Evening star., 1899-06-02
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
No Call to Be Made at Present for
Volunteers.
SETTLED At The CABINET MEETING
Otis to Be Furnished With 10000
Regulars.
THE CANAL COMMISSION

The cabinet spent much time today dis
cussing the question of more troops for the
Philippines. The conclusion reached was
that no more troops should be enlisted at
this time This. however, does not settle
the matter for all time. as it may be found
after further investigation that more troops
will be needed. The idea of the President
ard his cabinet now is that sufficient spare
troops cali be found in Cuba and this
country to supply the needs of Gen. Otis
above what he has and are on the way TO
him. Despite various stories of prospective
trouble in Cuba, the administration be
leves that more troops can be spared from
the island. If sudden trouble should arise
there the machinery here could be put in
motion to take care of it. Seasoned and
experienced troops are needed in the Philip
pines and these are TO be sent.
Report From Gen. Wood.
The opinion as to the ability to spare
more troops from Cuba was probably en-
hanced by d letter which the President re-
ceived from General Wood at Santiago.
This letter was read to the meeting. Cab1-
net members take more interest in what
General Wood writes than in letters from
any other officer. He writes in business
like manner showing d thorough knowl-
edge of everything. General Wood says he
has just completed a tour of Santiago
province This tour, with. one made some
time ago, has taken him to every town or
village of any consequence in the province.
He then asserts positively that he has not
seen a case of dire poverty in the province
for weeks, that beggars are not to be found
as before that everybody is at work and
apparently contented. The people are de-
hghted with the process of rehabilitation,
and do not take stock in the attempts to
p a re nn o11 II
soldiers in the province and no brigaudage.
General Wood says that one fomenter of
trouble was talking loudly on different oc-
casions when he received an intimatfon
that he would be held responsible for any
unpleasant happening which could be traced
to him. The man subsidized
Says There VIII He No Call
cabinet member said that there will
not be at any time a call for more troops:
that II more soldiers are wanted the Pres.
ldent Will simply authorize the War De-
partment to enlist given number of men,
not exceeding 10000. 1t could not now be
said whether whole regiments which might
be offered would be accepted. Inasmuch
as the determination is not to enlist SOL
dlerS now, this question. he said would
have to be determined when the point was
reached of wanting more soldiers.
The Proposed Canal COmn.ission.
The President has nearly completed the
selection of a canal commission, and the
announcement will be made in a few days.
1t is stated that the selections have been
made without reference to the politics of
the men. The President does not even
know the politics of some of the men de-
cided upon.
Protests Regarding Census Appoint-
ments.
1t is stated tn It southern republicans are
flooding the White House with protests
against dividing the census appointments
with the democrats. and claiming that this
means that the census will not be fairly or
squarely taken. The matter is brought to
light by the speech of Representative Bal
ley in Texas yesterday, criticising Director
Merriam because he had placed in the
hands of senators from Texas the selection
OF such appointees as are to be allowed the
democrats.
The communications which go to the
White House referred to Director Mer-
riam. the President does not see them
Director Merriam Confers frequently with
the President, and it is supposed that there
Is a complete understanding to the dis
tribution of the places among the parties.
Section Is of the act says that appoint
ments shall be male without reference to
their party affiliations and solely with refer
ence to the fitness Of tine persons.
Representative Foss' Intentions.
fItpl eStHldllEe L OSS OF Illinois was
caller at the White House today. He is a
member of the naval affairs committee of
the House. and has recently been on a
tour of the navy yards of the country,
learning all he can of naval affairs. He
will soon leave for Europe on a similar
mission.
AIr. Foss says that many men have
brought to his attention the fact that navy
yard employees are not given the thirty
days leave of absence accorded in all other
branches Of the government service. He
intends to look into this He finds that
these employees work long hours, and
not given leave allowed time in case of
sickness.
Representative Foss will visit Great
Britain, France. Germany and Russia bear
Ing official credentials that will command
official recognition from foreign nations.
He goes to study the subject of a national
naval reserve, and on his return will pre-
pare a bill embOdying the best features of
such organization that he has observed
in his travels. This bill creating a national
TT serve has the approval of the Navy De-
partment, and Mr.. Foss hopes to pass it
through the next Congress.