The evening times., 1898-09-19
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER ls, 1895.
The Presidents Wholesome Anger.


That the President was deeply in
censsd by the red-tape. killing
methods of the American Commission
appointed TO arrange for the Spanish
evacuation of Cuba is evident from the
effects OF his Saturday shaking up of
that slow-moving body. We may thank
him for this mornings news that two
of the minor ports of the island have
been opened for the free entry of sup
plies for the starving. 1t is inferred
that the visit Of Miss Clara Barton had
something TO do with his very unusual
action. 1t is not like the amiabIe and
trusting President to interfere with the
proceedings of a commission of his own
appointment. but in this case il was
necessary in order to change a situa-
tion that was positively intolerable.
The Times. which first called the at
tention of the President to the signifi-
canoe Of the methods adopted by the
Commission, is entirely willing the
Commissioners should escape the public
odium of the severe wigging they got
as far as it is possible without losing
the benefit Of a timely lesson. There
are few facts. however, that should
be noted. A week ago the American
Commission sent its first proposition
10 General BlaEco, who is, in fact, the
Spanish Commission, and expected a
reply today. 1t was obvious that at
this rate the Spaniards would So be
in possession of Cuba long after e
Peace Commission at Paris should con-
clude its labors. Owing to the repre-
sentations of The Times, of Mr.. Porter,
who is the Presidents agent for the
gathering of information about Cuba.
and Of Miss Barton, whose benevolent
schemes have been blocked by General
Blanco, the President called the Ameri-
can Commissioners to the cable for
what was doubtless the liveliest con-
versation that has ever tested the
strength Of the electric batteries AS
result, the Spanish Commission was
told that the President was impatient
and disposed TO take summary methods
for sending General Blanco to Spain.
That Spanish Commission performed
the unprecedented feat of holding an
extraordinary session after dfnner-at
$3.50 O'Clock in the highland taking
measures to carry out Mr.. Porters sug
gestion Of the immediate evacuation of
or the suspension of Spanish military
authority at, two of the less important
ports, in order that provisions for the
hungry NIGH be admitted duty free.
In short, the President, exasperated
to the last degree by the introduction
OF circumlocution methods in the ar
rangement Of details for the evacuation
OF Cuba, has cut the red tape. His
sense of duty to the Cubans, to the Red
Cross Society and to humanity has
proved stronger than his regard for the
feelings of Admiral Sampson. whose
deadly policy of delay had already
caused no small amount of trouble. 1t
is believed that Mr.. Porters messages
as TO the abasement of the American
Commission before the kingly Blanco
and the bitter disappointment and cha
grin of the Cubans who are the strong
est advocates of annexation, made the
President unhappy and anxious. II will
be recalled that he was highly indig-
uant when General Blanco imposed i'm
possible conditions on the landing of
the supplies so generously given for the
suffering people Of the unhappy island.
But he found that he was powerIess
under the terms of the protocol It was
plain. however, that the same end could
be reached by the policy which he has
now forced the Commission to adopt.
1t is most encouraging to witness an
occasional display Of temper by the
President, on whose good nature off,
cials are sometimes inclined to i'm
pose. We think the lesson OF this blow
ing up of the dilatory. Blanco-ridden