The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-09-08
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

From our regular Correspondent
| Washington ID. c., Sept. 1899.
| President Mckinley has signed
proclamation to the people of Cuba,
which will be made. public in this
country after it has been published in
Cuba, that will put an end to all of
the silly talk about this government
not intending to, allow the Cubans to
have any say in the government of
that island. This proclamation tells
the Cubans that the Census ordered
taken in Cuba, work upon which will
shortly be started and which it is
hoped to have completed in ninety
days will be the first step towards an
independent government; that when
the census is completed arrangements
will be made for the holding of local
elections throughout the island, in or
der 10 give its citizens an opportunity
to show their capacity for self-govern-
ment, and that as fast as the local
authorities get their government in
good working condition, the U. S.
troops will be Withdrawn. Copies of
this proclamation have been forward
ed to Gen. Brooke, at Havana, who is
charged with the duty of having it
widely published throug ghout the is
| land.
| Secretary Root has arranged to go
to Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook, N.
j. this week to witness tests of field
and mountain guns, under the super
vision of the Board of Ordnance and
Fertilization of the War Department.
Secretary Root is such strong believ-
er in doing things, rather than talking
about doing them, that he doesn't
personally furnish much "copy" for
the newspaper men who swarm ip the
corridors of the War Department
every day he has the knack, however,
. of declining to talk in so pleasant a
way, that he has made many admirers
among the newspaper men, to whom
he has refused information about the
plans of the War Department.
Secretary Gage has received high
ly gratifying report from the Auditor
General OF Hawaii, showing the conf
parative imports into the islands for
1 the months of June, 1898, the last un-
der the Hawaiian regime, and June,
i 1899. During the frst-named month,
the imports from the U. S. were $780,
S03 and from all other countries, $685.
995, while in June of this year, the
imports from the U. S. were ST. ,412,-
658, and those from all other coun-
tries 1884 ,494. The total increase in
six months OF imports from the U. S.
was $3,6l6,151. The report also notes
that while the government receipts in
Hawaii have increased, the public ex-
pendItures have decreased. This sort
OF thing is likely to convince the most
obstinate royalist taxpayer in Hawaii
that under the protecting wings of the
American Eagle is good place to
live.
There is a lesson for those who be-
lieve that America is behind Europe
in medical science, or in anything
else, in cablegram received several
days agu. by Surgeon-General Stern
berg, from the Director General of the
Apy Medical Service of Great Brit
i ain. The cablegram asked that three
hundred copies OF U. S. official pub
llieation. entitled Sanitary Lessons OF
Ethe War" be sent for distribution
Iamong the medical officers of the
British army, and that if that number
Of copies could not be furnished. per-
mission be given to- reprint the
pamphlet in London. This cablegram
is proof OF the newspaper statement
that England is preparing for, war with
the TransvaalRepublic, as well as
very complimentary to the medical
branch of our army.
Sometime ago Gen. Miles recon-
mended that some of the regiments
enlisted for the Philippines should be
composed of colored men, because of
their ability to stand the climate as
well as OF the reputation they have
made as good all-around fighters. Sec
retary Root thought SO well of the
recommendation that he has ordered
that one new regiment, just determin-
ed upon, shall be composed Of colored
men,. Secretary Root says that un-
less something occurs to change pres
ent plans, Gen. Otis will have about
sixty-four thousand men at his dis
posal before Christmas.