The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-16
CONSIDERING CUBAN AFFAIRS.
PRESIDENT MKINLEY AND GEN.
LEE IN CONFERENCE.

Thought That Gen. Lee Will be One
of the Cuban Military Commission
ers-Tvvo Naval Vessels to Go to
Havana When Commission Assem-
bIes-Sccretary Day on on
Weeks VacatiOn-Navy DEPART
ment Consents to Furnish Vessels
for a Naval Review at New York.
Steps Made to Reduce the Navy
Force and Release n Number of
MiIitiamen.
Washington, Aug 15.-The reconstruc-
ton of affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico and
throughout the Spanish West Indies is
receiving 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.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee spent some time with
the President, going over the condition OF
Cuban affairs. While no announcement
was made, the impression prevailed that
Gen. Lee would be one of the Cuban mill
tary commissioners to be named within
few days.
saw the President concerning Cuban af-
fairs. 1t is probable that an American
naval vessel will go to Havan
barbor before long, and at least two
naval vessel will be ordered to Havana
when the military commission assemblies
there to determine upon the details of
Spanish evacuation
Secretary Day also conferred with the
President, and later determined, the peace
terms being matured, to take weeks
vacation. He viii leave either tonight or
tomorrow morning. going probably to
Canton.
Assistant Secretary Moore will be act
ing secretary of state during Judge Days
absence. The secretary's retirement from
the head of the department is likely to
follow soon after his return from Can
ton, 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 the state department
affairs.
The navy department decided during the
day 10 yield as far as practicable tie
public desire at New York for a naval
review of the ships of Admiral SIMPSONS
fleet. Accordingly, Acting Secretary Al
len issued the following order:
The department is much grati1ed at
the desire expressed to see a review of
the warships and cruisers recently OF lered
home, and so far as practicable, Is desir-
Gus of carrying out the wishes of thoge
citizens who wish to see the ships. But
neither the officers nor the men of the
fleet are in condition to participate in a
street parade. The department is taking
the opportunity of the armistice to put
these ships at once into the best possible
condition for such uses as may hereafter
be required OF them. 1t is expected that
all other work win be suspended and the
entire available force of the navy yard
directed to this work, in order to secure
the greatest possible dispatch.
THE department will direct upon the
arrival in New York harbor, that the feet
will steam up the North river as far as
Gen. Grants tomb, fire a salute and steam
back to the anchorage. 1t is expected
that the fleet will reach New York on
Saturday, Aug. 20"
The plan is to have Admiral Sampson
met off Sandy Hook with orders for the
procession up the North river. 1t Is ex-
pected that the feet will be off Sandy
Hook some time Friday night, but will
lie outside the harbor until Saturday
morning.
The navy department is taking steps to
reduce the force of naval militiamen call
ed into service from the several states.
The Minneapolis is to transfer part of
her crew to the Yosemite, thus releasing
the Michigan naval militiamen who man
the Yosemite.
The Columbia is also to transfer her
crew to the Dixie and other auxiliary
craft thus allowing the naval militamen
on these auxiliaries to go home. In this
way the naval service will speedily be
returned into the hands of the regular Of
ficers and crews.