The Billings gazette., 1899-04-21
Caused No Little Amount of Ex-
element in the National
Capital.
RELATIONS WITHSPAIN
Have Been ReneWed-NeWS from
the Philippines niSap-
pointing.
Special Correspondence of The Gazette.

Special Correspondence of The Gazette.
Washington, April l7.-Presiden
Mckinley was as much grieved as any
man in Washington when the news wa
received that party Of American ant
British marines had been anbushed by
the natives Oh the island of Samoa anG
an American lieutenant and British
lieutenant and five marines killed, bu
he did not share in the excitement
which prevailed for a time; he accept
ed as sincere the prompt disavowal OF
responsibility made by the German
ambassador Oh behalf of his government
and declined to be carried off his feet
by the newspaper talk of "Germar
treachery" in connection with the
ambuscade although he will take the
necessary steps to see that the matter il
thoroughly investigated. There is nc
denying that the ambuscade came at an
unfortunate time. Although it will
not necessarily prevent an amicable set
Element of the whole Samoan dispute,
it may greatly delay it. It had been
expected that the commissioners repre-.
senting the United States. England and
Germany, would start for Samoa this
week, but there is now hitch in the
programme and matters have not been
improved by a statement issued from
the German embassy III Washington re.
f1ecting upon the motives Of the British
government. As Senator Thurston of
Nebraska remarked, it is uncomfortable
that this insignificant group Of islands
should cause war between any two OF
the three governments which are par.
ties to the treaty for their control. OF
course, il investigation shall show that
Germans had any part III planning that
murderous ambusoade. Germany will
be held to strict Accountability by
this government, and doubtless also by
Great Britain.
The United States is not giving
Spain any room to say that we are slow
in resuming diplomatic relations that
were dissolved by the war. As soon as
copies Of the treaty of peace were ex.
changed and the president had officially
proclaimed peace, Spain was notified
that the $40, 900, 900 called for by the
treaty was subject to it's orders, and
the announcement semi. officially made
that Hon. Bellamy Storer, now United
States minister to Belgium, had been
selected as our minister to Spain and
would proceed to Madrid as soon as
Spain appointed minister to the
United States. There are several
reasons why the selection Of Mr.. Storer
as minister should be pleasing to Spain,
the principal Of which is that he is
Catholic. The new minister to Spain
will have important duties to perform,
as all Of the commercial treaties be-
tween the two countries which were
abrogated by the war will have to be
replaced by new treaties.
It is thought that this week will
complete the taking Of evidence by the
military court Of inquiry. The most
prominent witnesses of the past week
were Generals Shafter and Chaffee and
their testimony was strikingly alike SO
far as it related to the meat issued to
the army in Cuba. Neither heard any
official complaints or any sensational
stories about the meat until after their
return to the United States, and both
thought that the army was as we'll sup
piled as existing circumstances would
permit. President Mckinley gave
dinner in General Shafter's honor last
week.
The news from the Philippines last
week was somewhat disappointing.
Not from any lack Of success Oh the
part Of our gallant soldiers, but because
it has been found necessary to continue
the fighting, and that Aguinaldo should
still be able to get sufficient force to-
gether to be attacked again and again,
although driven away from everywhere
they have attempted to make stand
There has also been disquieting news
Of the treachery of professedly friendly
Filipinos within our lines, which does
not promise we'll for the future
When your commercial rivals COM
mend your methods you have the |
strongest proof attainable that you are
on the right road A report of Ger
man imperial commissioner on tho omi-
grafton from Germany in 1898. just
published, and cabled to Washington,
contains this strong commentator Of
the republican tariff policy: 1.-THE
strong tendency towards the United
States, in spite of immigration having
been rendered more difficult, finds an
explanation in the fact that American
industry has largely developed in conse-
luenoe Of the Dingley tariff, and that
The demand for experienced artisans has
therefore greatly increased. Moreover,
German manufacturers have, in order
% save the customs duties, established
ranch houses OF their works in the
United States.
A report just made by Colonel Bing.
lam. the custodian of public buildings
md grounds. shows that since the
monument was thrown
pen to the public l.654,722 persons