The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-09-07
Washington Letter.

washington, SepC. q, 1893.
The president made short stay in
Washington. He arrived Saturday af-
ternoon and left to-day, to attend the q.
A. r. encampment in Philadelphia. |
More than the usual interest is felt in |
Washington in this encampment, because
it is known that the report Of the g. A.
r. committee, which investigated the
pension office some time ago, will be SUBJ
mitted. 1t is not absolutely known
whether that report will favor the meth
DDS of Pension Commissioner Evans or
censure them, although 1t is believed that
it will be favorable. But whatever the
nature of the report may be, there are
good reasons for the belief that the presi-
dent stands behind Commissioner Evans,
and that If there is any disposition shown
at the encampment to make fight upon
him, that the presidents influence will be
used to prevent it, or to defeat 1t If 1t is
that Commissioner Evans has carried out
the presidents wishes in his administra-
tion Of the pension Office.
There is a marked difference in the tone
Of reports, now In the war department,
made by Gems. Fitzhugh Lee and Leon
ard Wood. Gen. Lee appears to think
that 1t is plain selling to go right ahead
with elections, not only for municipal Of
ficials but for the establishment of Gu
ban republic, just as soon as the Cuban
census Is finished, while Gen. Wood ex-
presses the opinion that 1t will be neces-
sary to keep up our military government
Of Cuba for long time to come, and in
Inmates rather strongly that the Cubans
are incapable of self-government. If two
such intelligent men who are on the
ground and who have exceptional oppor-
tunities to gain information, take such
widely different views of the situation, 1t
Is not surprising that there should be
differences Of opinion among our own
people at home. Gen. Wood thinks the
province of Santiago, which he COM
mands, offers unusual Inducements for
settlers. He says large portion of the
province consists of public lands, most of
which has never even been surveyed, the
Spaniards having had no general system
of selling public lands. Leaseholds and
permits to cut timber have from time to
time been issued, both by the Spanish au-
thorities and the municipal authorities.
He thinks one of the immediate necessi-
ties is a complete survey, and system of
disposing of public land to actual set
tiers. In addition, his report says
"Taken as whole, the Province of San
tiago presents wonderful opportunities
for Industrious Americans. I know of
no portion of our own country from which
such great returns can be expected In SO
short times provided stable govern
ment exists. Aside from the seaport
towns, many of which have been infected
with yellow fever, the country is healthy.
Sunstroke is unknown; heat prostration
is rare"
The annual report of the commissioner
of pensions, just submitted, predicts an
increase In the pension rolls for the cur
rent fiscal year, on account of the war
with Spain; recommends the repeal of
the law granting arrears of pensions to
soldiers widows; expresses satisfaction
with the work done during the year, and
hits the schemes for bleeding the colored
people, under the pretense of securing
legislation to pension ex-slaves, a blow
from the shoulder.
| n&
tinues his warning to poor men to stay
away from the KlondIke region. In his
last report TO the department of state
just received, he said: ''It has proved
this winter that OILY very rich mines car
be worked at profit, without machinery
on account of the high price of labor an6
victuals. Hydraulic mining will soon
have to be adopted in this country. The
opportunity is now open for capitalists te
buy claims to operate with machinery
which will yield rich returns for the mon
ey invested. The poor mans chances, 81
far as this country Is concerned, are gone
In Alaska many opportunities are still
open to man of grit and perseverance,.
According to a statement just ISSUED
by the bureau of statistics, we are making
greater trade progress in the Orient, thai
we are making in markets much nearer
home, and which should naturally belong
| to us. During last year we furnished 81
per cent. of the imports into Canada, Al
per cent. of those into Mexico, 81 pc
cent. of Central American imports, 81
per cent. in Columbia, 81 per cent. IL
Venezuela and 30 per cent. in the Wes
Indies, % per cent. in British Guiana, L
per cent. in Dutch Guiana, and only pc
cent. in French Guiana. To Brazil W,
only sold 10 per cent. of her imports, tt
Uruguay and Paraguay rs per cent, ant
to Chilli, Peru and Bolivia an average o
about 10 per cent. II as much trouble
were taken to increase our trade will
America as there has been to push alon,
our Oriental business, there is little doub
that our present trade of $500, ,OOO, 900
} year would shortly be quadrupled.
| Cordial invitations have been sent t.
all the governors of states to come t.
Washington, to participate In the welcom
to Admiral Dewey, which, while it ma
. not be so noisy as New York's welcome
will be much more interesting because @
| its official nature-the Washington wei
come will be participated in by the pres
dent, the vice-president, and every mem
ber Of the cabinet, and one of Its most ir
! teresting features will be the presentatio
!, of the sword voted to Admiral Dewey
! congress, by the secretary of the navy.