The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-14
LEE CALLED TO WASHINGTON
THE EX-CONsUL GENERAL MAY BE
SENT BACK TO HAVANA.
VIII Probably Be a Member of the
Cuban Military COmmission-Part
Of His Corps May Go with Him.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

special TO the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. Aug 13-After taking a
breathing spell of day or two the Presi-
dent will take up the problems of peace.
He will enter at once on the work of re-
construction and the establishment of sta
BILE governments in the West India colonies
surrendered by Spain. First in order will
be the appointment of military commissions
to take charge of Cuba and Porto Rico
pending the evacuation of those islands by
the Spanish soldiers. These commissions
will pave the way for installation of new
forms of government. 1t will be their busi-
ness to protect the late insurgents and the
natives of the islands from outrage at the
hands of the departing Spanish soldiers and
10 give the people a period of safety until
conditions become settled. 1t is the pur-
pose OF this government to give Spain rea-
sonable time to take her army out of Cuba
and Porto Rico. She will be given time to
prepare the necessary safeguards against
the introduction of epidemics into the cities
OF the peninsula, which might follow a too
precpitous movement of the Spanish army
in the West Indies at this season of the
year. There are also weighty political rea-
sons which make it desirable on the part of
Spain to bring the army over gradually
through a period Of say, six months. in
stead of trying to do it all at once. To
bring 10000 soldiers into the country now
might increase the difficulties which the
Madrid government will experience in
reconciling the Spanish people to the hard
terms of peace submitted to. 1t is not the
wish of this government to add an ounce
TO the heavy load which the Spanish an
thorities are carrying. 1t is rather the wish
OF the Washington administration to smooth
the way for the fallen foe.
The peace commission will crowd along its
Work with due diligence. but the problems
II VIII nave before it are exceedingly COM
plicated, and if a trip to the Philippines
should be necessary it might be that the
treaty would not be completed during the
life of the Fffty-fifth Congress. Unless all
signs are at fault. the Republicans will have
a large majority in the Senate after the 4tb
of next March, and on many accounts it
might be better Ior Senate more, in har-
mony with the present administration to con-
slider the treaty. Associate Justice Nc
henna is one of the new names mentioned
as likely to he the peace commission
Judge Mckenna is Spanish student un-
derstands the far Eastern question thor
oughly, is a close friend of the President
and a Catholic. Ex-senator Edmunds is no
longer seriously mentioned as it is feared
he would be d discordant element on the
commission
Gen. Fftzhugh Lee has been called 10
Washington. He will probably be a mem
ber of the military commission for Cuba. It
Is barely possible he may receive the an
pointment of military Governor, but this is
not considered altogether likely A man of
larger legislative experience is wanted for
that place.
Until the spanish troops are well out OF
the West Indies the army will not be great
~ reduced in numbers, although a gradual
wedding out process will go on continually.
Most of the regimentaI organizations will he
kept intact, but soldiers who are unable TO
stand the fatigues and hardships of camp
life will be discharged for physical disability
and be allowed to return to their homes.
This will relieve the hospital service from
overwork and will improve the general
average and tone of those remaining in the
field The soldier boys who become disabled
through excesses and are discharged from
military service in consequence will not fig
ure on the future pension rolls.
Officials of the War Department are max
Ing estimates of the number of soldiers who
will be required for garrison duties in Cuba
and are planning for their transportation to
localities where they will be needed. Under
the new conditions many regiments which
have been summering in Florida and other
southern camps can be moved over into
Cuna Immediately without danger They are
already aclimated and as they will not have
TO endure the hardships of active campaign
Ing or be obliged to fight an entrenched
enemy they will be practically as safe as
they would be in the States. 1t may not be
found necessary or polite to await the con-
olusion Of the rainy season before garrison
ing several of the Cuban cities with Ameri-
can troops. This will not be done on an ex-
tensive scale if it can be avoided, but the
presence of the advance guard of the new
army of occupation may be best for the
peace of the island and for the preservation
of life and property.