Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-22
But Little Done at the Cabinet Meet
ing Today.
LAWTON'S BODY TO Be BROUGHT BACK
A General Hospita! for Puerto
Rico Suggested.
f E W CALLERS TODAY

The cabinet did little today, the members
afterward admitting that several good
| jokes had been told during the progress
of the session, the President himself ioin-
| ing in narrating one.
Secretary Hay briefly stated to the cabi-
net that there was absolutely no truth in
the story that the Germans had hoisted
their flag on one of the Samoan Islands
and had re-es established Mataafa on the
throne, thereby producing confusion and
bloodshed- The German government has
ascredited the story and says that if such
steps have been taken they have been with
out orders and will be disavowed The tri-
partite agreement respecting the islands
VIII not go into effect until the treaty has
been appropriately ratified by all three gov
ernments. In the meantime neither gov
ernment will take action of any kind
To Bring Lawton's Remains Home.
Secretary Root told the cabinet that he
had cabled General Otis to ascertain what
arrangements could be made for sending
the remains of General Lawton Major Lo-
gan and Lieutenant Ledyard to this coun-
try. 1t is not known at the War DEPART
ment what General Otis would consider a
proper time for eXhumng the remains ow-
ing to sanitary laws. Lieutenant Ledyard
was Killed few days ago. He is a son of
i-SuS dit VI llit central
railway.
A Hospital Mt Puerto Rico
William r Corwine, secretary of the re-
lief committee appointed at the time of the
disastrous storm which swept over Puerto
Rico in August last, had conference with
President Mckinley yesterday and submit
ted suggestion for establishing general
hospital in the island. The relief commit
tee fhOuSap6G pe
food, clothing and medicines to the peoule
OF Puerto Rico, and continued the work un-
til Gen. Davis stated last month that it was
no longer necessary. Subscriptions con-
tlnue to be received and at this time there
is an unexpended balance of 81 600 II is
from this that it is proposed to erect the
hospital. The President is understood to
nave given his approval to the Idea, and
plans for the institution will soon be pre-
pared.
Secretary Porter Goes to Connecticut.
Secretary John Addison Porter left this
morning for Connecticut to spend a few
days with his mother
But Few Callers Today.
So many congressman have left the city
for the holidays that there were few callers
at the White House today. These included
Senators Cullom and Lindsay. The latter
said that he merely wanted to extend the
seasons greetings to the President, with
the hope that he might escape the office
nongers during the holidays"
Although a democrat, Senator Lindsay's
relations at the White House are most cor
dial This, however, is true of nearly every
individual member Of the opposition to the
republicans in Congress. For instance,
Representative Slayden of Texas called at
the White House this morning with a con-
stituent. The President was just starting
out for his walk, and invited the Texans to
accompany him. They did So the President
walking between the two democrats and
chatt1ng on the various subjects which were
touched upon.