The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-06-23
President Knew There Would Be
Heavy Fighting in the
Philippines.
%ENDERSON'STRIU
Leaves No Hard Feelings - Cuban
Coasting Vessels Will Fly the
United States Flag.
Special Correspondence of The Gazette.

dent and Mrs. Mckinley left Washing
ton Friday for Holyoke, Mass, wher
they go to see their niece, Miss Barker
graduate. They expect to remail
away about ten days.
President Mckinley was not SUI
prised by the news of heavy fighting il
the Philippines, although many other
were. The president knew that tn
plans of General Otis would bring o.
more fighting, but he did not, O
course know that the Filipinos woul,
fight so hard. But the end was jus
the same al it has been and as it viii
continue to be as long as there is an,
fighting-victory for the Americans
The fighting this week has not mad.
the slightest change in the plans of thu
war department.. Before the fightins
started orders we're issued which will
when fully carried out, give Genera
Otis a force of 80, 900 regulars, which
will be 5000 more men than he has "a,
any time expressed an opinion were
necessary to put down the Philippine
revolt. No additional orders are a,
this time contemplated by the war de-
partment, but as General Otis is con.
Quoting an active campaign, notwith.
standing the rainy season, necessity for
other orders may arise at any time.
Only n object is aimed at by the de-
partment-to put down the revolt at
the earliest possible moment.
The troublesome question of a flag
for Cuban vessels that would secure
them protection in foreign ports, has
been satisfactorily solved, and the war
department. will issue orders which
will enable Cuban vessels to fly the
United States flag above the coastinR
flag already authorized. The combina-
tion of the two flags will give notice to
foreign authorities that while the
vessel flying them is not an American
vessel it is under American protection.
The privilege of carrying the flag will
confer no privilege enjoyed by an
American vessel in foreign ports,
through treaty, nor in our own ports.
The regulations for the use of the flag
will prescribe that the owner of the
vessel applying herefor shall give bond
that his vessel shall engage only in
legitimate trade, and shall use the flag
only for purposes set forth in the official
order; also that no Cuban vessel en-
gagged in foreign trade shall carry arms
or ammunition, except by special per-
mission of the general commanding the
United States forces in Cuba. Vessels
having the flag shall, when in foreign
ports,' deposit their clearance papers
with the United States consul, or if
there be noie, with the consul of a
friendly nation. The order has been
very carefully drawn by Attorney Gen.
eral Griggs.
notwithstanding the claim by the
Philadelphia paper that published the
sensational interview with Prof.
Haupt, who was a member of the Mica
ragua Canal commission, and is q
member of the new canal commission,
concerning the methods of the opposi-
tion to prevent the construction of the
canal, that the interview
was correct, Prof. Haupt's denial of
both the language and the sentiments
of the interview has been accepted by
Mckinley and the incident is
SO far as any official action in
concerned.
Ex-Congressman Baker of New
who is president of the
Of Republican Workers, which
has been formed for the express purpose
OF opposing any further extension of
civil service rules, says he expects
have some startling facts tt present
congress next winter. Speaking of
league and its objects, Mr.. Baker
"We are opposed not only to the
extension of the civil service system,
but also to the interference with the
Jaw which has been practiced. In other
words, we believe that the law should
put back to just what it's terms
specifically indicate. The law was in
tended originally to apply only to de-
clerkships with salaries
81, 900 to 81, 800 and like grades
II clerical service in postotfices and
custom houses. There is. we believe,
10 just ground for the extensions that
been made. In addition to this,
appointments have been made in viola
ion Of law. Favorites in lower grades
rave been promoted without examina.
ion, and have been appointed without
'ntrance examination. These fortunate
people are the pets of the men in
'ower. and generally of those who are
oudest in their praise of civil service
etorm. | shall not specify these cases
It this time, but the facts will be made
to congress-. The result will
%. we think, to prevent the civil ser
ice humbug being coddled any further.
We shall try to prevent the insertion of
OWL service plank in the next repub.
lean national platform" {
The best thing about Colonel Hender-
on's remarkable triumph is that it has
1T no had feelings. Ext Congressman {
outhwiok Of New York, one of Rep. {
sentative Sherman's closest friends, '
Y Il