The New York herald., 1874-08-13
w A S II I N q II o N

WASHINGTON, August l2, 1874.
President Grants Response to the Presi-
dents OF the Argentine Republic and
Of Uruguay.
The President has sent the following kilograms
to the Presidents OF the Argentine Republic and
OF Uruguay, in response to their messages OF con-
graduation the compietion Of the cables be-
tween South America and other countries:-
EXECUTIVE MANSION !
WASHINGTON, August 10, 1874
PRESIDENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIc:-
heartily congratulate your Republic upon the
completion OF the work which brings the South
American nationanties into immediate communi-
cation with each other and the balance Of the
civiized world. 1t is an important step in the in.
terests OF commerce and VI good fellowship be-
tween nations and peoples. q. S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MASsloH,
WASHINGTON, August 10, 1874.
The president OF URAGuAY:-
send the warmest congratulations on the CON-
pletion OF the Geographic line that connects your
country with, not only the United States OF North
America, but most oil the civilized nations OF The
world. May this new means of communication
cement the present cordial friendship into the
most permanent form. U. s. GRANT.
United states Omcers and the Formosa
Expedition - Possible Complications
with China.
The participation OF certain ofncers OF the United
States service In the movements Of the Japanese
government against the Inhabitants OF the Island
OF Formosa is likely to cause some embarrassment
DtbWceu UuE GOteIume0L b0O tn2b OI emma. Tle
latter claims TO have jurisdiction of the Island OF
Pormosa and Its people, and any proceedings on
the part OF American ciuzens Of an unfrlendly or
belligerent character against said Island or peo-
pie, is violation OF neutrality. One of the ofcers
connected with the Formosa expedition is Lieu.
tenant Douglas Cassel, OF the navy. General lie
Gendre, an ex-United States consul Is also at
tached TO it
The Mail Car Question-Increased Conn
pensation Demande by the PhiIa.
delphia and Baltimore Road.
President Wood, OF the PhiladeIphIs and Balt-
more Central Railroad has written to the Post
master General stating he shall discontinue carry
ing the mails over his line unless he receives SIS
per mile for the service. He was formerly paid $40
per mile but July /. 1879 by readjustment Of the
rates, he was cut down twenty-five per cent, the
weight Of the mail being found to warrant such
duction. AS this line is at present receiving al,
the law allows, 1t is not probable Mr.. Woods
demand will be acceded to. The termini OF the
road are Philadelphia and Port Deposit.
Explanation Of the Delay in the Com
struction of the Military Post Mt Loupe
Fork-The Manner in which the Sec
rotary Of War Attends to His Duties.
Statements having been made recently in regard
to the delay in ordering the construction OF build
ings for the military post at Toupe Fork OF the
Platte River, although Department Commander
General ord mad recommended their immediate
construction TO give employment to the settlers
In that region who had lost all OF their crops by
grasshoppers, it may be proper TO state that on
the lst OF August the Adjutant General OF the
army received from General Ord, commanding the
Department Of the Platte, plans and estimates for
the construction OF anew post On Loupe Fork OF
the Platte River, and sent them to the Quarter
master General on the same day for a report.
They were returned by that oricer 10 the Admtant
General on the 4th OF August and on the 5th of
August were received by the Chief Clerk OF the
War Department. On the eth OF August they were
submitted TO the Secretary OF War; who examined
ana approved the same with the recommendation
OF the Department Commander, and directed that
the buildings be erected under tine di-
rectton and control OF General Ord,
who was ordered however, 10 take such action as
would insure that the appropriation OF $4,000
should not be exceeded In completing ali the
structures required for the post and that II neces
sary this end the troops should be used to assist
in the work. The case reached the Secretary per.
sonaly on the 9th OF August. was examined by
him, and, recognizing tine importance OF expedi-
tton In the matter. he directed 1t TO be made
special on the morning of the sth the papers
were returned to the AdJutant General that ne
might communicate the action or the War Depart
ment TO the authorities concerned
With tne excantiopp Of the time occupied hy pis