Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-28
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Long Session of the Cabinet Held
Today.
ROUTES TO THE PHILIPPINES DISCUSSED
Pacific Coast Line to Be Used for
General Purposes.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

The cabinet was engaged for a long time
today in discussing details of the admin
lstration of affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico and
| the Philippines. During much of the time
the subject of the transportation of troops
and officials to the Philippines was talked
over the point being the most advisable
route-by the Suez canal or from San Fran
cisco. Col. Hecker, in charge of transpor-
tation at the War Department, was pres
ent with facts and figures for the benefit of
the President and cabinet. The advantages
and disadvantages of both routes We're
freely discussed, Secretary Hitchcock join
ing for the first time in giving his knowl-
edge of the Suez canal route.
The Pacific Coast Route.
In behalf of the Pacific coast route it was
pointed out quicker by ten twelve
days and cooler for troops. Against the
same route was urged the cost and the
scarcity of ships. Owing to business activ-
ity ships are engaged in commerce and
are not easy to obtain on the Pacific side
of this country. 1t is said to be consider
ably more costly to ship troops from San
Francisco than by the other route.
The main objections against the Suez
route We're the time taken in the journeys
and the oppressive heat which is encoun-
tered.
The decision reached was to continue the
general use of the route from San Fran
cisco, the other route to be used in case of
emergency or necessity.
Constant Interchange of Troops.
Including the troops under orders to pro-
ceed to the Philippines and those which
may be ordered, there will be much busi-
ness between this country and Manila. AS
fast as troops are sent over others will be
brought home, especially sick and dis
charged men. Later on all the volunteer
regiments in the Philippines will be mus
tered out and brought home. This will re-
quire much transportation.
The cabinet has never yet, it is said. tax
en- up the question of when it may be pos
slble for this government to turn Cuba over
to the people of the island. There is said
TO be so much to do yet as to preclude
discussion of this kind.
Gen. Wheeler Calls.
General Joseph Wheeler was at the White
House for few minutes today. General
Wheeler has not yet decided whether he
will remain in the army until the next ses-
sion of Congress before resignng He will
not resign from the army however to take
effect on Saturday, March f. when his term
as a member of the next House begins 1t
is probable that he will not resign his com
mission in the army until next December
If If the President finds need for his services.
Inc Judiciary committee of the House in
chnes to the opinion that the term of a
member of that body does not begin until
ne has taken the oath of office.
EX-Attorney General Miller of Indiana
was one of the Presidents visitors today.
He was accompanied by Senator Fair
banks.
Representative Bartholdt, who has been
seriously ill at his home in St Louis for
nearly two months, has arrived here and
was also at the White House
Invited to Brooklyn.
ReDrpSeDf1fiVp-alact
York accompanied by Representatives
Payne briggs and Mitchell. saw the Presi
dent and invited him to visit BROOKLYN on
the 10th of March to witness the military
athletic tournament. The President did not
give definite answer, but said that he
would probably not be able to attend as
he hoped to take a vacation about that
time.
The President hopes to be able to take a
rest toward the last of March, but he has
not decided where he will 90.
Deignan to Go to Annapolis.
Representative Hager of Iowa who yes
telday succeeded in having the House pass
the bill authorizing the President to ap-
point Osborne w. Deignan, who accom-
panied Hobson on the Merrimac naval
cadet at Annapolis, took the bill to the
White House this morning and saw it
signed by the President. Mr. Hager said
tnat every citizen of Iowa Is interested In
Deignan's reward for his heroism at San
tiago. According to law Degnan is past
the age for admission to the Naval Acad-
envy. but the bill relieves this disability.
Deignan is twenty-three years old, and is
we'll educated. The people of Iowa will aid
him in preparing for the academy They
will furnish him with all the money he
may need.
President Mckinley also signed the fol-
lowing bills: Making appropriations for the
support of the Military Academy; providing
for the further diStr riblltioD of he iIa1
statutes of the District of Columbia.
Vacant Kentucky Judgeship.
Representative Pugh, who is the choice
| of Senator Deboe for the Kentucky judge
ship, visited the President this morning in
company with Senator Deboe. The matter
of the judgeship was not settled 1t is said
that there would be little doubt of Mr.
Pugn's selection if there was not danger
that his retirement from the House would
result in the choice of a democrat in his
place. In the November election Mr. Pugh
was reelected by q majority of less than
100. 1t is claimed by his friends however
that the district is republican. and that
with proper effort the republicans would
succeed In a new election: 1t is also claim
ed that the small republican majority in
the next House would not be crippled by
| the loss of one man.
President Mckinley a few days ago nom
lfated Representative Sherman of New
ork TO be member of the board of gem
cral appraisers in New York This will
hecessitate an extra election for a success
sor but 1t is said that there is no doubt
mat a republican viii be elected in Mr..
Sherman's place
Presidential Nominations
The President today nominated John B.
Mcpherson of Pennsylvania to be United
| States district judge for the eastern dis
| trict of Pennsylvania, and William s. War
ner, receiver OF public moneys at Rapid
City, S. D.
TAKING MT. VERNON SQUARE.
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