The age-herald., 1898-08-17
FRAMING THE
 GOVERNMENT For Civil Administration of Affairs in Cuba and Porto Rico. MILITARY FORCES IN CHARGE Steps Have Been Taken to Re- store Mail Communication. SPAIN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ,.sftt
 Of Appointment of Commissioners to Arrange for Evacuation of Islands. COMMUNICATION WITH MANILA Effort Is Being Made to Re-establish the Cable-Dewey and Merritt
 Are In Charge In the
 Philippines.
Of Appointment of Commissioners to Arrange for Evacuation of Islands.
COMMUNICATION WITH MANILA

Washington, Aug. 16.-Gradually the frame work of a government for the civil administration of affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico and such portions of the Philippines this government controls Is being formed. The development of this plan of internal administration occupied much of the at tention of the cobinet today and later Secretary Gage, Attorney General Griggs, Postmaster Gensral Smith and Acting Sec retary of State Moore, held two hours conference at the state department going over the infinite details of establishing civil administration. General Corbin was present part of the time. At the outset the military authorities will be in charge of all administrative affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico and other acquired possessions. But the military forces can do little more than direct the orderly execution of affairs. The carrying on of postal communication, the collection of customs, etc., are civil func- tions which will be taken in hand by the appropriate bureaus here, the entire work being under the protection of the military authorities. The result of the conferences today will be made through the various departments.
 To Restore Mails
 Already steps have been taken to restore mail communication between this country and Cuba, but the plans now under consid- eration are likely to take in the queS- tion of handling mail inside of Cuba, Porto New York since the waN began.
 The Spanish government has been quite solicitous as to the method of administer ing in the Antilles, owing to the large Span- ish interests remaining there. The French ambassador has received number of in- quiries in this line and these have been laid before the state department.
 After the conference held there this aft ernoon, M. Thiebaut of the French em- bassy called, and was made acquainted with the general plans of this government in restoring a stable administration throughout the Spanish West Indies. Tne French ambassador has also been advised by the state department of it's seiectlon or military commissions to meet at Havana and San Juan. The names of these com rissioners have been awaited at Madrid and it is the purpose there to appoint span ;sh commissioners of the same rank as those named by the United States.
 To Re-estabiish Cable
 During the day the government began an effort through diplomatic channels to re- establish cable communication with Ma nila. It was believed by officials tonight thai the efforts would prove successful,
  nlomatic representations have borne fruit. The cahle out of Manila Is under control of a British company. line Is under stood to be cut near Manila, but Admiral Dewey has buoyed the several ends. so that A connection may be restored If the company will permit the line to be operat- ed. Pending the renewal of this cable route the authorities here remain without direct advices of the reported lombard ment and surrender of Manila last Satur- day.
 No Oficial Word Received
 The fact that the city has passed into American hands is accepted by the au- thorities, although nothing from Admiral Dewey or General Merritt has been re- ceived It is expected that a dispatch boat may bring advices to Hong Kong at any time as a move of this important character would not be allowed to pass without getting speedy communication with Wash ineton As a German cruiser has made the trip from Manila since the reported surrender 1t is probable that an American shin is not far behind with full fnforma- tion.
 The announcement of Admirals Sampson and Schley as members of the military Commissions for Havana and San Juan respectively will have the effect of taking those officers from duty on shipboard. The navy department will relieve them from their commands temporarily while the commissions are in session. In the ab- senoe of Admiral Sampson, Captain Philip who is the senior officer, will probably be in temporary command of the fleet
 Lawton's Dispatch
 The war department did not make public
 Icontinued on Second Page.l