Evening star., 1898-09-13
Presidents Views Regarding the
Philippines.
INSTRUCTIONS 10 TEE COMMISSIONERS
Will Demand the Island of
Luzon.
EARLY CONTROL OF CUBA

All the members OF the cabinet, except
Secretary Alger. were telegraphed a few
days ago to be present at the cabinet ses-
sion today, expected to be one of the most
important since the beginning of the war.
Secretary Long came all the way from
Maine Secretary Bliss left New York and
Attorney General Griggs came on from
New Jersey. The members assembled
promptly at II o'clock, and Secretary Alger
was the only absentee.
Secretary Day, who will figure conspicu-
ously in the history of this country during
the next few months, arrived shortly after
10 o'clock and talked with the President for
an hour before the arrival of the other
members When he left the White House
at 1:SO O'Clock this afternoon he said tnat
he had not sent in his resignation and that
the cabinet had adjourned for lunch TO re-
assemble at $50 O'Clock. This, CT course
meant that the important business before
the President and his advisers was still
open for discussion.
Secretary Days resignation will be hand
ed to the President at the conclusion of the
present session of the cabinet or some time
this week.
Instructions to Peace Commission.
Il may be stated positively that the
tire session of the cabinet this morning
was devoted to a discussion of the policy
of this country in regard to the Philip
pines. The question covered even more
than this. but this point Is about the only
one over which there will be trouble with
Spain. 1t Is we'll understood under the
terms of the protocol what the Unit I'd
States demands as to Cuba and Porto Rico.
but what is to be done with the Philip
pines was left open. and on this point
President Mckinley has prepared instruc-
tions to be taken to Paris by the peace
mission nd he delivered here
The instructions were laid before the cab
met today and the discussion was over
these, which outline the policy of this coun-
try in full and instructive manner. 1t
has been intimated that the President
would not commit his policy to paper be-
cause this might prove to be a blunder,
owing to possibilities. The statement is
made, however, that the instructions under
consideration are full and explicit.
Naturally cabinet officials declined to say
anything as to the nature of the instruc-
tions. There is no reason to believe, how
ever. that the President has not changed
his mind since the time when the answer
TO Spain as to terms was under discussion.
The President was then opposed to this
country becoming the pOssessor of all the
islands
He favored the acquisition of good terri
tory for a naval station, better trade ia
c'hies and a change in the form of the
government Of the Philippines. The belief
now expressed is that the instructions 20
the peace commissioners will be to de-
mand the Island of Luzon for the United
states ana to secure commercial advan-
tases fer this country. The whole public
HE of the President has been devoted to
d0irg whatever he thought would increase
the commerce of the country. His policy
now VIII look as much to that end as 10
securing other advantages for the United
states he wants to see the commerce of
the country become larger month by month
ana Will not ignore the opportunities to
b" found in the east
IL Is said that the position of Agu.r aldo
ana the insurgents came in today for
fierety indirect mention That will be
oeait with at future sessions of the cabj-
net.
The peace commissioners will begin N
assemble here tomorrow fer instructions
from the President, and the desire row is
10 make the cabinet acquainted with the
instructions to be given, and to obtain the
views or every member of the ca binet on
Questions of the deepest Importance Ie.fore
the President gives his final Instructions
A month ago the cabinet was practically
unit in upholding the views of the Praei-
dent that this country does not want all of
the Philippines, and if there has leen a
change ii is rot known
Early Control of Cuba.
Before the cabinet concludes its session
this afternoon there will probably be some
discussion of taking charge of the Cuban
ana Porte Rican governments without
waiting for the conclusion of the peace
commission. The Spanish authorities at
havana have become annoying in their
regulations about customs duties and other
internal affairs II is seen by tie President
that internal affairs in Cuba must be left
in the hands of the Spanards for the pres
eht, or until this government Is ready to
assume responsibility for a government
In this condition of affairs nothing can at
once be done to arbitrarily take from the
Spaniards the collection of customs and
other taxes. but it soon be brought
about. The President and Secretary Gage
have the matter under consideration and
it is believed Secretary Gage has a plan to
submit to the cabinet which looks to the
early control of Cuba by the United States
This plan is for the military commissions
erS OF the United States in Cuba to give
the Spanish commissioners to understand
that about the 18th or last of October this
country will be ready to assume the gov
ernment of Cuba, and will at that time dis
patch United States troops and officials to
the island. This will be done regardless of
the progress made in getting Spanish
troops away from the island.
Occupation of Cuba.
1t is positively known to be the intention
of the administrat that the Spaniards
will not be allowed to retain control Of af-
fairs until the peace commission concludes
a formal treaty of peace. The Spaniards
evidently hope to delay giving up Cuba
until that time, but they will not be al
lowed 10 90 so. Inc PRESIDENT ana admin
istration are holding of now mainly be-
cause they do not care to send troops to
the island at this time Of the year. They
believe that the island will be healthy
enough to start troops over by the 10Th of
October So soon as troops are landed the
SpaniardS will be told that their soldiers
nrst lay down their arms and go about
peaceful pursuits or leave for Spain.
DiscussiOn of Cuba Barred.
The Presidents instructions to the peace
commission will be that the Spaniards can
not in any way discuss the future Of Cuba
That question has passed beyond the stage
of discussion. Spain relnquishes Cuba and
Porto Rico when she signed the protocol,
and there are no questions on those Islands
over which she any longer has control. The
American peace commissioners will not dis
cuss with the Spanish commissioners the
question of paying for public buildings in
these islands.
That question, it is decided is not open
for discussion. All stationary property in
Spain in any of these islands passes to the
control of the United States, which assumes
rpc nnYl OF FOR