The Press., 1897-12-16
Washington Letter.
Washington, Nov. 70, 1897.

That memD0rB or the uipiOuhbAo ooEpS in Washington do not regard that portion of President McKinley's message that deals with Cuba as a forerunner of white winged peace, Is shown by the following remarks of prominent diplomat: From the diplomatic point of view 1t Is mys- tery how the American press and public can consider the presidents language conservative and peaceful. think and am satisfied that every representative of foreign government in Washington agrees with me, that his message was about as radical and warlike iu meaning as he could have made 1t, unless 1t had actually been 0 proclamation declaring war against Spain. He tells Spain that unless 1t can finish the war In Cuba In a reasonable time, thls government will do so by force. Now, as every well-intormed person knows that there isn't the slight est chance that Spain will end the war In Cuba In q reasonable time that was about the same as the U. S. saying to Spain: you may as we'll get ready to fight me, as you will have to do 1t in about six months.
 It Is possible, of course, that the house committee on banking and currency, which has been given permission to sit during sessionS of the house, will report fnan- cial bill at this session of congress, but the best informed men in congress do not regard it as at all probable. In the first pla 0, about half of the members of that committee have bills of their own, each differing radically from all of the others, and In the second place, there Is gen. eral belief that If the administration con- cludes 1t to be wise to force a financial bill of any sort through the house, 1t will have 1t reported from the ways and means committee. Secretary Gage will separate his recommendations into several bills, which will probably be introduced In the house and senate as feelers, both of the congressional and public pulse.
 The democratic senators are already with two exceptions solidly opposed to the annexation of Hawaii, and the house democrats are going to declare against annexation at caucus to be held this WtGA- Dblll blAb hdNOJhb6S OA huubAhbAOb say that 1t Is certain to be accomplished at this session. A lobby plentifully sup piled with money, Is working hard against annexation, and It's agents will stave of settlement as long as possible, If they cannot defeat it, as their pay will stop as soon as the question Is settled either way.
 It has become apparent that the fight on the civil service law Is no trihing matter, even If 1t Is being conducted against the wishes of the president. Lead Ing republican representatives have at. tackled the law on the floor ofthe house when they had to strain point to do so and sixty odd republican members of the house who oppose the law as 1t now stands met In caucus to discuss the best way tC conduct their fight against 1t. That was at least fifty more than were supposed tC be willing.to be ecounted as publicly hostile to the law, and have generally been dis posed to poke fun at all talk of fighting it.
 History does not repeat Itself wltl more certainty than certain phases of [ session in congress. One of these phases is the short but acrimonius debate which never falls to precede the passage of tn, regular pension appropriation bill by thu house. Somehow everybody knows tha these little sharp sentences have got to b, spoken; consequently they do not attrac the attention they deserve, concerning a they do, the expenditure of more than on third Of the governments income. I'm fact is, as most people in Washington known, that the average congressman Il mortally afraid of the pension question and desires to see the blll disposed of a speedily as possible, and If he makes an, remarks at all they are of a genera nature about the 'saviours of the country etc. It Is the exceptional fellows wh, make the little debate interesting. Ther may have been years whom some stronI republican did not furnish these gentle mon with reAdy-mRde arguments, but the are not recalled just now.
 This year it was Gen. H. V. Boynton' vigorous newspaper attack upon the pres ent laws at their abuse that was used This question must, sooner or later, b thoughtfully considered. The present ap proprlation exceeds $l41 900, 900 ant there Is Q general belief that 1t Is eight O ten million below what will be spent b the pension bureau during the next fisca year.
 Many republicans, while honestly hoT Ing that Representative Dlngley Is q tru prophet when he says there will be a SUI plus often million dollars during the mex fiscal year, have their doubts about 1t. 
 HOLLAND.
 Tha V L. S C. E. held A varu nleas