Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-26
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Considering a Call for the Volunteers
Authorized by Congress.
GEN. NILES DISCUSSES The SITUATION
More Men Needed for the Cam
paign in the Philippines.
MANY OTHER MATTEL RS

It is evident it Is said today. that the ad-
miniStratiOn is seriously considering the
calling out of the 5000 volunteers author
lied by the rcorga nizatiOn bill. The Presi-
dent IS still as DESTROYS as he has been all
along to avoid this. but each days develop
ments in the east strengthens the belief
that a larger military force is required
There was considerable running back and
forth at the White House this morning
General Miles called upon the President for
the first time in weeks. and it may be def
nlteIy stated that it was for the purpose of
discussing the military situation in the
east and the question of calling out the
volunteers. Secretary AlEer made two trips
to the White House. The President. it is
said. is becoming convinced that more men
must be put IN To bring the campaign in
the Philippines to q prompt close. and his
friends advise him that the political effect
of pT5lOngaUOH of the struggle there
would be much worse than that of calling
out the volunteers, TO which some objection
has been made. Those familiar with the
military situation. however. assert that
there Is nothing else to do. According to
War Department experts it is not possible
to put over .G'HD regulars in the Philip
pines. and If the exiEsHcies of the cam
pdlgn there call for JO.tHO troops, and some
of the officials set the number needed at a
still higher figure. the additional troops will
have to come from the volunteers. 1t is not
deemed practicable TO materially reduce the
force now IN Cuba and Porto Rico, and the
regular regiments in this country cannot
with safety be reduced much lower than
viii he necessary TO give $1,000 to the
Philippines.
The Statement at Army Headquarters
At army headquarters it was stated that
the visit Of Gen. Miles to the White House
had nothing whatever to do with public
affairs or matters connected with the army.
Secretary Porter Calls.
A large number of visitc IS were at the
White House this morninss but the Presi-
dent excused himself to / except those
having the most urgent mess. He con-
tlnues to improve. but not care to re-
main in his office expose 10 draughts He
VIII probably See visitors on Saturday
after his return from Philadelphia, for
which city he will leave tomorrow morn
ing.
Secretary John Addison Porter was at
the White House few minutes this morn
ing 10 see the President. Secretary Por-
ter has improved considerably, but is still
very weak and will not attempt to resume
his duties at the White House for some
time The President insists that Secretary
Porter shall take long rest and not risk
MS health by returning 10 work too soon.
Secretary and Mrs. Porter left at f2:4J
o'clock today for Atlantic City. and will
remain there some time 1t is hoped that
this trip will greatly benefit Mr. Porter's
health.
Senator Wellington of Maryland was one
of the callers at the White House today.
When asked about the mayoralty contest
in Baltimore he expressed confidence that
the republicans would win.
Petitions for CIemency to Sfratber.
A number Of petitions have reached the
White House asking that the sentence of
Strather. the condemned murderer, be COM
muted to life imprisonment. Late yester-
day afternoon the President gave an audi
ence to Mrs. Belva Lockwood and several
CGiored ministers. They pleaded for
Strather's life. Mrs. Lockwood told the
President that she believed Strather to be
insane. and spoke of the number of his
relatives Who are insane. The President
asked if these facts had been brought out
IN the pleliings, and was told that they
had Mrs. Lockwood also argued that capt
tstl punishment was barbarous. The Pres-
dent has not yet decided the case
Daughters of the Confederacy.
w L. Utley of Falls Church general
manager of the Virginia State Encamp-
ment Of the Daughters of the Confederacy.
called at the White House today to see if
change in date for the encampment would
be acceptable to the President who has
accepted an invitation TO deliver an ad-
dress Inc dates now agreed upon are
June and ). but the officials Of the en-
caInpmeht desire to fix thc dates at June
IL, II and 10 The officials prefer to make
the dates suitable TO the President. The
time agreed upon viii be announced later
Mr. Ctley said today that the encampment
mas probably secured the TWO big tents
used by the Christian EndeavOr convention
TWO years ago II IS expected that from
l'-'r" to 10000 people Will attend the en-
Campment-
The Presidents Telegram
The President this afternoon sent the fol-
loving telegram to Charles Cassat Davis.
chairman Of the committee on exercises Of
the San Pedro jubilee at Los Angeles, Cal:
WASHINGTON. April ~. 1879
'Chas- Cassat Davis Chairman Committee
on Literary Exercises, San Pedro Jubilee
Los Angeles, Cal:
Il am glad 10 have the opportunity Of
Joining with those who today celebrate the
beginning Of the work on San Pedro harbor
Accept my congratulations and best
wishes. WILLIAM MCKINLEY
The occasion OF the sending Of the teIe-
gram was the placing Of the first barge
load Of rocks on the breakwater ordered to
be built at san Pedro, for the purpose of
opening a deep-water harbor. The event
people Of southern California They assem-
and listened To addresses by Senator Per
kins. ex-senator White and others The
Presidents telegram was the signal for
dropping the rocks and the commencement
of the ceremonies The message was trans
United bV the Postal 'Tsls-sr.iE,h ('prnDaDy