The Mena star., 1898-12-28

Washington, Dec. 27--The cost of the Spanish war, including garrisons in the dependencies during the re- mainder of the present fiscal year, will probably fall within the limit of S250, : 100000. This was about the amount estimated by careful observers at the time of the signing of the peace proto- col in August and the estimate has been sustained by subsequent events. The signing of the protocol was far from putting an end to expenditures and the net cost of the military
 and naval service, above the cost
 on peace basis, was actually larger
 in September than in August. The
 figures for later months have shown
 gradual decline of several millions per
 mouth and 1t now looks as though
 existing revenue laws would pay most
 of the expense for garrisons until the
 close of the fiscal year on June 80 next
 Stated in round figures, the com bined
 cost of the army and navy service
 above the cost in 1897, when both serv-
 ices were upon peace basis was Sl9,-
 100000 in May, S2s. 900, 900 in June,
 s29 900, 900 in July, S22, O0O 900 in Au- gust, S25. 900, 900 in September, S2O, ,000,- 900 in October and sir. .OO0, 900 in Novem- Der. The cost thus far during Decem- Der has been about S13, ,000, 900, but million or two more will be added by the close of the month These ex- penditures are not entirely for the maintenance of troops now in the field, but involve the settlement of contracts entered upon in the spring, the manufacture of arms and supplies at the armories, which is still going on at higher rate than before the war, and the payne of troops who have been mustered out of service.
 Boston Anti Inn neriaiisr League.
 Boston, Dec. 27.--In reply to tele- graphic request of Gov. Pingree, of Michigan, for speaker for an anti imperialist meeting in Detroit to- night, the Anti-Imperialist league has sent Rev. Samuel E. Fuller, of Boston. Gov Pingree bearing the. expense. The protests received by the league yesterday included one from oTduCn OI bDc IeQtTdbIOn Ol Labor in Montana, from the Uni tarian club in Jackson, Mich; from 54 citizens of Clark county, Va, and from Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ala bama, Texas, California and other states. Secretary Winslow, of the league, will send to every member of the house and senate letter urging them to prevent the ratification of the treaty as it now stands. making the point that one-third of the senate can accomplish now what hereafter will require majority of each branch and the approval of the president.
 CafYery on the Nicaragua Canal.
 Washington, Dec. 27. As he came from the white house yesterday, where he had called on a Louisiana matter, Senator Caffery said:
 If the proposition is for the government to build the Nicaraguan canal with it's own money and under it's supervision, don't believe there would be single vote against 1t in the senate, but there will be serious opposition to putting the construction and ownership of the canal into private hands and thus causing dispute. There is too much chance for skulduggery and scheming in the United States by taking pri- vate concern. Let us build 1t and operate 1t by the government That is the only safe and sound method. Any other course will be soundly opposed I am free to sly that be- lleve the whole senate would vote for United States ownership outright