Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-30
QUESTIONS Up FOR DISCUSSION
Increase of the Force in the Philip
pines.
GOOD TREASURY STATEMENT

portant business. At the close of the meet
ing member of the cabinet stated that
the Philippines, Cuba, Porto Rico and the
closing of the fiscal year with the different
departments were discussed
As to the Philippine situation, II was
stated that the cabinet found only a hope
ful-outlook. The President and Secretary
of War announced the determination to in
crease the army in the Philippines to
forty thousand men, as heretofore stated,
and the President gave notice of his In
tenton that the fighting in the Philip
pines should be conducted in the most
vigorous manner possible after the middle
OF September, when the rainy season will
have closed. 1t was stated that by that
time all of the troops to he added to the
force of General Otis will have arrived at
Manila. and will be in fit condition for a
splendid and dashing campaign. The ad-
m1nlstration hopes that this campaign viii
speedily crush the insurrecton and bring
peace to the disturbed islands.
Selection of New Officers.
Secretary Alger said that the intention
as TO the appointment Of officers for the
new regiments to be organized is to select
men who have seen service in either Cuba
or the Philippines.
The first preference will be given. to Off
GERS of volunteer regiments which have
been serving in the Philippines, but it is
said that not large number of these men
are TO remain in the islands. They desire
to come home with their regiments and be
mustered out at San Francisco. The selec-
tionS of officers who have seen service will
be made largeIy from a list which is now
at the War Department. Secretary Alger
said that the department would be able to
make good selections from this list by rea-
son of the fact that it has the record
of every volunteer officer in the war with
Spain. The Secretary added that the pres
sure Tor APPOINTMENTS has already
very heavy.
Piers in Porto Rico.
The cabinet had under consideration the
subject of permitting the building of piers
on the coast Of Porto Rico. Spain always
claimed the title to sixteen feet of water
from the coast line out, and the disposition
of the right of establishing piers was en-
tirely in the hands of Spanish officers AS
no laws have been made by this country
on that subject sugar plantation owners de-
sire to know what they can do about the
building of piers. They say that their
business would be much more easily ham
died if they were allowed to build these
piers for the shipment of their goods 1t is
probable that the governor general of the
island Will be authorized to grant permits
when he thinks proper.
Good Condition of the Treasury.
Secretary Gage gave the cabinet a great
deal of pleasure by announcing that to-
the Treasury Department indica ted that the
annual deficit would go below $40 600, 900.
He jokingly said that he regretted to an
nOunce that he had estimated that the def
cit would be about S120,OGo 900, when the
fact was that it would probably fall to the
neighborhood of only $S9, ,000 600. The Pres
ident and members of the cabinet imme-
diately excused the mistake the Secretary
mad made, and said they hoped he would
he on he .s.phr ST.ln -, 81 l,a,
The estimate at the Treasury Department
yesterday, as already stated, that the
denclt would fall to about $90,01D,OD0, but
yesterdays receipts which were announced
today, We're far beyond all expectations
as to wipe another big hole out of the
deficit. The total receipts for the day were
S2,405,t3S as follows: Internal revenue,
$l,4I1,9I1: customs. S1635.6. nliscel aneouS,
$1Io,311 The expenditures for the day We're
only S141,o3o, leaving over S2.Vo.tstO TO de-
crease the deficit. which today stood at only
few hundred thousand above $50 900 900.
Today's rece. pts. which Will be announced
tomorrow, and which will be added to the
annual report, are expected to reduce the
deficit TO at least $s9,oU0,oo0 possibly to a
smaller figure. if the receipts reach any
thing like those OF yesterday.
Many Want CoI:,nissfons
Representatives Grosvenor. Kerr, Alex
ander and Wanger were among the visitors
who saw the President today. Some of
these visitors were looking after appoint
ments of officers in the additional force TO
be given the army. The President, how
ever, has no. announced mis- plans about
these appointments, except 10 intimate thai
men who saw service in the volunteer army
during the war with Spain viii be given
preference. He has great admiration for
young men who, filled with patriotism, en-
listed in the first rcgime handy, and who
entered as privates or in any position which
was open to them After these Young men
have had the first show
tions will probably be made by the senators
of the respective states the President de-
clining to pick here and there. 1t is prob
able that the War Department will not
make any announcement of the number OF
places to be filled, SO as to prevent a
scramble.
Representative Alexander. who is always
on the alert for constituents, had two can
didates to pace before the President this
morning. Beth of these are Young nien
who enlisted in the first regiments likely 10
see service. One young man was John p.
Ryan. well Known in Washington. He was
private secretary to Representative Ma
hany and had good position. AT the first
call for soldiers he threw up his position
and entered a regiment composed of
strangers to him. He received a number
of promotions and the highest recommends
tions from his superior officers. That is
the Kind OF men the President says he
wants.
President Will Not Indorse.
Many applicants for census positions have
lately been frequenting the White House
hoping to see the President and obtain his
Endorsement. The disappointment has been
general, and there is always a refusal 20
such requests. The papers Of applicants
filed at the White House are transmitted IN
regular form to Director Merriam and are
acted upon at the census bureau. The mat
ter of appointments is entirely in Director
Merriam's hands.
-
Soldiers Death fn Porto Rico.
The adjutant general today received a ca
hi ,.ris 1T ca.