The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-11


British ambassador here. has been under
consider alton for some time one of the
British delegates TO the disarmament con-
gress called at the instance OF the Car.
and there is little doubt that he will be
chosen for this important duty. AS yet, how
ever there has been no official announce
ment and about the only thing definitely
and officially known here Is that the Foreign
Office has not made a final selection. but is
considering the name OF Sir Julian along
with others. 1t is understood the ambassa-
dor has been consulted unofficially on the
subject with view 10 learning whether the
assignment would be agreeable. The ap-
pointment, IL made, would be signal rec
ognition of the high esteem I'm which he is
held in high official circles at home 1t is
said In influential diplomatic quarters that
the suggestion of Sir Julians name for this
disarmament congress comes about largely
through the part he took in negotiating the
Anglo-American peace treaty, also known
as the Olney-Pauncefote treaty. Aside from
this prospective appointment the British
government recently has shown In another
way it's favor toward the ambassador by
extending his term of active diplomatic serV-
ice for one year from May / next, during
which period he will remain ambassador
to the United States. This Is a second ex-
tension. the first occurring last fall and
continued fer six months up to May i next.
Bv this second extension this Is assurance
that if Sir Julian is given the special mis-
sion TO the disarmament congress 1t will
not terminate his service here. Owing to the
war last summer the ambassador did not take
his usual two months leave for trip
abroad so that he is likely to take four
months leave this year, during which he
would be able to take part in the congress
IL his appointment was finally determined
upon Sir Julian called at the State Depart
ment to-day.
The following statement has been issued
showing the total number of deaths re-
ported TO the adjutant generals office be-
tween May l. 1898. and Feb. Is, 1893: Killed
in action, S29; died OF wounds, 125; died OF
disease, 5.277; total. 5.1S1:
The cruiser Chicago has been detached
from the squadron of Rear Admiral Samp-
son and sailed from Havana TO Hampton
Roads. The Chicago is TO become the flag
ship OF Rear Admiral Henry L. Howison,
who has been assigned to command the
South Atlantic station In South America.
This station was abandoned at the beginning
of the Spanish war, the flagship at that time
being the Newark. She and two gunboats
were brought north to take part in the war.
Rear Admiral Henry F. Pitkin has been
ordered to relieve Rear Admiral Howison as
commandant of the navy yard at Boston.
The last duty of the Chicago was as flag
ship OF the white squadron.
he
oped the fact that it is not the present in
tention TO re-establish the European station,
although the need of such a station is ac-
knowledged by naval officers 1t is said that
there should be squadron In the Medter-
ranean while so many vessels of the United
States are going through that sea and the
Suez canal to Manila, but it is claimed that
the department has not the ships nor men
to man ships out of commission for the
European station and, consequently, it can
not be established.
Smallpox has been widely prevalent here
of late and the health authorities are bend
ing every effort to check what has threat
ened TO assume the aspect of an epidemic.
There are thirty-ive cases of the disease
in the smallpox hospital to-day, with an
aggregate of fifty-two that have been re-
ported to the health department since the
outbreak The disease has occurred mostly
in the southwest section of the city among
the poor and ignorant colored loprlstion.
and several cases recently broke out In the
District Jail, to which ten other cases oc-
curing outside are traceable. The chief fea-
ture of the present outbreak is it's mild
characteristics, which permit the disease
~ frsr
ognized Health officer Wood stated to-day
that he did not expect the outbreak to as
sumo alarming proportions.
The administration is contemplating
changes in some features Of the government
of Cuba 1t is probable that the military
government will, TO a certain extent, be re-
placed with civil government The mead OF
the government must, of course. remain
military but the change in contemplation is
to have civil officers in place of the military
men in the Cabinet and subordinate posi-
tions. 1t is believed that experts in different
lines, such as finance and revenue. and in
the management of the business OF the land
and different municipalities will get along
more smoothly than the army officers. 1t is
said that the officers, being brought up un-
der strict military discipline hold not only
the statutes but the army rules and regula-
tions as the guide in all things. while the
civilian officer would hold the statutes as the
supreme guide, and endeavor to get along
under them in the best manner possible and
with more diplomacy than is possessed by
the army men. 1t is not known whether the
contemplated change has reached point
further than the discussion in the War De
partment and with the President, but its ad-
vantages have been pointed out and the au-
thority of the government 10 establish such
a civilian government under control of the
military government has been determined.
The Nicaragua canal project occupied a
considerable part Of to-day's Cabinet meet
ing. The President has had the question Of
the selection of a committee 10 examine the
several routes across the isthmus under con-
sideration, and it now seems likely that he
will appoint the members before he leaves
for the South. Army reorganization matters
were also discussed at some length and ii is
understood to be the Presidents purpose to
dispose of the details rapidly as possible.
Secretary Hay had nothing 10 present at to-
days meeting nor had the secretary Of war
or the secretary of the navy any late news
from Manila.
Senator Hanna saw the President to-day
and final arrangements were made for the
Presidents trip TO Thomasvile. Ga. The
presidential party will leave here at 6 o'clock
next Monday afternoon by way Of the At
lantic Coast line and will consist OF the
President and Mrs. Mckinley. Vice Presi-
dent and Mrs. Hobart. Senator and Mrs.
Hanna and Assistant Secretary Cortelyou.