New-York tribune., 1899-02-27

Affairs.
QUESTIONS or ARMY INCREASE.
Another important resulting from the
is that known as the Hull bill or the Hull
Hawley bill. for the Increase and reorganization Of
the Regular Army Following the new conditions
arising. two plans of Army increase were presented
to Congress. The House Military Committee first
took up the subject. and after elaborate hearings.
preaented through Chairman Hull bill having the
approval OF the War Department. II increased the
Army 10 approxima tely one hundred thousand men.
When considered in the House the grade OF lieu
tenant-general stricken out discretion was
given 20 the President TO reduce the size OF COM
panies so tina; the total force would be about sixty
thousand men. and tome other amendments were
made. bu, the bl substantially presented was
passed
In the Senate the Committee on Military Affairs
divided equally on the bill. General IIawoy. the
chairman ard four others reporting a bill similar
10 that passed I'm the House. while five other Sena
tors made minority report opposing the pro-
posed increase. and suggesting plan OF temporary
continuance OF the military establishment az 620O0
WIKI additional force OF IS 600 to be used In out
lying irsular possessions These several proposi-
tions have aroused wide differences and Il will not
be until the last days Of the session Il at all that
the final form OF the measure can be determined
The latest phase Of the subject Is presented in
compromise planned by the party leaders in the
Senate after comforting with the executive au-
thoritles. The compromise proposes only slight
permanent Increase o. the Regular Army. as given
I'm detail and authorizes the President Until July
1901. to maintain the Regular Army at 5000. and
TO raise force OF than 5ooo volunteer
infantry organized thirty regiments. THIS plan
Is now pending before he Senate
NICARAGUA CANAL BILL.
The Nicaragua Canal question also has taken
prominent place In the work OF this session. Al the
outset Mr.. Morgan had the subject made the unan-
ished business OF the Senate. and with this right
of way * kept constantly before the Senate.
when rot in executive session. until finally passed.
The essential feature OF the Morgan bill IS IN pre-
yiding that the United States shall participate in
the construction Of the canal subscribing for s25
OCo shares at 800 each, out OF total OF 100000
shares and that the work OF tho Maritime Canal
Company OF Nicaragua in executing the work shall
be practically under the direction OF the United
States.
When this bill reached tho House Committee on
Commerce all after the enacting clause was struck
out. and what Is known the Hepburn plan. draft
ID by Representative Hepburn. OF Iowa, chairman
a. the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce was substituted. The essential feature OF
the Hepburn substitute is in making the canal ex-
clusively Il Government undertaking 1t authorizes
the President acquire by purchase from Mica
ragua and Costa Rica the territory necessary ITO
excavatc. construct. control and defend a canal.
e,r Such sum as Is necessary for purchasing the
right OF way is appropriated. When the route is
thus secured. the President is authorized TO have
the Secretary OF War excavate and construct the
canal from point near Greytown, by way OF Lake
Nicaragua TO "a poin, near Brito on the Pacific.
The sum o. sljcIe Is appropriated for the com
petion of the work authorized
As IT feared the la;eness Of the session might
nrevent consideration OF either the Morgan bill
the Hepburn plan In the House. various plans were
adopted 10 secure action by Of one OF the gen
eral appropriation bills. The first move OF the KIND
was when Mr. Hepburn offered his plan as an
amendment TO the Sundry Civil bill. After ami
mated discussion. the amendment was ruled out OF
order and on an appeal from this decision the
chairman Mr. Hopkins, sustained. The next
move was made In the Senate. when at the IN
stance OF Mr. Morgan. the Commerce Committee
reported an amended form OF the Hepburn plan as
an amendment to the River and Harbor bill. This
was agreed 10 by the Senate and the bill was
passed II is now before the House Committee on
Rivers and Harbors with the outcome in doubt on
the canal item and the bill as a whole
PLANS FOR TWELFTH CENSUS.
Tho bill providing for taking the twelfth census
was first passed by the Senate. and provided
comprehensive plan for executing this important
work When the measure reached the House
substitute was passed. The House measure differs
from that Of the Senate mainly In making the
Census Bureau an Independent organization, not
OF appointments
An important measure which has passed both
houses and doubtless Will become law Is known
as tho Naval Personnel bill. and is entitled "A Bill
TO Reorganize and Increase the Efficiency Of the
Personnel OF tho Navy and Marine Corps" Its
main features were drawn up by a board OF emf
nent naval officers and designed 70 overcome
the stsgnation in some Of the grades. 20 expand
the personnel TO keep pace with the building up
of the new Navy. and TO reorganize the Marine
Corps. II passed the House and the Senate In
amended form and is passing through the final
stages Of conference.
HAWAIIAN LEGISLATION.
The Hawaiian bill was presented 20 both branches
OF Congress having been framed by the Hawaiian
appointed by the President. with a
view 10 carrying out the Congressional resolution
annexing Hawaii. II provides n comprehensive
plan Of territorial government. and fixes the quail
ncatlon OF electors and officers The bill! has not
however passed either branch Of Congress. and
although regarded one OF the important pieces
of pending legislation It Is hardly expected that T.
can pass all the stages at this late day In the
sion In view OF this several bills dealing with
special phases IN Hawaii have passed one or the
other house These include bills to extend the Gus
tom and revenue laws TO Hawaii; extending the
navigation laws 20 Hawaii. and extending 10 the
Hawaiian Islands the contract labor laws OF the
I ntcd States None OF these have become a law.
as they are dependent IarSey on the Iulure OF the
general Hawaiian bl
What is known the Anti-Scalping bill has at
tractcd much iutores; and occupied considerable
time In both branches OF Congress. II was the
first piece OF general legislation passed by the
House at this session but consideration in the
Senate has been attended by numerous delays. f.
being displaced recently unfinished business In
order 10 take mp the Army Reorganization bill.
SHIPPING BILL IN DOUBT
Another measure Of importance to the CONNER