The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-27
United States Envoy and Consu1s ts
BE Appointed When Congress
Grants Authority.
GOOD DIPLOMAT IS WANTED
ONE WELL VERSED IN THE NEGO-
TIATION OF TREATIES.
Salary VIII BE About $7,5OO-EuII Of
the Maine May Be Raised
Reciprocity Question.

WASHINGTON. March 2s.-It is the pres
ent understanding that Gonzales Don Que
sada, formerly Cuban commissioner, will
be the first minister from Cuba TO the
United States. The diplomatic representa-
tive of the United States il Cuba will be
a full-fledged minister and not a commits
sioner. President Roosevelt is about to
send a message to Congress to secure leg
isative authority for the appointment of
such a minister, as well as for the half
dozen United States consuls, who must be
appointed. There are no less than 200 ap-
plications file for these consulates al
ready and the sending of the Presidents
message on the subject is expected to vast
ly increase this number. The President
has not yet indicated the person he will
name as minister to Cuba, but in view of
the fact that this official must plunge at
once into the difficult task of negotiating
a fabric of treaties with the new republic,
it is expected the choice will fall on some
one not altogether lacking in diplomatic
experience. The choice certainly will not
fall on an army or naval officer, in the
present state of mind of the executive The
presumption is that the salary attached to
the office will be in the neighborhood of
$500 per annum, a sum proportionate to
the salaries paid to United States ministers
in countries corresponding in population to
Cuba.
Preliminary steps have already been
taken by the United States government to
locate the naval and coaling stations
which, by the terms Of the Platt amend
ment are to be ceded by treaty to the
United States. Rear Admiral Bradford,
chief of the equipment bureau of the Navy
Department, has given special attention TO
the subject, and for the last two weeks
has been cruising in West Indian waters
especially directing his attention to Cuban
ports. Yesterday he arrived at Guantan-
amo. and it is believed that here will be
located the principal, if not the only, United
States naval station in Cuba. The harbor
is capable of easy defense against an en-
emy and the health conditions are better
than in Santiago. There also is more an
chorage room. 1t was at Guantanamo that
the first United States forces were landed
on Cuban soil. in the shape of marines un-
der Captain McCalla.
The Cubans do not want a naval station
at Havana proper, and the United States
government is willing to defer to Cuban
pAluC III AuAS matter. bul one OF
the coaling stations-without defenses and
entirely different from a naval station
will be located in Havana harbor. probably
at Triscornia. just across the bay from
Havana, and connecting by rail with the
principal railway system.
General Wood was very busy to-day clos
ing up the details of evacuation. He has
brought to the attention Of the War De-
partment, through the medium of a formal
letter. the proprfety of making some ar
rangement for raising the wreck OF the
Maine from the oOze and mud In which she
lies imbedded in Havana harbor. 1t is
stated by him that not only are there SEN
timental reason for this. owing TO the fact
that, according to common belief the re-
mains OF forty or fifty American sailors lie
within the sunken hulk, but this heavy
steel structure is also a menace and OBJ
struction 10 navigation in the harbor of
Havana, and il Is our duty TO the Cubans
TO remove II. The expense attached TO the
undertak king is very heavy. the bids ranging
anywhere from 100000 10 500. 600. Several
tentative arrangements were made with en-
the material OF the wrecked ship to make
souvenirs. but they have all failed and
Secretary Root. upon securing a more de-
tailed statement OF the facts from General
Wood. will submit the question to Con-
gress. probably without recommendation. as
10 whether the Maine shall be raised
General Wood left here tonight on his
last visit 10 Havana in the capacity OF
military Governor Of the Island of Cuba
General Wood said he expected to depart
by boat from the city OF Havana al ~
ment had been installed and the Cuban fag