The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-22
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, August q, 1870.

WASHINGTON, August q, 1870
The War Excitement and the Diplomats.
Tue little circle OF Washington society embraced
under the designation OF the diplomatic corps-a
circle which, Indian like, boasts OF its imperturba-
bility and serenity under all suOlunary vsitations-
has been invaded latterly by the genius, good or
evil, Of sensation. The Franco russan war Is
this genius. Diplomats, French, Prussian, Aus
|, trian, Italian, Russian or otherwise are not
proof against the exciting dispatches daily and
hourly flashing over the Atlantic cable and repeated
here from the great centre of Information, New York
city. They can't afford to keep up the ridiculous
reserve and dgnifled reticence that generally
characterize them under such trying circum-
stances. They find 1t don't pay, and discover it to
be more agreeable as well as lucrative, to parOnZe
all the news 0fices In search OF information. One
finds counts and barons ana chevaliers represent
ing foreign governments at the news Offices now
daily and nightly pouring over dispatches and con-
suting maps with the most democratic avidity and
reckleesness OF appearances.
Great as is the interest taken In the European war
py the American people, it is nothing to that felt by
the foreign legations here. Some of the Ministers
and Secretaries spend the bulk Of their time in
discussing the war and political situations, and some
OF them have worked themselves quite sick over the
matter. M Berthemy's present illness, though gen.
orally attributed to cholera morbus, is really what
ought to be called the cholera belli He has grown
sick and respondent the news and is said to an
ticipate with horror the possibility that he may be
an exile from his belle France. Berthemy Is an impe-
ralist, and contemplates the situation OF his
sovereign and country with the keenest an
gulsh. TN the other hand. the Prussian and German
diplomats are in high spirits. Baron Gerolt is
quietly Jubilant congratulates his countrymen in
digni1ed chuckle over the Prussian victories and
predicts the speedy capture Of Paris by the KONG
Wilhelm.
II is wonderful, with all the recent Prussian victo
ries, how little respondent the French representa-
tives and residents here are as class Berthemy
c0ntemplates the situation with sharper apprecia-
ton OF Its reality, perhaps, than most Of his coun-
trymen. But he certainly is no way 80 cheerful
Frenchmen generally predict that the final and dis
astrous check to Prussian arms Is at hand, and
that there will be such rout OF the invaders as was
never seen before in any war, ancient or modern.
Epidemic Fever mt Liverpool.
In his despatch to the department Of the 9th INST
the Consul Liverpool reports that in consequence
OF the continued increase of fever in Liverpool he
has deemed 1t his duty to suspend the issue OF cert
1cates to bills OF health at present. He further
stated that during the past five days (prevOus 10
August 81 over 100 cases were received into the
parish hospital, which is full to oyercrowding.
There are 21O cases more than there were month
ago under treatment.
Scientific Observations Of the Next Solar
Eclipse.
Our government is making very extensive prepa-
ratOns for the best scientific observations OF the
next solar eclipse Three corps Of observation are
to be sent abroad, to be stationed respectively at
Malaga, Sicily and some place in Turkey most avail.
able for making the best scientific records and
views. One of these corps will be sent from the
Naval Observatory and the other two will be COM
posed OF the scientific men in the country, in
Guiding professor from Harvard University, who
has discovered some new system Of photog-
raphy by which he expects TO take the most
exact and satisfactory observations. Before
the European war broke out 1t was arranged
that Rear Admiral Gibson should extend to
the corps at Sicily all the aid and cooperation in
his power Sicily being troubled with brlgands some
efficient naval protection would be necessary to
support the corps OF observation; but the original
plan has spoiled for the present by the troubles
in Europe, Admiral Gibson being obliged to move
his squadron to the Baltic for the protection OF
American commerce IN that vicinity. The result OF
the observations OF these three corps it is hoped VIII
be the most successful yet taken.
Fees Of Pension Agents-DecsiOn OF Secre-
Cox.
The following letter will be of interest TO both pen.
sioners and pension agents.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
WASHINGTON. ID. Co. August 10, 1870. !
sir-I have received your report OF the 18th instant
enclosing a letter from Mr.. - IN relation to the
fee of twenty-five dollars, which he claims Is by
contract due him for services in prosecuting the
pension claim OF jacob kinne as the guardian OF the
minor heirs OF Jacob MINI, No. 1882
IL does not appear that any decision has been ex-
pressly given by your office in this particular case
but Mr.. - is o: the opinion that, by your cir
cular scaling the fees OF agents you nave In effect,
decided that you would not respect the contract,
but would limit his fee TO ten dollars. AS the sub
ject is presented for my consideration think proper
July 1870, so far as II relates to your authority
TO determine the compensation OF an agent or attor
ney for his services IN any claim Tor pension or
Mr. insists that the section recurring him
to file for your approval duplicates Of his agreement
with the claimant, authorizes you to see that the
agreement Is genuine and In proper form, but not
to reduce his charges, should you deem them exor-
bitant. am not able to concur In this view.
The amount due to the agent or attorney for pro-
scouting pension claim is deducted from the pen
duplicate articles OF agreement are not filed with
and approved by you the prescribed fee is ten dol
exceed twenty-five dollars, and when more than ten
dollars is claimed under articles they must receive
your approval before their validity can be recog
nized by the agent for paying pensions. The stipu
lations binding the pension CLAIMANT to
pay specific amount are substantial
parts of the agreement. and the whole
instrument is subject TO your approval. Conhning
your action to matters OF fcr or 10 the ascertain
ment of the genuineness of the agreement narrows
much the effect OF the statute and defeats OF
| its leading purposes Instances have occurred in
which sums far In excess Of the services rendered
| in prosecuting pension claims have been exacted
from the widows and orphans OF soldiers. Congress,
no doubt attempted to suppress Migrant abuse by
| the provision under consideration and by the pen
alties for violating It, which set forth in another
section, while at the same time they secured the just
rights the attorney by causing his fee to be paid
by the fundamentally Of the Onicer who pays the
! the pensioner Your approval is requisite to give
effect to the agreement in the manner provided by
| Congress- without it the stipulated amount cannot
| be deducted from that due the pensoner. The papers
! are herewith returned
| ] am, sir very respectfully, your obedient ser.
| want j. ID. COX, Secretary.
| The COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE