The evening times., 1899-11-09

On the result Of the conference to be held
between President Mckinley and Genera
Ludlow. Military Governor Of the city o
Havana. who will reach Washington lats
today or tomorrow. will hinge. in a greal
measure, the question Of establishing
civil government in Cuba and Porto Rico
General Ludlow has been detained IN
quarantine at New York, and he is now ex-
pected to come immediately to Washington
for a conference with the President.
1t was not admitted at the War Depart
ment today that General Ludlow's visit te
Washington at this time Is for any other
purpose than one Of rest, but 1t Is gener-
ally believed that the visit Is attended with
| much significance, especially as 1t is known
| that the President has had under advise
ment for come time the establishment OF
the civil government In the two Islands.
General Ludlow is. perhaps, as we'll posted
on Cuban affairs as any official Of the army
Aside from the knowledge necessary to
perform the duties of his Once. he has
| made a careful study Of the existing state
OF affairs throughout the island, and is well
qualified to tell the President whether the
Cubans are ready for self-government or
not.
The turbulence which existed for some
time after American occupation has sub
sided to a great extent and chaotic con-
ditions have largely disappeared. All this
has been brought about by military rule.
and the President and his advisers. until
they receive assurances to the contrary
from those men who are thoroughly famil-
lar with the present, state OF Affairs in the
island, are inclined to think that the Cc-
bans Will still be torn by internal di:sen
sion3 il given full control Of affairs.
Should General Ludlow report fayorab.y
for a civil government. however. there is
no doubt but that a civil governor will be
appointed at once, and the administTa-
tion of affairs turned over to the natives.
Just who will fill the civil goyernorship
remains in doubt. as Mr.. Mckinley Is said
to believe that the position requires a man
OF the highest ability: All the military,
provincial. and city governors have been
officers OF the army. and any one Of them
in order to accept the position would be
compelled to give up his commission in
the army. General Brooke. 1t is under
stood does not care to surrender his CON-
mission to accept the position. Generals
Ludlow. Wilson, Wood. and Lee are mem
toned in connection with the civil COVER
norxhip of Cuba.
The name Of John c. Rathbone. Director
of Posts of Cuba. it is said. has also been
considered by the President. Mr.. Rath-
bone was in Cuba almost constantly for
more than a year. travelling from cue end
of the island to the other He is said to
be thoroughly familiar with the conditions
there. and. being a man Of ability and con-
serva;ism. would, it Is claimed, make
good governor.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee is perhaps more fire.
quently mentioned in this connection than
any of the others. 1t is recalled that he
has seen more of Cuba under both Span
ish and American rule than any other
available man. His observations while
Consul General at Havana extending over
4 period of years. make him. it is said.
well qualified to administer the affairs of
the island. Added to his experience he
has tact and ability Of a high order.
1t is urged that as his commission is in
the volunteer army ne could readily resign
without seriously affecting his own in
terests or those of the country.
In Porto Rico the conditions are entirely
different The natives have gladly well
coined and aided in every way the mill
tary governors who have ruled over them.
There is little or no internal disseusion.
and the inhabitants are about ready to
participate in their own government.
General Davis. the present military gov
ernor. has the government well in hand
and is conversant with the needs. 1t is
thought he will be made the civil gov
ernoF.
The aim of the President in establishing
civil rule at this time is to enable Con-
gress to observe the practical operation
of self-government in the islands so that
they can better frame laws for permanent