort He
asked, also, how long it would be before
their disarmament might be effected now
that the peace protocol is a closed docu-
ment, but the President himself has now no
fixed idea on this point
Acting Secretary Allen was with the Pres
ident this morning, going over details Incl
dent to the close of the war including the
question of a reorganization of the present
navy and its reduction to what is actually
needed. 1t was decided TO create a board of
five naval officers TO pass upon the matter
Acting Secretary Allen said that the board
would be appointed Immediately and it
would convene probably before the close of
this week Its function would be to deter
mine what vessels now in the navy should
he retained. which Of them should have
their government charters discontinued and
their use by the government otherwise dis
pensed with, and what disposition Congress
Is to make Of the vessels kept. This board