Evening star., 1899-04-08
Gen. Breckinridge Has Conference
With the President.
CONDITIONS In CUBA And PORTO Rico
Gomez May Be a Source Of
Trouble to This Government.
GEN. HE n r Y'S r U l. Z

President Mckinley today as TO conditions
in Cuba and Porto Rico. Gen. Breckenridge
returned a few days ago from tour of
nearly three months inspecting the condi-
tions of the United States troops in these
islands. He naturally observed the progress
being made in all directions, and the Presi-
dent found his remarks so interesting as TO
desire that he should remain with him some
time.
Gen. Breckinridge says that the trouble in
Cuba is that strife and contention are ram
pant. 1t is found, ne says, in social and po-
litical life and it is really doubtful what the
outcome there will be. 1t is understood that
Gen. Breckenridge does not share the GUS
tomary veneration for Gen. Gomez. He is
said to have told the President that Gen.
Gomez is the worst enemy the United States
has, and that the country has not done
much for itself in maintaining the side of
the Cuban leader against the assembly.
Gen Breckinridge holds that Gomez is OF
a turbulent disposition, unsuited by nature
and in all ways to assist in the establish
ment of a peaceful government unless he
is 10 be the dictator of everything. Gen.
BreckinTidge has told number of people
that Gomez will prove a bad friend of this
country and Will give us lot of trouble
if he is permitted to have unlimited sway
in everything
Never Have known Free Government.
the people of Cuba have never known what
free government is. Under the Spaniards
they practically lived under military gov
ernment. Under this country they are now
existing by military laws and the prospect
is that when the United States relinquishes
control Gomez and his army will continue
d military control more or less extensive.
1t is doubtful when the people will see
really free government. 1t is stated that
few of the principles of this government
are enforced under the present military
regime. The inalienable rights of Ameri-
can citizens, expressed in our Constitution,
are not known to the Cuban people. About
all the law in existence is the same as given
to the people by the Spaniards. Suits in
courts are brought with much trouble and
are not settled in the course of years.
Gen. Breckinridse is said to be under the
impression that if this country expects to
teach the people of Cuba the doctrines of
fIee government the best way would be to
begin by establishing certain rights in
alienable to the people, thereby giving them
an idea of what blessings they may enjoy
under free government He does - be-
lieve that distasteful Spanish laws should
continue in force, in addition to military
laws
Sentiment in Porto Rico.
In speaking of Porto Rico, Gen. Breckin-
ridge said that the people there show every
evidence Of contentment now They are
the island brigandage is beginning to in
crease Gen. Breckenridge does not believe
that one-fifth of the people are hostile to
the United States. The annexation senti-
ment has largely increased, being added to
by Spaniards. who find all connection with
thsir former country severed. The people
are cOntented with the military govern
ment, under the direction of Gen. Henry
He has followed the example of Gen. Wood
by spending the income from taxes in i'm
proving the island, thus giving employment
to many people. But hunger SAYS Gen.
Breckenridge threatens to stare the people
in the face unless Congress soon acts and
furnishes a market for the goods of the
island, re-establishing commerce and CIV
ing employment to idle people. When Spain
owned Porto Rico the markets of Spain
were at last open to the products of the
island and there was much business in this
direction Since the war Spain has closed
her markets tight against Porto Rico, and
the United States have not opened COM
merce to the people This has resulted in
an overprOductiOn of goods and a stagna-
non in the markets and commercial world.
if the ports of the United States Were free
ly opened to Porto Rican goods business
would probably increase and contentment
wonld become general and lasting, but
nothing can be done until Congress meets
IN the fail and takes action. The restric-
ton of franchises in both Cuba and Porto
Rico also operates against more prosperous
conditions in the island. A capitalist with
plenty Of backing recently applied for a
franchise TO build and operate an electric
road across the Island of Porto Rico This
could not be granted. The man was in
earnest and intended to build the road and
operate II by electricity secured by the
water power of the country. Employrnaut
would have been given to many people.
West Point Cadets Appointed.
The President has appointed the follow
ing cadets at large to West Point, to enter
the class beginning Iuua 1StD.
L Lewis Turtle. District of Columbia son
Of the late Major Thos. Turtle, corps OF en-
gineers-
= John NJ. Clayton. Arkansas.
3 Thos P Bernard. District of Columbia
brother of Lieut.. Bernard, 4th United States
Infantry, killed in charge at FL Caney and
son OF Byt Brig. Gen r. +. Bernard U. S.
A, retired
Company A, 3lst Michigan Volunteer In
tantry. during war with Spain: son of
Judge Seyerson of Chicago.
D Ohio f. Michaelis. sergeant Light Bat
tery A % United States Artillery, son of
the late Major o. E. Michaelis, ordnance
department.
6. Chas. H. Mason. Ohio. son of the late
Byt: Brig Gen Edwin c. Mason, colonel
80 United States Infantry
Z. William NJ. Nichols California CON o+
the Rt. Rev. William f. Nichols, bishop of
California -
s Henry s Kilbourne, Wisconsin son of
u. -. a
late chief surgeon I'd Division, 9Th ARMY
Corps.
D Pennock Rogers. Maryland. son of Ma
1or W. p Rogers, Goth United States Infan
try. now serving with his regiment in the
Philippine Islands
TO- Frank II. Phipps, jr., PENNSYLVANIA.
son of Lieut. Col F. H. Phipps ordnance
department.
Alternates:
l. Albert GilmOr Maryland
CQrIs ). Carpenter. son of the late
capt Wm- l. Carpenter, 9th United States
Infantry
j. Hugh NJ. Walker Georgia
T. Talmadge Brereton, son of Can't i I
Brereton, oath United States infantry.
soldiers Death Sentence COMMITTED.
The President has commuted the sentence
OF private Joseph F. Buckley, Company E
"a louisiana Volunteers. to dishonorable
discharge, with forfeiture of all pay and
Imprisonment for life. The prisoner was
found guilty of murder by a court-martIal
held at Camp Columbus Havana, and SEN
tenced to death He will be confined in the
Leavenworth military prison
Justices of the Peace.
President Mckinley has appointed ths