The times., 1897-05-11
WAR IN POSTAL CONGRESS-.
A Snag Encountered IN the Imned!-
ate Transit System.

A Snag Encountered In the Imrned.-
ate Transit System.
There was caucus yesterday between
several OF oftherepresentatiyes of the Western
governments to the Universal Postal Com
gress. at which 1t was determined to force
the matter of the immediate transit sys-
TEN of the congress, even though the com
mittee of ways and means should refuse TO
present a report
This was the mostinportante event OF the
day, though ii occurred outside the crirn-
soned walls of the old Corcoran art Cal
lery building.
When the failure of the transit propo-
sition in committee became imminent,
cable dispa tches n cipher passed between
the delegates from most OF the govern
ments on the western continent and the
heads OF the postal systems ofthese govern
ments.
These cipher dispatches cited the con-
dition OF affairs and asked for instriic-
tions Those INSTRUCTIONS began to ar
rive yesterday, and in each case the dele
gates were told To- stand for the Austrian
proposition at first. and if defeated there
to fall back on the German proposition.
but not to retreat from that position.
The measure proposed by the Austrian
delegates and their allies calls for the i'm
mediate and free transit OF malls through
transit countries. The proposal or the
German delegates is that the present tariff
on transit mails shall be reduced one-half,
The western delegates and the principal
sending countries of Europe Charge bad
faith on the part of the transit countries
This question Was brought before the
last Universal Postal Congress, which
was held at Vienna five years ago.
A number Of the delegates from countries
on the American continent VIII force the
fighting, andthey determined at yesterday s
caucus that the transit proposition should
not be killed Ia committee.
The attitude OF Great Britain is not
clear. Some of the delegates believe that
Great Britain is playing double game.
The British delegates feel that they hold
the key to the situation, for If that gov
ernment should Withdraw from the union
the universal postal system would be
wrecked.
For this reason the delegates from the
western government are trying 10 learn
just what the British delegates demand,
so that deal may be brought about. The
lies and Mexico, VIII surrender mdny or
their desires to accomplish the removal
of the transit tariff ON mails.
The representatives of the United States
do not seem To be playing yery active part
III the work OF the committees Some OF
the delegates who have interests in ao;n-
mon with the United States charge THAT the
United States delegates are lax, and that
they are allowing their diplomatic guests
from the European countries to beat them.
The only formal work done yesterday was
by the Third Commission, or The committee
Oh money orders, postal drafts, and sub
script!ons to newspapers. The United
States delegates took very little interest
in the proceedings as this Government has
nothing to ask in this direction.
The surprise of the day was the an
nouncement by the representatives OF
Korea that that government would enter
tile Universal Postal Union. 1t was not
Thought that Korea would do this
1t was learned yesterday that the pros
pect for China entering the postal unlcn has
grown exceedingly slim during the past
two or three days.
Several OF the South American delegates
said yesterday that If the transit tariff
is not reduced it would be necessary 10 In
crease the rates Of foreign postage In sew
cral of the countries OF he south.