Crawford avalanche., 1899-08-03

>~~~-~~~
Admiral Dewey, through former Secre-
tary Herbert, has filed suit In the District
Court at Washington to recover prize
money due him and the officers and crew
under his command for the vessels cap
tured in the battle of Manila and the
property subsequently recovered by the
naval force of the Asiatic squadron. Upon
the ships and equipments which have al
ready been appraised by the board of sur
vey appointed by the Secretary of the
Navy the admiral demands the sum of
$326, 141, and in addition the amount due
upon three cruisers sunk in the engage
ment, but subsequently raised, upon
which he places a value Of $425, 900. The
title Of the case is George Dewey, Ad-
miral Of the United States Navy, on be-
aalf Of himself and the officers and crew
of the United States naval force on the
Asiatic station taking part in the battle
of Manila Bay, VS.. The Don Juan de
Austria and other vessels and miscella-
neous stores and supplies captured by the
feet under his command" The bill re-
cites that Admiral Dewey and the officers
and crews are entitled to the prize money
as provided by law. The number Of men
aboard the American vessels during the
engagement is given as 1886, and while
Admiral Dewey declares he is unable to
give the exact number Of men engaged
on the Spanish side he says it was far in
excess OF those under his own command,
and the enemy's forces were superior. All
of the property recovered as result OF
the battle is now in the possession OF the
United States except such as has been
consumed.
The latest advices from consuls and
consular agents of the State Department
represent the crop conditions in southern
Russia to be even worse than heretofore
depicted in unofficial reports. The misery
of the inhabitants of the famine-stricken
provinces is described as appalling. 1t
would seem," writes Consul Heenan from
Odessa, that European Russia might as
well be dismissed as a factor in success
full agriculture. The climatic conditions
throughout the area are of so uncertain
q character as to be a source Of anxiety
and loss to the farming population"
From central and eastern Russia similar
reports are made. Altogether the out
look for wheat in that part of the world
may be Summed up as decidedly dismal.
The United States certainly has nothing
to fear from Russia as a competitor in
the wheat markets of the world this year.
-
The State Department neither confirms
nor denies reports crediting Chief JUS
tice Chambers of Samoa with having re-
signed his position. There is little doubt
that such action on his part would give
general satisfaction, although it cannot
be predicted with any certainty that he
will voluntarily efface himself from the
pay roll. The latest trouble in the Sa-
moan Islands is due entirely to his ruling
recognizing the kingly rights of Malietoa
Tanu. The Washington Government has
technically upheld the chief justice, and
it may be that he is in the right, but it is
none the less undeniably true that the
American representative has kept Eng
land, Germany and the United States al
most continually stirred up ever since he
was introduced into the Samoan problem.
-
1t has been determined that the war
prize Reina Mercedes shall be retained on
the Naval Register as relic. The board
of survey, which has examined that ship
at the Norfolk navy yard, has reported
in favor of doing as little work as possi-
BILE with the idea the ship may be kept In
its present condition with all the evil
dences of the conflict off Santiago. The
board refers to the holes made by the pro-
jectiles from Schley's fleet and suggests
that no attempt be made to repair such
damages. 1t is recommended that only
81, 800 be expended on the ship, the main
work to consist of installing new boiler
and pump, Tightening the hull and repair
ing the steaminS gear.
-
"This Government stands ready to send
troops to the Porcupine region or any
where else where their services are need
cd" said q member of the cabinet when
asked the intention of the administration
in this respect. AT present there is no
immediate danger of an outbreak in that
region, but we are closely watching de-
velopments." Notwithstanding this state
ment there is no danger at present of a
conflict. The Government has within the
last few days received information to the
effect that Canadian police and miners
are now on this valuable portion of
American territory, and some fears are
felt of q clash.
Immigration Commissioner Powderly
Friday granted hearing to Attorney
May, who represents the Croatian Ma
tional Society of Chicago in behalf Of the
eighteen Croatian immigrants who were
arrested at Rathbun. Iowa. AS Attorney
May could not produce evidence enough
to convince Commissioner Powderly that
the immigrants should not be returned to
their native land their deportation was
ordered.