The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-12-06
WASHINGTON CHAT

Secretary Alger has denied the re-
ports that Immediately upon the sign
ing OF the peace treaty the volunteer
regiments will be mustered out of the
service. 1t is stated at the department
that While the ratification of the treaty
Will, OF course, result in the ultimate
mastering out of the volunteer troops,
this action will not be taken until con-
gress has materially increased the reg
ular army, and Secretary Alger will
recommend, i'll his forthcoming report,
that the regulars be increased to 10O,-
900 men.
The reports referred to brought up
the question as to what disposition was
to be made OF the Fifteenth Minnesota
regiment, now under orders for EN-
barEatfon to Cuba. 1t can be stated
that at this time no change has been
contemplated in the orders of the Fiji
teenth Minnesota. In his forthcoming
report, which will be made public,
probably, this week, Secretary Alger
will make a recommendation of much
general interest, which, if adopted, will
obyiate the necessity of American sol
diers in Cuba. The secretary recon-
mends that the native military force
on the island be enlisted under the
American flag, to be used as an adj
jurct to our army or as local constabu-
larry. 1t Is stated by army officers who
took part in the campaign in Cuba,
that with little training the native mil
itary force can be made Of much value
to the United States, and in case q
large number of troops are required to
be removed from the island, native
military force will remain to preserve
order.
In commenting upon the receipts of
the revenue from the operations of the
pure food law, which amounted to ST.,
437 in October, Mr.. Tawney said that
this showing for the fourth month of
the operations of the law were very
gratifying. 1t is also pointed out that
receipts from the law during the win
ter months will be much larger, as
there is a much larger demand at this
season of the year for pancake flour,
buckwheat and other similar products,
which are required to pay stamp tax
under the statute.
An official of the postoffice depart
ment says that the rural free delivery
service will be established at several
points in Minnesota about Dec l. Re-
ports have been receive dfrom inspect
ors recommendin gthe establishment of
the rural free delivery in unsettled por-
tons of the state, an dplans are now
being made to carry this into effect.
The official added that the service
would not be further extended in the
Dakctas. This system of delivering
mail in spa1'sely-settled communities
has been very satisfactory during the
year, and an increased appropriation
will be asked for next year.
IT has been said that protests are be-
ing filed at the war department against
the government drafting nurses in
Minnesota for service in the Philip
pines exclusively from the ranks of the
Red Cross society. Col. Alden, of the
surgeon generals office, says that the
rumors are unfounded, and that II
there is any friction regarding the mat
ter it had not been called to the atten-
ton of the department. He added that
nurses were not to be taken exclusive
" from the Red Cross, but will be en-
listed wherever obtainable.
The secretary of the interior has ap-
proved for patent to the Northern Pa
cific Railroad company 2,765 acres Of
land in the Fargo land district. Secre-
tary Bliss denies the motion for re-
view in the case of Leslie A. Simpson
VS.. John H. Murphy's heirs, involving
lands in the Bismarck land district.