Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-10-31
WASHINGTON LETTER
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE. !

DESERTIONS FROM THE ami Oho-
nineteenth of all the enlisted men in
the United States army have deserted
in twelve months. This is an inter.
esting bit of information conveyed in
the annual report of the adjutant. gem
eral, lust issued. And the case IL
not exceptional, for the number OF
assertions, 1885, is only one hundred
in excess of the record for last year
The adjutant.ge general disposes of the
matter with considerable philoso-
ply, by remarking that the ab,
soute eradication of the evil
cannot be hoped for, and that the
fault is to be found III the restiessness
OF human nature rather than In the
service. This is mere playing at SOL
diering. The chief trouble seems to be
in the character OF the recruits ac-
cepted and in the lax provisions for
the capture and adequate punishment
of deserters. With an army Of only
%, 900 or 10000 men, there should
surely be some means Of making 1t u
model, instead of having it go before
the country with record OF D, At
percent loss in twelve months by de-
sertion. An opinion from general
Miles on this subject would be inter-
esting.
COAST DEFENsEs Secretary La.
mont has transmitted to the secretary
OF the treasury his estimates ofappro.
priations required by the war depart
ment for the next fiscal year. The
aggregate is $50, 875, $685. The esti-
mate for the running expenses OF the
war office in Washington is 81 AGA, 236,
showing reduction in the annual ex-
penses for salaries and contingencies
in that Office of 1921, 942 from the esti-
mates of four years ago. The
other estimates include the fol-
lowing: Pay of army, as fixed
by law, $l3, 522, $50; subsist-
encs of the army $1,659, S37; quarter
masters supplies, $4,000, 900; Incl
dental expenses of army, 5000, 600;
barracks and quarters, including hos
pital construction, 1885, 600; army
transportation, 81, 400, 900; clothing,
81, 100000; ordnance department,
81. 1871, 900; military academy, $521,-
812; military posts, national ceme-
teries and national parks, 81, 55o, $50 !;
natio nal soldiers homes, 50, 443, 2l4;
rivers and harbors, S., $40, 900, to
meet payments on existing contracts,
the depar tment at this time being un-
able to say what sum will be required
by future contracts for which author
ity exists. The estimate for fortitica-
tions and seacoast defense has been in
creased to SIS, 1924, 29S.
The secretary gives statement
showing the condition of the const de-
lenses after the expenditures author
lied by the act OF June 6, 1896, lem
placements, with guns and mortars
that should be in position). The
statement includes the following:
Portland, Me- Two eight-inch, five
1O-inch guns and IL 12.inch mortars.
Portsmouth, N. 1.-Two eight-inch
guns.
Boston-Seven 1O-inch and two
rapid fire guns and 16 12-inch NOR.
tars.
Narragansett bay-Four 1O-inch
guns and 16 II inch mortarS.
AMERICAN CAPITALISTS IN CHINA
Charles DENLY, Jr., the American
Charge d. Affaires at Pekin during the
temporary absence OF his father, tue
minister there, reports to the state de-
partment that the interest which Am
erican capitalists and railroad and ship
builders are taking in China seems to
the M r'ftf rading A d3%ban the 81
New York, London. Yokohama and
Shanghai has been the longest in the
field. In addition to its usual business
OF exporting and importing, this com.
pany has recently become the
agent OF the Cramp shipbuilding
company and of the Union iron
works. 1t also represents an American
railroad syndicate, and has submitted
bids for the building OF railroad
from Soochow to Chinkiung and for
the building OF an electric tramway in
the foreign concessions at Shanghai.
These bids have not as yet been &C.
copied. During the past winter this
company was also agent for an Amer.
lean banking syndicate, aud entered
into negotiations for loan to China.
CONDITION OF THE TRANSMITTING
feeling ut the treasury during these
closing weeks OF the political cam
paign is one of confidence that the
storm which has been surging around
the ship Of state will be weathered
without serious disaster. The gold
reserve still stands 1922, 900, 900 above
the conventional limit named in the
law of 1882, and there are no indica-
tions OF a raid for the purpose OF
boarding. There is no surprise felt that
the New York banks and exchange
houses which have been importing
gold are keeping a close hold upon it,
pending definite decision whether
the country is to adhere to the gold
standard or take the plunge to the
silver basis. 1t is believed that if the
result is in favor of the gold standard
there will be small avalanche of gold
at the New York sub-treasury within
a fortnight after the result of the cleo.
ton is known.
1t is understood here that the banks
and importing houses are loaded up
with gold to an extent which would be
inconvenient if they did not feel that
it was the safest property to hold at
the present time. The moment the
possibility of silver victory is at an
end, there will be n disposition to ex-
change this gold for treasury notes
and gold certificates, if the issue of the
latter is resumed. About $50, 900, 900
in gold has been imported since the
present movement began in Septem.
Der. The treasury has not received
more than half of this, but large
portion OF the remainder is likely to
be offered at the New York sub-treas.
ury if the bankers are satisfied Of the
seer-'.y of the metallic standard.