The silver lance., 1899-06-23


1882. 1t is now on exhibition in the
National Museum at Washington-
perhaps the finest Mexican somDrero
that was ever made.
The United States embassy at Brus-
sells has reported to the State Depart
ment that the government has, by de-
cree issued on the 2Sth instant, resclnd-
ed the interdiction upon the importa-
tion of American cattle. The decree
took effect May 31st. The State De-
partment is very proud OF its acnleVe-
ment in securing the reopening Oh the
Belgian markets to American cattle.
An adjustment was reached TUESDAY
of the grievances presented Dy the
machinists employed at the govern
ment arsenal at Rock Island, Illinois,
the department holding that petitlons
may be presented by the men to their
commandant individually or by some
one or more of such employees VINO
may be selected TO represent them, put
not by representations other than from
the men themselves. This decision is
in line with the rules and regulations
of the War Department and appears
to ignore unionism.
The President has not decided where
he will spend his vacation, but ne
wants to go up into the northwest anu
is making preparations to do so. he
has been to Colorado and Kansas ana
as far as Minneapolis, where he at
tended the Republican convention IN
1892, and, like Caesar, thrice refused
crown. But he is anxious to see the
e., .,f h., lak
ness for himself the progress that has
been made in Montana. Washington
and Oregon and visit the Yellowstone
park.
The six protected cruisers author
ized for the new American navy, OF
which the Denver is one, will have no
superior as fighting machines. The de-
tails of the construction of these
swift, capacious, fire-proof lighting
machines have just been decided up
on by the naval experts. The act of
authorization specifies ships of 1000
tons displacement. They Will be abso-
lutely proof, an essential in mod
ern warefare. Another feature which
will make the ships unique Is the
sheathing of the hull. The steel plates
of the hull will be covered with thin
planking. which will be sheathed with
copper. This will prevent the fouling
of the bottoms. and will preserve the
speed of vessels. Each ship will have
n bunker capacity of 700 tons, an item
which means great deal in time of
war. The speed of the ships will be
sixteen and one-half knots. The
draught will be eighteen and one-half
feet, which is somewhat less than
ships of corresponding type, and fea-
ture of great moment if the ships are
in shallow waters, 3s on the Asiatic
station.
The State Department has made pub
lie an official abstract of the report of
the Nicaraguan canal commission as
presented by Admiral Walker, the
head of the commission. The report
says that the surveys have in general
revealed better physical conditions
than We're hitherto supposed TO exist.
especially as to the amount of rock in
the upper river. whereby it is possible
to greatly reduce the estimated cost of
construction. To determine the proper
unit prices for excavation, the average
of prices actually paid to contractors
on the Chicago drainage canal which
represent cost of plant, prices paid for
work done and contractors profits,
were taken. TO these prices certain
percentages were added for the differ
ence in location. climate, etc. In OBJ
tanning the estimates for the cost of
locks the prices actually paid for build
ing the government locks at Sault Ste.
Marie were taken and 33 per cent. was
added for the difference of location.
After giving due weight to all the ele-
Of n n
with an earnest desire to reach logical
conclusions based upon substantial
facts. the commission believes that Il
canal can me built across the isthmus
on this route for not exceeding S11S,-
1890.
1t is very gratifying to the friends of
Sir Julian Paunccfote to learn that his
term of service as ambassador of her
British majesty at Washington has
been extended another year This is
the second time such an honor has
been conferred upon Sir Julian. The
regulations of the British diplomatic
service require the retirement of min
lister or ambassador Mt the age of 20
years, and orders We're issued for the
appointment of Sir Edward Sanderson
as successor to Sir Julian when he
reached his 10th birthday, year ago
last spring. But, owing 10 the COM
plicated questions in controversy be-
tween the United States and Canada
and the impending war between this
government and Spain. it was decided
to waive the regulations and allow Sir
Julian to remain in Washington anoth-
err wear. That order has been repeated
and his term of service has been again
extended twelve months to enable him
to represent her majesty's government
at the peace conference at The Hague.
Sir Julian is now more than II years
old. He expects to return to Washing
ton next fall and remain there during
the winter. but next spring, when he
passes the age of -. he cannot expect
any further consideration from his
government. 1t is said that there is
only one precedent in diplomatic his