Evening star., 1898-12-30
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
General Brooke's Attitude Sustained
by the Administration.
CONFIDENCE FELT IN His ABILITY
Cuban Affairs Discussed by the
Cabinet at Length.
EARLY THREE HOU r S

y h y X l. L II IL h h ID y L IL >
An Unusually long session of the cabinet
today gave rise to a wide range of specu-
laton. the belief being general that official
Information had come showing dangerous
state Of affairs in Havana. Despite the
fact that the cabinet was in session nearly
three hours. the longest meeting since the
critical days of the war with Spain. every
member of the cabinet said that there had
ben little talk of the situation in Havana,
SO little that to all intents and purposes
the subject ignored. thus exploding
some of the stories in circulation.
Gen. Brooke Sustained.
1t was stated positively by every member
Of the cabinet that no orders are to be sent
10 Gen. Brooke changing his plans as to
demonstrations on January l, and that the
whole question Of the management of af-
fairs will be left in Gen. Brookes hands
He well understands. from conferences with
the President dnI secretary of War, the
policy the administration desires to pursue,
and confidence is felt IN his ability to han
die what has been placed in his hands.
Unless General Brooke sees ut himself to
change the orders against parades by the
CubanS, the plans he has made will stand,
as no suggestions will be sent from here.
The presence of many newspaper CORE
mors of grave situation in Havana, gave
the White House an appearance of the ex-
citing days of active war with Spain, when
important news was looked for at any
minute. The cabinet members probably
noted this and quickly discouraged al the
stories.
They see nothing serious in the state of
affairs in the Cuban capital. They believe
that all the talk there will blow over and
Individually they sanction the action taken
by General Brooke. No question came up
ha fRaE
ciauy what has been done. These matters
are left In the hands of the President and
Secretary of War. and the other members
of the cabinet rarely bring them up for dis
cussiOn.
Internal Affairs in Cuba.
The long session was devoted almost en-
tirely to talking of internal affairs in Cuba.
post offices, revenue. taxation, etc. 1t is
realized that the handling of all thess
things cannot well be left with a military
governor amt his staff
The subject is too big a one for one man
to take care Of. and the administration is
considering the advisa bility of sending civil
boards from this country to handle the diff
ferent branches of government. leaving the
management of other matters in the hands
of General Brooke and the military govern
ors OF the provinces They will have
enough to do to take care of matters which
rightfuliy belong to them.
The particular subject of internal revenue
taxation consumed much of the time during
the meeting.
Colonial Secretary Needed.
The lack of some kind of an officer corre-
spending TO colonial secretary is much
felt by the administration nov, and the eff
fort under consideration is to adopt some
Plan which will secure similar results The
management Of matters in four different
groups of islands is left entirely with the
President with no head of a department 10
lp
be referred
Each of the islands is run on a distinct
plan. and those in charge al the other
islands have no way of knowing what Is
being done outside Of their special jurisdic-
TONS. In this way the errors made in one
place may be repeated in another If there
were some one 10 whom all questions from
the acquired territories could be submitted
ana VINO would Keep a run Of the affairs.
sr a. the SeeretarS S 1sit Of the Treasury does of
10 all could soon be arrived at
The Proposed Officials
As Congress alone has the power To pro-
vide such an officer the administration de-
s4res 10 adopt some. plan " hich will equal
lze tn work in the islands and put the
system Of government on a substantial
taSls- The plan under consideration now
Is 10 send TO Cuba a civilian who will be
a. the head OF the collection of taxes Gus
toms. etc similar to the Office Of the Sec
4ELa+ VI tIS treasury. a man nOIulnS the
same relation TO Cuba that the Postmaster
General does to this country and on
through with the different branches Of the
goVernn-ent-in brief TO provide a rninia-
ture government of the United States for
Cuba.
The proposition is to put all these officials
under the military governor. just as a cabi-
net officer Is under the President. 1t is
1rIt that IN this way the administration of
affairs in Cuba be carried on with
success. The President will not have to
ask Congress for authority to do this He
can appoint such officials. If he cannot do
so Gen Brooke has the authority.
ne plan does not contemplate sending
lot OF office seekers to Cuba.
II simply places compel snt men at the
mead OF the various branches of govern
n-nt amenable to Cen. Brooke for the
faithful performance of their duties The
salaries not TO BE- high and the dis
tlrct understanding is that Cubans are +,
be used in as many positions under these
I'm as possible Compa ratively few m~n
oi thts country will be sent to take places
10 be provided
only the most important positions will be
hlIed by citizens of the United States All
c!erksnips and such Offices are to be filed
instruction
Ii is thought that the discussion today will
result in the early formation of definite
plans and the putting into execution of the
Intentions Of the administration. 1t is be-
h@ved that 1hc plans will be indorsed by
L'r Chbans and that eVeryth hing will work
No AdSices From Gen. Otis
II was stated just before the cabinet
meeting that no advices from General Otis
had been received up to that time showing
the condition of affairs at Iloi!o. These
advices are awaited with great interest
but without apparent anxiety.
Consul General Guenther Calls.
Richard Guenther. former representative
IN The House from Wisconsin and minister
10 Mexico. called at the White House to-
d1y tor short talk with the President Mr.
Gu=nther was some time ago appointed con-
SUI general 10 Frankfort Germany and will
leave here Sunday for New York to take a
steamer for Europe. The position at Frank
Tort Is ar important one. Mr.. Guenther will
have sixteen COnsulates under him. and Will
do tll he can 10 further American business
in Germany.
pSniu