Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-05-27

minister of the colonies, in Birmingham
the other day, IS not taken seriously in
Washington, neither by orr own Govern
ment nor by the members Of the diplO-
matte corps. While an Anglo-Saxon al
lance would not be unnatural, or unprO-
titable for England, there are complica-
tons which, would make it impossible Mt
present, and the fact that Mr.. Chamber
lain proclaims it would make it unpopular
in certain influential circles across the
water, for he is not regarded as Il prlc-
teal man. He is the frequent inventor
of new political policies; he is an uneasy,
restless patriot, impulsive and impetuous.
who talks as fast as he thinks, and never
fears to express himself on all subjects.
He has belonged to all political parties,
one after another, and is always springing
novelties upon the British people.
There is a fear at the Navy Department.
lest it may be necessary to exercise severe
discipline with some of the naval reserves
who have enlisted for the war. Two of
the Maryland reserves, who were ordered
to the auxiliary cruiser Dixie, have de-
serted. II they are apprchendcd and con-
victed Of desertion under the laws of war
they will have to be shot. Both Of them
are said to be young men of good families
and excellent character, who enlisted I'M
der mistaken notions. They supposed that
they were going out for u summers cruise,
to have n gay time of it, but when they
found that they were expected to scrub
decks, clean guns, shovel coal md do 9TH
err mental labor, these proud sons Of Mary
land bolted without saying good-by and.
have not since been seen. There has also
been considerable trouble Of this kind.
with the military volunteers.
The surgeons who have been making
examinations of the members of the mill
tin volunteers will make reports that will
be apt to discourage the bicycle habit, and
particularly the use of low lin ndlebars.
1t is said ut the medical department of the
army that a great number of the vOlun-
tecrs who have been rejected for physical
disability are bicycle riders. who, by that
violent exercise, have developed diseases
of the heart and the spine which unfit
them for exposure or eldumnce. These
troubles are said to be confined almost
entirely to riders who use low handlebars
and lean forward in the saddle.
Something over S775.O0O.OGO has already
been expended i'll war preparations, and
about $25,OOO.OCO more of obligations are
outstanding that will mature during the
present month. making a total of $780,
100000 up to date, with contracts being
made daily for all sorts Of purposes involve
ing the expenditure of millions. The Sen
ate Committee OF Finance after consii-
ering the subject very carefully came to
h conclusion that the efforts of the
United States to free Cuba would cost not
less than $3.50. 100000, provided the war
was not prolonged more than one year.
Gen. Lee is going to have a sensational
staff, If all the persons who have applied
for service with him are gratified. Some
how or another the ambitious young men
who have received staff appointments, and
particularly the sons of their fathers, APP
pear to think that Gen. Lee is going to be
a favored commander. for most Of them
have applied for service with him. Rus
sell Harrison, James G. Blaine and AL
gernen Sartoris are among the number,
and his w son, George Mason Lee, il
also to be appointed.
The first thing that Gen. Wheeler did
when he was assigned to a command was
to ask that his son Ike detailed rs n men,
Der of his stuff. Secretary Alger has de-
tailed his son as a member of the staff Of
Gen. Miles. There is a good deal Of the
~favorite son business going on in WASH
ingtOn just now in connection with the
army appointments.
1t is not believed by anybody in Wash-
ington that the S%paniards will attempt ia
send ships or troops to Manila. 1t would
he useless for them to do so, unless the
squadron is stronger than that of Admiral
Dewey, and a squadron Of that strength
could not be spared from Spain without
leaving its W coast unprotected.
The battleships kearsarge mud Ken
lucky might be finished and placed in
commission in W. months. The Illinois
could not lie made ready for sea in less
than six months, but work was stopped
upon NIL Of them some time ago, because
it was deemed more important to tit ou1
the auxiliary cruisers first.
line Iatller OF Ad1t. Ge1. COrbln is still
living in the old family homestead in Ohio
Although over so years Of age, he man
ages the farm upon which the genera
spent his boyhood, and where he stopped
hoeing corn to enlist as q private soliie
at the outbreak Of the rebellion.
William Mckinley has been P4eside2
Of the United States for nearly ffteel
months, aAd has Just sent bin first vet
. message 10 Congress, declining to approx
. bill TO authorize a new. trsal Tor Q ca