The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-26
NO POLICY YET CONSIDERED
CABINET HAS NOT DETERMINED
WHAT TO DO WITH PHILIPPINES.
Plan for the Relief of Destitute Porto
Rlcans-President Mckinley still
Suffering from Neuralgia.
, the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, April 25.-The speaker
ship contest which has been Unexpectedly
thrust upon the members elect Of the Fifty
sixth Congress has greatly disarranged the
plans of those who had prepared the slate
for the organization Of the House. II Penn
sylvania does not capture the speakership
some other State VIII put forward some one
to take the position OF clerk Of the House
now held by Major Mcdowell. The position
Of Doorkeeper Glenn Of New York. is ike
wise in jeopardy. Practically all the pat
ronage under the House OF Representatives
comes under the direct control Of these two
officials, and this patronage is an important
factor in a speakership contest. 1t is large
ly because OF this fact that Western mem-
bers at present show no disposition TO pledge
themselves to any one OF the numerous
Western candidates. 1t is stated here to-
night that there will be conference or con-
sultatson at the Manhattan Club, in New
York. this week, in which Senator Platt,
Representative Sherman and others will
participate and it is naturally anticipated
this conference will formally outline the
campaign for Sherman.
proposition to utilize negro troops to
large extent in future military operations I'm
the Philippines is attracting much attention
and ii is believed will be considered by the
administration in the near future. Such
policy is urged the theory that certain
racial affiliations may be utilized in a way
to defeat rebellious acts on the part OF
Aguinaldo and his party and to bring peace
to the newly acquired possessions OF the
| United States in the east. One-thlrd OF the
population of the Philippines are negroes
Of the same race those I'm the United
States and while not numerous about Manila.
comprise nearly the entire population OF
some Of the islands. The advocates OF the
scheme believe that in a short time there
would be assimilation between the
negroes Of the Philippines and their kindred
from the United States and that there would
follow for the coored people opportunities
to get homes and possibilities Of careers they
could not hope for in this country.
With a large War Department map the
members of the Cabinet to-day traced the
positions Of the Americans and the F1lipinos
near Calumpit. Secretary Alger pointed out
what was intended to be accomplished the
| positions and strength OF the opposing
| forces. The secretary is rather hopeful that
| the F'ilipinos will not be able TO elude the
American forces this time. He believes that
If large part of Aguinaldo's army could
be captured the termination OF fighting
| might be near.
| A Cabinet officer said this afternoon that
| the Cabinet has at time discussed the
subject of the future disposition OF the
| Philippines. 1T is the present that we are
thinking Of" he said. And there is not the
slightest intention of deviating from the
present programme. / believe it is the
unanimous feeling of the Cabinet that MOTH
| ing shall be decided as TO the future status
| OF the islands until have placed them
| satisfactorily under the control OF the
| United States" He said that every dollar
| and every man necessary TO br:pg>-the
islands under the dominion OF this country
would be used. When the insurgents have
recognized the power Of the United States
the question of the future status viii be
taken up and discussed.
General Greely chief signal officer, has
been Informed that the most efficient tele-
| graphic service ever used in war time has
been established in the Philippines. A fly
ing line is used to connect the different
commands and telephone service is used at
the front. over 1000 messages daily are
transmitted between the officers OF General
Otie's command.
The gallant marines who lost their lives
in the early fighting around Guantanamo
are 10 be inferred in Arlington Cemetery
beside the bodies of soldiers whose remains
were recently brought from Cuba and Porto
Rico. The funeral ship Cook is now on her
way to New York with these bodies, to-
| gcther with the remains OF number OF SOL
diers disiDterred in Porto Rico. 1t is ex-
pected that these remains will reach here
Monday or Tuesday next. Their reinterment
| will be marked by simple ceremonies similar
10 those which attended the burial OF their
comrades IN the same cemetery few weeks
! ago. -"
President Iglesias. of Costa Rica. called
informally on President Mckinley at the
White House to-day. He was accompanied
by Secretary of State Hay. and was re-
ceived in the blue parlor.
| Postmaster General Smith left here to-
night for Galena, H., where he viii deliver
an address at the Grant anniversary cele-
bration on Thursday.
| The minister resident at Bangkok. Ham,
ilton King. has notified the State Depart
ment OF the death Of an American named
| Thomas s Scanlon. late OF Battery L. Third
United States Artillery. who died OF cholera
there on Thursday. March 3. He left no
means and no instructions as 10 the dispo-
sition OF his remains, and the minister gave
1 him plain but decent burial He was dis
charged from the above battery at Manila.
| Oct. 8. 1885.
Gen. Roy Stone and the members OF the
executive committee of the National Red
Cross called on the President to-day TO lay
before him plan for the relief OF some OF
| the destitution in Porto Rico. over 10000
OF the natives. according TO DR.. Henna-