The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-20

routes suitable for canals. He has already
practically selected the personnel, and 1t
may be stated positively that the nucleus of
the new isthmian commission will be formed
by Admiral Walker. Colonel Haines and
Prof. Haupr the three members of the ex-
piring Nicaraguan Canal Commission. Sew
eral members will be added mainly engi-
neers of high technical requirement, and
among them will be Major Simons OF the
United States Engineer Corps.
1t is understood that among those under
consideration for membership on the new
isthmian canal commission as engineers
from civil life are Messrs. Bogue, of New
York, formerly chief engineer Of the Union
Pacific Railroad; Morrison, of New York.
prominent bridge engineer. and Noble, OF
Chicago, at present a member of the Deep
Waterway Commission. AS the rainy season
is about to begin on the isthmus IL is
realized the commission cannot do much in
the way of active operations at present be-
yond making a trip over the Panama route
via the railroad and perhaps making some
Investigations into the comparative merits
of the different ports that must form the
termini Of the canal. In the early fall, how
ever, operations will be prosecuted with
the utmost vigor and an attempt made TO
carry out the direction of Congress TO sub
init a report during the next session.
Charles Farris, Company H. Third United
States Volunteer Infantry, was found guilty
of murder by court-martial in Santiago,
Cuba, and was sentenced to be shot. The
case was sent TO the President for review
and the death sentence has been commuted
to life Imprisonment and dishonorable dis
a
rects that the prisoner be confined at Fort
Leavenworth, Kan.
The funeral ship Crook. which has been
transformed into a regular army transport,
will sail from New York tomorrow for
Savannah, where she will embark the Sec
ond Regiment of Infantry for transporta-
ton to Cienfuegos. Cuba. The transport
Dixie. which brought the Fourth Regiment
of immunes home from Manzanillo. will also
leave New York tomorrow with about six
hundred recruits for Havana.
Lieutenant Colonel Edward ]. McCler-
nand assistant adjutant generaO has been
ordered to Matanzas. Cuba, as adjutant
general Of that department.
Minister Calvo, of Costa Rica, does not
attach much Importance to the renewed re-
ports that Nicaragua and Costa Rica are
massing troops along the border and that a
conflict is imminent. He says there is no in
dication that the friendly relations between
| the two governments are disturbed. Presi-
| dent Iglesias recently arrived In Costa Rica
| from his trip to the United States and Eu-
| rope. The press Of Costa Rica is profuse in
| its praise of the Washington authorities for
| the honors shown the Costa Rican Presi-
| dent. Some return will be given for them by
a reception to the interoceanic canal COM
mission when 1t visits Cost Rica. During
| the visit of President Iglesias to Europe he
| opened negotiations for 100000 in gold, to
| be shipped to Costa Rica, to carry out the
plan of establishing the gold standard.
| Lieut.. Col. Marion p. Maus, inspector gen.
| eral, has been relieved from further duty In
this city and ordered to San Francisco fol
| assignment to duty as inspector OF that de-
| partment. Colonel Maus has been on the
staff of General Miles for several years.
| The army transport service has become
recently, of such importance that the sec.
retary Of war has decided that it Is entitled
| to the dignity Of distinctive flag. Tha
chosen is tri-color. with white. red ant
blue stripes In diagonal lines, with th'
| white forming field, in the center o.
which Is representation in blue of the in
sigma Of the quartermaster's department o.
the army-the familiar wheel. surmountet
| by an eagle and crossed by sword ant
| key. The flag will be displayed on every
vessel engaged in the transport service.
/
| The secretary of the treasury has advised
| the Postoffice Department that samples i'm
/ ported I'm quantities and intended to be sole
| by jobbers are dutiable.