The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-09

ament and were subject to call by the
United States.
Mr.. Villas said these ships were not
ton purposes.
Mr.. Hawley insisted that the British
government had fitted her merchant ma
rine as auxiliary cruisers, and regarded
them as a material branch of her navy,
not only for transportation but for fight
ing purposes.
Mr.. Villas expressed some surprise that
Mr.. Hawley had cited the British protec-
ton given to merchant ships.
Il cited it," responded Mr.. Hawley,
because the gentleman is free trader
and Great Britain is his idol"
Mr.. Villas said he was ready to take
the intelligent instruction offered by any
country or man.
He went on to show the heavy and
growing cost of ocean mail service.
Mr.. Villas cited many cases af alleged
excessive subsidies.
The mails from New York to Havana
last year at regular rates would have cost
about $4,000, but in fact it cost over $780,
600. The Red line received $4,000 last
year for mail to Venezuela when regular
rates would have been $14,S73.
This. he said, illustrated the beauty
of subsidies"
benefits except that two of the American
line ships were to be serviceable for the
United State navy. Of course, he said
these ships would not be able to fight
against an armored ship.
Mr.. Villas turned his attention to the
proposed increase Of $4,000 in the com
pensatiOn for the service to Hawaii, which
brought about a colloquy with Mr.. Per-
kins of California, who declared that as
a mr. N hn n ia nf
American shipping as against English
shipping.
In the course of the discussion Mr.. Villas
stated that steamship companies had sue
ceeded in carrying the point that statute
miles should be measured on the sea in
stead of nautical miles, thus increasing
their compensation one-third.
The subsidy went over for separate
vote tomorrow.
The remainder Of the postoflice appro-
priatiOn bill was completed.
At 500 the senate adjourned.
MARCH TREASURY STATEMENT.
Washington, April 1.-The monthly
statement of the comptroller of the
treasury shows the total circulation of
National bank notes to be $221 ,227 ,S05,
an increase for the year of $13,777,661,
and for the month of 81, 1880. The
amounts to $109,723,O0 an increase
since March 81, 1895, of S19,S75622,
and since February 20 last of S4,674 051
The circulation of lawful money
amounts to $21, 504, 800, decrease for
the year of $6,097 ,061, and for the month
of $530,711. The amount of registered
bonds on deposit to secure circulating
notes amounts to 5000 90S, 800 and to Sc
cure public deposits $17,66S,000.
: SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT.
Washington, April 1.-The president
has signed the act repeating the statute
prohibiting the appointment to the army
and navy of persons who held Confed-
crate commissions
, PAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE.
Washington. April LIN accordance
with call issued by Secretary Olncy,
representatives of the countries parties
cred in the diplomatic room today at
the state department to consider the
needs of the bureau of American repub- |
lies, which is maintained by those coun.
tries. Secretary Olney presided and
there were present in addition Senior
Romero, the Mexican minister; Senior
Mendonca the Brazilian minister; Senior
Cana, the Gillian minister; Senior Re
nigfo, the Columbian minister; Senior |
Carlo, the Ecuadorean minister; Senior
Arriago, the minister from Guatemala |
and Honduras: Consul General Strauss,
representing Nicaragua; Senior Colvo, the |
costa Rican minister; Senior Peraza, rep |
resenting Salvador; Consul General Muir |
gindo representing Uruguay; DireJtoc." !
Kurdish of the bureau Of American re- |
publics and Dr. Rodriguez Of the same
bureau,
Director Kurdish explained briefly the
status of the bureau and showed that |
it his nearly exhausted I'LL of the work |
Outlined for II according to the original
plan and represented the necessity for
further direction from the controlling
body In It's future work.
After some consideration, Secretary
Olney was authorized to appoint COM
mittee of five members to take the sub
ject under advisement and to present
to the conference plan of work for the
bureau at the next meeting, which Will
be on the 18th inst. This was substan-
tally all that was done at today's meet
ing, save the passing of an order look
ing to the printing of the publications.
of the bureau hereafter in French as
well as in English and Spanish, and Il
recommendation that the work of COM
pillng the commerclal tnrlH by tne Du-
reau of American republics be fastened.
NO HAWAIIAN CABLE BILL.
Washington, April 1.-The senate COM
mittee on foreign relations, at its meet
ing today, failed to report II bill for n
cable to Hawaii.
TO VALIDATE BONDS.
Washington, April 1.-The senate, in
abolishing the bill approving certain acts
of the executive assembly of New Mex
leo, added an amendment validating the
$172,500 bonds and indebtedness of
Santa Fe county, issued under a refund
ing act.
The house territorial committee has
agreed to this provision with an amend
ment validating other bonds issued by
Santa Fee county under the act of the
financial relief of the county and mu
inequalities and bonds issued by Grant
county and the town of Silver City.