The silver lance., 1899-09-29


furnishing horses and carts for use of
collectors In the postoffice on q one-year
basis and to call for new bids on .
four-year basis.
Mail reports received at the Navy De
partment show that Admiral Watson
is using every means to break up the
tnsurgent traffic between the islands
of the Philippine group. Thirteen ma
tive schooners were destroyed by a
gunboat during June.
The State Department has received
from Governor Foster of Louisiana
certified copies of the naturalization
papers taken out by Frank, Charles
and Joe Difata, three of the men
lynched at Tallulah. and claimed by
the italian authorities to be italian
citizens. Governor Fosters final re-
port on the circumstances of the
lynching have not yet been received.
The report of the Samoan commits
sion has been received at the State De-
partment. 1t is voluminous document
and until there has been opportunity
for the officials to go over 1t, details
will not be made public. Its essential
features are well known, however, and
include the abolition of the kingship
and the substitution Of an administra-
the three powers and the adoption of
certain measures of local government
among the natives.
Since the publication of the order
defining the duties of the inspector gen.
eral OF the army change has been
made in the second paragraph. This
portion directed that officers of the In
spector generals bureau, when not as
atUnnd fn dnfv in ri m pr1ta ShOuId
be under the direction of the secre-
tary of war and commanding general
OF the army" In the order as just
published the words ''and commanding
general of the army" are omitted, leav-
ing the order, it is said, ''as approved
by Secretary Alger'
The schedule of the army transports
for raising the force in the Philippines
to $4,000 men has been completed and
will be delivered to Secretary Root to-
day. 1t shows that If additional steam
ers are chartered about $4,000 soldiers
can be sent across the Pacific to reach
Manila by the end of November. The
remaining 1000 which it is proposed
to send to General Otis, if he needs
them, will be sent by way of the Suez
canal. The latter route consumes
nearly two months and if the War De-
partment is compelled to wait until the
renovation Of the Atlantic transports,
Thomas and Logan, is finished, troops
on those vessels cannot reach Manila
before January l.
The State Department has received
q dispatch from San Francisco an
nouncing the arrival of the American
and German members of the Samoan
commission. They will come to Wash
ingtOn for a conference with the Of
f1cials, bringing their report and the
draft of the treaty which 1t Is proposed
to substitute for the treaty Of Berlin.
Chief Justice Chambers has written
that he may put off his visit here until
September. According to the view TAX
en- at the State Department, the ac-
ton of the commission, so far AS 1t
changes the Berlin treaty Is merely
ad referendum and does not become
effective until formally approved by
the three governments, and in this
country ratified by the Senate.
Secretary Root has under considera-
ton the question of calling for volun-
teers. While he has not decided defin-
itely to do so, preparations are being
made for the call should it be decided
to issue II when the thirteen regiments
now being organized are completed. 1t
Is said that additional troops may be
needed to relive those who have served
some time in the tropical countries. 1t
is also suggested that 1t may be DEEM
ed advisable to increase the army OF
General Otis. Secretary Root has un-
der consideration suggestions from
General Brooke for bringing home
some Of the troops now in Cuba. 1t
has been practically determined to
have five battaliOns sent to the United
States.
1t is stated that General Otis will
not be removed from his present posi-
ton Mt Manila. Should he request to
be relieved, Major General Lawton will
be assigned to duty as his successor.
This decision was reached by the Pres
ident and Secretary Root during their
conference at Lake Champlain. Secre-
tary Root made no secret of the pur-
pose of the President to retain General
Otis in control at Manila, and so in
formed General Miles at a long confer
ence. 1t is evident that notwithstand-
ing General Merritt's expressed desire
to return to Manila, he will not have
the opportunity, and even General
Lawton's promotion is conditional up
on the request of General Otis to be de-
tached from command. Much dissat-
isfaction is expressed by friends of the
administration at the decision.
General Brooke's administration in
Cuba is exciting criticism in official
circles here. There has been an under
current of dissatisfaction with his
methods, but the officials of the War
Department have disguised the true
condition Of affairs. Strong pressure is
now being brought upon the authori-
ties here to advance the establishment
Of a civil government in Cuba. So far
as the official records are concerned,
1t Is not apparent that General Brooke
has done anything to comply with the
promise announced by Congress when
war with Spain was declared. He
aoans fn haya mada no nrnOraSs