Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-27
AT THEWHiTE HOUSE
Kentucky Situation Discussed by the
rs Cabinet.
NO PRETEX9 FOR INTERFERENCE
"Jz-s----
General Wheeler to Have Talk
With the President.
PORTO RICO CONFERENCES

The cabinet officially took up for the
first time today the complicated situation
in Kentucky. The fact that the matter
was under discussion at all was due to
talk with Attorney General Griggs last
night by Lieutenant Governor Marshall
and with the President and Attorney Gen.
eral today by Senator Deboe and Repre-
sentative Pugh.
1t is said on positive authority that the
republicans of Kentucky have not asked
for federal interference, but they continue
to press the administration for some ac-
ton which will recognize their government
and lend moral support to their cause
This is what they have recently been do
ing and what caused the cabinet considera-
ton today. The republican leaders here
have themselves been in doubt about what
could be done. and have simply suggested
in a vague way that the administration
might greatly help them and strengthen
their supporters in Kentucky
No Pretext for Interference,
The President and Attorney General
both gave their opinions today against any
action which would involve the federal
government even in the most indirect way
In the struggle in progress in Kentucky.
They stated that Kentucky is a sovereign
state, whose laws are executed by regu-
larly chosen officials. The state laws must
take their course and be enforced. as must
be done everywhere The Attorney Gen.
eral had been unable to find the slightest
pretext for any direct or indirect inter-
ference in the contest.
1t Is thought the action of the cabinet
Will dispose of the matter for good. I'M
less bloodshed and disorder in Kentucky
reach a point where the President will
have to do something The republicans
have made their last appeal. The question
OF United States arms being in possession
of the military companies recognizing both
governments does not concern the admins
tration here. The arms of the War De-
partment are loaned TO the state of Ken
lucky, which is responsible for them. The
Secretary of War cannot order arms in
possession OF companies recognizing Beck
ham to be taken away. 1t Is proposed lit
orally that the Kentucky courts shall settle
the question.
Senator Deboe and Representative Pugh
We're with the President and Attorney Cen
eral Griggs for some time after the cabi-
net members had assembled for their ses-
sion The kentuckians did not care to dis
cuss the ma tier, .except to say that they
had not asked: fol- federal interference in
the way of tgopps..1and did not want such
Interference.
Philippine Military Departments.
Secretary Root stated to the cabinet meet
ing today that on the recommendation of
Gen Otis he had divided the Philippine
group of Islands into four military depart
ments, each q which will have a COM
mander just as in the departments in this
country. Four generals will be assigned to
the command of these new departments. 1t
is believed by Secretary Root that this ar
rangement will relieve Gen Otis, or the
comma ding general in the future, of a
great deal of labor and trouble.alThe. COM
lnanding general Of each, department will be
responsible tos the commanding general of
the islands for all that goes on in his de-
partment. HeswiH make reports ia the COM
manding general al intervals. Gen. Otis
will escape many Of, the details which have
annoyed his administration and placed
much work upon him.
The Case of General Wheeler.
Prior to the cabinet session this morning
the President was overrun with visitors
Some Of those who called on important
business had no time for conference and
made engagements for another hour One
of these was Gen. Joseph Wheeler. 1t Is
expected that when he and the President
have a talk again the question will be set
tied of whether he is to be nominated as
brigadier general in the regular army
and shortly afterWard retired. There will
be no vacancy until June, when Gen. Mer-
rift will retire. This vacancy could be fill
ed by; the nomination of Gen. Wheeler
who would soon afterward retire on ac-
count of having reached the age limit
siXty-two years. 1t Is said by friends Of
Gen. Wheeler that the law gives the Pres
ident full power to make this nomination
During the civil war there were also plenty
of presidents.
1t is said that Gen. Wheeler will not de-
eide whether he will be a candidate for
denomination to Congress until he knows
what is to be done about his remaining in
the army. The democrats of his district
will make the nomination some time in the
summer, after the vacancy in the regular
army in June
Gen. Wheeler would have no trouble in
coming to Congress again IL he desires
In fact, it is said he can remain in Con-
gress as long as he lives. but he would
prefer to be a retired officer of the army,
and Will not stand for reelection if he is
nominated to the army.
Thinks They Will Be Sustained,
Representative William Alden Smith re-
turned from his congressional district in
Michigan yesterday, after an absence Of
ten days. He called at the White House
this morning. II found the greatest inter-
est in Michigan in the Porto Rican tariff
question: he said, but 1 did not find any
special criticism. At a banquet at Grand
Rapids 1 discussed the question fully, Civ
ing the reasons for the action of the House
and the attitude of the party officials here
The explanation gave was apparently well
received. The people believe that Congress
Will do the right thlhg and We can rely on
them to sustain us. l do not apprehend
any serious or material breaks in the
party.
Further Conferences About Porto Rico
Senator Frye, president of the Senate,
and Senator Fairbanks, administration
leader, talked with the President on Porto
Rico and the probabilities of the action of
the Senate. Senator Fairbanks says he
| hasn't the least idea when a vote will be
taken on this question. He understands
that good InAny speeches are to be made.
Other visitors seeff by the President were
Representatives :. AtcCleary and friends,
Kahn and friends and S. A. Davenport and
friends iEt
Todpy's Nominations.
The President tcday nominated the fol-
lowing nameai persons to be second lieu
tenants of msrinieSsss William Garland Fay
of New York, Robert Y. Rhea of Kentucky,
Frank J. schNablei Of Ohio, Eli T. Fryer Of