Evening star., 1900-10-09
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The French Note Discussed by the
Cabinet.
RETURN OF PRESIDENT M'KINLEY
Will Soon Begin Work on His
Message.
TOPICS TO BE TREATED

President Mckinley and his cabinet spent
| two hours and a half together today the
| session being the first in several months to
| be attended by nearly all the members.
| Secretary Root was the only absentee. So
| many members Of the cabinet have been
! out Of Washington during the summer
| months, and even up to this week. that at
| times not more than one member was here.
Frequently only two members were in the
| city. While the Chinese outlook was the
| main topic today. there was naturally much
| talk Of a reminiscent nature, politics being
| uppermost No member Of the cabinet, 1t
| Is stated, has the least fear Of the outcome
| Of the election. There has never been q
| more sanguine body Of men surrounding a
President They do not see a weak place
| in the republican lines, and they congrat-
ulated the President on the satisfactory
trend Of the campaign.
The French note was the main topic Of
the Chinese discussion. 1t is said that a
| reply to this note has been partially fin
ished and will soon be made. 1t is under
stood that information has been received
from Minister Conger in response to the re-
quest that he send the names of the most
guilty Of Chinese officials in connection
with the Boxer uprising. Mr.. Conger has
sent the names of fifteen or twenty promi-
nent Cinnamon who ought to be punished
OF disciplined for their part in the attack
on the legation and the uprising in general.
AS these names have been furnished by
the best source to be had, the government
can say what 1t thinks is commensurate
punishment, at least 1t can Indicate such
punishment to the Chinese government.
The main proposition of the French note
was that the governments have their rep
resentatives in China ascertain whether the
recent imperial edict completely names the
deserving nllniQhmant
propositions relate TO the dismantling Of the
Chinese Notifications and the prohibition of
the importation of arms into China.
1t is stated that telegram has been re-
ceived saying that the marines at Pekin
will leave there on Thursday.
The President's Message.
The cabinet officers will at once begin
work on their annual reports to the Presi
dent, SO that he may have them in the
preparation of his annual message to Con-
gress. on which he will soon begin work.
The Presidents message this year will be
a long one and will necessarily touch upon
many important matters. The one of great
est Importance will be the subject of the
Philippines.
Should the November elections definitely
show the country s approval OF the admin
istration's Philippine policy 1T is expected
that the President will make some valuable
recommendations to Congress as to the fu-
tiOns will be based to some extent upon
report that will be made between now and
December by the Taft commission, now
working in the islands.
The condition of affairs in Cuba, Porto
Rico and Hawaii will take up much of the
space of the message. The President will
speak Of the constitutional convention in
Cuba. and may go so far as to recommend
that the United States take the preliminary
steps to retire from Cuba. This however.
is such an important matter as to be held
oren until the time for solution has ac-
tua1ly arrived.
There will be some discussion of the war
revenue act. A reduction in the taxation
will be urged by the President and figures
will be presented showing how much the
treasury can afford reduction. 1t Is pos
sible that the matter may not be fully dis
cuSsed in the main message, but may De
held for a special message. The treasury
has not shown as large a surplus as was
expected this fiscal year and the admins
tration might prefer to hold off for few
months to see the direction Of affairs in the
treasury finances An accurate knowledge
Of what can be expected must be possessed
before the President and Secretary Gage
can make detailed recommendations as 10
a reduction In the war taxes.
President and Mrs. Mckinley Return.
President and Mrs. Mckinley reached
Washington at 7:35 o'clock this morning IN
a special car attached to the regular train
on the Pennsylvania road. They were ac-
companded by Secretary Cortelyou and sew
eral servants. They were met at the depot
by General Corbin. Colonel Bingham and
DR. Rixey, who returned from Canton sew
eral days ago.
The President and his wife went at once
to the White House, where they found
breakfast awaiting them. The President
soon went to his office and took up the ac-
cumulation of business on his desk He
was not Interrupted by visitors except cab
met members, prior to the cabinet session.
Most of the prominent politicians OF the
country are making speeches and are not
seeking interviews at the Executive Man
sion. Until after the election there will not
be many visitors here, and the President,
after dispoSing of accumulated business,
will have considerable time to devote to the
portions of his annual message to Congress
that can be prepared now
The President will remain In Washington
until after the Goth Soon after that he
will go to Canton again and remain there
with Mrs. Mckinley until after the election.
Mrs. Mckinley's health has greatly i'm
proved at Canton. The President himself
has never been in better health
Ambassador to Italy.
The President is expected to soon an
nounce the appointment of an ambassador
to Italy. This vacancy was caused by the
resignation of General Draper. The place
was offered to Ex-Governor Wolcott of Mas
sachusetts but declined by him. majori-
now united on Mr. George Won l.. Meyer,
and it is thought he will receive the ap-
pointment.
Died on a Transport. i"o.
Colonel Perley. surgeon in charge Of the
hospital ship Relief at Nagasak. reported
Ia the War Denartrnent this morning that