Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-19
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The Cuban Evacuation Commission
Makes Its Report.
THE PRESIDENTS CONGRATULATIONS
Secretaries Hay and AIger ComplI-
ment the Members.
o T II E r Nj A T L E r S

port to President Mckinley today. The
commission, consisting of Major General
James F. Wade, Major General NJ. c. But
Ter and Admiral Sampson, together with
Brigadier General Clous secretary, and
Major w. e. Almy, assistant adjutant gen.
era; Major Charles ]. Allison, Major J. c.
W. Brooks, Capt L. C. Griscom and Lieut..
j. z. Wade, staff officers, first visited the
State Department and submitted the orig
inal report of their proceedings to Sec
retary Hay, together with exhibits, plans
of forts, &c. Secretary Hay made talk
commencing the commission for the ra
pidity of its work which he said he con-
sidered a phenomenal performance" He
sure that the administration and the
country was pleased with the work of the
commission.
A copy of the report was next presented
10 Secretary Alger at the War Department.
With the report were Valua bic Spanish mill
itary maps of the island. Secretary Alger
said that for himself and the President he
desired to congratulate the commission on
the admirable and speedy manner in which
it had accomplished its work in securing
the evacuation of the island by the Spanish
forces. He said that ne had anticipated
that the commission would meet with the
greatest difficulty from both Spaniards and
Cubans The tact and skill with which all
questions were ha 1dled deserved the appre-
citation they received.
The Presidents CONGRATULATIONS.
President Mckinley received the commits
son in the library and received the formal
report. He Joined in congratulations and
thanks and said that the commission had
rendered a great service to the country.
The President then personally thanked each
commissioner, and some time was spent in
cOnversatiO
The report consists of 172 typewriter
pages, and includes many letters to and
from the Spanish officials. In view of the
fact that Congress may call for the report
1t will not be made public from the White
House at this time.
Among the papers left with the President
was q letter from the commissioners high
Iy commencing Brig. Gen. Clous for his
work as secretary, and recommending him
TO the favorable consideration of the Presi-
dent.
Conference With Gen. Wood.
General Leonard Wood. who will return
to Santiago in few days, had long talk
with President Mckinley today in the pri-
vate part of the White House. where the
conference would not be interrupted by
callers. 1t is thought that General Wood is
seeking to have Santiago's financial affairs
made independent of the remainder of the
island. The matter Will be determined some
time soon.
MIR. kerens IA Caller.
Richard kerens, the republican leader Of
Missouri, visited the White House today
having just come to Washing gton from his
state. Mr.. Kerens few days ago received
the unanimous nonlina ton of the republi-
cans tr the Missouri legsla ture for United
States senator. This is the first unanimous
nomination of the kind ever made by the
republicans of that state, and is considered
a high compliment to Mr.. Kerens. For
years facuonal fights have so torn the Mis-
souri, republicans that they could hardly
agree upon even candidate fer coroner.
Mr.. kerens is receiving congratulations
from all sides, the President leadirg The
caucus nomination firmly establishes Mr.
herenS at the head of the organization in
Missouri
Invited to New Orleans.
When i'll Atlanta last month President
Mckinley was urged to visit New Orleans
in May to be present at a peace jubilee
The invitation was repeated today by a
delegation of distinguished Louisianans
Gov. Foster and Mayor Flower of New
Orleans were members of the delegation
tlves in Congress
The time fixed for the jubilee is May s.
The President said that such IA trip would
give him pleasure, but he could not now
say whether he could attend.
The entire Arkansas delegation in Con-
gress visited the White House and War
Department today to urge that the % Ar
kansas Regiment be mustered ont of serv-
ice. The regiment is stationed at Annis-
ton, Ala. The President was unable at
this time to promise to carry out the re-
quest, but said he would confer with Sec
retary Alger.
Sentence COMMITTED.
The President has commuted the sentence
of Charles Kuhnert by remitting the fine of
SO imposed when kuhnert was sentenced.
The Communication Will take thirty days i'm
prisonment from the sentence and release
Kuhnert from Jail today. On March IS,
1888, Kuhnert struck Thos. j. Coyle with
his fist and Coyle died later. Kuhnert was
convicted of mansiaughter, and on the 1st
of July, 1898, was sentenced to eight months
in prison and fine of SO. BY reason of
good conduct kuhnertS term has expired.
The communication was recommended by the
trial judge, district attorney and Attorney
General Griggs.
West Indian Commission.
The statement that the President is ar
ranging to appoint commission for the
West Indies similar to that going to the
Philippines is incorrect. The President
however, has under consideration the ap-
pOintment of three civilians TO act as assist
ants to himself and Secretary Alger in the
settlement of many questions of law and
fact, which daily arise in Porto Rico; pos
I
nothing to do with the question of a form
Of government for Porto Rico. The COM
missioners will work here or wherever or
dered, and their duties will be to advise as
to questions put in their hands.
One member of the board or commission
has probably been selected He is Charles
W. Watkins, a business man of Grand
Rapids, Mich. He was introduced to the
President yesterday by Senator Mcmillan
Unless there is a change in the present
| program only one military officer will
be connected with the board. This may be
! General G. V. Henry, commanding the de-
partment of Porto Rico.
Senator Gray Expects Ratification.
Senator Gray CT Delaware was at the
White House today to introduce several
cor stituents who wanted to see the Pres
| ident. In talking to a representative of
The Star about the peace treaty Senator
Gray said:
Il believe the treaty will be ratified.
cannot see the value of amendments now
| There is plenty of time to declare the posi-
| ton of this country to the Philippines
We cannot afford to commit this country
yet.
I'VE do not yet know what we may want
| to do about the islands. We do not even