The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-10

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Of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, who had
been specially instructed TO examine the location,
construction and equipment q their roao SUD
tain questions in regard to the authority OF the
Executive, which arose upon this report, and those
which had from time to time been presented by The
commissioners appointed to inspect each successive
section OF the WORK. Alter carefully considering the
law OF the case he affirmed the right OF the Execu.
tive to order, III necessary, thorough revision OF
the entire road. Commissioners were thereupon ap-
pointed to examine this and other lines and have
tons OF which the report OF the Secretary Of the
Interior furnishes SPECIFIC information.
WAR DEPARTMENT AFFAIRS.
Tho report Of the Secretary Of War contains inor.
several bureaus OF the War Departments and the 0pe
ratiOns OF the army. The strength OF our military
and il Is computed that by the LIST OF January next
tins number will be decreased To $4,000. II Is the
opinion OF the Secretary OF War that within the next
year considerable dimnutOn OF the infantry force
may be made without detriment to the interests OF
the country. and In view OF the great expense at.
ten tending s peace sn
ever it can be applied 1t is hoped that
Congress win sanction the reduction which
the nation $l6 900, the sun of Sos 900 Is
estimated as necessary for the support OF the army
during the s sca year ending June 20 1870 me ss
years were. for 1867, $50, sl4, 46l, and for 1868
s25, 500. The actual expenditures during the
same periods were, respectively, sos, 224, AIS and
sl23 246,64s. The estimate submitted In December
last for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1862 was
SIT, III 707; the expenditures Tor the first quarter
ending the 30th OF September last were ST. 30 III
and the Secretary OF the Treasury gives 500 900
as the amount which will probably be required during
the remaining three quarters, II there shO I'D be no
reduction in the army making its aggregate cost for
the year considerably In excess OF y3,000,000. The
difference between the estimates and expenditures
for the three fiscal years which have been named
thus shown TO be 343 for this single branch
or the public service.
THE NAVY.
40 Nxh ito
the operations OF thai department ana OF she navy
during the year. considerable reduction OF the
force has been effected There are fOrtytwo vessels
carrying all guns, in the six squadrons which are
established In different parts OF the world. Three
of these vessels are returning TO the United States
and four are used st0resnps, leaving the actual
cruising force thirtyve vessels, carrying $3.50 guns.
The total number OF vessels IN the navy Is 2O6,
mounting l,743 guns. Eighty-ona vessels OF every
description are in use, armed with 695 guns. The
number Of enlisted men in the SERVICE including ap-
prentces, has been reduced to $500. An increase
of navy yard facilities Is recommended as
"a measure which will, IN the event of
war, be promotve OF economy ana security.
more thorough and systematic survey OF the North
Pacific Ocean Is advised in view OF our recent acqui-
stions, expanding commerce, and the increasing
intercourse between the Pacific states and Asia.
The naval pension fund, which consists oil m0iety
OF the avas OF prizes captured during the war,
amounts to $l4000,000. Exception Is taken to the
act OF 23d July last, which reduces the interest on
the fund loaned TO the government by the Secretary
trustee TO three per cent instead of six per cent
which was originally stipulated when the invest
laws Is suggested to remedy omissions and defects
in existing enactments. The expenditures OF the
departments during the last fiscal year were
SO 12O, 1914 and the estimates for the coming year
amount to $50, 9o3,4l4.
MANAGEMENT OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT..
The Postmaster Generals report furnishes full
and clear exhibit Of the operations and condition OF
the postal service. The ordinary postal revenue for
the fiscal year ending June 80 1885, was $16 292 800,
for which special appropriations have been made by
Congress, amounted TO s22 73O, 500, showing an ex
cess OF expenditures OF se4s7. ssl Deducting from
the expenditures the sum OF 1896 525, the amount
OF appropriations for ocean steamship and other
special service, the excess Of expenditures was
$4,5i 1850. BY using unexpended balance in the
Treasury OF So, 800 600 the actual sum Tor which
special appropriation Is required to meet the def
cheney is STA, 468 The causes which produced this
large excess OF expenditure over revenue we're tho
Of service In the late insurgent States
and the putting into operation OF new service
Mithin The ast Two vears and haf ~
about As, 700 miles-equal to than onethird OF
the whole amount OF the service at the close or the
war: New postal conventions with Great Britain
North Germany Belgium, the Netherlands, Swtzer-
land and Italy, respectively, have been carried into
efect. Under their provisions Important improve
tiona postage and enlarged mail facilities with Euro
pean countries The cost OF the United States trans
atlantic ocean mall service since January /, 1868,
has been largely lessened under the operation or
these new conventions, reduction Of over 0ne-half
having been efected under the new arrangements
for ocean mail steamship service which went into
effect that date. The attention OF Congress IA in
vited to the practical suggestions and recommended
tons made In his report by the P0stmastev General.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
No important question has occurred during the
last year in accustomed cordial and friendly In
tercogrse with costa Rica Guatemala, Honduras,
land, Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden
and Norway, Rome, Greece, Turkey, Persia Egypt,
Liberia, Morocco, Tripol Tunis, Muscas, Slam. Bor-
neo and Madagascar.
Cordial relations have also been maintained with
The Argentine and the Oriental republics. The ex-
nj xulQh Rf m nut
Ddices might be rendered TO those republics, and
also to Brazil and Paraguay, for bringing TO an end
In the valley OF the La Plata has been assiduousy
compiled with, and kindly acknowledged by all the
belligerents. Chat important negotiation, however,
has thus far been without result.
Charles A. Wasnburn, lace United States Minister
to Paraguay, having resigned, and being DESTROYS to
return TO the United states, the Rear Admiral COM
handing the South Atlantic squadron was early di-
rected To send ship of war 20 Asunclon the capital
OF Paraguay, 10 receive Mr.. Washburn and his
family, and remove them from situation which
was represented to be endangered by faction ana
foreign war. The Brazilian commander OF the allied
invading forces refused permission TO the Wasp 10
pass through the boc&ading forces, and that vessel
returned TO Its accustomed anchorage. Remon-
STRANGE having been made against this refusal,
1t was promptly oyerruled, and the Wasp
therefore resumed her Grand, received Mr.
washburn and his family, and conveyed them
20 a safe and convenient seaport. in the mean
time an excited controversy had arisen between the
President OF Paraguay and the late United States
Minister which II Is understood grew out OF his
proceedings in giving asylum In the United states
Legation 10 alleged enemies or that republic. The
question OF the right TO give asylum IL ono always
difficult, and often productive OF great embarrass
ment. In states well organized and established
foreign Powers refuse either to concede or exercise
that right except ~ TO persons actually belonging
to the diplomatic service. On the other hand, all
such Powers insist upon exercising the right OF
asylum I'm states where the law OF nations Is not
fully acknowledged respected and obeyed
The President of Paraguay Is understood TO have
opposed to Mr.. Washburns proceedings the injuri
ons and very improbable charge OF personal compi.
city IN insurrection and treason. The correspond
ence, however has not yet reached the United States
Mr.. Washbgru. In connection with this controversy,
represents thai two United States citizens attached
to the legation were arbitrarily seized ut his side,
when leaving the capital OF Paraguay, committed TO
prison. and there subjected TO torture for the pur-
pose Of procuring confessions OF their own criminal
iY, ana testimony to support the Presidents allie
cations against the United States Minister
Mr. Mcmahon, the newly appointed Minister TO
Paraguay having reached tho La Plata has been In.
structed TO proceed without delay to Asuncon, there
10 investigate the whole subject. The Rear Admiral
commanding the United states South Atlantic squad
ron has been directed to attend the new Minister
with proper naval force TO sustain such just demands
a. the occasion may require, and TO vindicate the