Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-03-21
DoINGs AT WASHINGTON.
What our Regular Correspondent Says
al out Capitol and its People.

week has added several complications
with foreign countries, in addition to
those already existing ON account of
determinations by Germany, France
and several other smaller European
nations against American products.
1t is true that with clear headed
president and secretary of state, there
would be no serious trouble with these
new complications. but the blunder-
ing record made by the present adj
ministration in dealing with the for
eign policy of this government, if it
can truly be said to have had such a
thing since March 4. 1898; has pre-
pared the country to look for the
wrong, rather than the right thing
from it, in foreign as we'll as domestic
matters.
The first and most important of the
new complications arises from Span
ish warship having fired on L. 5.
Mail Steamer-the Allianca which
was passing near the.coast of Cuba
on its way from Colon to New York.
Already the Spanish minister has as
sured the state department of his be-
lief that it was done by mistake and
that Spain will apologize if this coun-
try after investigation thinks it prop
er. The next complication is in con-
nection with the protest of the British
ambassador against the shooting of
an officer of an English steamer dur
ing the recent levee riots at New Or
leans, and the last with the demand
of the Italian ambassador that pro-
lection be given the Italians in the
United States and that satisfaction be
given for the late assassination of
Italians at Walsenburg. Colorado It
largely depends upon Mr.. Cleveland
and Secretary Gresham what comes OF
these things.
Secretary Herbert is beginning to
hear a great deal of the adverse criti-
cisms which have been leyeled at him
from all sections because he has only
designated two naval vessels-the San
Francisco and the Marbelhead-
participate in the ceremonies attend
ant upon the opening Of the Baltic
and North Sea canal by the Emperor
of Germany, but he is obstinate, and
although he admits the Importance of
the event he refuses to change his
original order. Naval officers are
greatly chagrined. They point out
that all the maritimenations will be
strongly represented, and that COM
mercial instinct, not to mention ma
tional pride, should have been strong
enough to have sent at least a half
dozen of the finest ships in the navy
to take part in the opening.
The Spanish minister has had a
somewhat queer experience recently.
He received letters from several al
legged manufacturers of dynamite and
other high explosions, asking him to
purchase explosives for the use of the
Spanish army in Cuba. and when he
declined he received other letters noti-
fyiug him that if he did not at once
purchase the explosives they would
be gratuitously sent to the insurgents
in Cuba to be used in destroying
Spaniards and Spanish property.
Opinion is divided as to whether the
letters were the work of a crank or a
professional blackmailer. Senior
Muruaga. the minister, declares that
it is immaterial to him which, as he
pays no attention to them.
There is much discussion, now that
the arguments are all in. as to what
the decision of the Supreme Court
will be in the income tax case. The
court today took a recess until the
25th inst. and it is expected that the
decision will be down on that day.
Among lawyers there seems TO be con-
siderable doubt as to the nature of the
decision. but the overwhelming pre-
ponderance of opinion among those
unlearned in the law is that the court
will stand by previous decisions and
declare the tax constitutional. II it
shouldn't the administration will be
in bad way 1t win have difficulty
in getting through the year even if
the receipt from the income tax are
up 10 the estimate but if the tax i
declared unconstitutional it cannot
be collected at all. and the chances
are that an extra session of Congress
would have 10 be called to provide
money; but Mr.. Cleveland would not
call If until the last minute, as it
would be triumph for Senator Cor
man which that astute politician and
determined enemy Of Mr.. Cleveland
would not be slow to take advantage
Of.
Some Of those who helped to start
the new silver party are already pri-
vately expressing their disgust at the
manner in which the country has ig-
nored the announcement of the birth
of the party Abuse, they say, they
were prepared for, but silent con-
tempt they object to. and that's about
all they are getting.