Gilpin observer., 1899-11-02
WASHINGTON NEWS.

some marine glass to Albert Weger,
captain Of the German bark Anna,
which rescued the crew of the Ameri-
can schooner Johanna Swan last De-
scember To the mate, Carl Reimers, he
sent a gold medal az
George NJ. Lee, son of Brigadier Gen
erai F1tZhugh Lee, has been appointed
first lieutenant in the Thirty ninth vol
unteer infantry, and ordered to ac-
company the Forty-seventh from, New
York to the Philippines, where he will
join his regiment. Young Lee was at
one time cadet at the military acad-
emy, but failed to graduate.
The fact that Russia has opened to
foreign exploitation the gold lands of
Siberia Is announced in a report to the
State Department from United States
Charge Pierce at st. Petersburg. He
sends copies of a decree providing for
the sale of gold lands, to take place
between the 18th and the 9th of Feb
ruary next, and it is noted that the
sale is open to any persons, whether
Russians or foreigners.
A committee representing the Wom-
ems National Industrial and Patriotic
League and the Washington Industrial
League called upon Rear Admiral
Schley Thursday and informed him
that the league had decided and was
ready to undertake the task of procur-
ing by popular subscription home for
him here at the capital. The admiral
thanked the ladies' of the committee
and again Informed them that he left
the matter in their hands, saying that
anything that they might do would be
acceptable.
Dewey is receiving credit here for
another manifestation OF sound judg-
Ment. AT n dinner in his honor at the
Metropolitan Club Saturday night,
Colonel Archibald Hopkins, Il friend of
Dewey, was to have read poetical
prophecy with respect to Dewey and
the presidency. Everyone expected it,
and all were surprised when it was not
delivered. Now. it is learned, the ad-
miral strongly limited to Hopkins he
would consider the suggestion Of his
name in connection with the presiden-
ey rs IN bad taste and disrespectful to
him.
Admiral Dewey was entertained at
dinner at the Metropolitan club Satur-
day night by a coterie of friends whose
guest he was at n farewell banquet
just before his departure to assume
command of the Asiatic squadron.
The dinner was of twenty covers.
The same room was used and the same
menu enjoyed as at the farewell din
ner of October %. 1887. and all but
four of the original party attended Sat
urday night. Judge John Davis of this
city presided. Admiral Dewey. in re-
spending to toast, referred feelingly
to the Ovations given him and ex-
pressed keen pleasure at being once
more at home among his old friends
In diplomatic and official quarters
attention is being directed to the ques-
ton of Pacific cable linking this
with the Philippines and points
beyond. and it is understood this gov
ernment ond the foreign governments
which would be affected by the cable
are now actively considering the sub
ject. The officials here are assembling
data and preparing cable maps with
the expectation that the matter will be
brought to the early attention of Con-
gress. In Il general way the project is
for n cable of four links, viz: From San
Francisco to Hawaii. 2,16O miles: from
Hawaii to Wake island. 2.O44 miles;
from Wake island to Guam. 1888
miles; Guam to Manila, 1850 miles.
An understanding has been reached
by which it is expected that negotia-
tions will be opened soon at Madrid
for new treaty between the United
States and Spain. This will be the
last step toward completely restoring
the friendly relations between the two
countries. The war with Spain swept
away the old treaty and the only in
agreement now in exist.
ence is the peace treaty which is con,
fnn1 In thn ,.e
war; and had no reference to COM
merce. navigation. extradition and
other manifold relations between ma.
tions in times of peace. The coming
negotiations will be for the purpose of
forming such II treaty of commerce.
amity and friendship.
The annual report of the dead letter
office shows that it received from all
sources G,S55. .9S3 pieces of mail mat
ter, nearly 8 per cent increase over last
year OF these over 145.OOO consisted
of insufficiently paid mail. II quarter
Of million We're undelivered letters
to hotel addresses. over 167 600 unde-
livered parcels and more than half n
million pieces of foreign mail. Mail d.
reched to fictitious addresses decreased
by 45 per cent. indicating n notable re-
In the operations of fraudu-
lent concerns. More than thrce-ullnr-
ters of II million letters and parcels
sent to the dead letter office were sub
sequently delivered to the owners I'M
opened. and money. drafts. etc. found
in the dead mail aggregated face val
lie OF 81 .1GS. 900.
The surplus in the national treasury
continues TO grow, in spite of heavy
tNnnnIil and pffisiuIS
begin to fear the embarrassment that
the Harrison administra-
ton ten years ago. The government
has II cash surplus on hand of S293.-
l03. l02. and the revenues are ncreas-
ing nt such II rapid rate II Is possible
the balance will pass the $500, 100000
mark by the first of the new year. The
government has nearly SS3,0OOOOO de-
pOslted In national bnnks for the con.