The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-01-04
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Ex-Secretary Foster to Aid the
Chinese Commissioners--Th In
come Tax and Other Matters.

Chinese Gommissioners-rThe In. %
] come Tax and Other Matters.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 2S.-The
employment OF Hon. John w. Foster,
formerly Secretary of State, to aid
the Chinese governments plenipoten.
tiaries in peace negotiations, is not
the first time that foreigners have
been called in to assist plenipoten.
tiaries IL matters like these, as both
| China and Japan, heretofore, have
had recourse to such assistance. In
the cases of the latter government, it
is said that the question of facts and
detail were settled by the Japanese
themselves, the foreigners. merely
being present in legal and advisory
capacity. Mr.. Foster has lately re-
turned to the United States from q
trip around the world, during which
he spent some time in China He
enjoys quite intimate acquaintance
with Gang, one of the peace plenipo-
tentiaries, who was formerly Minister
to the United States.
Whether there will be suspension
of hostilities pending the meeting OF
the representatives of the two govern
meDts Is not known at the Japanese
legation here. The impression seems
to be here that the Japanese troops
are concentrating at New-Chwang
! which the Chinese forces have recen,
ly evacuated, and that the victoriCus
army will continue its march in the
direction of Pekin.
Minister Kurine, of Japan, said to-
day that the published statement that
General Fosters selection as the re-
preventative of China in the peace
negotiations has the approval OF the
Japanse government grew out OF o mis-
apprehension. Mr.. Kurine views the
mission of General Foster as private
affair, wholly between him and China.
The Minister does not think it calls
for an expression OF approval or dis
approval from himself or his govern
ment. Tf<J Minister says tl,at the
selection of private American citizen
as China's advisor will in no way affect
the peace negotiations. japan has
her own purpose and policy, and will
proceed according to the judgment of
her authorities without reference To
who may appear as the representative
UnfJeu oJaUSs NIu1SJer Douuy
made no demand upon the Chinese
government for satisfaction for the
killing of the two Japanese student
spies as reported, nor is this govern
ment in a position to make any such
demand, which is usually construed to
mean an idemnity. No matter how it
turns out, however, our government Is
not liable to do more than to express
disapprOval of the line of action pur-
sued, for the reason that the Japanese
government itself has admitted that the
men were spies and were properly sur
rendered to the Chinese.
Assistant Attorney General Whit
ney has filed in the District Supreme
Court demurrer to the complaint of
John G. Moore against Commissioner
Miller of the Internal Revenue Bureau
in which he asks for an injunction re-
straining the latter from collecting
the income tax authorized by the new
tariff Act. The demurrer is very brief
and general in its terms, setting forth
that the complaint has not made such
a case as entities it n court Of equity
to the relief sought.
AT the request 'of Mr.. Whitney the
cases were set for hearing on January
3. Among the government ,Officials
many express the opinion that the
complaint has absolutely no case. The
officials of the Department of Justice
regard the constitutional question as
settled" by series Of Supreme Court
decisions.
Capt. Henry w. Howgate, the ex-
ulSDurSlnS OElcer Oh Ine SlSnal service,
was arraigned today before the Dis
trict Supreme Court on three OF the
indictments against him. His coun
sci, Messrs. Jere Wilson and A. S.
Worthington, pleaded irregular pro-
ceedings by the s,Srand jury. The
governments der1urrer to this plea,
filed by Dristrict Attorney Birney, was
argued before Judge McComas during
the afternoon. Howgate's plea prayed
that the indictments be quashed on
the ground that the United States
grand jurors considered statements
made by persons not sworn as witnesses,
nor otherwise qualified to testify, and
that no one of them had any personal
knowledge of the matter considered.
An opera house is to be erected
upon the site Of the Blaine residence
on Layfayette Square, in which the
statesman died, a permit for the build
ing having been issued by the Distr let
Commissioners to-day. The Blaine
property has been leased for term Of
100 years to Wood & Lavelle, Chicago.
The historic mansion now occupying
the ground will be torn down, the work
beginning about January ]. The opera
house is to cost $250,00 The new
building will be constructed so as to al
low a roof garden, the first OF the kind
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