Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1901 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

The Cuban delegates have completed their mission at' Washington, Neither the delegates nor the Washington offldais will talk as to what has been accomplished In the consultations with the President and the Secretary of War. It is known that the delegates were highly pleased with their reception, and that the utmost good feeling prevailed between the commission and the representatives of the United States government during the deliberations. The commission was not entrusted with plenary power to approve or disapprove any scheme of relationship between Cuba and the United States. The delegates were sent by the constitutional cqpvention simply as an investigating corinnittee, to ascertain from headquarters the administration’s policy toward Cuba and its interpretation of the provisions of the Platt amendment. Neither President McKinley nor the cabinet had any authority to change any of the conditions laid down In the Platt amendment as passed by Congress. From the meager reports of the deliberations which have leaked out, It appears that the Cuban delegates were anxious to secure some pledge of reciprocal trade relations between the United States and Cuba, the Cubans being especially interested in securing a reduction of the duties on American imports of sugar and tobacco. The interest displayed in this topic may be taken as an indication of the willingness of the Cuban delegates to accept the terms of the Platt amendment, if re-enforced by assurances of a business relationship which would be to the advantage of Cuba. From the administration standpoint, the important matter in connection wish the recent conference was to convince the Cuban representatives of the government’s friendliness toward Cuba, and to emphasize the fact that the conditions named in the Platt amendment were insisted upon in the interests of Cuba, without any disposition to interfere with the independence of the island when it is ready for absolute independence.

Venezuela has apologized for the indignities visited upon Ignacio Baiz, the American consul, has promised to refund the money of which he was unlawfully deprived, and has made an explanation of recent occurrences in Venezuela which is eatisfactory to the United States government. It will be recalled that Baiz was thrown into prison several times, and a •um of mortey was extorted from him by the representatives of the Venezuelan government. Minister Loomis attempted to hare the rights of Baiz restored to him, as well as his money, and in bis effort to bring about these results the friction between the two governments resulted in a condition of affairs that was entirely unsatisfactory to the United States. Therefore Minister Loomis was recalled, as a rebuke to Venezuela, and for the purpose of informing the State Department of the exact situation in Venezuela. The conciliatory attitude of the Venezuelan government was not brought about, however, until a sharp note was delivered to the Venezuelan government after the department here was in possession of all the facts relating to the strained situation. The asphalt controversy, which also contributed materially to disturb the relation between the two governments, has been removed almost entirely from the sphere of diplomacy.

From thf* time on the most rigid economy will be practiced in the expenditure* of the army, and an effort will be mad* to reduce the cost to the limit existing during times of peace. Secretary Root ha* issued an order to the department commanders in the field, and all other officers charged with the duty of making or approving estimates or requisitions for the expenditure of money, calling their attention to the importance of careful •crutiny to avoid unnecessary expense. The requirements of active military operations, the order says, always tend toward habits of expense not justified in times of peace. Within the gradual disappearance of these military necessities, which must be met without regard to cost, the army will be held reaponaible by the people of the country for a reduction of expenses and a rigid economy.

Secretary Gage has- accepted the resignation of Margaret Coleman, who has been employed in the Treasury Department in the capacity of a laborer since the close of the Civil War. To this woman Secretary of State Seward probably owed his life. When the plot to assassinate President Lincoln and his cabinet was being put into execution Payne, the criminal who was designated to assassinate Secretary Seward, visited his residence on Lafayette Square. Payne forced his way into the presence of the Secretary and Immediately began stabbing him. Margaret Coleman, who was then employed by Secretary Seward, went to the rescue of the premier, and she was badly wounded. Upon recovering she,,was given an appointment in the Treasury, where she has since worked until she resigned on account of old age and ill health. Assistant Secretary Spaulding has approved a plan to allow the Postoffice Department to ship directly to Chicago and ten other large interior cities of the United States all parcels post packages received from Germany, to be examined at the point of their destination by the customs officers instead of at New York, as is tho practice now. The cities.to be thus favored are Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cincinnati, New Orleans and San Francisco. ft Is proposed to cut down the naval fore* on the Asiatic station, and many of the ships now attached to the fleet in the Philippine waters will be recalled, especially the larger vessels. Tjte smaller vessels, such as gunboats and the secondclass cruisers, will be retained on duty. Amelia Tejada de Govin wants th* .United State* government to pay her >60,000 because her son, Charles Gorin, a reporter for the Equator Democrat of Key West, was killed in a filibustering •xpeditlon to Cuba in July, 1806.