Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-03-24
WANTS AUTONOMY TRIED.
Minister Polo Tries to Influence the
Authorities at Washington to
Wait Awhile or Cuba.
A BATTLEsHIp MAY Be NAMED MISSOURI.
Missourians in Congress Making Efforts to
Have One of the Three New Vessels to
Be Built Called After Their State-Navy
Personnel EsIIl-Armv Well Omcered-
Commercial Credit-Coast Defense

WASHINGTON, March 20.-Autonomy,
it seems, is to have further trial. if the
president listens to the cabinet Min
lister Polo appears to have won a re-
spite. For two hours yesterday the
cabinet discussed the Cuban question
as never before. The president
brought forward the matter, and asked
for the views of his advisers on the inn
mediate course of the administration.
Details of what passed show that the
inclination of most of the presidents
advisers is to listen to the latest prop
osition made by Senior Polo. This
proposition has not been put in def
mite and formal terms. As advanced
by the minister in conversation, it is
that Spain shall turn Cuba over to the
Cubans in all but name. The flag shall
continue to fly and Spanish authority
shall be recognized, but autonomy shall
be complete. Secretary Alger used the
statements of Senator Proctor to point
his argument that it was the duty of
the United States to Interfere and put
an end to the atrocities, but he was
met with the argument that war be-
tween the United States and Spain
would only have the effect to add to
the sum of horrors One echo of this
cabinet meeting represents the situa-
ton as having grown more serious
than it was few days ago. This view
comes from those near to the presi-
dent, who do not believe he is going to
listen to the new Spanish minister's
pleadings for more time The situa-
ton is very uncertain. 1t does not JUS
tify prediction.
A BattIeshIp May BE Named Missouri.
in congress are putting forth their
best efforts to have one of the three
battleships provided for by the house
committee on naval affairs named
Missouri" A meeting of the Mis-
souri, delegation in congress was held
yesterday and Congressman Bland.
Pearce and Bartho1dt were appointed
committee to call upon the secretary
of the navy. They saw Assistant Sec
rotary Roosevelt and the delegation
asked him if one of the new bat
tleships to be authorized by con-
gress could not be called the Mis-
souri,. Mr.. Roosevelt said there was
no reason why it could not and the
delegation secured from him promise
that he would use his best efforts to
have Missouri SO hOnored when the
new ships were launched. The Mis-
sourians were highly gratified at the
manner in which their suggestion was
received, and afterwards Congressman
Pearce drew up petition which all
the Missouri mem bers of congress and
the senator's will sign formally re-
questing the secretary of the navy to
name one of the new battleships the
Missouri.
Navy Personnel Bill.
NJ ID
Welt, assistant secretary of the navy
was before the house committee on
naval affairs for some time yestel dav
in connection with the navy personnel
bill. The latter measure was submit
ted to the committee by Secretary
Long, who is anxious to see it pressed
forward at this session, but it was OBJ
jected to Immediately after it's
submission to the committee. as
its consideration by that body
was likely to precipitate pro-
lOnged debate on the general scope
of that project, and that its pressing
at this time would be injurious to the
appropriation bill. By request of Sec
rotary Long the issue as to the bill
will not be precipitated until the naval
appropriation bill is passed by the
house. The change of view of the adj
ministration was communicated to the
house committee on naval affairs by
Mr.. Roosevelt.
American Army Well Omcered.
WASHINGTON, March 90 If the Hull
bill for the reorganization of the army
becomes a law. 25 additional majors
will be created. and it is fact worth V
of mention that the 25 captains who
would be raised in rank are all men
who made good records in the civil
war In the event of war, the Ameri-
can army would, as this fact shows.
have for it's leaders men who have seen
service and have proved on the field of
battle their worth as soldiers. 1t is
believed that under the reorganization
bill the American army would be the
best differed army in the world.
Regulation of Commercial Credit.
WASHINGTON. March 20-Congress-
man Bartholdt, of ST. Louis, has
introduced bill to protect and sup
port commercial credit, to equalize
rates of interests, to provide for the
incorporation of clearing houses, to
regulate and define their operations.
to secure a clearing house currency Sc
cured by pledge of commercial assets,
and the responsibility of the associated
banks, and to provide for the circula-
ton and redemption thereof. The
bill, which was introduced by request.
was referred to the committee on
banking and currency.
For Coast FortIicatIons-
WASHINGTON, March 20.-The war
department yesterday made another
allotment for the engineering branch
of the service This consisted of 81,
975.000 and was charged against the
special appropriation of 1000, 900 re
Gently made 1t was stated at the de