Evening star., 1898-06-29
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Conference With Assistant Secre-
tary Allen and Gen. Greedy.
A DIRECT CABLE FROM SANTIAGO
The Project Discussed at Length
With the President.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

President Mckinley was up until well
after o'clock this morning going over the
war situation with Secretary Alger. Adjt.
Gen. Corbin also was with him until late
hour. During the time the three were to-
gether at the White House there was some
informal discussion of the situation, and
subs aquently it was stated positively that
the dispatch of reinforcements from hero
would not cause Gen. Shafter to delay any
plans he may have formulated. The Pres-
dent frequently of late has been sitting up
until an early hour in the morning watch
ing the developments and waiting for news
from the army in Cuba. Both Secretary
Alger and Adjt. Gen. Corbin are usually
with him until a late hour on these occa-
sions.
AS result of the late hour at which he
retired, President Mckinley was unusually
late in beginning work today.
More Stringent Blockade.
Assistant Secretary Allen of the navy
and Gen. Greely of the Signal Corps were
at the White House for a long time this
morning. Their conference with the Presi-
dent prevented many visitors seeing the
chief executive.
The President is understood to desire
that the newly proclaimed blockade of the
southern ports Of Cuba shall be so effect
i've as to leave no question. For that rea-
son he wanted to ascertain how many ves-
sels the navy can spare to maintain this
blockade. Owing to the fact that Secre-
tary Long is again suffering from sprain-
ed muscle of a leg the conference was
with the assistant secretary.
The President and all of his military adj
hot tha
oughly the blockade is enforced the shorter
and weaker will be the resistance to the
capitulation of Havana.
Government Cable Line,
Another important matter said to have
been discussed at the conference was that
of cable line from Santiago to Key West
direct. The administration, it is said, does
not relish the idea of important kilograms
passing through foreign hands, as is the
case now. Many messages are now de-
layed. General Miles, for instance, received
a telegram yesterday frcm General Shaf-
ter dated two days before. Such delays as
this might some time prove fatal. At any
time they are likely to be serious
1t is said that cable line direct from
Santiago to Key West could be laid now
at comparatively small cost. This line could
be used in all future operations along the
northern coast of Cuba.
OF Great Value.
1t would be of immense value when
troops are landed for the attack on
Havana. 1t is almost certain that If it is
not decided to lay a line from Santiago to
Key West every arrangement will be made
to establish a line from American army
headquarters to Key West, SO soon as a
landing for the invasion of Havana is
made.
1t is said that there is money at the
disposal of the administration for this
work. Ships and men are now in the
service.
A cable line from Santiago will be need
ed for months to come. 1t would be use
full in operations against Porto Rico es-
pecially If the operations are directed from
Santiago, as may be the case
The government is now paying out
large cable bills each day. Every mes
sage from Playa del Este to New York
costs the government s1.O5 for each word
With the army and navy both sending and
receiving messages the bill will be a heavy
one. The money paid out would go a long
way toward paying for the establishment
of a cable line owned by the government
Repairs to the Furniture
The furniture in the green and red rooms
of the White House has been upholstered
Tor the first time in several years and pre-
sents a pretty appearance. The furniture
in the blue room will also be repaired.
These rooms have been practically closed
to the public for several months. Admis-
| sion to them is secured only by card from
a rV nrfn nd hasa vle
| only between the .hours Of IL and / o'clock.
The practice as to opening these parlors
| to visitors has differed during the various
| administrations. During several adminis-
trations the rooms were almost as public
as the east room, which is visited by hun
| dreds of people daily.
Some of Today's Callers.
Senators Cullom. Clay. Roach, Spooner
Elkins, Hoar, Lodge, Wetmore, Burrows,
Allen. Cannon, Penrose, Plat of New. ork
and Jones of Arkansas were among the
callers at the White House today. Some OF
them did not gst to see the President. The
senators have no definite idea as to when
Congress will adjourn. All. however. are
| hopeful that adjournment will not be de-
| layed longer than the last Of next wsek
All are anxious to get to their homes.
| 6eHdlOI 6euIOS6 went TO the w mite House
| with Samuel Randall, son of the famous
democrat and ex-Spsaker. Young Randall
| come time ago wanted a political appoint
ment. but he now desires to get into the
army.
Not Even q Mosquito to Get Through.
I'VE are going to arrange it so that a
| mosquito cannot run the blockade" said
| an official, and this expresses the hope of
| the Presid .nt. The southern coast of Cuba
will be dotted with American vessels and
they will prevent even the smallest vessel
getting into Cuban harbors with relief. The
Spanish stories of vessels running the Ha-
| vana blockade are declared to be false, but
| the number Of ships there will be increased,
| II necessary.
| With stringent enforcement of the new
blockade the administration fails to see
| how Blanco is to get aid. He will certainly
| be in bad condition by the time the invest
ment Of his city is undertaken by Amert-
can troops. This may be several months
| away. and there are chances that by this
time Blanco will be forced to surrender In