Gilpin observer., 1899-09-21
WASHINGTON NEWS.


The President has announced that
he has decided to extend his Chicago
trip to Minneapolis and st. Paul.
Secretary Root received a cablegram
from General Otis that seemed to indi-
cate weakening on the part of the
insurgents in Luzon. 1t contained a
proffer to deliver the American prison.
ers who have been for so many months
in the hands of the insurgents and also
sought permission to parley with Gen
eral Otis.
The War Department has approved
the action of General Otis in refusing
to allow Spanish ships to go to ports
controlled by the insurgents to take
away Spanish prisoners. The transfer
of the Spanish prisoners to the ships
will be under the direction and control
of the United States officers. The War
Department will allow no communi-
cation between Aguinaldo and his
agents and the Spaniards who may go
to bring away the Spanish prisoners.
The Navy Department has granted
Admiral Schley's request for sea serv
ice and has notified him to hold him
self in readiness to command the South
Atlantic station. The department will
make the command commensurate
with his rank by increasing the num-
ber of vessels on the station. The De
troit is on her way to join the station
and the Marblehead and Cincinnati
are likely to be attached. Altogether
there will be five or six ships on the
station. South Africa and South and
Central America, where disturbed con-
ditions are prevalent. are within the
province of the station.
Private Thomas Mcveigh, Company
G, First Wyoming Volunteer infantry,
was tried by general court martial,
convened at linus, p l.. in June last
or the charge of striking his superior
officer. He was found guilty and SEN
fenced to be ..shot to death with mus
kerry at such time and place as the
proper authorities may direct" Two
thirds of the court concurred in the
sentence. President Mckinley has di-
rected the sentence to be commuted to
dishonorable discharge, forfeiture Of
all pay and allowances and contine-
ment at hard labor for the period of
three years. Alcatraz island, Califor-
mia. has been designated as the place
of confinement
1t has been stated at the department
of justice that the attorney general
would hear Wayne MacVeigh in de-
fense of Captain Carter some time next
week. and that the attorney general
would hand his opinion to the Presi-
dent without delay. probably before
the 25th inst. Mr. Griggs has deter
mined to make Mr.. MacVeigh's hearing
public, and newspaper correspondents
and others interested will be permitted
to attend. The attorney general will
explain in his report to the President
the reasons for delay in acting upon
the case. and is expected to show that
personal matters had no influence
whatever.
President Mckinley is daily receiv-
ing letters, petitions and resolutions
from various parts Of the country urg-
ing his mediation in behalf of Dreyfus
and suggesting that he tender his good
offices in the pending dispute between
Great Britain and the Transvaal.
These have come in such volume that
there has not been an acknowledgment
in many cases. All these commune
cations are being turned over to the
State department as they arrive. The
administration will take no action,
holding that unless the interests of the
United States or the rights of her citi-
zens are involved, it is not within the
province of this country to NEEDLE in
the domestic or foreign affairs of other
countries.
1t is stated that there Is strong
probability that General Brooke will
be recalled from Cuba. Generals Lud-
low, Wood and Wilson are agitating
that question and their friends here
are pointing out to the President the
Sif ify fnp .1,ut is.
that Generals Wood. Ludlow and Will
son are credited with threatening to
resign their civil duties and to ask to
be transferred to other posts of duty
If General Brooke be retained as gov
ernor general after January /. The
differences between the generals, 1t Is
said. refer solely to the management
of Cuban affairs by this government.
Brooke, according to unofficial infor-
nation, is extremely unpopular in
Cuba.
The Navy Department has received
the following cablegram from Admir-
nj Watson. dated Manila. September
10Th: Davidson. in Paragua. had
sharp engagement on the 1ith at San
Fabian, Lingayen gulf, with about 300
insurgents heavily entrcnched at dis
tance of from 100 to 700 yards. The in
surgents fed. Their fire was weak and
ineffective. On the Paragua there were
10 casualties. The senior commends
Davidson highly" The Parague is one
of the little gunboats turned over TO
the army by Admiral Watson. and Da-
wilson. the commander, Is II young en-
sign. The scene of the battle was on
the north coast of LuZon. off the port
which forms the northern terminus of
the railroad.
The Swiss minister has been notified