The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1900-06-02
CONGRESSIONAL GRIST-
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

them. from showing interest In the poll
tics of the country to which they were
accredited. as Sir Sackville West who
was British minister during the first
Cleveland administration, learned to
his sorrow; but there is nothing in our
laws to prevent n party of private citi-
zens from the South African republics
seeking sympathy and aid against their
enemies or promoting the election or
defeat of any particular candidate for
Office.
The use of the horseless carriage Is
becoming quite general in Washington,
especially among the pleasure seeking
class. The Chinese minister was one
of the first to adopt the automobile as
a substitute for the carriage, and has
used nothing else all winter. The Aus
trian minister and his wife, the French
ambassador, Colonel Lee, the military
attache Of the British embassy. and
other members of the diplomatic corps
are 10 be seen every day on the streets
in automobiles. although the German
ambassador still sticks to his horse and
Lord Pauncefote to his tricycle.. Mdlle.
Cassini, daughter of the Russian am
bassador, is the only women in the
diplomatic corps who handles her own
automobile, and she rides at a pace that
causes CONSERVATION among her
friends. She has costume designed
especially for mobile riding. 1t has
skirt of cream-cOlored cloth with
white silk waist, and one of the new
Ladysmith hats.
A special to the Chicago Tmos-Her-
aid from this city says: During the G.
A. II. encampment in Chicago, Presi-
dent Mckinley may have the pleasure
of returning to the southern states the
400 or 500 Confederate battle flags now
in the War Department. Prominent
members of the G. A. R. have In hand
Il plan to secure the authorization Of
Congress for the return of these flags
and it Is hoped that both houses will
pass the necessary joint resolution be-
fore adjournment. During the coming
week 1t Ia expected the military COM
mittees will take the necessary prelimi-
nary action. II the consent of Con-
gress can be obtained, the flags will Oe
turned over to the G. A. r.. the repro
sentatives of Confederate military or
ganizations will be invited to Chicago
and with beautiful ceremonies PresI-
dent Mckinley, assisted by the veter-
ans of the blue and the gray will hand
the torn and blOod-stained banners
D0Nh W tllC Which OuCe
carried and defended them.
The committee on conference on the
disagreement Of the two houses on the
amendments to the bill extending the
time for proof and payment on lands
OF the Colorado Cooperative colony, in
southwestern Colorado, has reached an
agreement, which has been adopted by
both houses. The disagreement was
upon the form of an amendment to the
bill proposed by Senator Pettigrew,
providing for second entries Of lands
under the homestead Law. This amend
ment was rejected by the conference
committee, and the substance Of the
MOndell bill substituted. This pro-
vides that persons who have made
homestead entries and committed the
same, shall be entitled to make a Sec
ond homestead entry: also TINT persons
who have made homestead entries and
for any cause have lost or forfeited the
game, shall be entitled to make second
entries. This Is perhaps the most i'm
portant public land legislation which
has been enacted at this session Of
Congress, and will ENABLE many per-
sons In all parts Of the West, who have
made homestead entries, and for va
rious reasons failed to complete them
to secure another opportunity.
From a political standpoint the visit
Of the Boer ENJOYS is regarded as a
very serious matter, and presents the
most embarrassing problem the admin
istration has had to meet since the Op-
ening of the war with Spain. 1t is con-
coded that the people Of this country
have a profound sympathy with the
two little republics in South Africa,
which they would be glad to have ex-
pressed by the government in prac-
teal manner. but the diplomatic situa-
ton Is directly opposed to the political
situation, and the administration is
powerless to carry out the popular will
without involving the country in inter
national complications. The Boer en-
voys have applied in vain to the Europ-
can powers, both for Intervention
(which means active) and mediation
(which means passive). Every Europ-
can power, even Holland, with which
they claim blood relationship, has de-
MED the appeals which they now make
to the United States: but they have
come here with II confidence that ex-
cites curiosity, and expect before they
leave this country to secure interview
tlon in their behalf. Mr.. Fischer and
his associates have never concealed
their intention to appeal to the people
of the United States In the event Of the
Presidents declining to intervene In
behalf Of their ellow-countrymen.
They have made this very clear since
their arrival in Washington. and, as
one of them expressed it: IF the Pres
ident denies our request we shall ap-
peal unto Caesar" They are willing
to relinQuish everything else, to nay
any indemnity or accept almost any
conditions, provided the two South AZ
rican republics can retain their indie
pendence. They require that the Unit
ed States shall compel Great Britain to
concede their independence at the mo-
ment of their submission, and demand
that we. shall make war against Eng
land IL she refuses to do so. In the
event Of the final refusal of the Presi-
dent to act thep propose to make a