The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-06

ever. no step IN that direction has been
taken. nor has the Navy Department con-
sidered the advisabiity of having war
ship near the scene.
Representative Myer. of Louisiana, to-day
accompanied 10 the State Department
delegation Of citizens of New Orleans who
seek the Intervention of the United States
government TO protect American business
on the Mosquito coast of Nicaragua. They
told Secretary Hay of some of the embar-
easements they were under I'm conducting
business in Nicaragua, owing principally TO
what they termed 1.-The arbitrary and extor-
tionate actions Of the Nicaraguan officials"
They complained particularly against Gen.
Torres. 1t was asserted that Torres had
been removed as the governor of the Mos
quito country in 1891 on the demand of the
American government owing to his failure
to punish the murderer Aguello. and it was
maintained that his reinstatement now
amounts TO a breach of the agreement OH
the part OF Nicaragua. The delegation also
told OF the oppressive action of Torres in
demanding double payment of duties on i'm
ports, and referred TO other arbitrary acts
on the part of the government. One of the
purposes of their visit to secure the
detail Of a United States war ship for duty
In TIE vicinity of Bluefields, but the Navy
Department anticipated their request in that
matter. Secretary Hay will communicate
with United States Minister Hunter re-
specting the matter.
The friendship which the Empress dow
ager of China entertans for Lii Hung Chang
may result in his being recalled to power
at early day. There have been reports
that this move was actually under way, but
nothing official has been received here to
bear this out. The main obstacle to his re-
call, il is said, is the difference between
Russia and Great Britain as 10 the pre-
ponderance of power in China. In the sharp
diplomatic struggle going on between those
two powers Russia has relied on the good
offices of Ii Hung Chang, while Great
Britain has had cause to resent some of the
activities of Earl Ii in behalf of Russia
This feeling in British official circles was
the main cause for the enforced retirement
of Lii. Since then, however, the British
sentiment against him has become less
acute, and IL is understood that if the
dowager Empress sees fit TO recall him to
power there is not likely to be that same
opposition Great Britain would have in
terposed some time ago. In Ii Hung Chang.
1T is said, China would have the services of
the first statesman of the Orient for the
crisis through which she is passing and
that her helplessness in the diplomacy of
the last two years would be thus overcome.
The secretary of the treasury has issued
regulations under the tea act of March 2,
1897, announcing the standards established
by the board of government tea experts for
the coming season. These regulations do
not differ very materially from those issued
two years ago. except that Foo-Chow
Oolong (Suey KuD has been added TO the
standards. The word cup" in the former
descriptions of quality has been omitted and
Portland, Ore, has been discontinued as a
tea examining port. These regulations are
to go into effect on May 1, 1899, except in
the case of the teas shipped from abroad
prior to April /. 1899 which will be gov
erned by the old standards.
Acting Secretary Meikeljohn has issued
orders relative to the reception OF the volun-
teer regiments still remaining in Cuba when
they reach the United States. These regi-
ments are the Ninth Illinois. Forty ninth
Iowa, Sixth Missouri, Third Nebraska, Thir-
ty-first Michigan, Sixth Ohio and Third
Kentucky. The order contemplates making
the best possible arrangements for the
troops in conformity with the quarantine
regulations and requirements of the Marine
Hospital Service and with the state laws
An isolated camp will be established near
Savannah. where the troops may remain
during the period required to show that
there are no infectious cases among them.
Meanwhile all baggage will be thoroughly
fumigated. Everything possible for the
comfort of the troops will be done and the
camp Will be carefully prepared. 1t has
been found impractcabe to bring these
troops from the warm climate of Cuba to
Northern points in the United States at
present. ***
Rear Admiral Bradford chief of the
Bureau OF Equipment, Navy Department,
has just returned TO Washington from a fly
ing visit to Key West and the Dry Tortugas.
He went to inspect the important naval
works now in progress there under the di-
rection of his bureau. Great steel coal
sheds are going up on the Tortugas equipped
with the very latest machinery for handling
rapidly great quantities of coal, and it is
intended to keep on hand no less than 1900
tons at this point A distlling plant is al
most complete. with a capacity of 60OOO
gallons of fresh water per diem, and Ad-
miral Bradford says that Tortugas will soon
be a well-equipped naval station capable
of taking in and caring for any number
of battle ships. 1t will be the only harbor
between Chesapeake bay the north and
the mouth OF the Rio Grande on the south
and west where such craft can find shelter
i'm case of need.
The President to-day appointed Col. Adel-
bert L. Burlington TO be brigadier general
and chief of the Bureau of Ordnance 10 sue
ceed the late General Flagler.
Colonel Burlington was appointed to the
Military Academy in 1885, from Virginia.
coming from that part of the State which
is now West Virginia. He became a lieuten-
ant at the beginning of the civil war Being
from the South he was strongly urged to
join the Confederacy. but resisted all ap-
peals. lie became "A captain before the close
OF the war. Aside from short service as
typographical engineer he has been continu-
ously in the ordnance corps. His name is
connected with number of important i'm
provements in armament. being the designer
of the Buffington-Croser disappearing gun
carriage, and the field gun carriage in use
by the United States army. His promotion
makes Lieut.. Col. Lawrence S. Babbitt a
colonel. Major James w. Riley lieutenant
colonel, Capt. David A. Lille major and
Lieut.. G. W. Burr a captain.
Lieut.. John c. Colwell. naval attache of
the United States embassy. at London,
called at the Navy Department to-day He
is on flying visit TO this country. The lieu
tenant has practically completed arrange