The Mena star., 1899-03-23
Applications Pouring in Upon the Navigation Bureau Concerning
 the Extra Pay Due Them.
THE NEW BANKRUPTCY BILL PRAISED
Its Nine Months Operation Considered by the Government to Be Highly satisfac- tory-French Ambassador Notifies the State Departne ent of the signing of the Peace Treaty by spain.

Washington, March f9--The navy department wishes it known to all of the volunteer sailors who served with such credit during the late war and received honorable discharges that it need not cost them more than the price of two-cent stamp to secure the gratuity, in the shape of extra pay, which congress allotted to the m in the closing hours of the last ses- sion. Very many applications have been pouring in upon the navigation bureau for information as to how the nsen should proceed to collect their money. In reply to these the follow ing circular letter is being sent out:
 Sir Replying to your letter requesting in- formation concerning the extra pay allowed men and officers of the volunteer navy by the last congress for services rendered during the war with Spain. have to inform you that your application should be addressed to the auditor for the navy department treasury department Washington, D c Very respectfully.
 A s CRowNINsHIELD Chief of Bureau
 The volunteer sailors are, under the act of congress, entitled to one months extra pay in case they served within the United States, and two
 
 service outside the United ates. It will be for the auditor to draw this line of inside and outside. but it is said at the navigation bureau that vessels which served in the Cuban and Porto Rican blockade and vessels which went to foreign ports will be regarded as having been outside of the United States, while those which piled up and down the coast will be held to have been within the United States. al- though, outside the three mile limit.
 The New Bankruptcy Law.
 Washington, March 19. = Nine months operation has demonstrated the benefits of the new bankruptcy law, in the opinion of the department of justice. The results are considered by the government highly satisfactory. Mr. K. c. Branden burg, the depart ment expert, says:
 The voluntary feature is proving of inesti- mable value to great numbers of men. It per mits them to be discharged from their obliga- tions upon turning into court all their prop erty except such as is exempted under the various state laws. Under this provision as condition precedent to being relieved of his obligations, it must be shown that he is dealing honestly anu fairly. While there is an apparent rush Of suits of this char acter at this time in which no assets are scheduled. it must be remembered that many of these applicants for bankruptcy are those who have failed in business many years since, and who have taken advantage of the state in- solvency laws which relieved the debtor only within the confines of the state in which the insolvency proceedings were had The object of now being adjudged bankrupt under the federal law Is to relieve such merchants of their obligations throughout the United States
 Formal Notice ot igning of Treaty.
 Washington, March i9.-M. Cambon, the French ambassador, called at the department of state Saturday and served formal notice of the signature of the peace treaty at Madrid. Secre~ tary Hay has indicated his preference that M. Cambon shall act as agent for the Spanish government in the final exchange of notifications. This should hasten the last formalities-