Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-19
Matters Discussed by the
Cabinet Today.
NEUTRALITY OF CHINA
IT MUST BE PRESERVED BY B0TH
JAPAN AND RUSSIA.
Tho Directorate Of Panama Railroad
Cannot Be Changed Until Next
April-The Presidents Vacation.

There were just four members Of the cab
met at the cabinet meeting today and there
were a number of subjects talked over, the
principal one being the attitude this gov
ernment will assume toward japan In the
case of the cutting out from Chefoo. China.
Of the Ryeshitelni, the Russian torpedo de-
stroyer. The action of japanese vessels
in taking this vessel out Of neutral port
of China, in violation Of the laws of neu-
trality, Is attracting widespread interna-
tional attention, and the Russians are hold
ing that the other governments OF the
world are permitting Japan to destroy the
agreement reached that during the war
that is in progress China's territory shaii
be respected by both combatants as neu-
trail. Secretary Hay is being vigorously re-
minded that 1t was himself who led this
government in securing from other powers
the promise that Chinas neutrality must
be respected by Russia and Japan and that
the Japanese have been the first to disre-
gard the work of Secretary Hay. Whatever
decision was reached by the President ana
Secretary Hay was not communicated "
the public in any form.
Tho governments control of the direc-
torate Of the Panama railroad was taken
up at the cabinet meeting. Ihe question
came up in connection with a demand ina.
the government abrogate a contract Wltn
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company that
is alleged to give that company a monopo-
ly Of trade in the canal region. According
to the laws governing the road, contracts
can not be abrogated or acted upon except
by the directors. Although this govern
ment now owns sixty-nine-seventieths OF
the stock in the road there has been no
change in the directory and there can not
be a change until the annual meeting OF
hxy-1o Hv Y,rt
next as the time for holding the annual
meeting When this takes place the gov
ernment will vote Its stock and change the
directors, but until that time the present
directory will continue in power.
Postmasters Selected.
Postmaster General Payne discussed with
the President some post Office appointments
and announced the following selections:
Connecticut-Clinton, w. H. Kelsey.
Colorado-Rock Ford. H. w. Lane.
Oregon-Lebanon, w. M. Brown; Rose
bury c. w. Parks
Ohio-Pleasant Hill. w. T. Marshall.
The President and Mr.. Payne have not
taken up the appointment of a postmaster
in this city. Mr.. Merritt's four-year term
has been passed a number OF months ago, but
no conclusion has been reached. 1t Is PROB
able that nothing will be done about the
Washington Office until some time this win
ter The opinion has prevailed for many
months that Mr.. Merritt would be reap
pointed.
Going to Vermont and Maine.
Secretary Wilson said he would leave
Washington tonight for Vermont. where he
will make some speeches. He intends to
talk to the farmers, and will urge the elec-
ton Of the republican candidate for gov
ernor, who Is a practical farmer. From
Vermont Mr.. Wilson will go into Maine for
q fov r ho ho
President had not made a selection Of an
ceed the late Colonel Brigham of Ohio and
does not know when he will do so There
are many candidates for the position, but
the President some time ago asked the
officials Of the National Grange to submit
the name Of competent man. as he desires
to give the position to farmer. Mr.. Brig
ham was an Ohio farmer, and there are
dozen candidates from that state for the
vacancy New York is also presenting
many candidates, and there are probably
fifty candidates from various parts OF the
country.
Presidents Trip to Oyster Bay.
The arrangements for President Roose-
velt's return to Oyster Bay tomorrow have
been completed. The President will leave
the city at 10 o'clock on the regular train
on the Pennsylvania road. He will prob
ably reach Oyster Bay about $50 o'clock
In the afternoon. At Jersey City the Presi-
dent with be met by carriages in charge OF
Police Commissioner McAd00 of New York
and viii be driven across New York to the