Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1898 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

Although Congress at its last session appropriated $260,000 for the building of a gunboat to take the place of the antiquated Michigan on the lakes this law cannot be carried out on account of theprovisions of the treaty with Great Britain, made in 1817. The curious spectacleis presented of Congress enacting a law which is contrary to an existing treaty, although that body was cognizant of thefact, for it inserted a proviso in the law which authorizes the construction of the gunboat which reads: “Provided construction of said gunboat shall conform to all existing treaties and conventions.” This, treaty has been violated for a number of years, for the tonnage of the Michigan isfar in excess of the treaty’ stipulations, but the Government has decided not tofurther encroach upon the provisions of the treaty and will for the present defer' building the new gunboat. The Navy Department officials have taken no steps toward the construction of this ship, not even going so far as drawing the plans,, and will not do so until the treaty is abrogated or an intimation .is given by the commission at Ottawa as to what action will be taken in this direction. Secretary Long has determined to materially increase the navy. He will present estimates this year to provide foaan enlisted force of 20,000 men and 2,500> boys. The present enlisted strength of the navy is a little over 10,000. This increase is not as great as some of the naval, authorities believe will be necessary in view of the augmented service. It is, of course, the intention of the department to retain a large number of vessels at League Island in reserve, and for this purpose a comparatively small enlisted force will be sufficient to keep the vessels in repaid and in condition for service at any time. Still, there is a feeling that thenavy should have a trained force which would he available in time of emergency without calling upon so many volunteers and making use of such a large number of enlisted men who lack discipline. The sentiment in Congress in favor of a larger navy is a strong one, and some of the officers are disappointed that Secretary Long.has not decided to present estimates for fully 25,000 or 30,000 men. ♦ ♦ ♦ An old colored man named Virgil Blue was at the War Department the other day to inquire about two sons, one in theTenth cavalry and the other in the Twen-ty-fourth infantry, who were both wounded before Santiago, and was greatly rejoiced to hear that they had fully recovered and were with their regiments. He came from Fauquier Courthouse, Va. “I'm proud ob dem boys,” said the old man. “I dun had one son die in de army.” The old man said he had thirty-five nephews in the colored regular and volunteer regiments of the army. He has ten brothers and these nephews arc sons of the brothers. “Sort ob a titin’ crowd,” said the old man, “but I used to enjoy a tussle myself.” . , ♦ ♦ ♦ ' ‘ JI The newspapers reaching the State Department in the official mails from theEast show that the almost universal expression in the public press of Japan is in. favor of the United States holding permanently and governing the Philippine Islands. The position taken is that this will' be in the interest of peace and commerce and good government. The editorials insist that this is the only issue of the matter that will satisfy the highest interests: of the islands and the demands of civilization. The papers declare that the United States, in assuming the eontfol of the islands, will receive the moral support, if not the active co-operation, of Japan and Great Britain. « ♦ * Torn Hoshi, who has been minister from Japan for several years, has taken, his place as a leader of the Government party in the parliament at Tokyo and will' he succeeded here by Mr. Komura, the. present vice-minister of foreign relations, in the Mikado’s cabinet Mr. Komura is. a diplomatist of wide experience. He. served in China fqr several years and was. intrusted with the grave responsibility of settling many perplexing questions that grew out of the late war. He has also been minister to Corea, where he made an excellent record. • * • The Treasurer of the United States recently sent a check for $1.475,0(H) to the International Navigation Company at Philadelphia in paymeht for the use of theauxiliary cruisers St. Paul. St. Louis, New York and Paris for an average period of 120 days each. The amount paid was approximately $12,000 a day, or $3,000 a day for each vessel. « * • Among the orders recently placed for guns for the new battleships are several 12-inch rifles which will take the place of the present 13-inch guns. The new guns will use smokeless powder and'will send their projectile* at a velocity of 3,000 feet per second, 50 per cent greater than the velocity of the present 13-inch shell. • • • Postmasters may make campaign, speeches and otherwise participate in ped-, itics if they do not neglect their official, duties. A ukase to that effect has been, issued by the Postoffice Department. • • • The Government of Hayti has changed Its mind since the recent West Indies hurricane. and will permit the I'nitt-d States, signal service to establish a station at Mole St. Nicholas. • • • Ex-Secretary Morton of Nebraska has been in Washington to confer with the Argentine minister in regard to the offerfrom that Government received by him a few days ago to become its adviser in agricultural matters and to organize ai> agricultural department. • • • The weather bureau has announced that the grnat hurricana in the West Indie*, bad been' foreseen, and warnings given by the new Wert Indian weather service established nnd controlled by the (States signal service.