Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-13
QUESTIONS YET OPEN
Continued from First Page.)

cruisers ordered north from West Indian
waters are to undergo a complete overhaul
Ing, with a view to putting them in the
pink OF condition. For many months they
nave BEEN In tropical waters; their bottoms
are foul, their engines and machinery need
careful overhauling. As soon as they reach
New York all work a the navy yard will
be ssbordinated to pushing the complet.
overhauling of the Zig battle ships and
cruisers In the meantime the smaller
warships in West Indian waters are or
dered to safe harbors. while sufficient ships
for police patrol are left along the Cuban
and Porto Rican coast. The big unwieldy
mentors will remain at Porto Rico, and
most of the blockading fleet will center at
Key West, under Commodore Watson It
VIII give a breathing spell, and time for
bringing every ship back to the highest
state of perfection. The complete return to
peace basis the establishment of peace
squadrons, etc, is a nattsr for the future
The most active steps taken by the War
Department Is the cance}ing of the char
tiers TO the various vessels which were in
use for the transport alton of troops. The
government purchased thirteen vessels and
chartered about fifty. Already the Lam
cassas and Louisiana have been Cancelled
and orders have been issued canoeing the
Ccncho and Lenora as soon as they arrive
from Santiago Ships will be retained as
long as necessary to transport troops, but
as the necessity for rapid movement has
assed. fewer transro rts will accommodate
the troops that are to be moved at sea.
Occupation of Manila.
1t is expected that the American occupa-
ton of Manila will occur Immediately after
the receipt by Admiral Dewey and Gen.
Merritt of the orders sent them last night
Tits may not be deferred by the lack of
cable facilities. as the American occupation
of Manila will probably result In the OPEN
ing of direct cable communication between
that city and the outside world. The only
difficulty thus far has been that the cable
company would not recognize American
control of the cable so long as our forces
were not in possession of the city. The or
ders sent Admiral Dewey are much more
specific than those sent other naval COM
manders, as the occupation of Manila and
the holding of the bay and harbor involves
more important considerat lions than the
mere cessation of hostilities. During the
early hours of today the War and Navy
Departments received no acknowledgements
from the various naval and military COM
manders, but 1t was presumed that the
orders suspending hostilities were being
carried out in all directions
While peace negotiations were pending,
arrangements were made to send larger re-
Inducements to Gen. Merritt With the
troops already at Manila and those which
will arrive within few days. Gen. Merritt
will have 5000 men. The 1000 troops at
San Francis 20 are to be sent as rapidly a =
transports can be obtained. These trans
ports are now on their way from Nagasaki
to San Francisco.
1t is probable that the conquered stations
like Porto Rico and Minila will remain
under military government until Congress
can act. 1t is believed that the military
commissioners which are to be appointed
within ten days will make such recon-
mendation to the President. In fact, it is
pointed out that little else can be done
Porto Rico and Manila will naturally be
governed by the War Department and a
military commander. AS to Cuba, 1t Is
quite likely that so far as the United
States authority is extended or exerted it
will be through the Secretary of War and
the officers in Cuba under his direction.
Consideration is being given to the ap-
| of the prominent commanders In the army
| have been mentioned.
Taking Care Of the Troops.
| The energies of the War Department are
| directed toward making the soldiers in the
| field and in the different camps as COM
| fcrtable as possible. relieving the sick and
taking care Of the wounded, and to get the
! soldiers into healthy and more pleasant
| camps and quarters.
| An order has been issued today directing
| division commanders of the army to issue
| flrioughs to soldiers, Under the order of
August ., upon the recommendation of the
surgeon in charge of the division hospital.
This is the order that gave soldiers a fur
Tough of thirty days and an order for their
| transportation when they were able to
| leave hospitals.
| Volunteer Army to BE Reduced.
| The disposition of troops, the number ia
| be retained and what troops to muster on,
| of service is one OF the questions that Is
giving the War Department considerable
concern. The President has discussed this
matter with Secretary Alger ana General
| Corbin and after going over the various