The Press., 1899-11-30
Washington Letter.
Washington, Nov. s7, 1sss

Gen. Leonard Woods return to Wash ington again so soon after lis recent visit, and the fact that he came by order of the president, makes 1t certain that something important, relating to Cuba, is under con- sideration by the president. All the tn- formation that can be obtained at the war department is that the president wished to get Gen. Woods advice upon some Cuban matters. Interest in Gen. Woods visit Is increased by the fact that 1t was semi officially announced several days be- fore he reached Washington, that the president had decided, on the advice of his cabinet, to make no changes in the mili- tary government of Cuba until after the Roots annual report, now in the hands of the president, urges the establishment of civil government at the earliest possible moment, in both Porto Rico and Cuba. The Cuban delegation of business men who have had one conference with the president, are still in Washington. They do nor favor the establishment of civil government for the island at this time, but wish some changes made in present trade regulations. A prominent admin stration official said today that he expect ed civil governors for both islands to be appointed before the New Year began.
 According.to the reports of Gen. Otis to the war department, the Filipino rebellion has been crushed, Aguinaldo is in hiding and his son and members of his so-called cabinet have been captured. If Gen. Otis had never sent rose-colored reports of a similar nature before, there would doubt less be much rejoicing in administration circles, but as he made mistakes several times concerning the extent and result of movements in the last campaign over there, the general disposition seems to be to wait awhile before shouting, although the feeling of satisfaction over what is known to have been accomplished, is in- tense.
 Representative DeArmond, of Mo-, one of the candidates for the leadership of the house minority in this congress, is strong ly opposed to the Philippine policy of the administration, as may be seen from the following language used by him: "If we need to educate the Filipinos up to our standard in self-government, before giving it to them, prophecy that it will require 8 million years. This setting ourselves up as the exemplary nation of the world is vain argument to justify our course toward the Filipinos. We might claim 1t with as much justice towards the Mexi- cans and send our armies into the republic to the south of us, in the name of Provi- dence and humanity, set up regime of our own, and declare to the world that we purposed to educate the Mexicans in the ways of self-government."
 Strong efforts are being made to save Represehtative-elect Roberts from ex. pulsion from the house, on the charge of being a polygamist, by making the fight for and against him on partisan political lines. Roberts, who is in Wash. ington, has claimed from the first that politics and not morality was the basis of the opposition to him, and now the Utah Democratic national committeeman is out with statement in favor of Roberts, and denying in the most positive terms that he has violated the U. s. law against polygamy. The fight against Roberts still seems to be gaining strength among memhers of the housa
 If Secretary Long can succeed in carry ing out his idea of consolidating three bureaus of the navy department-con struction and repair, steam engineering and equipment into single bureau witt a single head, he will do the navy grea favor: For years these bureaus hav' been jealous of each other, and the tim, that has been wasted by squabbles as t' which of them should control this or that
 would be astonishing if 1t were figures out not to mention the disgust arouse, in various secretaries of the navy by sucl
 childishness.
 Notwithstanding all the talk there ha
 been about changing the house rules SO a
 to give individual members more sa
 about legislation 1t has virtually bee
 decided by the majority leaders that n
 changes of any importance will be mad
 in the Reed rules, under which the hous
 has worked during the last two congress
 es. The leaders think their majority
 too small to give up the advantages fo
 the control of legislation which they will
 have under those rules.