Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-26
Subjects Discussed at the Cabinet
Meeting Today.
FAMILIES OF SPANISH PRISONERS
Those in the Philippines to Be Sent
Home by This Government.
E X &c UT1V L GLEN MENCY

The cabinet, at its session today, decided
to send to Spain the families of all Spanish
prisoners in the Philippines. The question
was brought up by Secretary Root, who
stated that considerable correspondence has
taken place between the Spanish represen-
tative at Manila and Gen. Otis as to the
construction of the terms of the peace
treaty. 1t was stated at the cabinet ses-
sion that the treaty is susceptible of a
number of constructions as to what class
of persons should be sent back to Spain
from the Philippines. The intention of the
peace commissioners was that this country
should bear the expense of the transporta-
ton to Spain of all soldiers who were prs-
oners of war in either the hands of the in
surgents or in American hands The treaty
at different places, however, refers to
civil prisoners soldiers" "all persons"
etc.
Instructions to Otis.
1t was thought best not to insist upon a
narrow Interpretation of the terms of the
treaty, and Gen. Otis will be telegraphed
to send the families of all prisoners. as
we'll as the prisoners themselves. The cost
of this Interpretation will be about $4,000
extra to this government. The prisoners
and their families are to be sent back OH
the Spanish steamship line running to the
islands A number of soldiers have al
ready been sent back. and will be shipped
just as fast as recovered from the hands
of the insurgents.
The President and cabinet will attend the
ceremonies of the lnterment of the remains
of the Maine dead at Arlington and will
gather at the White House in time to reach
Arlington Thursday morning.
The Financial Situation.
Secretary Gage discussed at some length
the financial situation. He said that sixty
six banks of fifteen states have been desig-
mated by him as additional depositaries of
government receipts. These banks have
qualified to. the extent of $17 900, and
will receive that much of government
money on deposit In no case will any bank
receive more than its deposits of United
States bonds
Executive CIemency.
The President has commuted to twenty
years Imprisonment the life sentence i'm
posed On Burt Curtis for mail robbery in
Colorado. Curtis was a member of the
gang headed by Thomas Eskridge, or Wat
son, commonly known as 'tPeg-leg Wat
son. which held up train on the Denver
and Rio Grande railway at CotopaXi Sep
tember /, 1891, ard robbed the express ear
and mail pouches. Executive clemency was
extended in Curtis case because of his
youth, he having been only eighteen years
old at the time of the robbery, and person.
ally under the influence of the older mem
bers of the gang.
Other combinations of sentence granted
by the President are as follows:
John B. Parkins, convicted at Alexandria.
Va, July s. 1899, of violation of the postal
laws, sentenced to one year commuted to
six months.
Ambrose BeeZeley, east Arkansas district,
sentenced October 16, 1899, to one year for
Illicit distillng, committed to six months.
VIM. Faris. west Arkansas district, SEN
fenced November 2S. 1894, to twenty years
for robbery, comn.uted to ten years
Harry Warner, Indiana, sentenced June
l, 1898, to four years for violation of postal
laws, pardoned on account of i'll health.
John ]. Kelly, New York city, convicted
i'll 1894 of embeZzling letters and released
The Presidents PardOns.
Included In the annual report of Attorney
General Griggs is the annual report of
John H. Campbell, formerly pardon attor-
ney at the Department of Justice. 1t Is
for the fiscal year ended June 80 1899, and
shows: Total number of applications for
executive clemeney during the year, 6o2, of
which 452 were considered by the Presi-
dent, as follows: Unconditional pardons
granted, lis; conditional pardons granted,
II; pardons granted to restore citizenship,
SO; communications of sentence. 50; fines re-
mitted, 10; reprieves granted, 3; applica-
ticns denied, 190