The Mena weekly star., 1897-05-05
IMPORTS RUSHED.
4 Years Supply of Goods Brought in
 Because of the Tariff Bill.
THE NAVIES OF THE WORLD.
rhe TInited States Not Much Behind Ger many- Circulation Figures-Mai Catch CT Unsatisfactory Views on
 the Arbitration Treaty.

f0ureS TOT buc HAChbl JuSV cuClcl con
 firm Chairman Dingley's statement
 made a few days ago, that there is likely to be nearly years supply of foreign goods in the country when the new tariff bill goes into effect. While the retroactive clause, so-called, of the Dingley bill probably prevented some of the new contracts which would have been made and the new orders which would have been given, it did not reduce the amount of goods brought in during April, as compared with the preceding month. That clause of the bill provided that the new rates of duty should apply upon all goods coming in after April which had been purchased prior to that date. This of course, permitted all goods contracted for or ordered prior to April 1 to come in under Wilson law rates, and also left it largely in the hands of she importers to indicate by their own statements whether goods coming in after April 1 had been purchased or ordered prior to that date. The fol- lowing figures, covering the importa- tions into the United States during the past nine months, indicates the hot haste with which foreign manu- lecturers and home importers have filled the warehouses of the United States preparatory to the advance of duties contemplated by the new tariff: Total importations of foreign mer- ehandise into the United States from August 1, 1896, to May 1, 1s97 August 1S96 S49, 46s, 190; September, $50, S55, 800; October, $50, 467, ,319; November S50, ,043, 2ss; December, S5S, 9S0 660; Jan- uary, 1897, S51, ,954, ,O1s; February, S59, s95, ,s6o; March, ST6, 372, s31 April (esti- mated), $50, GOO, 000.
 The Navies of the World.
 WASHINGTON, May f. Reports on the naval development of all the leading powers of the world have been received recently by the secretary of the navy under instructions to naval representa- lives and legations abroad. They in- dicate a decided forward policy with all the great powers and there seems to be no purpose to reduce expenses. While no comparisons between the naval strength of the United States and of the European countries have been made. it is apparent from the re- ports that Germany is little if any ahead of the United States in the size and power of her fleets. Italy and Russia continue to outrank the United States, but with the battleships now being built, Russia will soon lose the lead France and Great Britain con tinue to expend millions annually in new construction, while the other powers, with the exception of Italy, are also making strides in the same direction. The South American re- pubhes are spending money on navies as fast as their depleted treasuries will permit, while China expresses a deter imitation to make ready to redeem the defeat of the Yalu.
 CircuiationFigures
 WASHINGTON, May 4.-The monthly statement of the comptroller of the cur rency shows that on April 50 the total circulation ofnational bank notes was s232 SOP, 244, gain for the year of Ss,- 7006 and loss for the month of %9O6,- CO., The circulation, based on United States bonds, was $2oS, 76s, 549, gain for the year of S, 365,S ,S1o and loss for the month of $399, 153. The circulation secured by lawful money was $24, 033,- 695, an increase for the year of $3,335,- 5S9 and an increase for the month of S92 .503. The amount of United States unregistered bonds on deposit to se- cure circulating notes S232, 749, 300, and to secure public deposits SIC, 3lS,OoO
 The Mail Catcher Service Unsatisfactory.
 WASHINGTON, May 1. The catcher service in the railway mail service whereby mail is dropped into cranes at small stations from fast trains IS giv- ing the postal authorities much annoy ance and complaints are frequent. Acting General Superintendent Meyers, Of the railway mail service, has issGed two orders to correct abuses. One prohibits the use of damaged or Insecure catcher pouches and the other directs division railway mail superin- tendents to instruct postmasters as to properly hanging catcher pouches m mail crane. Both of the orders are due to reports indicating that the mails are frequently exposed to loss or dam age by use of damaged catcher equip ment and improper placing of sacks III the small cranes.
 Telier's Views on tho Treaty.
 WASHINGTON, May 4.-Senator Teller, who is paired on the arbitration treaty, has expressed himself freely againt that measure in an interview. He ques- toned whether the senate could thus legally surrender one of its constltu-