Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-11-26
TIME CALLED ON SPAIN.
First Pension of the Late War-TO
Raise Sunken Spanish Vessels
at Manila More New War
Vessels to be Built.
ZION Our ReguIar Correspondent }

time limit, within which the Spanish
Peace 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 except
probably half dozen others who en-
Joy the Presidents confidence, but
there are good reasons for saying that
it does not extend much, if any, be-
yond Dec. I. The President was
sou ewhat loath to adopt this peremp.
tory policy, because he disliked to
even appear to take advantage of our
power to compel Spain to do what we
pleased, but the quibbling evidence in
the answers of the Spanish Commits
siouers, which they took a week or
more in each case to prepare, con-
WINGED him that if they were not called
up short, the negotiations were liable
to go on indefinitely. He is simply
tired of keeping this country on
war footing, and waiting for the
Spaniards to agree to former treaty
of peace.
Chairman Cannon, Of the House
Appropriation Committee, is deter
mined that there shall be no delay in
getting the regular appropriation bills
reported to the House, at the coming
session of Congress. The appropria-
ton made at the last session of Con-
gress for the support of the army only
extends to Dec. 81, which makes it
necessary that new appropriation
shall be made before Congress takes
its Christmas recess. Upon informa-
ton from the War Department that
its estimates would be ready by that
time, Mr.. Cannon has called a meet
ing of the members of the sub.com-
rittee on deficiencies, OF which he is
Chairman, for the 10th inst, and if
the estimates are not delayed, this
bill is likely to be reported as soon as
i Congress assemblies. The sub.com-
mittee on the District of Columbia,
will hold its first meeting Dec. I, and
the present intention is to report the
bill and pass it before the holidays,
The House Appropriation Committee
has a good record for hard and rapid
work, under the guidance Of Chairman
Cannon, but he hopes to establish a
new record at the coming session Of
Congress.
The first pension Of tie Spanish
war has been awarded 60 Private
Jesse T. Gales, Second U. S. Artillery,
who lost part OF his upper lip and
several teeth in the Cuban campaign.
Under present laws 81 a month was
the most that could be allowed Gales,
who is permanently disabled and dis
! figured. He will be given that sum,
but its inadequacy is so manifest
that it is likely a bill will be passed
by Congress authorizing its increase.
Admiral Dewey has notified the
Navy Department that he has con-
traeted with Hong Kong firm to
raise three of the Spanish gun-boats
sunk in Manila Bay; that the work
has already been partially accomp-
lished, and that $500, 900 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 respectfully,
Isla de Cuba, Isla de Luzon, and Don
Juan de Austria. The first two are
twin ships, 200 it. long, 80 #. beam,
with draft of II #. inches, and the
other is slightly larger, 2Io #. long,
az #. beam and draws IL #. 6 inches.
They all have torpedo tubes as well as
batteries.
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 treaty has been agreed
upon, it is known that such a result
can only be obtained by a material
change in the position the Canadians
h ave heretofore taken as to what
should constitute commercial recipro-
city-the real object of the Canadians
in taking part in this commission.
The U. S. has always been willing to