The Holly chieftain., 1899-09-15
WASHINGTON NEWS.

lust arrived at Philadelphia from SeW
York. TO proceed nj once Ia La Guas IA.
Venezuela. She will coal and start
on the voyage in the course of two or
three days. The Detroit should make
the run 10 I.a Guayra inside OF ten
days The ocCa sion for her presence
at La Guayra is report to the State
Department that there are signs of
great unrest and excitement In the in
terror of Venezuela, and that the pres
ence of an American warship might
have a good effect in maintaining the
confidence of resident Americans and
other foreigner in their safety.
In Response 10 renewed inquiry
whether there was any prospect of his
going to Manila to assume command Of
the United States army there. General
Miles says: II cannot tell. There are
no new developments In the matter so
far as ! know. Certainly such mis-
sion would be serious and responsi-
BILE one. and don't think that anyone
would ask@fo be sent there. A variety
OF complicated problems await solu-
ton in the Philippines" Asked II he
would like to 90 out there and under
take the solution of these problems.
General Miles smiled TRANQUILITY and
replied: 1T is soldiers duty to go
where he is sent. and to do the very
best he can when he gets there"
Mr.. Kasson. the special reciprocity
commissioner. received from Minister
buchanan upon his return to the
United States a reciprocity agreement
with the Argentine Republic under
which hides dye woods and other
products OF that nation will he ad-
mitted into the United Starcs Mt re-
duced duty. in exchange for conces-
sions in favor of our manufactured
goods. especially agricultural machin-
cry. Mr.. Kasson will take up In Oc-
tober the reciprocity agreements with
Italy. Belgium and Holland, He says
the reciprocity treaty with Portugal.
ratified by dat government. must be
revised becaiise of Il clerical error
which gives the duties imposed upon
Portuguese products at q lower rate
than that agreed upon.
Acting Secretary Allen has issued an
order making Important changes in
the navy yard apprentice system.
Heretofore there has been no rule for
the appointment aud education of the
apprentices Now commandants AT
navy yards are instructed to receive
applications from likely candidates.
hold examinations and make mp lists
OF eligibles from which appointments
will he made. The examinations will
not be severe except physically, the re-
quirements being ability to read and
write aud knowledge of arithmetic up
to decimals. Candidates must be be-
tween the ages of II and IL years.
Once appointed. the boys will be thor
oughly instructed in their trades and
examined from time to time for pro-
motion. 1t is hoped in this manner to
cure the ills of the present apprentice
system.
The Navy Department has reached n
final determination to assign Rear .Ad-
hiral Norman Ii. Farquhar to com
mand the North Atlantic squadron to
succeed Admiral Sampson, and to place
the latter in command of the Boston
navy yard TO fill the vacancy caused by
the recent death Of Admiral Picking.
The transfer will take place on Octo-
Der 10th. Rear Admiral Farquhar is
one of the veteran officers of the navy,
his services covering the Civil War. as
well as the Spanish American conflict.
His last sea service was MS commander
of the Newark in 1896. His shore as
sicnmerts have included stations at
the Boston navy yard. the League Is
land navy yard and. since 1897, at the
Norfolk navy yard. He was commits
stoned rear admiral on March 3rd last
under the navy personnel bill.
Major General Miles says of the re-
cent tests at Sandy Hook OF high pro-
iectiles: THE object Of these tests was
to ascertain the force and power of
new explosives, the effect of concus-
sion as well as the power of breaking
projectiles into .fragmentary pieces.
The possibility of throwing high ex,
plosives through armor plate was also
tested with safety and the fact was
demonstrated that projectiles contain
ing high explosives can be thrown
long distances. ten. twelve and four
teen miles, in fact. as far as ii is pos
sible 10 throw any projectile from any
kind of n gun. Each trial and test
thus far has been entirely satisfac-
tory" General Miles spoke with much
satisfaction of the practical headway
that had been made i'll the experiments
at Sandy Hook with heavy ordnance
and the newest and most powerful ex,
plosives.
The War Department has made pub
lie statement Of the trade between
the United States and all of her colo
nies under military control, and with
Cuba. as well, for the seven months of
1899. ending July 81. making compar-
ison with the year 1898. The exports
from the United States TO Cuba for the
seven months We're S14.l16.g93 in 1899
against 81 4S5931 in 1S9S. The i'm
ports to the United States from Cuba
for the same period We're S1997G.95G in
1899 against S12.474.710 In 1898. The
exports from the United States to Por-
to Rico for the seven months were 3d.
299, ,221 in 1890 against 1863. 10 in 1895
Imports into the United States from