The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-19
CUBA's MILITARY GOVERNOR.
GEN. BROoKE's CONFERENCE WITH
THE PRESIDENT.

Cuban Affairs Discussed at Length.
Secretary A1eer in the Confer
eDce-Gen. Brooke Suffering From
Fever and May Remain Here Sew
crnI Days-He VIII Then Go to Ha-
vana-HIs staff With Him.
Mai Gen. John R. Brooke, military gov
ernor of Cuba, and staff are in the city,
and are at the De Soto. Gen.
Brooke is on his way to Havana to as
sumo the duties of his appointment. He
was summoned he.e by the President,
is understood, ana may remain in Savsn-
nah until the latter part OF the week.
The party, consisting of Gen. Brooke,
Mrs Brooke and maid, Maj. and Mrs j.
F. Dean, Capt. and Mrs. F. B. McKen-
ma, Capt J. a. Campbell and Lieut.. c.
w. Castle, arrived from Washington,
where Gen. Brooke received his commits
sion from the Secretary of Wars office
last Friday as military governor of Cuba.
The island will consist of a military divis-
ion, divided into seven departments The
general will be in command of the divis-
ion.
During the day Gen. Brooke had
lengthy conference with the President in
regard to Cuban affairs, and the policy
he will pursue on assuming military con-
troll of the island. Later Secretary Alger
was with the President and Gen. Brooke
and the duties of the governorship were
discussed at length.
The officers who accompany him are now
acting as aides to Gen. Brooke. Upon the
organization of his staff after his arrival
at Havana their positions will be indicat-
ed. Lieut.. Castle, who is a first lieuten-
ant of the Sixteenth Infantry, viii be per-
sonal aide to Gen. Brooke. This is a po-
sition he has held for some months. He
was with the general in his Porto Rican
! campaign. The ladies of the party will
also go to Havana.
Gen. Brooke and the officers left San
Juan, Porto Rico, Dec. on the transport
Berlin and arrived at Newport News four
| days later. The sudden change from the
warm climate of the island to the cold of
| Virginia had its effect upon the party,
and great precautions were necessary in
order to avoid illness. AS it was the gen.
eral suffered from fever at Old Point Com
fort for several days. This has not en-
tirely left him. lie was able
20 sit up in his room yesterday, and it
is believed that he will be himself again
! shortly.
Gen. Brooke was one of the three major
generals of the army before the army was
! increased. He was the junior of the three.
] nd hns,, sas@
seniors. Upon the appointment of the
corps commanders, he was placed in
| command of the First Corps. This was
| encamped with the Third Corps at Chicka-
| manga, and Gen. Brooke being the senior
of the two corps commanders, was in
charge of the camp. He left this coun-
try at the outset of the Porto Rican cam
paign and was in command of one Of the
! columns. He was senior officer of the
| Porto Rican commission In two or three
| years Gen. Brooke viii have attained the
age at which officers of the army are re-
| tired.
Secretary AIger sent telegram while
| here to Gen. Greene al Havana directing
him to use his discretion in placing an
| army officer temporarily in control of the
| police force of Havana. He also author
lied Gen. Greene to make estimates OF
| money necessary to carry out the strict
est protection of life and property in Ha-
vana and to maintain the sanitary work
begun there. This means that former
Chief of Police McCu11agh of New York
| city viii not al once take charge of the
police of Havana.
Secretary Ayers dispatch was in re-
Spouse 10 telegram received from Gen
Greene saying that he thought it best
that an army officer should for at least
a month be at the head of the police
force. Mr.. McCuuagh agrees with Gen
| Greene, and pending the time for McCul-
lagh to take charge he will study the sit