The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-06
To be Sent to the Senate With Only a Brief
Message of Transmission.
AGUINALDO'S POWER WANING
His Strength to be Determined by Complexion of the Philippine Paria.
ment to Meet Tomorrow-The Situation at lloIo Well in Hand.
General Otis Wihholds the Presidents Proclamation.
Question of Manner of Disbursement OF the Cuban
Question OF Cuban Internal I'm.
proyements.
DrOyementS.

I fort was not made, and to ascertain
whether, as reported in the testimony
before the war commission, the beef
had been chemically tested and whether
the United States was responsible for
it's loss, which involves a recommended
ton as to whether Swift & Co. should
be reimbursed. A board of survey has
no power to administer oaths. 1t can
only find on information and recon-
mend subject 20 review to the appoint
ing officer, in this case, Secretary of
War Alger. The board will investigate
the questions with which they are
charged. They intimate that the pro-
ceedings are not of great Importance
in reality, only involving a recommend
alton as to whether Swift & Co. should
be paid for the beef. Such a recon-
mendation, however, necessarily in
wolves fixing the responsibility for the
rejection of the beef.
| The war investigating commission
has decided to make a thorough inves-
tigation Of the complaints made about
the beef furnished the army in the ex-
peditionary campaigns. Summons was
made today for the appearance before
the commission next Friday of Major
Daily, the chief surgeon of the army
| headquarters at Tampa, prior to the
departure Of the Shafter expedition
who made a vigorous report, forwared
by General Miles, in condemnation of
the beef. The Swith Packing Company
of Chicago will be heard next Monday
in defense of these supplies.
/ There was only one witness today,
| Colonel James NJ. Moore, assistant
quartermaster general of the army,
who appeared merely to correct some
errors in the eport of previous testi-
mony.
QUESTION OF DISBURSEMENT OF
CUBAN REVENUES.
The objection of the citizens Of San
tiago to the execution of the war de-
partments programme requiring the
customs collections of that port and at
all other Cuban ports, to be sent to Ha-
Vana, has brought the war department
face to face with another of the many
problems connected with the admins
tratiOn of affairs in Cub that require
speedy settlement. The order is felt
to be absolutely necessary, the inter
ests of good government requiring that
there should be but one responsible
head to the customs service in Cuba.
1t was pointed out at the war depart
ment today that if Santiago at one end
of the island and Havana, hear the
other, were allowed to keep their GUS
toms receipts, such provinces as Puertc
Principe and Pinar del Rio wOuld be
without funds to make any public i'm
prOvements. The officials are disposed
to allow each of the military command
I ers of the sever departments into
which Cuba is now divided to submit
acquisitions based upon estimates OF
| cost of such public works, as santa
! ton, harbor improvements and road and
/ bridge building, as it is deemed desir-
able to undertake. The cabinet which
| General Brooke is about to call to his
| assistance in the administration of the
| island probably will examine into these
necessities and propose an allotment
of the total customs collections and in
ternal revenue taxation in proportion
to the needs of the community and ir
accordance with principles of justice
and good government. In all likeli.
hood, these allotments will require the
approval of the secretary of war. Ir
the case of Santiago, it is the belle
of one of the highest officials of thu
war department that the transfer O.
money from that SUPPORT to Havana
will be almost nominal, for the eed
of the province at large, probably will
absorb the greater part of the actua
cash. The whole subject is now under
consideration, falling directly under tn
purview of Assistant Secretary Nickel
john and some order IN the subjec
may be expected at an early date.