Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-11-10
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
Appointment of Chinese
Commercial Commission.
Why Admiral Wafson's Fleet Is Be.
ing Sfrenghened-An Improve
menf of Conditions at Guam.
Extraordinary Mortality.

" washington NV S.-NopeCIdl'J -
In ibis forthcoming message Pres
ident Mckinley is expected to
renew his recommendation that
an appropriation be made for a
commission to investigate the COM
mercial and Industrial conditions of
the Chinese empire No radical change
in the policy of the United States in
respect to China is contemplated by
the president. 1t is proposed to safe
guard American interests in every
way. No discriminating treatment of
American citizens or American trade
will be permitted for an instant. and
undoubtedly the inauguration of an
exclusion policy on the par. of foreign
governments possessing spheres of IN
fiuence in China will be strongly op-
posed by this government. However
such a contingency. it is hoped, will
not occur.
1t has been stated that the strong
reinforcement of Admiral Watson's
fleet in the Pacific is with a view to
making the United States a control
ling factor in the Chinese situation.
However. it is said at the navy de-
partment that the vessels added 20
the fleet at Manila were assigned to it
upon the express recommendation of
Admiral Dewey. for the effect it would
have on the insurrection in the Philip
pines through completely shutting off
further supplies of arms and ammuni-
ton, and that it had no reference TO
affairs in Chinese waters. AS soon as
the insurrection is quelled it is the
intention of the nav department, un-
less further developments should arise.
to Withdraw the larger ships now with
the squadron, though the two moni-
tors, Monadnock and Monterey, will
remain at Manila as a naval guard for
that city.
Captain Leary, naval governor of
Guam, is getting rid of the undesir-
able element that he found on that
island when he took charge. When the
island was under the control of Spain
she used it to some extent as penal
colony, and transported to it prisoners
convicted of crime in the Philippines.
Captain Leary reports to the navy de-
partment that he has deported two OF
these men and that more are to 60
Several Spaniards who had held Of
fee in Guam under the Spanish regime
have also been given transportation to
Manila, and with them have gone halt
a dozen Catholic friars, whose con-
duct tended to prevent the natives
from adopting the reforms that were
being introduced for their benefit by
the American governor. They were not
expelled for religious reasons, but en-
tirely because of their conduct in op-
posing orders and stirring up trouble
In case the serious illness Of Vice
President Hobart should result fatally
as seems likely, he will be the sixth
person elected to that office since the
fore his term expired. Both of the
vice presidents who were elected 1or
President Madison's two terms died In
harness, George Clinton in 1872, and
Elbridge Gerry in 1874 William X
King. who was elected with Presl-
dent Pierce. died in 1888, and Henry
Wilson who was elected when Grant
got his second term, died in 1875, and
Thomas a. Hendricks, who was elect
ed with President Cleveland in 1884,
died in 1885. In case of fatal terml-
nation to Mr.. Hobart's illness. Sena-
tor Frye of Maine would. by virtue OF
his position as president pro tenn of
the senate. discharge the duties OF
the vice president, though he would
not be known as vice president, nor
would he succeed to the presidency
should President Mckinley die