The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-03-19

WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Fron our Regular CorrespondenkJ
WARRINGTON. Mareh IL Il

to be treated by oil foreign nations.
: has been proclaimed to ell the world th,
Congress to man 10 behind the Pres
dent, and that the peoples people ADJ
to place ten millions Of fighting men j
the field upon short notice Ito man ar
behind both President and Congress.
has been . week to rouse ones latent ps
triotism to the highest pitch, and
make one feel that after oil the worl
contains no prouder title than that {
American citizen. From the moment
was announced that the President ha
refused the request Of Spain to reca1
Consul General Lee, partisan politics dis
appeared like dew in the sunshine -ther
were no democrats, republicans or popu
lists, only Americans-and Congress ant
the administration have acted - one man
The $50. 000, 900 which was appropriate'
by the unanimous vote Of both branche
of Congress, to be used ct the discretion
of the President-an action without pre-
cedent in the history Of Congress-wil
be made $500, 900 900, if it is needed t.
maintain National honor.
With plenty of money At its disposal
the administration is making preparation
for war in every direction. although it.
members are still expressing the hops
that war will be avoided. 1t is ell RICH,
to hope that there will be no war, but il
is doubtful if there is single responsible
official of the government who does moi
believe that war with Spain is bound to
come. There is now only ono way tina,
war could be avoided, and those who
know the situation in which the present
Spanish Ministry is, regard that a. an i'm
possibility. The only way to make sure
of peace would be for Spain to at once
grant the Independence of Cuba, and to
meet whatever demands this government
may make as a result Of the report of the
Maine Court of Inquiry, and there is lit
tie likelihood that the present Spanish
Ministry, or any other, will do either,
unless compelled by force of arms.
Although the newspaper dispatches ID
sist that Spain has purchased warships in
England, official advices to this govern
ment say that no such purchases have
been or will be made. The administration
feels amply able to whip SPANS navy
without buying any ships, but it has sent
a naval officer to Europe with authority
to purchase any vessels that would make
really desirable additions to our navy,
and it is possible that he may buy some.
As he will pay cash for what he buys, be
will have the pick of everything in that
line that can be sold. A number of yes
'els have been offered for sale by parties
IN Europe that we would not have for
gifts. The greater portion of the money
appropriated by Congress will be spent
It home, putting the available vessels in
lighting trim and Strengthening our coast
md harbor defenses, which are already
probably strong enough to successfully re-
list anything that Spain can send against
hem. As the war will either be fought
Utmost entirely on water or on Spanish
round, only those who enter it are likely
o set any of its hardships,. and it is likely
o be very short. Spain has neither the |
money nor the men to make long fight,
ven if we were disposed to allow her to |
10 so, which we are not.
President Gompers, of the American
federation Of Labor, and Secretary Ross,
# the National Mule Spinners' Associa.
ion, appeared before the House Judiciary |
ommittee, this week, in advocacy of the
amendment to the Constitution,
living Congress the authority to dx the
ours of labor in the entire country. They
allied especial attention to the long hours
equired of Southern mill workers and
them with the shorter workinc
ay in New England mills, and declared
be longer hours to be unfair and detri.
rental to labor.
The House committee on Interstate and
'oreign Commerce has favorably reported
bill providing for the laying of cable
'om San Francisco to Japan, via Hawaii,
nd granting government annuity of
loo, 900 for twenty years, in consideration
which all the United States government
lessages are to be transmitted free and
lie government to have control Of the
sble in case of war or other emergency.
What must surprise the Spaniards, Is
ell as the citizens Of other countries,
'out the placing of $50, 00o, 900 in the
ands of the President BY Congress, is that
could be done without selling bond or
the slightest manner inconveniencing
e United States government. It was
erely taken out of the supply Of surplus
sh that Uncle Sam had on hand. What
i'll add to the surprise of the Spaniards
the knowledge that Uncle Sam can, If !
plank down another45O, 000. 900
Ithout an issue Of bonds, while Spain
. failed to negotiate loan upon any ,
rms, although it has been upon its knees
every banker in Europe who commands |
opey enough to handle . loan. Many
reWd men believe that the annronriafinn .