Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-10-14
ABOUT THE TRANsvAAL.
Treasury Receipts The Campaign In
the Philippines The Volunteer
Regiments Nebraska VIII
do Republican Other
Notes.
Notes.


pute between Great Britain and the
Transvaal At first the State Depart
ment officials were somewhat inclined to
resent the statement attributed TO MIR
Pierce, Consul General Of the Orange
Free State in New York. that il was SYM
pathv for England that had caused Presi
dent Mckinley 10 decline the request Of
President Stevn. Of the free state, that he
use his good offices with neutral natlorsl
to avert war between Great Britain and
the TransvaaI Ii was intimated that i
MIR. Pierce wele of sufficient importance,
official notice would have been taken ot
the incorrect insinuation, but the fact IS
that the request was declined because
this government was not asked BY either
OF the parties concerned. President Steyn
has the right TO tender his own good OIL
tces If he so wishes, but his right to crlu-
cize other governments for not doing SO
is not recognized.
A very large number Of requests have
been received BY the President from pri-
waite persons supporting each side OF the
controversy, asking that the United States
interfere, but there is no probability that
such action will be taken unless both OF
the disputing states request it. This is
due to the fact not only that it is contrary
to the settled policy OF the United States
to interfere in controversies that do not
affect us directly. but also to feeling that
Great Britain's claim of suzerainty over
the Transvaal. which has been TO some
extent recognized by the Beers them
selves, makes the dispute different from
l. cta
Transvaal, according to existing stipula-
lions has no right to foreign relations. ex-
cept through Great Britain, and techni-
cally, any offer from the United States 70
mediate might be regarded as interference
with Britain's domestic affairs. In the
same way we would have regarded the
offer of any foreign power to mediate be-
tween the Federal government and the
| Mormon authorities in Utah, when for a
time the latter seemed disposed TO deny
equal rights to all American citizens.
! In line with these views the State De-
partment has notified the Transvaal au-
lhorities, through the American consul at
Pretoria, that the United States cannot
receive James X. O'Bierne, of New York,
as their commissioner Extraordinary.
4
traditional policy Of the United States,
not to receive one of its own citizens as
the minister or envoy OF another state.
This principle was adopted many years
ago bFthe United States, and has been
uniformly adhered to. Secretary Fish
states it in 1870, and Secretary Evarts in
1880 stated that This governments OBJ
/ iects TO receiving a citizen of the United
States as diplomatic representative OF a
foreign power.
/ In declining to receives Mr.. OBeirne,
the present administration is merely carry
ing out the long settled practice OF this
country, and had the envoy appointed
/ been OF Dutch instead of Irish descent
the result would have been the same SO
long as he was citizen of the United
States.
Treasury officials are greatly pleased
with the handsome showing of the re-
cepts, which now almost daily exceed ex-
pectations. 1t is stated at the Treasury,
however, that no recommendation Tor the
repeal of any portion Of the war taxes will
be made by the Secretary in his report.
Should there be large surplus at the end
of the fiscal year, June 80, 1900, as seems
likely at the present time, Congress might
take some action at the succeeding scs-
sion.
The State Department will not give out
Lany authoritative statement respecting the
progress Of the negotiations with England
| looking towards fixing a temporary bound
ary line for Alaska, but it is understood
that a provisional boundary has finally
been agreed upon with regard to the Chill
koot Pass, while the provisional bound
aries already agreed upon in the case OF
the other passes will be continued.
Gen. Otis is showing, by UNUSUAL activ-
| ity, that he doesn't intend to wait either
! for the reinforcemenfs for his army, the
additional warships ordered to Philippine
waters, on the advice of Admiral Dewey,
or the close Of the rainy season, to begin
the work of cruising out the Filipino re-
beilion. The military movements over
there during the last two or three days
were a part of the general plan fully
known and approved at the War Depart
ment, but the secret was SO well kept that
the press dispatches from Manila ANNOUNCE
| ing them were very agreeable surprises to
the public. There will be some very
agreeable surprises to the public sent from
| Manila in the near future, but no hint Of
their nature can be given at this time
without violating confidence.
A delegation of Greek Indians who
came to Washington to ask for changes
in the Curtis law. have been informed
that changes in the law can only be made
by Congress. The Indians claim that the
law conflicts with the treaty made with
them by President John Quincy Adams,
in 1895.
The last Of the volunteer regiments for
the Philippines are nearly recruited to
their full strength. War Department Of
ficials are confident that they will be able
to carry out Secretary Roots announce
ment when these volunteers were called
for by getting them all to Manila by
Christmas.
Nebraskans who have been in WASH
ington recently, appear to feel certain thAt
the state viii go Republican this year,
notwithstanding Mr.. Bryan's extraordi-
nary efforts to prevent H. One Of them