The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-19
WILL AsToNIsH NATIVES.
Preparations for Inauguration Of Civil
Governor of Puerto Rico on
Large Scale

NEW YORK. April lS-A special to
the Tribune from Washington says;
Yesterdays long cabinet meeting was
chiefly devoted to considering the in
auguration OF the civil government in
Puerto Rico on May l. under the new
statutes. 1t has been decided that the
people Of the islands with their natural
fondness for pomp and display shall
be sufficiently impressed with the inn
portance of the new establishment by
the visit of the entire North Atlantic
squadron.
On the day of the inauguration Cen
eral Davis, the retiring military gov
ernor. viii assemble nearly all the
troops OF his department at the capital
and parade them in honor of the occa-
sion. Each of the ships will fire gov
ernorss salute Of seventeen guns to be
returned in kind by the forts ashore,
At night there will be a brilliant IL
Elimination Of the ships, with their
masts lined with electric lights and an
exhibition of searchlights. The naval
display viii be made all the more men,
orable from the fact that the day will
be the anniversary of the battle Of
Manila bay.
Governor Allen viii spend a week
at least at San Juan before his formal
Inauguration and in that time it is
expected that he will be able to form
p correct estimate Of the qualifications
Of leading natives for places in the
executive council, which constitutes
the upper house Of the legislative as
semhly and be in a position to make
recommendations to the president re-
garding appointments. It is the i'm
preston among cabinet officers that
most OF the men now holding office in
General Davis military cabinet ex-
cept the United States army officers
will be continued in executive council
either in their present places or similar
office under different titles.
The president and all the members
of his cabinet are anxious that the
council shall be composed Of natives
as far as possible and desire to avoid
all semblance of fastening any carpet
bag" rule on the island.
1t will be the effort of the president,
largely on Governor Aliens recon-
mendation. first to complete the exc
-cutive Of the island and to provide for
the organization Of the judiciary. The
established courts of the island, in
cluding the supreme court OF Puerto
Rico. will continue to sit as now con-
stituted. Residents Of the United States
will be selected as judge, district at
torney and marshal of the United
States. which will be established in a
few weeks at San Juan.
1t is also settled that General Davis
will remain in Puerto Rica and that
Governor Allen viii have the advantage
of his experience and assistance. The
brigade of troops, consisting Of cavalry
and infantry regiments of regulars,
the Puerto Rican native regiment and
two batteries Of artillery will continue
to constitute General Davis command
which will thus be as important, so far
as number of troops is concerned, as
any Of the military departments in the
United States.
All military authority after May 1,
win. however, be subordinated to the
civil authorities and the war depart
ment will cease 10 exercise any more
control over Puerto Rico than it does
now over Arizona.