The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-17

Washington, Aug. 16.-Gradually the
framework of a government for the
| civil administration of affairs in Cuba,
Porto Rico and such portions of the
Philippines as this government con-
trolls is being formed. The development
of this plan of internal administration
occupied much of the attention of the
cabinet today, and later Secretary
| Gage, Attorney General GriggS, Post
! master General Smith and Acting Sec
rotary of State Moore, held a two hours
! conference at the state department, GO
ing over the infinite detail of establish
ing a civil administration. General
Corbin was present part OF the time.
At the outset, the military authOr1-
ties will be in charge of all administra-
tive affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico and
other acquired possessions. But the
military forces can do little more than
direct the orderly execution of affairs.
| The carrying on Of postal cOmmunica-
| ton, the collection of customs, etc, are
civil functions, which will be taken in
hand by the appropriate bureaus here,
the entire work being under the protec-
ton Of the military authorities The
result of the conferences today will be
made known through the various de-
partments. Already steps have been
taken to restore mail communication
between this country and Cuba, but
the plans now under consideration are
likely to take in the question of hand
ling mail inside of Cuba, Porto Rico
and other points. A mail steamer will
leave New York tomorrow. carrying
the first lot of mail to Cuba since the
war began.
The Spanish government has been
quite SoiicitouS as to the method of adj
CT 1Tipor affairs in the Antilles
account of the large Spanish interests
remaining there. The French ambasSa-
dor has received a number of inquiries
in this line, and these have been laid
before the state department. After the
conference held there this afternoon,
NJ. Thiebaut of the French embassy
called and was made acquainted with
the general plan of this government in
restoring stable administration
throughout the Spanish West Indies.
MILITARY COMMISSIONS.
The president today appointed two
commissions to adjust the evacuation
of Cuba and Porto Rico. They follow:
For Cuba-MajOr General James T.
Wade, Rear Admiral W. T. Sampson,
Major General Matthew c. Butler.
For Porto Rico-Major General John
r. Brooke, Rear Admiral Winfield Scott
Schley, Brigadier General William w.
Gordon.
General William W. Gordon, one Of
the commissioners for Porto Rico, and
the only one of the six appOinteeS to
the commissions who is not widely
known, is a well-knOwn citizen of Sa-
vannah, Ga He is the senior colonel of
the Georgia state militia, and served in
the ranks of the Confederate army. He
belongs to one of the wealthieSt fam
lilies OF the state and is conspicuous So
cially there. He was largely endorsed
in the state for brigadier general.
The French ambassador has been adj
vised by the state department of it's
selection of military commissioners to
meet at Havana and San Juan. The
names of these commissioners have
been awaited at Madrid, as it is the
purpose there to appoint Spanish COM
missiOners of the same rank as those
named by the United States.
The announcement of Admirals
Sampson and Schley as members Of the
military commissions will have the eff
feet of taking these officers from their
duty on shipbOard for a time. The
navy department will relieve them
from their commands temporarily,
while the commissioners are in session.
In the absence of Admiral Sampson,
Captain Phillip, who is the senior off,
Ger, will probably be in temporary
command of the fleet.
ALLISON DECLINES.
The president today rendered to Sen
ator Allison of Iowa an. appointment as
member of the peace commission. Sen
ator Allison, however, could not see his
way clear to accept the honor. The
tender was made in the course of a.
lengthy interview today at the White
house. The appointment OF Senator AL
lison. almost as much as that of Sec
rotary Day, has been regarded as fore
oo,,a conclusion The admin TiOO has
been anxious to obtain his services, ow-
ing to his experience as chairman Of the
finance committee of the house, which
would make him particularly valuable
in the adjustment OF the knOtty lnan-
ciaI problems likely to arise during the
of the Paris tribunal.
Senator Allison, in acknowledging the
honor offered him, explained that the
interests of his state in the senate and
his desire to continue his former vigor-
Gus participation in the shaping of leg
islation in that body and other duties
would preclude his taking up the ar
duous duties at Paris and would de-
mand so much time and serious work
During portion of the interview ex-
Bourke Cochran Of New
York was present. His services in. the
campaign, along with other circum-
stances, gave rise to speculation that
he had been summoned here by the
president in connection With the max
ing up of the peace commission Mr..
Cochran asserts, however, that he was
here solely on private business and
merely called to pay his respects. L
am not a candidate for any Office and
no offer. direct or indirect. of any sort
Of an appointment, has been made me-
he added.
GORMAN ALSO DECLINES.
1t is understood that the president
has rendered TO Senator German of
Maryland a place on the peace COM
mission and that he has declined the
offer. The president now, it is stated,
S looking about for acknowledgements
c senator to take the place of Sena-
tor German. the president being desir-
Dus OF securing a Democrat from the
upper house of congress.
Arrangements are being made at the