The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-11

about the best time OF the year to make a
short stay in the tropics During the first
six weeks of the new year, in addition to the
social obligations involved in the programme
of public receptions and state dinners would
restrict the President closely to Washington
and, after next weeks Southern tour, he
will hardly find ii possible to leave the White
House for more than two days at a time be-
fore the beginning of Lent in the middle of
February. For the ensuing two weeks, with
the rush of legislation which marks the clos
ing days of a short session Of Congress, there
will be no leisure for the executive and,
therefore. his pennant could hardly fly in the
harbors of Forto Rico before the middle OF
March.
with Havana only a single nights run
for the dispatch boat Dolphin from Tampa,
there might be a chance for the President to
spend two whole days there in weeks abb
sence from Washington and remain always
in close telegraphic communication with the
executive departments, so that If a critical
emergency occurred he could be in a railway
train speeding toward the Capitol within
twelve hours. No thought is entertained.
however, of presidential trip to Havana
before the Spanish flag is hauled down on
Jan. /.
practical unanimity of opinion prevails
among officials that the contemplated visit
OF the President to Havana has as full war
iant as his trip to Porto Rico, so long as the
American flag flies over Cuba, although
few quibbiers may hold that Porto Rico -
self is not actually q part of United States
territory until Congress has made declara-
ton to that effect, either in so many
y ords or by ratifying the peace treaty
OF Paris This fine point IS not seriously
raised except to show that Porto Rico and
Cuba must be considered identical in view
of the fact that they are governed precisely
alike, by military officers under the tmme-
date direction of the President as COM
mander-in-chief The belief is expressed
that the President would not care to set foot
in Cuba If it were held to be foreign terri
tory much as he might wish to see the
country, for that might be a perilouS prece-
dent to establish. But no one appears TO
controvert the right well as the advisa-
ican possessions provided it does not in
volve too long an enforced absence from
Washington.
Before the outbreak of the war with
Spain the expediency of a presidential visit
TO Hawaii was thoroughly canva Ssed. 1T
President would not be compelled TO leave
the jurisdiction of the United states even
momentarily during such tour, as ne
would be constrCctively on American terri
high seas. In this case, however, the long
voyage would have required the PRESIDENT
TO be without means Of communicating with
washington for at least week at time,
and even had there been cable to Honolulu
he would have been out of touch with the
country for at least two periods of five days
each. These considerations prohibited fur
Their contemplation of the visit.
when the President visits Porto Rico and
Cuba he will undoubtedly be accompanied
by Mrs. Mckinley and several members or
the Cabinet, with their wives. and, although
the stay of the party in each port visited
will not be longer than single day, an alb
sence of two weeks from Washington Will
be necessary 1t is probable that Secretary
Alger and several army officers will go to
points in the island before the President
visits those places.