Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1904 — WILL BEGIN TO "SCRATCH DIRT" [ARTICLE]

WILL BEGIN TO "SCRATCH DIRT"

Every tiling Ready for the Speedy Consummation of the Treaty. Everything is ready for the speedy consummation of the treaty, and both tbe war and state departments have made preparations for the next step, the former by the dispatch of troops to the isthmus and the latter by tne completion of arrangements for the exchange of ratifications of the treaty, which must take place in Washington. There is no reason why this ceremony should not occur immediately. The administration Intends to press the canal project by all proper methods. As a cabinet officer expressed it the next step after the appointment of the commission will be “to Scratch dirt,” and already aticta members of the commission as are assured of their places, like Admiral Walker and Major General Davis, have been giving some attention to the provision of the clerical force and the engagement of engineering talent to conduct the actual work of canal digging. United States troops have been ordered to the isthmus. Orders have been Issued by the war department directing the Third United States Infantry, stationed at Fort Thomas, Ky.; Fort Sheridan, 111., and Columbia, 0., barracks, to prepare Immediately for such duty. Tbe soldiers will sail from New York within a few days. The war department has in the past strenuously denied reports that it intended to send troops to the isthmus, but it is now explained that the statement only applied to conditions as they existed before the United States acquired vested rights there. The thousand marines now on tbe Itbmus will be taken to Guantanamo as rapidly as their places can be filled by the troops. It la Intended that an adequate force of marines shall be kept at Guantangmo In case of probable emergencies.

Educaters Cloce Their Seccloa. Atlanta, G*., Feb. 25.—The meeting of tbe department of superintendence of tbe National Educational association which bas been In session here this week, came to a close Thursday. The session* w*ere well attended and have excited much Interest Tbe next meeting wIU be held at Milwaukee.