Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-15
JUST FROM CUBA
Secretary of War AIger and Party
Return.
Colonel Henlphill Comes 10 Norfolk
ana Talks EntertainingIy OF Cuba,
Porto Rico and Jamnica-Auger is
Tired bus won's Resign.

b Colonel w. A. Hemphill, of Atlanta,
who arrived at Old Point yesterday
morning with Secretary of War Alger
and party. from the West Indies, was in
Norfolk yesterday, leaving last night at
Sis for Atlanta.
Secretary Alger and party of which
Colonel Hemphill was a member. were
at Old Point a short time only. The Sec
retarys ship. the ingalls,, touched
there to allow Colonel Hemphill to
leave the party. The Secretary was in
fine spirits. and said he had enjoyed
his trip to Cuba, Porto Rico and ia
maica, splendidly.
Colonel Hemphil, who Is president Of
the Atlanta Constitution, and an At
lanta bank, and is q thorough man of
business. is q close personal friend OF
Secretary Alger. which accounts for
MIN having been with the Secretary
on his cruise in Southern waters and
visit to the new possessions OF the
United States in those waters.
Cuba. Colonel Hemphill says, IS n
lnuch more valuable possession for the
united states than Porto Rico. and he
says that the best Cubans undoubtedly
FAVOR annexation to this country. He
oelieVes that annexation is an assured
tact. II not now, Il little later. There
are untold possibilities of wealth there,
he says, and also in Porto Rico. which
Island he, with the Secretary's party,
drove through in carriages.
Both in Cuba and Porto Rico gor-
geous banquets were rendered the par
~, and great honors shown them by
the people of those islands.
BEAUTIFUL JAMAICA.
Only g. quiet visit was made to ia
maica, England's most valuable West
Indian possession. Colonel Hemphill de-
cribes Jamaica as the most beautiful
country he ever saw, u veritable earth
~ paradise. He was enthusiastic in his
opinion that the United States would
not make bad trade II she should
trade the Philippine archipelago for this
rich British colonial possession.
The island is much more developed
and in much better condition than
either Porto Rico or Cuba. There is no
euiIering there among the very poorest,
Tor none are so poor there that they
are not rich in the fruits and products
OF the country. In all three OF the is
lands visited Colonel Hemphill said
there are vast resources from which
Americans with capital and energy may
reap good fortune.
CUBA'S POOR PAPERS.
Colonel Hemphill. who is practical
newspaper man, having been the found
er of the Constitution in Atlanta, took
''SeiSS Va Tire very pOOT 'IleWSpuperS. or
excuses for newspapers, published in
Cuba and Porto Rico. When the party
arrived In Havana Colonel Hemphlil
bought q paper, and read news which
purported to be New York telegraph
matter. but which Colonel HemphiIl
had read in New York several DAYS be-
fore leaving for Cuba. After the Amer
lean influx starts in good earnest, Col
onal Hemphill says Havana will sup
port first-class metropolitan news
paper.
ALGER WON'T RESIGN NOW.
Colonel Hemphill was asked his opin-
ION as to whether Secretary Alger would
resign from the Cabinet. He said:
NO: the Secretary will not resign
now. He wants to get out; he told me
that, but he does not want to go out
while the press of the country is lam
basting him. am satisfied that he is
tired OF the portfolio, and is very anx-
iouS to get back to private life.
He Will resign later on. / am con-
hdent. He doesn't want 10 be forced out.
or have 1t appear that way. But later
on he will manage to get out credit
ably"