Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-19
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Cabinet Discusses Wireless
Telegraphy at Length.
GOVERNMENT CONTROL
SENATOR HOPKINS TALKS ON
ADJOURNMENT.
President Invited to Annual Meeting
OF Army of Potomac Society,
but Declines.

While the discussion at the meeting of the
cabinet today covered wide range OF
subjects, by far the most important mat.
ter considered was that looking to the con
troll by the government of wireless teleg-
raphy. The subject was considered at the
last meeting Of the cabinet In brief way,
but the discussion did not assume that i'm
portanee which was developed today. The
subject was broached by Secretary Hay in
connection with the communication re-
ceived by this government from Russia
through Count Cassini, the Russian amAas-
saoor. The discussion finally drifted to the
expression OF an opinion that it would be
desirable, II not, indeed, absolutely neces-
sary, Tor this government to control. at
least In supervisory way the operation
OF wireless telegraphy, particularly along
the coasts. Stations for the receipt of wire
less messages are springing up at various
places along both the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts. 1t was pointed out that in the
event or war with a foreign nation. IT
might De necessary in defense of the ma
tlon Tor officers of the United States IN
nave charge of these stations as a means
OF assurance to the government that no
communication was established with yes-
sells OF an enemy's fleet, and that the svs
tenn was not employed to the detriment of
United States interests
Ihus far wireless telegraphy has not fig
ured IN international affairs and no conven-
lions covering its use even have been con-
sidered 1t is believed that sooner or later
the subject will be taken up by dipiomatisss IS
with view to reaching an Information, 3
agreement upon it. What that agreement
will be cannot be forecasted of course: but
meantime. 1t is the opinion of officials of this
government that measures should be adopt
ed that Will protect the government against
such employment of the wireless system as
might be inimical to the nation
The discussion today was tentative IN a
measure, and no definite decision was reach
ed. 1t Is likely, however that In the near
future some action will be taken that will
provide for proper government supervt-
sion OF the wireless system of telegraphy
The Chinese Exclusion Opinion.
1t has been decided not to make public
for the present the opinion Of Attorney
General Knox to President Roosevelt on
the validity Of the existing Chinese exclu-
sion laws, in view of the denunciation by
CHINA OF the treaty with this country,
which will abrogate the treaty next Decem-
Der. 1t Is stated at the White House that
the opinion. which is an important one,
VIII not be made public now because of
legislation that is pending in Congress look
Ing to making stronger the exclusion laws
on the books. The House has attached to
the general deficiency bill a measure pre-
pared by the Department of Justice that
is designed to remove any embarrassing
questions as to the possible validity of the
existing exclusion laws. 1t is assumed
that the Senate will enact this amendment
which strikes from the exclusion act of
last year the words eff not inconsistent
with treaty obligations The contentiin
of those who claim that the denunciat:on
OF the treaty would open the bars of this
country to the Chinese was that the exclu-
sion act was interviewer with the treaty so
thoroughly as to fall with it.
The President thinks that to make pub
lie the views of the Attorney General would
be misconstrued, but the mere fact that
the amendment passed by the House was
prepared at the Department of Justice IN
dicates the tenor of the opinion Of Mr..
Knox. It has already been stated in The
Star that the Attorney General holds that
the present exclusion laws will be effec-
tive without the treaty but he has appar-
emily preferred to make doubly sure by
striking from the act any reference to the
treaty with China, leaving the act de-
pendent upon itself beyond question. The
President few days ago agreed with Mr..
Knox that this was the best thing to do.
Adjournment in Seven to Nine Days.
Senator Hopkins Of Illinois had a brief
talk with the President. Congress will
adjourn. I believe from the 26th to the 2Sth
OF this MONTH. said the Illinois senator.
I'VE could get through much earlier than
that, in fact, the last Of this week, if 1t
were necessary. If this were close to the
4th Of March, and adjournment were COM
pClsory. We could finish in few days.
Everything is in good shape for early ad-
journment."
Senator Hopkins was asked whether the
Illinois republicans. who will hold their
state convention for electing delegates to
Chicago May IL. will present a candidate
for the vice presidential nomination. $50
far as now know" said Senator Hopkins,
1.-The Illinois republicans will not have any
candidate for second place. Speaker Can
non was talked of with much earnestness.
but he gave notice that he would not ac-
cept the nomination if it should be made.
But there will be no scarcity of good men
before the convention. Senator Fairbanks
Is an able. strong man. So is Senator
Eikins Mr.. Webster of Nebraska, Secre-
tary Shaw from Iowa, several men from the
Pacific coast and elsewhere in the country
would make splendid material from which
to select running mate for the President"
Secretary Shaw has informed his friends
that he Is not candidate for the vice
presidency and could not be induced to be-
come one. He is said to be looking toward
the nomination for first place in 1905.
Invited to Hartford.
Senator Platt OF connecticut visited the
President with Col Jacob L. Green and
John T. Robbins of Connecticut. They
gave the President cordial invitation to
attend the annual gathering of the Society
of the Army of the Potomac, to be held in
Hartford May 1s The society Is to be en-
tertained by the Connecticut encampment
of the G. A. r. The President said he
would not be able to accept the invitation
Senator Platt of New York was with the
President some time, discussing New York
matters Senator Platt has not looked bet
ter or stronger In many years AID is every
day receiving the congratulations of friends
on his restoration to health and strength
Representative Kinkaid of Nebraska in
troduced several friends from his state,
among them being H. M. Grimes district
Judge. and Wesley Wilcox, prominent at
torney.
Senator Hansbrough is seeking to have
some OF the appropriations for military
posts diverted to Fort lincoln. at Bis
marck, N. D.. and he called on the Presf-
dent this morning to ask that the chief
executive give him some assistance In plac-