The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-02-03
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan, 81, 1898. A
number of developments have arisen in
the capital city during the past week
which have given food for ample discus
sion among those following the course Of
the affairs of the country. Among the
most noteworthy have been the sending
of a battleship to Havana, the arrival of
the president of the Hawaiian Republic,
the Cuban discussion il the House, and
the currency discussion in the Senate.
1t is quite evident that the attitude of
the new administration upon our foreign
| relations is to be as vigorous, clear-cut,
and satisfactory to the American people
as that which it has already assumed with
reference to the tariff and currency. The
developments Of the past few days, and,
indeed, the developments since President
Mckinley undertook the duties of his Of
flee, clearly indicate this. The definite,
vigorous policy upon which the admins
tration entered with reference to Spain
and Cuba, when it began its duties, has
been followed, step by step, with an
equally clear and equally vigorous line of
policy. But few weeks Of the term of
the new administration had passed be-
fore every American citizen who had been
confined in Cuban prisons was released
| and, as soon as it was practicable, the
Spanish government was given clearly to
understand that the United States could
not sit silently by and witness continual
ton of the cruelties and horrors which had
marked the course of events i'll Cuba dur
ing the years proceeding the Inauguration
of the new administration. Whether the
will prove successful can scarcely be fully
and accurately determined in the few
weeks since it was adopted, but the gen
eral feeling here is that the attempt of the
House leaders of the Democracy to force
the administration to further action be-
fore the success or failure of that propo-
sition can be determined is not justified
and is not meeting with the approval of
the American people. Word received
here from all parts of the country shows
| that the course of these men in attempting
OF force action by the President upon this
subject is not meeting with popular ap-
prevail. The announcement, however,
| that United States war ship has been
sent to Cuba to protect American inter
ests is received with most earnest com
mendation, both here and in all parts of
the country, Judging from the expressions
received here by Congressman and others
who are in constant communication with
the people of their own States and dis
tricts. What will be the next step in the
Cuban question it is impossible to say,
for it must depend upon developments in
the Island and in Spain, but the general
feeling at Washington is that the admin
istration, which has accomplished so
much in this line in so short a time, can
safely be trusted in this matter.
The friends of the new tariff law are in
good spirits over the showing being made
ny ludt dCl anu ltS Slduudl lulllllIlcHl VI
the claims made for it when enacted
The receipts of the Government, aside
from postal revenues, have averaged near
ly one million dollars during the month,
and as the expenditures seldom exceed
1855, 900, 900 per annum, the friends of
the Dingley law naturally feel that their
measure is nearing the time at which it
will supply all funds needed for current
expenses. While this months receipts
will probably not equal the expenditures
because of very heavy interest payments
to be made in January, there is every
reason to expect surplus in February
and another in March, and that the re-
ceipts of the Government during the year
just beginning will be several million
dollars in excess of it's expenditures.
President Dole's arrival from Hawaii is
leading to good deal of discussion and
has greatly increased the interest in the
Hawaiian annexation project and its prob
able confirmation by the Senate. 1t does
, not follow, however. that the failure OF
, the Senate to confirm President McKin-