Catoctin clarion., 1898-10-06

as statement of the Presidents posi-
ton, and as an indication of the nature
of the instructions given our Peace
Commissioners.
Among the apparent certainties OF
the coming session of Congress, is that
action will be asked, in the Presidents
message upon important recommends
tions which are to be made in the annual
reports of the Secretaries of the Navy
and of War, but whether Congress will
comply cannot even be guessed at until
the exact nature Of the recommends
tions become known. All that is known
at this time is that they will include a
large increase in the regular army, the
increase to be used outside of the U. s.
proper, and number Of changes in
present methods. which experience in
the war with Spain has shown to be
faulty in one way or another. Gen.
Miles will also make some recommen-
dations in his annual report. one Of
which will consist of plan for the
reorganization OF the regular army.
The Department Of State has received
communication from the U. S. Consul
at Chcmnitz, Germany, that is import
ant to American growers Of apples,
suitable for the German market. 1t
says: "This is a good year to send
American fruits, especially apples. to
this Empire. Europe's fruit crop is
anything but good. If our merchants
will not repeat the folly offormer years
by sending poor fruit that decays easily
they can command these markets for
years, against all efforts to dislodge
them. If Baldwins, Greetings. Russets
and other hardy winter apples are sent
the results will not remain doubtful"
The success of Gen. Wood, late Col.
of the Rough Riders, in administering
the affairs of Santiago, has resulted in
the abandonment Of the idea Of appoint
ing military Gov. General for Cuba.
According to present plans, which are
subject TO further change, the island
will be divided into military districts,
just as the army of occupation takes
possession, and the commander Of each
district will be held to strict account
ability for affairs within his jurisdiction.
The advance guard of the army of oc-
cupation is likely to be on Cuban soil
inside Of three weeks, and the entire
force intended to be sent is expected to
be on the island before the first of Dec.
The command of the Havana district
will lie the most important under this
plan: Sometime ago it was understood
some say positively promised-that
this command would fall to Gen. Fitz.
Lee, but since Gen. Lee was summoned
to Washington last week, there have
been hints that it may 20 to a regular
army officer, probably Maj. Gen. Wade.
The Navy Department finds itself in
rather peculiar situation. So many
officers OF the Navy earned promotion
by gallant conduct during the war that
there is a probability that very few Of
them will get promotion, for the very
simple reason that there are not enough
positions to promote them to. Secretary
Long will ask authority from Congress
to give a gold medal and an increase of
ten per cent. in pay TO officers in lieu
of promotion, and the idea now exists
that Congress will accept that solution
of the problem. Some officers who have
already been named for promotion, have
expressed their willingness to give up
the promotion and take the gold medal
and an increase Of pay.