The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1898-10-06
Washington Letter.

AcbbOA"
Warrington October, 3, 1898.
Nothing startling and little that was
interesting has yet occurred in connection
with the investigation of the war, started
a week ago, but something may be turn
ed up during the coming week, as Gems.
Fitzhugh Lee and Joe Wheeler are
among the witnesses who have been in
vited to testify. Although several editors
have been asked by the commission to
furnish the names of witnesses willing to
testify to statements made in their papers
none have yet done So, although an at
tache of New York paper has filed a
long statement concerning Camp Wykoff.
There Is some objection because the COM
mission decided to allow only representa-
tiVes OF the press associations to be pres
ent while testimony is being taken, but it
is confined to those representing papers
not served by either of the press associa-
tions. 1t must be perfectly plain to any
body who will think a moment that the |
army OF Washington correspondents could |
not be admitted, unless the commission
conducted the investigation in one of the
largest halls in town. No one need fear
that any important evidence taken by the
commission will fail to get publicity.
Secretary Hay held his first reception
to the diplomatic corps, today, in the di-
plomatic room, in the department of
state. 1t was attended by representatives
OF all countries with which we maintain
diplomatic relations, although several of
the embassys were represented by subordi-
mates, owing to the absence of the ambas-
sadors-the French and German ambas-
sailors are in Europe.
Senator Hanna's statement in publish
ed Interview that the U. S. would not
possibly consent to allowing the Spanish
government to retain control of any pro-
ton of the Philippine island has attracted
much attention in Washington, where it
is generally regarded as a statement of
the presidents position, and as Indication
OF the nature of the instructions given
our peace commissioners.
Among the apparent certainties of the
coming session Of congress, is that action
will be asked, In the presidents message
upon important recommendations, which
are to be made in the annual reports of
the secretaries of the navy and of war, but
whether congress will comply cannot even
De guessed at until the exact nature of
the recommendations become known. All
that Is known at this time is that they
will inQlTIHo q In, To-.
army, the increase to be used outside of |
the U. S. proper, and number of changes |
In presentmethods, which experience in the |
war with Spain has shown to be faulty in |
one way or another. Gen. Miles will al |
so make some recommendations in his |
annual report, one of which will consist
OF plan for the reorganization of the
regular army.
The department of state has received a |
communication from the U. S. consul, at
Chemnitz, Germany, that is important to
American growers of apples, suitable for
the German market. 1t says s'Thfs is a |
good year to send American fruits, es-
pecially apples, to this empire Europe's
fruit crop is anything but good. If your
merchants will not repeat the folly of
former years, by sending poor fruit that
NON0J5 Oa6AAg bAOy Ctsu COLuLuduu bn6So
markets for years, against all efforts to
dislodge them. If baldwins, greetings,
russets, and other hardy winter apples
are sent, the results will not remain
doubtful"
The success of Gen. Wood, late Col. of
the rough riders, in administering the af-
fairs of Santiago, has resulted In the
abandonment of the idea of appointing a
military government general for Cuba.
According to present plans, which are
subject to further change, the islands will
be divided into military districts, just as
the army of occupant takes possession, and
the commander of each district will be
held to strict accountability for affairs
within his jurisdiction. The advance
guard OF the army of occupation is likely
to be on Cuban soil inside of three weeks,
and the entire force intended to be sent is
expected to be on the island before the
hrst OF December. The command of the
Havana district will be the most import
ant under this plan. Sometime ago it
was understOod-some say positively
promised-that this command would fail
to Gen. F'ltz Lee, but since Gen. Lee was
summonedto Washington, last week there
nSVe been hints that 1t may go to regular
army officer, probably Maj. Gen. Wade
The navy department finds itself in a
rather peculiar situation. So many Off
GERS Of the navy earned promotion by
gallant conduct during the war that there
is probability that very few of them will
get promotion, for the very simple reason
that there are not enough positions to
promote them to. Secretary Long will
ask authority from congress to give
gold medal and an increase of ten per
cent. in pay to officers in lieu of promo
ton, and the idea now exists that con-
gress will accept that solution of the pro-
blem. Some officers who have already
been named for promotion, have express
ed their willingness to give up the promo
ton and take the gold medal and an in
crease Of pay.