Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-03-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent



with foreign countries. In addition to
those already existing on account of
Determinations by Germany. France
and several other smaller European
notions against American products.
IL Is true that with a clear headed
President and Secretary OF State there
would be no serious trouble with these
new complications, but the laundering
record made by the present admins
tration in dealing with foreign policy
Of this government, II 1t can truly
be said to have had such q thing since
March 4th, 1893, has prepared the
country to look for the wrong, rather
than the right thing from It, In for.
eign as well as In domestic matters.
The most important OF the new
complications arises from Spanish
warship firing OH a us. Mail Steamer
the Alliance, which was passing
hear the coast of Cuba on its way
from Colon to New York. Alrendy
the Spanish minister has assured the
State Department of his belief that
it was done by mistake and that
Spnin will apologize If this country
after investigation thinks it proper.
The next complication il in connsc-
ton with the protest Of the British
Ambassador against the shooting Of
an officer of mn English steamer during
the recent levee riots at New Orleans,
and the last with the demand of the
Italian Ambassador that protection
be given the ltelians in the United
States and tina satisfaction be given
for the assas,ination of Italians at
Walsenburg. Colorado. 1t largely de-
ponds upon Mr.. Cleveland and Score.
tory Gresham what comes of these
things.
Secretary Herbert is beginning to
hear n great deal of the adverse criti'
cisrn which has been lev~led at him
from all sections because he has only
designated but two naval vesssls-ths
San Francisco and the Marbplhead--
to paItisipate in the ceremonies attsn-
dant upon the opening of the Baltic
and North Sea Canal by the Emperor
of Germany, bnt he IL obstinate. and
although he admits the importance
of the event he refuses TO change his
original order. Naval officers are great
lv chagrined. They point out that all
the maritime nations will be strongly
represented, and that commercial in
stinct, not TO mention national pride,
should have been strong enough TO
have sent at least half a dozen of the
finest ships in the navy to take part
in the opening.
The Spanish minister has had II
somewhat queer experience recently.
He received letters from several alleg
I'd manufacturers of dynamite and
other high explosions asking him to
purchase explosives for the use of the
Spanish army in Cuba. and when lie
declined to receive other letters mott
flying him that IL he did not at once
purchase the explosives they would be
gratnitously sent to the insurgents in
Cuba to be used in destroying Span
iards and Spanish property. Opinion
is divided as TO whether the letters
were the work of crank or profess
sional blackinailer. Senator Muruaga,
the minister. declares that it is imlna-
terisl TO him which, as he pays no
attention to them.
There Is much discussion. now that
tho arguments are all in. as to what
the decision of the Supreme Court
will be in the income tax cases. The
court to-day took n recess until the
25th inst. and 1t is expected that the
decision will be handed down on that
day. Among lawyers there seems to
he considerable doubt as to the nature
OF The decision, but the overwhelming
preponderance Of opinion among those
unlearned in the law is that the court
will stand by previous decisions and
declare the tax constitutional. IL 1t
shouldn't the administration will be in
bad way. 1t will have difficulty in
getting through the year even If the
receipts from the income tax are ND to
the estimate. but IL the tax 10 declared
unconstitutional 1t cannot be collects
ed at all, and the chances are that
All extra session of Congress would
have to be called to provide money;
but Mr.. Cleveland would not call II
until the last minute, as IL wonld be
triumph for Senator German 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 L.
nored the announcement of the birth
of the party. Abuse. they say, they
we're prepared for, but silent conteinp p,
they object to, and that's about al
| they are getting.