Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-08-26
PENSIONS WANTED.
A Large Increase of Claims Attrib-
uted to the Hard Times.
SIBERIAN ANSWERS JAPAN'S NOTE.

4 Reply to the Latest Protest Against
Annexation-A Reciprocity Treaty with
France-G ilpin's Battalion-Post Of
flee Long.Distance Telephone.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2O-Commissioner
OF Pensions Evans has had statement
prepared on the number of applica.
tions for pensions filed since July, 1896.
The comparison shows that in July,
1896, applications for pensions aggre.
gated s,S9S, while in June, 1897, there
were l0,l69 largely for increases and
for widows and minor children. The
table shows the number of applications
under the general law and under the
act of June u, 1890, respectively, as
follows: lS96-July /, 1850 and 1903;
August, 1929 and 2,257; September,
1862 and l,73l; October, 2,l79 and
1855; November, 9,O7l and 1913;
December, S,O75 and s,23S. lS97-Jan-
uary, $500 and S,2OS; February, 1864
and 1868; March, 4,5S2 and 3,sll; April,
1871 and 1855 May, S,75S and 1909;
June, IS, 1853 and 22,OOl. Commissioner
Evans yesterday attributed this large
increase of claims to two reasons. He
said that the hard times had made
many men apply for pensions who had
not previously needed them, and the
other reason, he said, is the existence
of general feeling throughout
the country that the claims of
pensioners would be given more
favorable consideration by the
present administration than by the
last.
SHERMAN ANSWERS JAPAN's NOTE.
WASHINGTON, Aug 90-Secretary
Sherman has submitted to the Japan
ese government an answer to Japan's
last note relating to the annexation of
Hawaii to the United States The
answer was delivered to Mr.. lIoshi, the
Japanese minister. 1t is in reply to ia
pans note of July 10, which up to that
time had not been acknowledged. Mr.
Sherman's answer is marked by its
friendly expressions towards Japan,
which gives special satisfaction in view
of the somewhat strained relations
resulting from the previous correspond
ence. Two features are brought out
by the answer: 1t reiterates the posi-
ton heretofore taken by the secretary
of state as to the right and propriety Of
annexing Hawaii to the United States.
With this, however, is coupled the as
surance that the interests of Japan In
Hawaii will be fully safeguarded. 1t
also expresses satisfaction at the plan
of arbitration between Japan and Ha-
wall on the question Of Japanese i'm
migration to Hawaii
A RECIPROCITY TREATY WITH FRANCE.
WASHINGTON, Aug 20. Secretary
Sherman has acknowledged the recent
overture of the French government
through Ambassador Patenotre, for
negotiating reciprocity treaty be-
tween the United States and France
under the reciprocity clause of the new
tariff law, and the secretary adds an
assurance that he hopes to take up this
important subject ut an early day. 1t
will be the first effort toward practical
application of the reciprocity clause Of
the new tariff law, and to some extent
it will shape the future action Of the
government on the treaties to be nego.
tiated In view of this, careful inves-
tigati, is being made of the status of
trade between France and the United
States, ASA preliminary to negotiations.
GlLPIN's BATTALION.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20. - Assistant
Secretary Webster Davis yesterday
rendered a favorable decision in the
pension case of the widow Of W. Mex.
Winters. Il veteran of Gilpin's battal-
ion of Missouri volunteers in the Mex
lean war. There had been long
standing question of whether or not
members Of this organization which
was formed primarily for Indian escort
service along the Santa Fe road, were
entitled to Mexican service pensions.
A search of the war department rec
ords showed that the volunteer battal-
ion rendered valuable service in Mexi-
can territory, and on this showing the
claim was allowed. The decision will
affectquite number of pending claims
POST OFFICE LoNG-DIsTANcE PHONE.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, The post Of
fee department is extending the long.
distance telephone service, and begin
ming to-day 5000 cities and towns
throughout the country may secure
long-distance connection directly with
the department. 81 LOuls VIII be one
of the points, and Kansas City may
also have connection by way Of Omaha
and Chicago. This will no doubt prove
a good thing for the candidates for
post Offices who cannot stand the lux
ury of a trip to Washington, yet who
can stand the price of long-distance
talk. The department has been fitted
up SO that the takers can get connec-
ton direct.
--A-----=----