The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-01

Washington, October 29-The presi-
dent, Secretary Alger, and Adjutant
General Corbin had an extended con-
ference today, the principal topic un-
der consideration being the occupation
of Cuba. There is no disposition to
change the date (January 1st,) fixed for
the assumption of control by the Unit
ed states. The questions discussed to-
day related mainly to transportation,
ships, equipments, landings and camps.
The report of the Cuban military COM
mission and of the army board sent
to investigate and locate sites were
considered General Lawton, who has
for some time past been the military
governor of Santiago province, was
present during a portion of the con-
ference and gave the president some in
formation concerning conditions in
Cuba. The report of the board to Sc
lect sites gave list of articles which
would be Immediately necessary, and
the department directed the issue of
advertisements for them.
| 1t is yet too early, said General
| Lawton, 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
supervision of the island of Cuba.
This will have to be determined en-
tirely by the course of future events.
| The Cubans are, generally speaking,
| General Lawton added, quiet, tract
, able people. He did not think there
would be any trouble in managing
| them so far as this might be neces-
| sary pending the formation of an in
! dependent government on the island.
After the conference Secretary Alger
said it related to what regiments
should be sent to Cuba as an army of
| occupation and to what points. He
| declined however, to discuss the mat
| ter, and said that the details Of the
movement would not be made public.
Secretary Hay also had an interview
with the president, presumably relat-
ing to matters before the Paris COM
| mission, but nothing is known of the
! contents of dispatches which may
have been received from Mr.. Day. 1t
was intimated, however, that our rep
resentatives in Paris probably would
be prepared to take up next week and
submit to the Spanish members the
proposition on the Philippine question.
| 1t is assumed, however, that this prop
osition may be subject to change as
| the negotiations progress.
On this general subject of the Phil
ippines 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 what it will not demand in this con-
nection. beyond the fact, as heretofore
stated by the Associated Press, that
the entire archipelago must remain in
the possession Of the United States.
This determination has undoubtedly
been reached and under no circumstan-
ces will this government, through its
Paris representatives, consent to a
treaty which does not involve a COM
plete surrender of Spanish sovereign
ty therein. 1t may be further stated
that this government will not assume
any Spanish debt or obligation, pos
|
municipal obligations which may have
been incurred in substantial municipal
improvements. The debt which Spair
| has incurred in her efforts to put dowr
insurrection 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
| Whether or not this government vii
consent to the payment of any sum o
money to Spain for any part of hel
: territory taken possession of by th'
! United States, should any be found u
be due on a final settlement of ac
counts, cannot be stated at this time
and it is believed that this particulal
!. feature of the question has never bee,
! raised in the presidents conferences
with the members OF his cabinet
HOBSON AND THE SUNKEN WAR
SHIPS.
Naval Constructor Hobson arrives
in this city today from Philadelphia
where he took part in the peace jubilee
This afternoon he appeared before tn
beard of naval bureau chiefs for ths
purpose of explaining to condition
of the Spanish ships wrecked off th'
, coast Of Santiago. and the progress
and prospects of the efforts which ars
making for their recovery. 1t is sai6
that over &. 100000 will be required Il
continue the operat ions and the secre
tary OF the navy des Tres TO know wha
chance there is OF success before au-
thoriZing the expendit ure Of so large
an amount of money The action oi