The Press., 1900-10-11
Washington Letter.
washington October & 1a0o

There Is just now 80 much apparent
friendship between the powers in China
that it arouses suspicion. AS one gentle
ment put 1t, "they remind me of gang
of FOUNDERS In the small hours, who sing
'Auld Lang Syne' vociferously and hug
each other shortly before engaging In a
free fight" The anxiety of the powers to
agree with each other may be real, but If
80, the change has been extraordinary and
has come about without apparent cause.
OF course everybody hopes to see the
whole business settled peacably, but that
doesn't make it necessary to be blind
There Is some sort of diplomatic game
going on underneath all this Aud Lang
Syne business, and II 1t doesn't mean the
prelude to free fight, it probably means
diplomatic gold brick for somebody
when the game Is played out. The presi-
dent will return to Washington this week,
and it will be his business to see that the
gold brick isn't left with Uncle Sam.
Heretofore this government has con-
tented itself with politely requesting the
sultan of Turkey to pay those American
missionary claims, but according to a
current story in Washington, 1t Is about
to change it's tactics In fact, 1t Is said
that U. S. Minister Straus, who was with
drawn from Constantinople some months
ago to emphasize the displeasure of this
government at the hardness of the sultan
in keeping his promise to pay those
claims, may return and present an ulti-
mediately paid or force will be used, un-
less the sultan pays before he can get
there. In official circles it Is believed
that the sultan has only delayed payment
because he thought this government was
too busy In China and the Philippines to
bother about him, and that he will soon
come down without any show of force.
The business of the postoffice depart
ment has increased one-third in the last
four years or $3.50, 900, 900, and the differ
ence between expenses and receipts Is
slowly but surely decreasing, having been
81 500, 900 less for the last fiscal year
than for the year previous, but the bal
ance on the wrong side of the ledger is
still considerable, tile exact figures for
the year being 81 1894, 1854. Unless the
abuses OF second class mail, which are en-
tirely too numerous, but which congress
has refused to legislate out Of existence
after two hard and bitter fights, are al
lowed to increase, the business of the post
office will be in few years self-sustafn
Ing. 1t is hardly likely that it will ever
be allowed to become profitable to any
considerable extent, as the movement for
one-cent letter postage, which has not
been actively pushed for several years can
be depended upon to become popular as
soon as the deficit in the postal service is
overtaken by the receipts.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, In his annual report
to the war department., comes out fiat
footed In favor of the army canteen and
declares that it tends to the moral i'm
provement of the men, and cites the con-
dition of one particular command, which
had no canteen before they came under
him, to prove the declaration.
Advices received from Senators Chand-
Ter and Gallinger, indicate that the latter
Is In fair way to close the formers
career as senator. Mr.. Chandler admits
that his chances for reelection are not
more than one in six, while Mr.. Gallinger,
While Mr.. Chandler claims that 1t Is the
combined railroads of New Hampshire
which are pushing him toward the private
life exit, 1t Is we'll known in Washington
that long line of personal affronts to
those who dare to oppose his will in party
affairs made willing workers az ainst him.
| Although during the most of his long
career In office, dating away back to Lin
coin days, Senator Chandler has been, as
a rule, the most radical of partisans, he
has posed as free lance during the last
three years and made several speeches in
the senate criticizing the policy of his part
to an extent that threw the sympathy, If
not the actual support of the national
party leaders to his opponents. Chandler
is born fighter, and as he is also a rich
man, he can indulge In the luxury of fight
ing just to worry the other fellows and he
will do it. The country may confidently
expect to hear from Chandler, and some
of his remarks may be vitriolic.
The Union Veterans union, at its annual
encampment, held in Washington, last
week, unanimously adopted resolution
In favor of building the proposed memo
rial bridge across the Potamac from
Washington to the national cemetery at
Arlington, and directed the commander-in-
chief to petition congress in it's favor.
There was some smiling in Washington
over Mr.. Bryan's charge that the election
of Mr.. Mckinley would mean the es-
tablishment of fort near every town.
From the experience of the war depart
ment with delegations of business men
from cities anxious to have army posts es-
tablished in their vicinity for the business
they make, Mr.. Mckinley would make
more votes than he would lose, If he had
the authority to announce that he would
establish fort near every town.
IT HAPPENED IN DRUG SToRE.-"One
day last winter lady came to my drug
store and asked for brand of cough
medicine that l did not have in stock"
says Mr.. =. R. Grandin, the popular drug
pointed and wanted to know what cough
preparation I could recommend. l said
to her that i could freely recommend
Ghamhorlain,s COuoh Ramadv and that