Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-03
GOVERNOR FOR CUBA
The President Preparing to Establish
Civil Government.
SUBJECT BEFORE THE CABINET
Report of the Philippine Commits
sion Discussed.
PRIVILEGES FOR SOLDIERS

In long session of the cabinet today a
number OF matters relating to different de-
partments were discussed.
The subject of a civil government for the
islands Of Cuba and Porto Rico was again
preached by the President. 1t is stated
that the President is greatly anxious to
establish civil governments in the islands.
He is firmly satisfied that the time is ripe
for this. and that the people desire it.
The trouble. however, is in the selection
of man for governor of Cuba.
Civil Governor for Cuba.
The President believes he has. a man
picked out who will be just the official for
Porto Rico but ne Is not so confident 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 believed this
will be done before Congress meets In De-
cember. and that a full trial will be given
civil government in time for Congress to
take action as to our duties in Cuba.
Privileges for Soldiers.
plants to the failure of the govern
ment to allow small packages from SOL
diers in the Philippines to come through
without molestation from the customs au-
thorities. 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 can
not do SO without paying duty, no matter
how insignificant the item.
The President wants to allow the soldiers
this concession, in the belief that they will
not abuse the privilege, but there is still
question as to how it can be done.
Under the postal and customs laws
package arriving in the United States from
d foreign country Is held by a postmaster
If he has any doubt that it is of value and
has eyaded customs duties.
The package is held, and the person to
whom 1t is addressed notified. When the
person appears IT is opened, and If the
article should have paid duty, nearly
everything has to do. the postmaster is in
duty bound to send 1T to a collector for
assessment. This prevents soldiers sending
small parcels through the mails other than
regular mail matter. The Philippines can
not yet De legally regarded territory of
the United States, and therefore mail from
the islands is officially regarded as for
eign.
Some Action to BE Taken.
Officials of the government fear that If
the bars are once let down all kinds of
valuable articles will be sent from the
islands by few people, thus cheating the
laws. Something is to be done, however,
and it IS expected that the Postmaster Gen
eral and Secretary of the Treasury will
make some joint PRONUNCIATION on the SUBJ
iect such as will admit packages of insig
nifcant value free of duty. The value Will
have TO first be decided upon by officers of
the regiments In the islands and certified
to before they will be allowed in the mails.
Report the Philippines.
Much of the time of the cabinet was
taken up in discussing the preliminary
port Of the Philippine commission. which
was made to President Mckinley last night.
The President and cabinet are well salts
fed with the report. 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