The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-02
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

Feace Commissioners must either ac-
cept or reject finally and definitely
our demand for the Philippines. The
exact length of this time limit is not
known outside of the Cabinet and
probably half dozen others who en-
JOY the Presidents confidence, but
there are good reasons for saying that
1t does not extend much, if any, be-
yond Dec. l. The PresideqfswAs some
what 10th to adopt this peremptorv
policy, because he disliked to even ap-
pear to take advantage of our power
to compel Spain to do what we pleas
ed, but the quibbling evinced in the
answers of the Spanish Commission
ers, which they took week or more
In each case to prepare, convinced him
that If they were not pulled mp short,
the negotiations were liable to 90 on
indefinitely. He is simply tired of
keeping this country on war footing,
and waiting for the Spaniards to agree
to formal treaty of peace.
The first pension of the Spanish war
has been awarded to Private Jesse T.
Gales, Second U. S. Artillery, who lost
part of his upper lip and several teeth
in the Cuban Campaign. Under pres
ent laws SIT month was the most
that could be allowed Gales, who is
permanently disabled and distigured.
He Will be given that sum, but its in
adequacy is SO manifest that it is like
ly bill will be passed by Congress
authorizing its increase.
Admiral Dewey has notified the
Navy Department that he has con-
tracted with Hong Kong firm to
raise three OF the Spanish gun-boats,
sunk in Manila Bay; that the work
has already been partially accomplish
ed, and that 100000 will cover the
entire cost of raising and putting them
in complete repair. These boats are
of class that will be especially useful
to the U. S. in Philippine waters.
They are named respectively, Isla de
Cuba, Isla de Luzon, and Don Juan de
Austria. The first two are twin ships,
200 it. long, 80 it. beam, with a draft
OF Ii it. 6 inches, and the other is
slightly larger, 2l0 fit. long, 80 f..
beam and draws II fit. inches. They
all have torpedo tubes as well as bat
teries. While it is hoped that the an
nouncement of satisfactory progress
by the Canadian American Commits
sion will shortly be followed by an
other that a treaty has been agreed
upon, it is known that such IA result
can only be Obtained by a material
change in the position the canadians
have heretofore taken as 10 what
should constitute commercial reci-
procity-the real object OF the Cana
dams in taking part in this commits
sion. The U. S. has always been will
ling to have real commercial reciproc-
ity with Canada, as with other ma
tlons, but strongly opposed to the Jug
handle article which Canadians have
heretofore sought. AS soon as the
Canadians are willing to give as much
as they wish to take, a treaty can be
arranged.
Hon. B. S. Foster, q member of the
British Parliament, who is visiting
Washington. quotes President Nc
Kinley as having said to him, during
conversation on the relations be-
tween the u. S. and Great Britain,
that "the feelings of the two peoples
would be fruitful for the cause of hui
manity and civilization" and that
"the cooperation of the two countries
did not depend upon paper treaties or
written obligations, but upon much
deeper and more lasting basis"
Representative Dalzell, of Pa, who
is a member of the House Committee
on Rules, was asked whether there
was likely to be any currency legisla-
ton at this session OF Congress. He
replied, "What is the need OF it? We
have an abundant revenue, and as
long AS that is the case. there is moth
ing the matter with our currency.
do not think there will be anything
done on the suhjec.s at the coming
session of Congress. There may be
some currency legislation during the
fifty-sixth Congress, but how broad
aud general it will be | cannot-say. l
do not think the country would suffer
if there we're none. The people have
no question about our money SO long
as our revenues are all right
Secretary Long will, in his annual
report, recommend that Congress
authorize the building of three new
battleships and twelve cruisers, and
the enlistment in the Navy OF twenty
thousand men and two thousand i've
hundred boys.
vxrANTFD-sEvERAL TRUSTWORTHY PER
XY sons in this state to manage OUT business ~ ~