The Press., 1898-12-29
Washington Letter.
Washington Dec. 26, Is

wa nth of the welcome given to the com missioners in Washington. They brought the official American copy of the treaty, as well as their report in detail of all the work they did in negotiating it. The commissioners are not talking for publi- cation, but all of them express pleasure at having completed their work and got back home, also at the prospect for speedy ratification of their work by the senate Senator Gray, the only democratic con- missioner, says he is glad that members of his party who oppose expansion do not | intend to mix that question up with the treaty. He says the treaty should be | ratified, as it does not bind us to keep the Philippines unless we wish to do so Mr. Gray declined to say whether he favored or opposed keeping the Philippines, but | there are reasons for the belief that he will, when the question comes up, oppose keeping them.
 It is apparent that party lines are to be drawn in congress on the bill for increas- ing and reorganizing the regular army. There are two bills, and two reports from the house military committee. The ma jority. or republican bill, provides for an increase in the regular army to something like 10000 men, while the minority, or democratic bill, reduces the regular army, which was increased by the last congress to 62, 900 men, to 30 ,O0O, and provides for the enlistment of 50,OOO volunteers for two years, to assist in garrisoning the islands which came into our possession as a result of the war. It is contended by the minority that in two years no neces- sity will exist for maintaining an army of more than aO.OOO.
 | That the administration has a doubt canal while the Clayton Bulwer treaty with Great Britain Is in force, has been shown by it's taking the initiative steps towards the abrogation of that treaty, which prohibits either country construct ing or contr olling the canal. The first move having been favorably received by the British government, no doubt is en- tertained of its agreeing to the abroga- tion of the treaty, although it will prob ably accompany it's consent with request that we offer more liberal trade conces- sions to the Canadians than had been done up to the Christmas adjournment of the high joint commission. Senator Morgan has an idea that all the talk about abrogating the treaty, and the necessity for Its abrogation, originated | vuif uh fD canal legislation. although he thinks that the department of state is acting in per. feet good faith. He said: "In my owr mind, have no doubt as to the power oi the L. $. to construct the canal, and dc not believe that the abrogation of the for the abrogation of the treaty, the cana bill will not be acted upon at this session
 The senate committee on the Nicaragua canal will, under senate resolution, this week endeavor to show up some of tht tricks which have been adopted by lobby ists representing the Panama Canal com pany, and the New York syndicate whicl is trying to speculate in a concession tt construct a canal over the Nicaragua route. lift succeeds there will be livel, time when the senate reassembles, ant some senators will find it embarrassing t. explain what uncharitable persons vii give 8 very harsh name. However, con gressional committees have, as a rule always failed in similar efforts; there fore this committee will have to actuall | hal fna anybody that 1t is going to do so. No body doubts that there is plenty of ques tionable business to uncover, but lobby ists do not make a practice of puttin their work into black and white, or 0 transacting business in the presence 0 witnesses.
 Admiral Sampson, who has just return ed from a prolonged stay in Havana where he was one of the military commis sion charged with arranging for the Span ish evacuation, says our troops will hay no trouble in governing Cuba, becaus the lawless element on the island has
 wholesome fear of the United States un form. He also says that the Cubans ar in no condition to conduct an indepeEden government, and that the best men i business cil cles hope it can be arrange In some way for Cuba to be annexed | the United States, although they recoe nize that the pledges of President McKir ley and of congress make annexation i'm possible at this time. It is this sort ( reports from trustworthy sources ths make 1t so difficult for the authorities t make even rough guess as to how lon , we shall have to keep Cuba under militar
 rule. Some men predict that when tn : Cuban troops are disbanded that mol
 than half of those who are not provide
 for in some way will take to brigandag , for a living, and that will, of cours' make trouble for our troops over there. |