The record-union., 1898-10-30
OCCUPATION OF CUBA.
DATE NOT TO EXTEND BEYOND
FIRST OF YEAR.
The President, Secretary Alger and
Adjutant General Corbin
Confer on the Subject.

WASHINGTON, Oct 29.-The Pres
1dent, Secretary Alger and Adiutant
General Corbin had an extended con-
ference, the principal topic under con-
sideration being the occupation of
Cuba. There is no disposition to change
the date, January 1st, fixed for the as
sumption of control by the United
States.
The questions discussed to-day re-
lated mainly to transportation, ships,
equipment, landings and camps. The
reports Of the Cuban Military Com
mission and Of the army boards to in
Vestigate and locate sites We're consid-
cred
General Lawton, who has been for
some time past the Military Governor
OF Santiago Province, was present dur
ing portion of the conference, and
gave the President some information
concerning conditions in Cuba. The re-
ports Of the board to select sites in
cluded list of articles which would
be Immediately necessary, and the de-
partment has ordered the issuance of
advertisements for them. Colonel
Hecker and Colonel Lee, Quartermaster
of the board, have been ordered to
Washington to report more in detail,
and to assist in the preparations Of the
embarkation of troops to Cuba
During his conversation with Gen
eral LaWton the President expressed
his qualification at the victorious con-
clusion Of the campaign in Santiago
Province, and at the manner in which
the officers and men conducted them
selves.
General Lawton declined to discuss
the recommendations which he will
make to Secretary Alger respecting fu-
ture operations of the army and the
Government generally in Cuba. 1t has
not been definitely determined whether
General Lawton will return to the COM
mand at Santiago, but the General eX-
pressed the belief that he probably
would not. The command of the de-
partment of Santiago is now under
General Wood.
1t is yet too early, said General Law
ton, in response to questions on the
subject, to express an opinion as to
the time it will be necessary for this
Government to maintain military SUI
pervision of the island of Cuba. This
will have to be determined entirely by
the course of events. The Cubans,
generally speaking, General Lawton
said, were a quiet, tractable people.
He did not think there would be any
trouble in managing them, so far as
this might be necessary pending the
formation of an independent govern
ment on the island.
So far as the cities are Concerned,
General Lawton did not believe there
would be any difficulty in maintaining
6icninIina r6 in lon
try agricultural districts the formation
of a constabulary composed of the ma
tives would bring about the desired eff
feet.
After the conference Secretary Alger
ments should go to Cuba as an army
of occupation, and to wE=5 points. He
said that the details of the movement
would not be made public
Secretary Hays interview with the
President presumably related to the
Paris Peace Commission, but moth
ing is known of the contents of the dis
patch which may have been received
from President Day. 1t was intimated.
however, that our representatives in
Paris would probably be prepared to
take up next week and submit to the
Spanish members a distinct PROPOSE
ton on the Philippine question. It is
fairly assumed, however, that his prop
osition may be subject to a change as
the negotiations progress
On the general subject of the Philip
pines, members of the Cabinet are
unusually reticent, and this fact is as
sumed by some to indicate that UP to
this time the Administration itself has
not fully determined upon what it will
or will not demand in this connection.
beyond the fact, as heretofore stated by
the Associated Press, that the entire
archipelago must remain in the pos
session of the United States This de-
termination has undoubtedly been
reached, and under no circumstances
will this Government, through it's Paris
representatives, consent to treaty
which does not involve a complete sur
render of Spanish sovereignty therein.
1t may be further stated that this
Government will not assume any of the
Spanish debt or obligations, possibly
beyond the guarantee Of certain mu-
nicipal obligations which have been
incurred in substantial municipal i'm
provements. The debt which Spain
has incurred in her efforts to put down
instructions will neither be paid. as
sumed nor guaranteed by the United
States. This fact, it is quite certain
was distinctly stated to our Commits
sioners before they left Washington.