Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-06
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Internal Affairs in Cuba Considered
by the Cabinet.
lHE SANTIAGO DISPUTE ON CUSTOMS
Some Uneasiness Over the Philip
pine Situation.
TO MAINTAIN AUTHORITY

The cabinet gave long consideration TO in
terral affairs in Cuba today, paying espe-
Cial attention to the matter of customs col
lections and the dispute about the expendi-
ture of the customs money collected at San
tiago. Secretary AIser brought up most of
the matters of this kind. 1t is understood
that no definite steps will be taken about
the Santiago misunderstanding until Gen.
Wood arrives here and sees Secretary AL
ger and President Mckinley.
Then an effort will be made by the ad-
ministrdtion to reach some plan for the
systematic and satisfactory handling of
customs and taxes collected in Cuba. Mem
bers of The cabinet are of the opinion that
no order can be given which will allow the
money collected al Santiago to be expended
wholly in that section. They believe that
every section of Cuba must share alike in
the money expended in the island. No dis
elimination can be made in any particular
portion Of Cuba. But at the same time,
everything possible will be done TO furnish
Gen. Wood with money to continue the
course he has beel taking for months
In cabinet circles there is the greatest
admiration for his wisdom. There is
doubt that if his position in the army war
ranted he would have been made the mill
taFy governor Of Cuba. This feeling carries
Will II no feuettOn upon General Brooke,
VINO, II is believed, will make a splendid
record when he has had the time to demon
Strate his knowledge and capacity.
he administration has not been able to
ma out the exact nature of the order sent
to Santiago about the concentration of
FUNDS at Havana. Consequently not much
light IS shed on the incident which so
aroused the CubanS around Santiago
After General Wood comes and has efvaD
his views some plan will be prepared. Fol-
Io"IhS lhat the governors of the different
provinces and important cities will be in
structed 10 meet and discuss the conditions
and 70 adopt the best method in their iudg-
ment Tor carrying on the administration of
the Island as far as expenditures in public
ne governors will make recommendations
10 General Brooke and he will probably
carry these out.
ESpendinG the Funds
The cabinet is satisfied that Gen Brooke
Is getting affairs well in hand So far he
is going slowly in the expenditure of mon
ey- He wants 10 get an approximate idea
OF what his income' will be. The exnendi-
lures Will be based accordingly. Nearly AL
the money to be expended will go to Gu
pans, as the administration feels that every
uoIIar put IN circulation among the labor
ing people of the island will do much IN
developing the reCuperatiOn to which every
glnclal Of which country ardently looks
Letters received from CUha show tbat
much work IS already going on and con-
siderable money being put in circuIarinn
PROVISIONS are still high because nf
Ine 9, snort stocks of merchants, but they
will go down in price with the arrivaI oy
fafser stocks of goods
tnensiness Over the PhiIippf,es
Inc Fhihppine situation is giving the
cabinet some uneasiness. Nothing was re-
cetved today from General Otis ana +bis
aods TO the fear that the insurgents are
growing reckless. There is a disposition
TO believe some of the stories about the
concentration Of insurgent forces at IIoiIo
and the departure of Aguinaldo for thar
point While the Presidents Intentions
ai9 10 give the insurgents a good govern
mtnt. ne Will not permit the confirmation
OF opposition such as that at IIoiIo Tf
Is believed that General Otis has already
taken steps 10 secure a landing at UolIo
- Is Ielt thdt 10 allow the insurgents to
deIy the government at one place would
De a bad precedent. A good deal of time
may De spent in dealing gently with the
insurgents. but they will finally be given
10 understand that their choice must be
huAertuCe 10 American commands or fight
IL the President is convinced that the in
surgents Will not submit to the military
government and that nothing will do them
put war, he Will hasten more troops to the
lslands and dispose of the question rapidly
1t viii give him much concern to he nush
eo 10 thIs point, after the reassuring procla-
nation published a few DAYS ago TO the ma
llFes or the Islands. A decision, however
that the insurgents cannot be brought to
a peaceful realization of the good inten-
uohS Of this country viii lie followed by
WdrIke movements. The force in the Phil
ipplhes IS Tar too small to cope with the
insurgents, and 1t Will be necessary to
hurry forward troops additional to those
now under orders.
UnfriendIy MeddIing.
In the cabinet meeting propar nothine
was said about probable bad advice being
gwen the insurgents. but individual mem
oers believe that when the present delicata
questions are settled it will be found that
there has been meddIing from sources not
MS ndIy to. the United States This is
manifest in statements coming from in
sursents in both Paris and Hong Kong.
simultaneously they are being stirred with
stories about the attitude of the Tinted
states There is every circumstantial indi-
eaton or general effort at all places
Wnere insurgents are residing in numbers,
The report that Admiral Dewey is to be
Hs-ue military governor of the Philippines
was characterized today as utterly without
foundation. Secretary Long and Secretary
Alser said they had never heard supees
llon or this kind. The occupation of the
fMhpplnes Is solely with the army and to
PIace me admiral in charge over a vast
array OF Drains and talents in the army ts
too far~fe:ched to receive attention ;rba
accompaniment TO the story printed was
thaI admiral Dewey is held in high esteem
py the insurgents, and could handle them
better than any other man on the snot IIis
designation was to last only short time, II
was declared. ' -
instead OF receiving such an appointment
- ~, iS sdid To-Day that Admiral Dewey is
likely to come TO the United States wit6ip -
Ie" months He Is getting tired of the
present assignment if peaceful conditions
continue 10 prevail He will not come home
u there Is trouble with the insurgents b,rt
u everything settles down he expects tn
zone hone This is said TO be known to
'he Fresld>nt and TO Secretary Long.