The times., 1898-12-24
9HE CABINET MEETING
Speculation in Cuban Fran
chises Must Cease.
TO RELIEVE THE STARVING
Gen. Lee Ordered to Feed the Vic
TINS of the Wnr-The President to
Receive n Red Cross Delegation
Today Condition of the Civil
Service OrAer-The FilipinOs.
\ result of the Cabinet deliberations

result of the Cabinet deliberations
day at the White House the Presi-
dent directed that the War Department
issue the following orders, which will be
sent to the commanding officers of Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines:
Until otherwise ordered, no grants or
concessions of public or corporate rights
or franchises for the construction OF pub
lie or quasi-public works, such as rail-
roads. tramways, telegraph and telephone
lines, water works, gas works, electric
light lines etc, shall be made by any mu-
nicipal or other local governmental au-
thority or body in Cuba, Porto Rico or
the Philippines, except upon the approval
of the major general commanding the mil
itary forces of the United States at those
places who shall, before approving any
such grant or concession, be so especially
authorized by the Secretary of War"
The proclamation was issued for the
purpose of preventing the autonomist gov
ernment of Cuba from granting franchises
TO spectators and other persons, who are
eager to secure these grants. inasmuch as
capital is expected to rush into the islands
to develop modern conveniences. These
spectators, having control of all privil-
eges, would be enabled to eXtort large
sums of money from the persons des.rous
of improving the condition of the islands
The military governors will be instructed
to investigate the facts of all franchises
asked for and to veto those they think
ought not to be granted. The order will
result in cu-tailing numerous unlawful
.Hha nd fr.. of inc
franchises on legitimate basis
Another important matter discussed at
the Cabinet meeting was the condition of
the destitute Cubans and the most advisa-
bic manner OF affording them relief. The
subject was introduced by President Nc
Kinley, who learned the facts of the con-
dftion of affairs in the island through r.
S. HoWiand, of Providence. r. l., who
has just returned from Cuba, ard from
the reports of various military officers
there. The destitution exists in the cities
of Havana, Guines and Pinar del Rio. and
in many smaller places, where the people
are dying from starvation. The President
has already taken action in affording i'm
mediate relief to these suffering people by
causing Secretary Alger to send an order
to Gen. Lee directing him to furnish pro-
visions clothing and medicines from the
supplies of his army in all cases where
they are needed. Gen. Lee now has 1.5Oo,-
900 rations on hand, and has the privilege
of drawing on the commissary department
at Washington for what other supplies
he may need for distribution among the
poor. While this plan is effectual as far
as granting relief is concerned, 1t is a very
costly one and Is considered to be q tenn
porary arrangement.
There was no definite plan determined
I.al,f
gestions were made. The President has
granted an audience today to delega-
ton from the Red Cross Society of New
York, and it is possible that this organi-
cation may be placed in charge of the
work.
1t was also suggested that the United
States give to each soldier who has been
discharged from the Cuban army and Is
about to become a farmer enough money
to buy a mule and plow and few agri-
cultural implements, which woUd enable
him to cultivate the land and thereby be-
come se,f-supportins. This money would
ultimately have to be repaid TO the United
States Government by the Cubans. The
loan would be secured by an attachment
upon the revenue derived from the collec-
tions at the custom houses.
The Presidents civil service order was
to have been brought up for final discus
sion Yesterday, but was forgotten by the
members of the Cabinet. To the orig
| inal order there have been added several
amendments by the President, and these
| have been submitted to the heads of the
various departments for such recommen-
dations as they might care to make The
order will not, it is believed. be promui-
gated until after the next Cabinet meet
| ing. or perhaps not until after the hol-
| idays.
| 1t was agreed at the Cabinet meeting
| to close all executive departments at noon
today, in order to allow the clerks time
| to select and buy Christmas presents All
| Government departments are closed by
| law on the day observed as Christmas. SO
that when the clerks leave their offices
| they will not have to return until Tues
| day morning.
| Other routine matters in regard to the
| evacuation of Cuba and the insurgents
in the Philippine Islands were discussed
at considerable length. 1t is believed by
| the members of the Cabinet that the
| Philippine insurgents will quietly settle
| down as they have been advised, and that
| there is no occasion to anticipate trouble
with them.