The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-28
AN UNJUST CRITICISM
BATES'S ARRANGEMENT WITH THE
SULUS DEFENDED BY ROOT.
Newspaper Articles Denounced by the
Secretary Of War-LOng Session of
Cabinet-Chilesn Claims.

WASHINGTON, Oct. a. - The Cabinet
meeting to-day lasted two hours and half,
an hour longer than usual. After the ad-
journment the members were unusually
reticent. Fully an hour of the session was
consumed in discussion of the political
outlook, especially in Ohio, some of the
members having received advices from their
friends engaged in the campaign conveying
an accurate statement of existing condi-
tions. There was some talk as to the
preparations of designs for the new custom
house at New York, but no attempt was
made to reach a conclusion. The discussion
Of the Philippine question was brought
about through newspaper publications of
recent date purporting to outline the treaty
or arrangement which General Bates has
made with the Sultan of the Sulu archi-
pelago. Secretary Root took occasion TO
point out the unsoundness and unfairness,
as he alleged, of the criticisms which nave
been cast upon the friends of that arrange
ment, especially where they relate to the
question of slave-holding in the ISLANDS.
Senator Lucien Baker, of Kansas, while
disclaiming any idea of holding a contro-
versy with General Funston, to-day made
a retort to the latter's statement that the
Kansas soldiers owed nothing to the Kan
delegation urged the sending of the Kan
sas soldiers to the Philippines. 1t may not
be that their requests had anything 10 90
with the orders that were finally issued by
the War Department. In the same way
know that the promotion of General Funs-
ton to the rank of brigadier was urged by
members of the Kansas delegation. Inat &C,
ton, again, may not have had any weight
or may not have been OF any service 10
him. He highly deserved the promotion,
and it would probably have come 10 MN ~
the regiment was made by the Governor OF
the State, and when he had acquitted him
self SO creditaby IN warfare agains'f from
his State very naturally wished to see him
advanced to higher rank"
A delegation of bankers consisting of F.
w. Hayes president Of Preston National
Bank of Detroit, Charles r. Harmon. First
National Bank Of Council Bluffs, and Per-
cival Kuhne, of Knauth. Nachod & Kuhne.
New York. representing the convention of
bankers that met recently, were given
hearing to-day by Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue Wilson on the subject OF the al
legged discrimination in favor OF express
companies in the matter of the payment of
the special war tax imposed on bankers ano
brokers for dealing. In exchange. Last
spring under an opinion of the attorney
general based on decision Of the Supreme
Court the commissioner held that domestic
money orders and travellers cheeks issued
nary checks and not exchange within the the
meaning of the law and that for their issue
express companies were not liable 10 the
payment of the special tax. Against this
ruling the bankers and brokers take no ex-
ception, but they argued that In the issue OF
foreign money orders and travellers cheeks
they were selling exchange and were liable
for the tax the same as bankers and
brokers. Another point made against the
American Express COMPANY Is TN, that II 91ss
for the payment OF the special tax by bank
ers or brokers buying or selling exchange,
coined money" etc
Advices from Santiago de Chile indicate
that the Chamber of Deputies of Chile IS
engaged In the process Of ratifying the con-
vention providing for a revival Of the
Chilean claims commission. The original
commission met in Washington in July, 1893,
for the purpose of settling claims OF citi-
zens of the United States and Chile grow
ing in most cases out of the revolution which
overturned the administration OF President
Balmaceda. Only six months time was al
lowed for this purpose. and the result was
that many claims on both sides were left
unadjusted. The United $: States at claims sub.
forty cases. The commission allowed only
six of these claims, amounting TO S2405
Owing to the exprasio non OF i I'M n me t
sixteen United States cases were left I'M
determined and two Chilean claims against
the United states. the latter on account OF
the seizure of the famous steamer Itata.
The United States claims undisposed of
amounted to 50, go and the claims from
the Chilean side amounted to 240. I'M
mediately upon the expiration of the orig
inal commission Secretary Olney began ne
gotiations for its revival. The Chilean gov
eminent offered to settle by the payment of
a lump sum the basis of percentage OF
claims allowed by the commission. II was
found that by this method the United States
claimants would receive only about ] per
cent. of their claims. Therefore the offer
was declined and negotiations were cons
tnued looking TO the creation of a new COM
mission. The convention was perfected more
than year ago and submitted to our Sem
ate for ratification The Senate failed 10
take IL up in season and IL became necessary
to amend the treaty TO extend the
time. That amendment was passed by the
Senate. but again IL became necessary TO
secure the ratification OF the Chilean Legis-
lature and this is what Is now proceeding.
To-day's statement of the condition Of the
treasury SHOWS: Available cash balance.
So, 540. $40. gold reserve. SIS, SIS ,Jd.
United States Consul General Gudger. az
Panama. cabled the State Department that