Evening star., 1898-09-07
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Captured Spanish Flag Presented
to the President.
WARM PRAISE FOR TIE VOLUNTEERS
A Visit Promised to a Delegation
From Chicago.
VARIOUS CALLERS RECEIVED

Lieut.. Col. John Biddle chief engineer
Z. s. Volunteers; Capt. Harry Alvin Hall
of the 18th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and
Lieut.. Edward M. Fulingtou of the 4th
Ohio Volunteer Infantry and aid on Gen.
Wilson's staff called at the White House
today and presented to the President the
royal Spanish arms and a Spanish flag cap
tured at Coamo, Porto Rico, on August o.
The royal arms were captured by the 10th
Pennsylvania Regiment, along with 200
Spanish prisoners, in their endeavor to re-
treat from Coamo, and the flag was taken
from the barracks at Coamo. Lieut. Col.
Biddle made the presentation speech.
The President, in reply, spoke of the
bravery of the troops in Porto Rico and of
the great work the volunteer forces had
done in the campaign.
After a few moments spent in exchanging
greetings the party visited the War De-
partment and deposited the relics in the
office of the adjutant general.
Senator Faulkner, Representative Wads-
worth of New York, Representatives Bah
cock and Overstreet and John S. WISE for
merly of Virginia, were among the visitors
of prominence at the White House during
the day. Mr.. Wadsworth recently returned
from a visit to Porto Rico. He is not
favorably impressed with the country, and
does not think Uncle Sans new acqWSi-
ton will bring riches or prosperity to the
country. 1t is supposed that he gave his
views to the President.
Ex-secretary Sherman's Visit.
Ex-Secretary John Sherman paid visit
to President Mckinley today, the first he
has made since he left the cabinet, five
months ago. He declared that the visit
was purely personal, and had no signif-
canoe Il am a private citizen" he said,
land the public is not interested in me-
The ex-Secretary appeared to be in better
health than at any time in months. He
walked UP the steps to the Presidents
office, declining to take the elevator
through the private part of the house.
AS the venerable Ohioan started out Mrs.
Mckinley was going out for her morning
drive. Mr. Sherman saluted her pleasantly
and escorted her to the carriage.
Doesn't Want to BE Mustered Out.
Major John Earle of the I'd South Caro-
lima Regiment, stationed at Jacksonville,
was at the White House and War Depart
ment today, representing the officers of
that regiment, to protest strongly against
the mastering out of the regiment. He
says that the officers and men of the regi-
ment do not want to be mustered out, but
want to continue in service. They are bit
ter against Governor Ellerbe for recon-
mending that they be mustered out, and
threaten to make it warm for the governor
in the primary election soon to be held.
Will Attend Chicago Pence Jubilee.
President Mckinley has accepted an in
vitation to attend a peace jubilee in Chi
cago, and the time for his visit is fixed for
October IS and 49, The original time for
the jubilee was from October 10 to IL, and
the Chicago committee which waited on
h,
at that time. The President said that he
could not go then, as he would be at the
Omaha exposition on those dates. The
committee Immediately changed the dates
to October IS and 10, and the President
accepted the invitation. He will go to Chi
cago from Omaha The committee which
came on here consisted of VIM. R. Harper
president of the Chicago University; John
w. Ely. John B. Payne and John F. Wal
lace. The delegation was accompanied by
Secretary Gage and Controller Dawes of
the treasury.
The Alabama delegation in Congress, ac-
companied by members of the Birmingham
Commercial Club and Col Youngblood,
urged the President to attend a peace
jubilee in Birmingham on the Goth of Octo-
Der. The President said that he did not
think he would be able to attend, but would
give definite answer later
Vacancy on the Peace Commission.
No announcement was made from the
White House today as to filling the vacant
place on the peace commission. The Presi-
dent was busy all day with various callers,
delegations and officials, and had no time
to give to hunting a commissioner IL he
had not yet picked his man. White House
officials thought no announcement would be
made today. although they could not be
certain.
The talk of Senator Gray going Oh the
commission Is regarded as wholly guess
work, and based on the difficulty the Presi-
dent is having in getting fl. democrat. Sena-
tor Gray Is member CT the Canadian COM
mission and engaged III oyher work He
could, of course, accept the position aid
leave the Canadian commission, There Is
little doubt that he would have been ep-
pointed at the beginning if he had not been
a member of the Canadian commission
From the beginning If the war he has hsd
the confidence of the President and has fire.
quently advised with ninl. The enator
was opposed to Hawaiian annexation but
it is now admitted by all democrats that
conditions are so changed tina. Il mans DO
sition months ago is not binding on him
now.
Senator Gray was at the White House
some time in conference with the Presiden Mt
II Is bei1eVed that he would accept peace
commission position II the situation was
all right to do so. The President is thought
to have broached The subject, but how far
Is SIMPLY conjecture.
Army Officers Honored.
The President today directed the bestowal
OF brevets Of major general upon Briga-
der Generals Samuel S. Sumner and Will
ham Ludlow, and the brevets of briga-
der general on Colonel Richard Comba
and Lieutenant Colonel JOS r. Haskell all
OF the regular army, fer distinguished gal
lantry in the campaign of Santiago de
Cuba.
NEW ORDER NOT GIVEN,