The Press., 1898-12-29
Washington Letter.
Washington Dec. s6, 1898.

N0"SpdpoI enterprise got SCOOP on
the American peace commissioners, while
they were on the ocean, b. cabling from
Madrid a translation of the Spanish copy
of the treaty, and publishing it nearly a
week ahead of the arrival of the commits
sioners, but that did not lessen the
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 COM
missioner, says he is glad that members
of his party who oppose expansion do not
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
there are reasons for the belief that he
will, when the question comes up, oppose
keeping them.
1t 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 100000 men, while the minority, or
democratic bill, reduces the regular army,
which was increased by the last congress
to 62, 900 men, to 80 900, and provides for
the enlistment of $4,000 volunteers for
two years, to assist in garrisoning the
islands which came into our possession as
a result of the war. 1t is contended by
the minority that in two years no neces-
sity will exist for maintaining an army of
more than 10000.
That the administration has a doubt
about our right to build the Nicarauga
canal while the Clayton Bulwer treaty
with Great Britain Is in force, has been
shown by its taking the initiative steps
towards the abrogation of that treaty,
which prohibits either country construct
| ing or contr rolling 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 its 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
with those who are working to postpone
canal legislation, although he thinks that
the department of state is acting in per-
feet good faith. He said "In my own
mind, have no doubt as to the power of
the I. s. to construct the canal, and do
not believe that the abrogation of the
treaty is necessary" If congress waits
for the abrogation of the treaty, the canal
bill will not be acted upon at this session.
The senate committee on the Nicaragua
canal will, under a senate resolution, this
week endeavor to show up some of the
tricks which have been adopted by lobby
lists representing the Panama Canal CON-
pany, and the New York syndicate which
is trying to speculate in a concession to
construct a canal over the Nicaragua
route. fit succeeds there will be lively
time when the senate reassembles, and
some senators will find it embarrassing to
explain what uncharitable persons will
| give very harsh name. However, con-
gressional committees have, as a rule,
always failed in similar efforts; there
fore this committee will have to actually
uncover something before 1t can convince
anybody that 1t is going to do SO. No.
body doubts that there Is plenty of ques.
tionable business to uncover, but lobby.
lists do not make a practice of putting
their work into black and white, or Of
transacting business In the presence OF
witnesses.
Admiral Sampson, who has just return
ed from prolonged stay in Havana
where he was one of the military commits
sion charged with arranging for the Span
ish evacuation, says our troops will have
no trouble in governing Cuba, because
the lawless element on the island has 6
wholesome fear of the United States uni
form. He also says that the Cubans are
in no condition to conduct an independent
government, and that the best men ir
business circle hope it can be arranged
In some way for Cuba to be annexed tC
the United States, although they recog,
nize that the pledges of President McKin
ley and of congress make annexation i'm
possible at this time. 1t is this sort O.
reports from trustworthy sources tha
make 1t so difficult for The authorities tt
make even rough guess as to how lonl
we shall have to keep Cuba under military
rule. Some men predict that when the
Cuban troops are disbanded that more
than half of those who are not provided
for in some way will take to brigandag'
for living, and that will, of course
make trouble for our troops over there.
A Very queer Dresser.
A very queer man i'll the matter Of
dress was the late Duke of Portland.
| ,e,ss<, Il