Evening star., 1898-05-09
An Extra Cabinet Meeting Called by
the President.
TEE War SITUATION REVIEWED
Reinforcements to Be Sent to Ad-
miral Dewey at Once.
OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED

called by President Mckinley this morning
to consider the general situation with re-
gard to the war with Spain. The session
lasted an hour and a half. and about every
thing in connection with the conflict was
reviewed by the cabinet officials.
The President laid before the cabinet the
message sent to Congress today regarding
the achievements of Admiral Dewey and
recommending suitable action by Congress.
The message received the hearty approval
of the cabinet.
1t is ascertained that the cutter McCul-
lcch has not left Mrs Bay for Manila with
dispatches for Dewey, although she may
leave at any time. The President is ex-
pecting telegram from Dewey at any
minute over the repaired cable. 1t is be-
lieved that Dewey will repair the cable as
soon as he can get experts who know how
to do the work. The President will then
be able to keep in constant touch with the
American commander. This prospect is
welcome to the cabinet members, who are
eager for daily reports from Dewey if they
can be had.
Reinforcemcnts to Dewey.
1t was agreed in the cabinet that rein
forcementS will be sent to Dewey just as
quick as they can be arranged for. Secre-
tary Alger Is now doing all he can to Sc
cure sufficient transportation for about
5000 troops, ammunition and arms. 1t is
thought probable that the cruiser Charles
ton and the steamer City of Pekin will be
sent forward with many soldiers as they
can carry without waiting for other ships
to be sent Cabinet officials say there is
no truth in the story that 10000 soldiers
are to be sent to the Philippines. They
~, ,Ix.nv- -
soldiers are coming from within the time
desired to get reinforcements to the east.
Secretary Long told the cabinet that he
hopes to hear something by tomorrow from
Admiral Sampson. 1t is still an unsettled
question whether Sampson has instructions
to lombard Porto Rico. 1t is positively
known that he will do nothing of the kind
until he meets the Spanish fleet or has
come to the conclusion that the fleet has
never sailed for Porto Rico and Cuba. A
majority of the members of the cabinet
firmly believe that the Spanish fleet has
never sailed for this side and that it is
cruising around in Spanish waters on a
kind of holiday expedition.
Nothing was mentioned In the cabinet by
the President Secretaries Long or Alger
of the coming invasion of Cuba. Cabinet
officers say they do not know of any change
in the original intention to land about 5000
or 6,0OO soldisfs on the island to maintain
a base of supplies. This plan was recon-
mended by military leaders, and If there
has been any change no mention has been
made before the assembled advisers of the
President.
There was brief discussion of the finan-
cial outlook. The President is understood
to believe that the administration measures
l.,r-
is satisfied with the outlook in Congress.
Not Giving Ont Plans.
The President divuiges little Of army and
navy plans these days. The consequence
is that the congressional callers learn moth
ing of the intentions of the administration,
and most of them frankly admit that they
depend wholly on the newspapers for in
formation as to the progress of the war.
The destination of Admiral SIMPSONS
fleet and the orders given him, the matter
of relief for Admiral Dewey, the invasion
Of Cuba, in fact, everything relating to or
ders to navy and army, are positively and
definitely known only to the President and
the few officials intrusted with executing
the plans In carrying out the orders some
of the details of what is to be done become
known in roundabout ways, but so far no
plan has been fully divulged. The Presi-
dent does not even inform his cabinet of
the details Of a campaign. This is so be-
cause only portion of the cabinet is di-
rectly interested and the others prefer not
to keep track of affairs except in a general
way
Before the cabinet meeting this morning
the President saw many callers. Senator
Perkins and Representatives Barham and
Loud represented California. Notwith-
sending of California troops to the
Philippines, the President gave them
nothing to indicate his purposes in
the matter of aid to Dewey. The dele
cation did not ask or expect detailed in
formation, but would have been interested
in anything pertaining to the probable
movement of their home troops
Senators Allison, Gear, Hall and Mills of
the Senate finance committee had separate
interviews with the President. Senators
Pritchard and Carter were also callers.
In Behalf of Admiral Walker.
Representative Boutelle, chairman of the
House naval affairs committee, has urged
the President to appoint Rear Admiral
John G. Walker, retired, as assistant sec
retary of the navy, to succeed Theodore
Roosevelt. Mr.. Boutelle says that his COM
mittee is unanimous in urging this selec-
ticn, because of the experience and ability
of Admiral Walker. 1t is urged that at
this time he would be invaluable to Secre-
tery Long. For the President to make the
al pointment, however. Congress would
have to modify an existing law, requiring
the appointment of a civilian, and this will
hardly be done. Admiral Walker is not
aware Of the efforts in his behalf.
The nomination today of ex-Representa-
tive Charles Allen of Massachusetts, set
tied the matter. Mr.. Allen is a warm per-
sCnal friend of both President Mckinley
and Secretary Long.
Mr.. BOutclle a Caller.
Chairman Boutelle of the House naval
affairs committee was at the White House
today to see the President regarding the