Evening star., 1902-03-24
Important Conference at the
White House.
STATEMENT EXPECTED
PRESIDENT-ELECT PALMA COM
ING HERE.
Current Talk Of Gen. Wood Being Sc
lected for the Command
of the Army.

VI IAC 31AAys
There was an important conference at the
War Department this afternoon between
Secretary Root and Gen. Wood. military
governor Of Cuba. in regard to Cuban
affairs 1t Is understood that it related
mainly to legislation necessary to put the
new Cuban republic on a sound commercial
basis at the outset of it's career.
Gen. Wood has expressed the opinion that
the proposed 20 per cent reduction on Cuban
imports will not afford the desired relief to
the financial distress now prevailing In
Cuba. He is endeavoring to secure more
liberal concessions for the island, and it is
understood that an official statement on the
subject will be issued by Secretary Root
this afternoon as a result of today's delib
erations.
President Palma Coming.
The plan for General Wood to meet Pres
ident-elect Palma in New York next We'd
nesday has been abandoned. This is due
to an arrangement made since General
Woods arrival in Washington. whereby
President Palma will come to Washington
this evening and have a personal confer
ence with President Roosevelt at the White
House for the purpose Of agreeing upon
general plan for the transfer of the govern
ment to the newly elected officers Of the
republic. 1t is expected that Secretary
Root and General Wood will be present at
the conference.
According to the present program Senior
Palma will be duly installed in the presi-
Dental office on the 1st of May, and that
portion of the United States army will re-
main on the island after that date as long
as it's presence may be necessary to pre-
serve peace and good order and to perfect
the final details of the transfer. 1t is not
known at this time how long the troops will
remain. but it is stated that they will all
be withdrawn soon as the new govern
ment is in successful operation and able to
proceed without outside assistance. There
is an impression that this desirable state of
affairs can be brought about within few
weeks after the Inauguration Of the presi
dent-elect.
Wood for Miles Place.
General Woods presence in the city at
this time has revived the report that he is
to receive shortly an additional testimonial
from the administration Of it's appreciation
of his able management of Cuban affairs.
There are various cOnjectures as to the
form of this proposed recognition. The al
legged intention Of the President to event.
ualy place Lieutenant General Miles on the
retired list is responsible for renewal Of
the report that General Wood is to be
placed at the head Of the army. with the
rank of lieutenant general
Should the President desire to do this
there is no legal impeachment. Gen. Wood
now stands number five in the list of briga-
dier generals. Within the next few months
there will be two vacancies In the list Of
major generals, to either of which Gen
Wood may be promoted at the Presidents
pleasure. The first vacancy occurs tomor-
row by the retirement of Maj. Gen. E. S.
Otis, commanding the department Of the
lakes The second vacancy Will occur July
q next by the statutory retirement Of Maj
Gen. John R. Brooke, commanding the de-
partment Of the east.
General James F. Wade stands at the
head Of the list Of brigadier generals, and
may be promoted to one of the prospective
vacancies. He was overslaughed by the
promotion of Gems. Young, Chaffee. Mac
Arthur and Wheaton to the grade of major
general in the spring Of last year. The
cases of those officers might serve as
precedent for the promotion Of Gen. Wood
over the heads Of the four brigadier gem
erals who rank him in seniority.
President Not Restricted.
In filling vancy in the office of lieutenant
general the President is not restricted in
the matter Of rank or seniority. Although it
Is not regarded as probable In military cir
cles that officer so young as General
Wood would be given such rapid advance
rent to the head Of the army. 1t is admitted
that such a thing Is within the possibilities
Of the near future.
It is known that the President and the
Secretary Of War have the highest ad-
miration for the ability Of Gen. Wood, and
it is generally accepted that he will be pro-
NOTED to the grade OF major general at
least. In view of the probable termination
Of his duties in Cuba In the early summer
1t Is regarded as a strong probability that
ha uvfn no aSSipna6 tn he nf he
department Of the east at New York on
the retirement of Gen. Brooke in July next.
This department includes the country ly-
ing along the Atlantic coast, and it's
commander. Gen. Wood. would be enabled
to spend considerable time in Washingt on,
in case 1t were necessary for the president
or the Secretary of War to confer with
him regarding the affairs Of his depart
ment or Cuba.
Conference at the White House.
An important conference has been in
progress at the White House since clock
this afternoon. During the day President
Roosevelt sent for Representatives William
Alden Smith, Morris, Tawney, Minor. Dick,
Metcalf and Dayton. all Of them leaders
in the recent fight in the House as to the
reduction of duty on Cuban sugar These
men represent the forces that were op-
posed, and still are opposed. to giving any
concessions to Cuba in a tariff on sugar.
When they reached the White House they
were Joined by President Roosevelt, Secre-
tary Hay, Attorney General Knox and Gen.
Leonard Wood. The conference undoubted-
ly relates to the subject of Cuban sugar.
1t is supposed that the President desires to
have these men talk over the question Of
the situation in Cuba with Gen. Wood, who
has just come from the island
At any rate, 1t is known that members
Of this delegation will ask General Wood q
number of questions bearing upon the situa
tioE in the island.
It Is hoped that as a result of the con-
ference the opponents Of a reduction on
Cuban sugar will see their way clear to
join with the majority republicans of the
House in tariff concessions.
Personal Mention.
Col A. s. Kinball Of the uuarterma sfer