Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-18
RECONSTRUCTION.
OFFICIALS NOW CONSIDERING MAT
TIERS IN SPANISH WEST INDIES.
Gen. Lee May go Back to Cuba rs One OF
tho Commi ssioners-Naval Review of
the Ships of Admiral SIMPSONS
Fleet at New York Saturday.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.--The reconstruct
ton of affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico and
throughout the Spanish West Indies, is re-
ceiving earnest consideration i'll Official
quarters, and at the White House to-day
the President saw u number of prominent
callers in connection with this rcconstruc-
ton in our new nsular dependencies. Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee spent some time with the
President going over the condition OF Gu
han affairs. While no announcement was
made the impression prevailed that Gen.
Lee would be one of tho Cuban military
commissioners to be named within Few
days. Acting Secretary Allen of the navy
also saw the President concerning Cuban
affairs. 1t Is probable that an American
naval vessel will go to Havana harbor be-
fore long and at least two naval vessels
will be ordered to Havana when the mill
tury commission assemblies there to de-
tcrmine upon the details of Spanish evac-
uation. Secretary Day also conferred with
the President and later determined. the
peace terms being matured, to take II
weeks vacation. lie will leave either to-
night or tomorrow morning going proba-
bly, to Canton. Assistant Secretary Moore
will he acting secretary of the state de-
partmont during Judge Days absence. The
secrctaryS retirement from the head of
the department is likely to follow soon af-
ter his return from Canton and indeed 1t
may come during his absence although
he was about to close his connection with
state affairs.
The navy department decided during the
day to yield far as practicable to the
public desire at New York for a naval re-
view of the ships Of Admiral SIMPSONS
fleet. Accordingly. Acting Secretary AL
len issued the following order:
The department is much gratiied at the
desire expressed to see a review of the
warships and cruisers recently expected
home and so far as practicable is DESTROYS
OF carrying out the wishes of those, ~%ti-
zcns who wish to see the ships. i'Ui
neither the officers nor the men of M
fleet are in condition to participate in .
street parade. The department is taking
the opportunity of the armistice to put
these ships at once into the best possible
condition for such uses as may hereafter
be required of them. 1t is expected all
other work will be suspended and the en-
tire available force of the navy yard di-
rected to this work i'm order to secure the
greatest possible despatch.
The department will direct that upon
arrival in New York harbor the fleet will
steam up the North river as far as Gen.
Grants tomb, fire a salute and steam
back to the anchorage 1t is expected that
the fleet will reach New York on Satur-
day, the 10Th instant
The plan is to have Admiral Sampson
met off Sandy Hook with orders for the
procession up the North river. 1t is en-
pected that the fleet will be off Sandy
Hook some time Friday night. but they
will lie outside the harbor until Saturday
morning.
The navy department is taking steps to
reduce the force of naval miitiamen call
cd into service from the several States
The Minneapolis is to transfer part VI her
crew to the Yosemite, thus releasing the
Michigan naval militiamen who man the
Yosemite. The Columbia is also to trans
fer her crew to the Dixie and other aux
ilary craft, thus allowing the naval mill.
tiamon on these auxliaries to go home
In this way the naval service will speed
fly be returned into the hands of the rcgu-
lar officers and crnWS