Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-03-26

congress TO secure legislative author.
ity for the appointment of such a
minister. as well as for half a dozen
United States consuls who must be
appointed.
Washington. March 26.-Secretary
Root yesterday afternoon made pub
lie an order TO General Wood direct
ing him to turn over the control and
government of Cuba to its people on
May 20 next. The order requires the
Cuban government to assume all
treaty obligations, and directs General
Wood to continue Il small artillery
force TO avoid leaving the island en-.
tirely defenseless until the Cuban gov
ernment shall have an opportunity to
organize it's own force. General Wood
also is directed to convene the Cuban
congress before May 20. He also IS
directed to consult with President
elect Palma and substitute such per-
sons as he shall desire for those now
holding official positions i'm Cuba.
Bringing Home Our Troops.
All OF the United States troops now
in Cuba except 800 men of the Coast
artillery. are to he brought to the
United States as rapidly as transpOrta-
ton facilities will permit between now
and May 20. The retention of these
artillerymen is for the purpose of car
ing for the three batteries of coast
artillery. These troops will be in COM
mand of Colonel William l.. Haskin.
OF the artillery corps now on duty at
Fort Trumbull. Conn The dis0Ontinu-
ance of the entire military department
of Cuba has been ordered. and the
territory to be temporarily retained by
the United states is put in the de
partment OF the east. commanded by
AiaOjr General Brooke. 1t is under
stood that President-eIect Palma will
not 20 to Havana until the carly part
of May. His plans are not fully ma
tured and will depend on develop
ments Of the near future.
Cabinet Acts on the Subject.
All the foregoing was decided upon
at n conference at the war department
between the secretary of war and T.
Estrada Palma, president-elect OF Gu
ba, and authorized by the cabinet at
its meeting yesterday. at which con-
siderable time was taken up in reading
in full the instructions given Governor
General Wood for the withdrawal Of
United States sovereignty. This gov
ernment is anxious to maintain the
big milliOn-dOllar drydOck at Havana
to establish and Raintain one or two
naval stations. to continue the system
OF weather stations, which already
have proved Of great efficacy in giving
ample warning of storms approaching
the United States, and vice versa. and
other important meteorological work:
but these details. Willie fully discussed.
are matters subject TO negotiation and
discussion between the representatives
OF this government and the Cuban rep
resentatives who have been in con-
ference here during the day.
Postal Service I'm Good Order.
The postal service is one important
branch whose transition into absolute
control of the Cubans will occasion no
difficulty. The chain of poStOffices now
in operation are in public buildings
belonging to Cuba. and the postal SER
vice of this government has no prop
erty worth mentioning in the island.
The ostmasters-except possibly at
Santiago-are natives, and there will.
therefore, be no occasion for changes
in the personnel unless the new Cuban
government has reasons for them not
now anticipated.