The Mena star., 1899-05-04

The Bodies of 252 of Soldier Dead Brought
 from Cuba and Porto Rico Inferred wi.i,
 Military Honors-The Orders for Rein
 forccments for Gen. Otis to Be Carried
 Out.
 Washington, May s-The absentees from to-day's cabinet meeting were Secretaries Gage, Long, Alger and Wilson. One of the subjects of dis cussion was the circulars which were mailed to the troops at Manila criticis- ing the Philippine policy of the govern ment and advising volunteers whose term of service is about to expire not to re-enlist A member of the cabinet, in speaking of the matter, said that Edward Atkinson, of Boston, who is believed to have been largely in- strumental in the preparation and sending out of these circulars, was unquestionably guilty of assisting an insurrection against the authority of the United States, and was subject to term of Imprisonment or heavy fine or both. What action if any will be taken in the matter has not been determined, but it is said that the government is disposed to regard the acts of Mir. Atkinson as those of person without any proper conception of the gravity of the offense commit ted, and the government may not at this time take action against Mr. At. kinson and his assistants. The post master general stated at the cabinet meeting that he had ordered the circu- lars stopped at San Francisco. Mem bers of the administration regard Mir. Atkinsons alleged action as seditious and disgraceful and it is not improb- able that, if repeated, prompt and en- ergetic action will be taken.
 Parts of the report of the army beef commission were read at the meeting, and matters relating to the Alaskan boundary question were briefly dis cussed.
 More Soldiers Buried at Arlington.
 Washington, May 3.-The bodies of 252- of the soldier dead brought from the battlefelds of Cuba and Porto Rico by the steamer Crook. were inferred at Arlington cemetery to-day with mili- tary honors. The ceremony was iden- tical with that held on the occasion of the interment of the bodies brought by the Crook on her first trip about month ago, but neither the president nor the members of his cabinet were present to-day as on the former occa- sion, the military display was less elab- crate and the crowd much smaller. Acting Secretary of War Meikle- john as the representative of the war 1anarfr,art sr fba al hoo,,oo .,f C.a retary Alger, however, was in attend ance and Maj. Gen. Miles and his staff in full uniform paid their last tribute to the departed comrades. Col. Guen- ther, of the Fourth artillery, with two companies of the Fourth and Fifth ar tillery from the Washington barracks and the Fourth artillery band, had charge of the funeral. The religious services were conducted by Capt Free land, of Fortress Monroe, and Father Magee, of this city, who performed the burial rites of their respective churches.
 Endorsements for Gen. Otis.
 Washington, May 3.--Arrangements are being made at the war department to expedite the transportation of rein forcements to Gen. Otis as much as possible, but owing to unforeseen ob- stacles it has been found necessary to postpone the departure of the trans port Sherman, which will be ready to resail for Manila on the 22d inst. The Sixth infantry, which was to have started from San Francisco on the 9th inst, will not be able to get away until the Sherman is ready to sail. That regiment, as well as the Sixteenth infantry, is in the vicinity of San Francisco and will start across the Pacific as soon as transports are available. Gen. Corbin said to-day that no change had been made in the plans of the department regarding the sending of endorsements to the Phil ippines to take the places of the volun- teer troops, who are to be brought home, and that as far as he knew the orders for the movement of the Nine teenth infantry from Porto Rico to Manila after 8 short stop at Camp Meade, Pa.. will be carried out.
 4I.