The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-17
FRAMING NEW GOVERNMENTS.
CUBA AND PORTO RICO REGULA-
TIoNs GAINING FORM.

Military Authorities to Administer
the Government i'm the Two Is
Iands-steps Taken TO Restore Pos
tai Communication With Cuba, a
steamer Leaving New York To-day
With the First Mail Since War
Degan-Wnr Department TO Muster
Out 10000 Soldiers in the Next
Thirty Days.
Washington, Aug. 16.-Gradualy the
frame work of the government for the
civil administration of affairs in Cuba,
Porto Rico and such portions of the Phil
ippines as this government controls is be-
ing formed. The development of this plan
of Internal administration occupied much
of the attention of the cabinet to-day, and
later Secretary Gage, Attorney General
Griggs, Postmaster General Smith and
acting Secretary of State Moore held a
two-hours' conference at the state depart
ment, going over the definite details of es-
tablishing a civil administration.
Gen. Corbin was present. At the out
set military authorities will be Ia charge
of all administrative affairs in Cuba, Por-
to Rico and other acquired possessions.
But the military forces can do little more
than direct the orderly execution of affairs
The carrying on of postal communication,
the collection of customs, etc, are civil
functions which will be taken in hand by
the appropriate bureaus here, the entire
work being under the protection Of the
military authorities. The result of the
conference to-day will be made known
through the various departments
Already steps have been taken 10 restore
mail communication between this country
and Cuba, but the plans now under con-
sideration are likely to take in the ques-
ton of handling mail inside of Cuba,
Porto Rico and other points. A mail
steamer will leave New York tomorrow
carrying the first LOT of mail to Cuba
which has left New York since the war
began.
The Spanish government has been quite
soicitouS as to the method of administer
Ing affairs in the Antilles owing to the
large Spanish interests remaining there.
During the day the government began
an effort through diplomatic channels to
| re-establsh cable communication with
Manila. 1t was believed by officials to-
night that the efforts would prove sue
successful, although some days may eapse
DSAOlC tiiS ulplOuldliC representations nave
borne fruit. The cable out of Manila Is
under control of a British company The
hne is understood to be cut near Manila
but Admiral Dewey has buoyed the sew
| eral ends so that a connection can be re-
stored If the company will permit the line
to be operated. Pending the renewal of
this cable route the authorities here re-
main without direct advices of the report
cd bombardment of Manila last Saturday
The fact that the city has passed into
American possession is accepted as prac-
tically certain by the authorities here, al
though there is nothing yet from Admiral
Dewey or Gen. Merritt confirming the
news. 1t is expected a dispatch boat may
| bring adVices to Hong Kong at any time
as move of this important character
| would not be allowed to pass without get
ting speedy communication to washing
ton. As a German cruiser has made the
trip from Manila since the reported sur
render 1t is probable that an American
ship is not far behind with full informa-
lion.
The war department did not make pub
lie a dispatch received from Gen. LaWton
relative to the Cubans In Santiago, but
the order which Gen. Corbin sent to Cen
Lawton indicates something of its nature
Gen. LaWton reports that the Cubans are
encamped about the city and do not seem
disposed to accept the conditions imposed
by the armistice and some trouble has oc-
Cured
Secretary Alger in speaking of the mat
ter to-day, said that it might as we'll be
fully understood that the United States
would control the surrendered territory
and it would manage the affairs of the
territory. Those who remained within the
jurisdiction would have to obey the laws
and officers of the United States Gen.
Lawton was informed.
The war department begah the work of
mastering out the volunteers which will
not be needed in the service. The order was
prepared for mastering out 50 600 men, but
was not issued as 1t was deemed best to
await news from Manila before disband-
ing any of the troops. II Is expected that
all the cavalry and artillery of the volun-
teer force now In the United States will
be mustered out. Unless there Is a decided
change in the present plans of the war de-
partment, 100000 volunteers win be mus
tered out within the next thirty days
Reports of better conditions in the va
rious camps are being received and espe-
cially do flattering reports come from Mon
tauk Point, showing that the soldiers are
being well cared for.