The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-04
Annual Report of the Judge Advocate
General of the Army Submitted to
the Secretary Of War.
OUTPUT OF THE KLONDlKE
CONSUL MCOOK'S REPORT on SHIP
MENTs FROM DAWSON.
Nearly $4,000, 900 in Gold Sent to Cam
ada and the United States This Sea-
son-Rush to Cape Nome.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3.-The Cabinet
meeting to-day lasted fully two hours.
Much Of the time was spent in the
reading and discussion of the preliminary
report Of the Philippine commission. The
report was considered very satisfactory ana
received the full approval of the Cabinet
There was some discussion of the status OF
our insular possessions in relation to the
postal union. Postmaster General Smith
will investigate and report at some future
meeting. The particular point under discus
sion was that involving the right under the
law of our soldiers in the Philippines to send
through the mails to friends in this coun-
try souvenirs of little or no commercial
value Under q strict construction or law
articles of any commercial value, except
books, are prohibited from being sent
through the mail. But the government, re-
alizing that with the approach or the
Christmas holidays the soldiers serving in
the Philippines undoubtedly will wish TO
send home some mementos of their service
an earnest effort will be made to overcome
the difficulties presented. 1t is probable Sec
retary Gage will formulate some regulation
which will meet the situation.
The subject of civil government for
Cuba also received considerable attention.
The necessity for change from the pres
ent military system, it is said, becomes
more and more apparent and the President
is waiting only until an entirely suitable
| person can be found before taking action
| in this direction. General Wood is said to
| be very favorably regarded In this connec-
ton. but there are obstacles to his appoint
ment which at present are deemed unsur-
mountable. One of them is that there a
Cub, Il
| Wood and his promotion over their head is
| not deemed advisable.
The report from Canada to the effect that
| Sir Louis Davies. member of the Canadian
Cabinet, recently returned from England,
was treated with scant courtesy by the Gus
toms officers at New York, was mentioned.
| The President sincerely regrets that Sir
| Louis was put to any inconvenience or
| suffered annoyance at the hands of customs
inspectors and it is probable the regrets of
this government will be forwarded to him.
|
The difficulties attending the administra-
ton of justice in Cuba and Porto Rico are
| pointedly brought out in reports to the
| judge advocate general of the army, Gen
Lieber. whose annual report was made pub
| lie to-day. Major Dudley, at Havana states
| in the course Of his report:
| act precedent, in that during a time OF
| peace We are in temporary military occu-
| patton of a friendly territory, not our own
| land, pledged to discharge the obligations
| that may under International law result
| from the fact of such occupation, for the
protection of life and property and to with
| draw from the island as soon a stable
| government of its own shall be established"
Major Dunn. judge advocate of the de-
partment Of Santiago and Puerto Principe,
makes similar observations and says: THE
supreme law on the island of Cuba is that
of the supreme power, the United States,
and will be so long as an American re-
mains here under existing circumstances,
be that for one month or forever
Major Sharpe, acting judge advocate Of
| Porto Rico, reviews the manifold difficult
ties in dealing with brigandage, the complex
customs relating to marriage and divorce,
the crowding of jails with men, women and
children, who literally rot while justice
proceeds at snail's pace. He says. however,
every substantial reform is eagerly received
by the people. the opposition coming from
the small consery ative element. He depre-
Gates the premature withdrawal OF this gov
ernment and the establishment of terri
torial form of government, as some of the
Porto Rican newspapers demand, and says
it would be the most unfortunate measure
]
Continued military control for a reasonable
time, aided by wise advisory counsels, cam
not fail to secure gradual but steady and
ultimate assimilation by the people of our
best American thought and methods of ad-
ministration.''
General Lieber's report is confined to a
recital OF the number of courts martial and
character of offenses during the year, and
1 a Ia
bill to facilitate the attendance of civilian
witnesses at court-martials. He also points
that the judge advocate generals de-
partment consists of only seven officers be-
sides the judge advocate general, which is
quite inadequate in view of the increase
OF the army and the manifold civil duties
required OF the officers in territory newly
brought into our possession.
Captain Hutcheson. acting judge advo-
cate, Department Of Missouri, says the
great number OF discharges granted to SOL
ders by way Of favor is having a demoral-
izing effect upon discipline, as the impress
sion is going through the rank and file of
the army that a soldier can secure his dis
charge for any cause. provided he can OBJ
tain the influence OF a senator or a repre-
sentative.
Secretary Hay to-day accompanied the
German minister. Mr. Won .Mumm. to the
White House. where the minister exchanged
farewell greetings with the President he
is leaving for his new post at Luxembourg in
advance Of the arrival here OF the German
ambassador. Mr.. Won Holleben.
The postmaster general has issued an or
der forbidding postmasters in the United
States to collect pc Stage due in excess of the
domestic rate on any letters sent by soldiers