The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-20
Object of His Mission Supposed to he
the Interests of the Church of Rome
in Our New Possessions.

WASHINGTON, Aug 19.-Neither the
State Department nor the French embassy
has yet received word that Spain has chos-
en- her military commissions for Cuba and
Porto Rico. and some doubt is expressed
as to the accuracy of the names given in
London press advices. The names given in
these reports are those of Spanish generals
and admirals now stationed in Cuba and
Porto Rico, so that If the names are cor
rect, no time will be lost in bringing the
commissioners together. The understanding
here is that the sessions will begin at Ha-
vana and San Juan about the first week in
September.
There were few developments of impor-
lance in the postwar situation to-day The
authorities are still waiting for General
Merritt's report on the list of casualties,
and the State. War and Navy Departments
are interested in knowing the exact terms of
the Manila surrender - whether the city
alone or if all the Philippines were included.
1t was stated by officials that nothing adj
ditional on this point had been received Up
to the close of Office hours to-day. The
efforts to restore the Manila cable continue.
but they have not proved successful thus
far The claims made in Madrid that the
protocol, and not the capitulation, controls
not be discussed by State Department Off
Gals. The Madrid discussion is looked on
as rather academic, as it is taken for grant,
ed that claims will be made on both sides
and the Paris tribunal will be the final ar
bitter of the case
The Cabinet session to-day was brief. The
disarmament of the army and the naval ve-
view at New York were the main points of
discussion. Contrary to expectation the Sc
lection of the personnel of the peace COM
mission, to meet in Paris, was not taken up.
1t had been expected there would be a dis
cussion of the names proposed for the COM
mission, but the matter was not formally
preached. There were no dispatches from
the front laid before the Cabinet. Acting
Secretary of State Moore had been over just
before the meeting to confer with the Presi-
dent on State Department matters, though
none of them, it was said, were of general
significance. There were no important state
matters discussed by the Cabinet
Secretary Day has sent word that he will
return to Washington tomorrow morning.
At II o'clock the secretary will accompany
Ambassador Cambon and NJ. Thebaut, of
the French embassy, to the White House,
where all the principal figures in that not
able occurrence, the signing of the protocol,
will be photographed together. The group
will include the President, Secretary Day,
M. Cambon and NJ Thiebaut. The assistant
secretaries and other prominent officials,
who participated in the scenes following the
signing of the protocol, will also be photo
graphed in another group. 1t has been the
purpose of the French ambassador to go to
New York and witness the naval review.
but in view of the return of Secretary Day
&1.se 10 LA
his visit to New York has been Cancelled.
Archbishop Ireland was one of the not
able visitors at the White House to-day. He
arrived about 10 o'clock and had confer
ence with President Mckinley. He pre-
served his usual reticence as to his mission.
1t is understood the archbishop is empow-
cred to make representations to the admin
istration looking to the protection of the
interests of the Church of Rome in our new
territorial accessions, particularly in Porto
Rico. Though he did not affirm this when
questioned it is significant that ne at
tempted no denial of it. Senator Cannon, of
Utah. also saw the President to-day and
had a talk regarding the military plans.
The President told him OF his purpose to
disband a portion of the volunteer army,
and he explained that the troops to be mus
tered out would be determined on the basis,
largely of the inclinations of the organiza-
tons and the condition of their equipments.
Senator Cannon has been comforting with
the War Department officials with a view
to bringing together the two batteries of
Utah troops now at Manila and the one bat
terry left at San Francisco. The latter will
be dispatched to join the others if there is
an opportunity. The President was told that
the only colony of native Hawaiians in the
country was located in Utah. and that, pro-
portionately, there were more people in
Utah who were familiar with Hawaii than
in any other State, fact which was pressed
as basis for recognizing the State when
Hawaii comes in for more definite adminis-
trative attention.
MIR. Charles w. Gould, of New York, has
accepted the appointment of special repre-
sentative of the Department of Justice on
the Cuban military commission. Mr.. Gould
is a lawyer of prominence. and is said TO
have special qualifications for this inn
portant service. AS a close student of his
tory he is said to be familiar with the de-
tails of many events more or less similar
to the prospective evacuation of Cuba by
the Spanish forces. This information. to-
gether with his knowledge of the Spanish
laws and language will be of great assist
apce to the commission.
Major General James T.. Wade, formerly
in command of the Third Army Corps at
Chickamauga, and Major General NJ. c.
Butler. in command of a division of the
Second Army Corps, at Falls Church. were
to-day relieved of their present duties in
order to enable them to enter on the dis
charge of their important duties as MEM
bers of the commission charged with the
execution of the provisions of
the peace protocol regarding the
evacuation of Cuba by the Spanish troops.
A similar order was also issued to-day in
the case of Brigadier General VIM. W. Cor
don, commanding a division of the Fourth
Army Corps, who has been appointed
member OF similar commission in the case
of Porto Rico. No one has yet been selected
20 succeed these officers in their present
commands and ii is not likely that any ac-
ton in that direction will be taken for some
time. MAJOR General Brooke who is the
other army officer on the Porto Rican COM
mission. is. now in that country. and prob
ably will not be relieved of his present
duties until after the arrival there of his
colleagues on the commission.
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