Evening star., 1898-05-07
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Several Conferences Had With the
President.
SATISFACTION At DEWEY'S NEWS
The Condition of Spain Discussed
With His Callers.
SOME OF THE VISITORS

large number of congressman went to
the White House this morning, many in
quest of news from Manila and others on
business. Senators Teller, Hawley, Caf-
fery Thurston and Allen. and Representa-
tives Bankhead, Lands, Hull and Boutelle
of Illinois were in the list. All congratu-
lated the President on the official news of
the great triumph of Dewey.
Many of the conferences were cut short,
however, by the arrival of Secretaries
Long, Alger and Bliss shortly after the
| first dispatch from Dewey had been trans
lated. These officials arrived about IL
| o'clock, Secretary Long carrying to the
President the message from Commodore
Dewey. This was the first official news
| the President had received. Secretary Long
gave more evidences of pleasure than at
any time since the war began.
The News From Dewey.
| AS the Secretary went up the White
House steps he told 4 number of eager
auditors what the message from Dewey
contain ed. A shout went up and hearty
| furrah was given for Secretary Long and
| the navy, which had covered itself with
| glory at Manila.
Before the President had finished his
| conference Win MS secretaries HeneTllS
| Wheeler and Lee arrived and were admit
| ted to the cabinet room They said when
they came out that no suggestion had been
| made that either would be sent to the
Philippines to command the United States
| troops to be sent there. Gen. Lee laughing
| ly said Let Wheeler go. He understands
! the language of these islands,
Both of the generals said they have re-
ceived orders and do not know when
| they will get orders.
1t was just before this conference that
| the second message from Dewey was re-
ceived and laid before the President and his
| cabinet advisers.
| The second dispatch from Dewey gave
great satisfaction 10 the President and his
| advisers. A cable message to Dewey, con-
yeyng to him the thanks of the President
and country, was written and Immediately
| put on the wire. 1t will go to Hong Kong
at once and will be sent back to Dewey
with other dispatches from the President
and Secretary Long.
Dewey's Probable Instructions.
| 1t is not now known the nature of the in
structions to Dewey. but it is almost GER
tain that he will be told to hold his position
until the arrival of troops, and then to take
charge of the Philippine Islands in the
name of the United States. He will also be
instructed to retain this possession until
further orders.
It is also probable that so soon as Dewey
learns that reinforcements are on the way
he will take charge of Manila without fur
ther waiting, and that the reinforcements
will be used for relief purposes.
1t is thought that the City of Pekin will
be followed by other ships containing men
and supplies. The trip across requires
three weeks.
Several of the Presidents visitors said
that Dewey had sent a private telegram,
which was not made public, regarding men.
| munitions and supplies The men who gave
out this informa lion had been talking with
the President.
A Military Government.
Several of the most prominent of the
Presidents callers said that Dewey would
establish a military government for the
Philippines.
This military government will be
Thousand times better" said Senator Tel
Ter, than the islands have had for two
hundred years What shall do with he
islands remains to be decided. We shall at
least hold them until the war is over
Senator Allen of Nebraska said that ne
took it for granted that the United States
would establish a military government on
the Islands. Senator Thurston said the
same thing, and also added that the ISL
ands must be made to pay the indemnity
for the war.
There was universal commentator for
Dewey.
Senator Tillman was one of the few call
crs at the White House during the after
| noon. He aE1 the President are warm
friends, and they talked long time over
the situation.
Condition Of Spain.
The President referred to the news dis
patches reporting the critical state of af-
fairs in Spain itself, and he and the Pres
ident talked about the probable future of
Spain. Senator Tillman said: 1T looks as
if Don Carlos will come to the front and
take charge Of Spain.''
The question of the work of Admiral
Sampson's feet was almost lost sight of in
the excitement of the news from Dewey.
The excitement was soon over in official
circles, however, and after the morning
hours the White House was as quiet as
could be imagined. The rush of public men
ceased in the afternoon when the news was
made public from other sources. When
lunch time arrived the President had no
officials to confer with and was free to
have an hour by himself.
Senator Tillman said that he had not
made up his mind what he would do about
this government holding the Philippines as
a permanent possession, but it struck him
that such course would be in violation of
the Monroe doctrine and the traditions of
the country. in addition to opposing the
mandates Of the Constitution about taxa
ton without representation.
Personal Mention.