Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-11-09
GOVERNOR FOR CUBA
The President Preparing to
Establish Civil Rule.
He Already has His Eye on a Man.
The New Regime will Probably
Be SET Up Before Congress
Meets In December.

Washington, Nov. SIN q long ses-
sion of the cabinet today a number of
matters relating to different depart
ments were discussed.
The subject of a civil government for
the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico
was again broached by the president.
1t is stated that the president is great
ly anxious to establish civil govern
ments in the islands. He is firmly sat-
isfied that the time is ripe for this,
and that the people desire it.
The trouble, however, is in the Sc
lection of man for governor of Cuba.
The president believes he has a man
picked out who will be just the official
for Porto Rico. but he is not so conf
dent as to Cuba. He believes that the
place requires special qualifications
and that a man of the greatest ability
and conservatism will be needed.
Therefore, he is. quietly casting about
for this person. When he secures the
man he will make the announcement
and authorize the establishment of
civil government in Cuba 1t is be-
lieved this will be done before congress
meets in December, and that a full
trial will be given civil government in
time for congress to take action as to
our duties in Cuba.
The administration is still receiving
complaints as to the failure of the
government to allow small packages
from soldiers in the Philippines 10
come through without molestation
from the customs authorities. Every
soldier desires to send some memento
home to his mother, sister or cousin,
and he wishes to do this through the
mails. Under the laws he cannot do
so without paying duty, no matter how
insignificant the item.
The president wants to allow the SOL
diers this concession, in the belief that
they will not abuse the privilege, but
there is still 4 question as to how it
can be dcne.
Under the postal and customs laws
package arriving in the United States
from a foreign country is held by
postmaster if he has any doubt that it
is of value and has evaded customs du-
ties.
The package is held and the person
to whom it is addressed notified. When
the person appears it is opened, and
if the article should have paid duty, as
nearly everything has to do, the post
master is in duty bound TO send it to
a collector for assessment. This pre-
vents soldiers sending small parcels
through the mails other than regular
mail matter. The Philippines cannot
yet be legally regarded as territory of
the United States, and therefore mail
from the islands is officially regarded
as foreign.
Officials of the government fear that
if the bars are once let down, all
from the islands by a few people, thus
cheating the laws. Something is to be
done. however, and it is expected that
the postmaster general and secretary
PRONUNCIATION on the subject such as
will admit packages of Insignificant
value free of duty The value Will
have to first be decided upon by Off
GERS of the regiments in the islands and
certified to before they will be allowed
in the mails.
Much of the time of the cabinet was
taken up in discussing the preliminary
report of the Philippine commission.
which was made to President Nc
KinIey last night. The president and
cabinet are we'll satisfied with the re-
port They look upon it as having a
special value, in view of the fact that
it was prepared and unanimously
signed by men who have no thought
of the political aspect and whose party
affiliations are divided.