Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1899 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

Admiral Dewey, through former Secretary Herbert, has filed suit in the District Court at Washington to recover prize money due him and the officers and crew under his command for the vessels captured in the battle of Manila and the property subsequently recovered by the uaval force of the Asiatic squadron. Upon, the ships and equipments which have already been appraised by the board of survey appointed by the Secretary of ’ the Navy the admiral demands the sum of $326,141, and in addition the amount due upon three cruisers sunk in the engagement, but subsequently raised, upon which he places a value of $425,000. The title of the ease is "George Dewey, Admiral of the United "States Navy, on behalf of himself and the officers and crew of the United States naval force on the Asiatic station taking part in the battle of Manila Bay, vs. The Don Juan de Austria and other vessels and miscellaneous stores and supplies captured by the fleet under his command.” The bill recites that Admiral Dewey and the officers and crews are entitled to the prize money as provided by law. The number of men aboard the American vessels during the engagement is given as 1,836, aud while Admiral Dewey declares he is unable to give the exact number of men engaged on the Spanish side he says it was far in excess of those under his own command, and the enemy’s forces were superior. All of the property recovered as a result of the battle is now in the possession of the United States except such as has been consumed.

The latest advices from consuls and consular agents of the State Department represent the crop conditions in southern Russia to be even worse than heretofore depicted in unofficial reports. The misery of the inhabitants of the famine-stricken provinces is described as appalling. "It would seem,” writes Consul Heeuau from Odessa, "that European Russia might as well be dismissed as a factor in successful agriculture. The climatic conditions throughout the area aj'e of so uncertain a character ns to be a source of anxiety and loss to the farming population.” From central and eastern Russia similar reports are made. Altogether the outlook for wheat in that part of the world may be summed up as decidedly dismal. The United States certainly has nothing to fear from Russia as a competitor in the wheat markets of the world this year.

The State Department neither confirms nor denies reports crediting Chief Justice Chambers of Samoa with having resigned his position. There is little doubt that such action on his part would give general satisfaction, although it cannot be predicted with any certainty that he will voluntarily efface himself from the pay roll. The latest trouble in the Samoan Islands is due entirely to his ruling recognizing the kingly rights of Malietoa Tanii. The Washington Government has technically upheld the chief justice, and it may be that he is in the right, but it is none 'the less undeniably true that the American representative has kept England, Germany and the United States almost continually stirred up ever since he was introduced into the Samoan problem.

It has been determined that the war prize Reina Mercedes shall be retained on the Naval Register as a relic. The board of survey, which has examined that ship at the Norfolk navy yard, has reported in favor of dfing as little work as possible with the idea the ship may be kept in its present condition with all the evidences of the conflict off Santiago. The board refers to the holes made by the projectiles from Schley’s fleet and suggests that no attempt be made to repair such damages. It is recommended that only $2,500 be expended on the ship, the main work to consist of installing a new boiler and pump, tightening the hull and repairing the steaming gear.

“This Government stands ready to send troops to the Porcupine region or anywhere else where their services are needed,” said a member of the cabinet when asked the Intention of the administration in this respect. “At present there is no immediate danger of an outbreak in that region, but we are closely watching developments.” Notwithstanding this statement there is no danger at present of a conflict. The Government has within the last few days received information to the effect that Canadian police and miners are now on this valuable portion of American territory, and some fears are felt of a clash.

Immigration Commissioner Powderly Friday granted a hearing to Attorney May, who represents the Croatian National Society of Chicago, in behalf of the eighteen Croatian immigrants who were arrested at Itathbun, lowa. As Attorney May could not produce evidence enough to convince Commissioner Powderly that the immigrants should not be returned to their native land their deportation was ordered.