Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1899-07-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent
Washington, d. c., July IA, Is

I
Washington, d. c., July IA, 1899
Among the prominent callers on the
President this week was Gen. T, L.
Rosser, Of Va, who has just returned
from Cuba and been mustered out as a
Brigadier General OF volunteers. Ho
saws American colonization furnishes
the best solution OF tho Cuban problem,
and that he is fixing up colonization
scheme that will Gil the island with
Americans. Speaking of the condition
in Cuba, he 9aid: Every man on the
island who owns a dollars worth of
property is opposed to the U. 5. flag
ever being pulled down. They know 1t
would mean anarchy, chaos and oppres-
sion. The Cubans did not fight with
the sword, but with the torch. React
ion is seen everywhere now, and the
conservative people do not know what
would happen should the U. s. forces be
drawn"
Secretary Long is being compliment
ed for having been shrewd enough to
see through whatwas evidently Span
ish trick A communication from for
eign ship.broking Arm was sent to the
Navy Department, Offering to buy all
of the Spanish war vessels captured
during the recent war. There is very
little doubt that the offer was made for
Spain, which doubtless thought it
Would rather give us back a portion Of
those twenty millions than to rest un-
der the continual humiliation of know
ing that a number of their warships were
under the American flag. Secretary
Long wrote the ship-brokers that the
vessels we're not for sale-he knows
their valuo as object lessons in patrio-
tism.
The latest newspaper resignation fix
ed up for Secretary Alger were like all
the rest The Secretary says no will
not resign this year anyway, and that
what he may do next year will depend
upon his private business and his health.
BY order of the President, just issued,
all ships owned by residents of Porto
Rico and of the Philippines at the time
Of the exchange of the ratified copies of
the treaty of peace are given all the
privileges and protection enjoyed by
American shipping, including the right
to fly the American flag in all waters.
There is no indication that the ad-
ministration is doing anything to en-
courage the annexation sentiment, eth
er in the United STATES or in Cuba. On
the contrary, an order issued ~ Gen.
Brooke indicates the intention of the
administration to carry out in good
faith the original intention of giving
Cuba local government Of its own as
soon as it may be safely done. The or
der referred to directs Gen. Brooke to
appoint two census supervisors from
each military district Of Cuba, for the
purpose of taking census of the quail
fed voters OF the island. After the
census is complated arrangements will
be made for the election OF municipal
governments all over the island, after
which the question of general elect
ion on the island to decide upon the
form of government desired by major
ity Of its voters will be taken up and
settled. 1t is possible that annexation
may be voted upon when the general
election is held.
An interesting question OF interna.
, tional law was raised when the French
: Ambassador submitted a claim of $40, O0C
against this government, made by 9
French woman who was a passenger or
the Olinde Rodriguez, which was capt
ured by the cruiser New Orleans during
the San Juan blockade, and who wal
sick with fever while the vessel was de
tanned in Charleston harbor After ma
ture consideration, Secretary Hay ha
refused to recognized this claim, accom-
panying the refusal with letter from
Attorney General Griggs setting fortl
the legal reason why this governmen
5 was not responsible. This will make
t precedent for dealing with large nun
Der of similar claims, although it /
: probable that the French Ambassado
will decline to accept Secretary Hay
rejection Of the claim as final.
i 1t is not the regular thing for an ur
official committee to investigate
d branch Of the government service, bu
u an unofficial committee is investigator
r the Pension Bureau, and not only is tn
L investigation welcomed by the official
IS in charge, but a number Of the most e1
pert employees Of tue bureau have bee
u placed at the disposal OF the committe
t. to aid in getting at the methods Of wor
and in any other way that may be d.
sired. This committee represents th
G. A. R., and it is making the invest
" CATION because Of charges against Con
y missioner Evans that have been mad
IS by G. A. r. men. Col. R. b. Brown,
= lanesville, Ohio, is chairman Of u
n committee, and its members include
IN Gen. John W. Palmer, Of Albany, forr
! er Commander-in-Chief, and w.
p johnson, Of Cincinnati, present Cor
mandor-in-ChieL Col. Brown said
was the purpose Of the committee
look thoroughly into the pension sy