The state herald., 1900-04-06

|
American people, and Mr.. Davis says
his conscience would haunt him II he
proved recreant TO that pitiful appeal
He believes the American people are
not truly Informed on the situation.
He will therefore avail himself Of an
early opportunity to relate his expert
ence and observations ut n public meet
ing that shall be free to all. Mr. Davis
has decided on this course after ma
ture deliberation and free consultation
with Ids friends.
Representative Hay Of Virginia, one
of the prominent members of the mill
tary committee of the House, has pre-
pared bill to create out of the militia
of the several states reserve volun-
teer army for use in time of war to sup
plement the regular service. The bill
contemplates n general broadening Of
the basis of the national guard, Its
equipment with the service rifle and Its
complete organization in time of war
into regiments, brigades, divisions and
corps, with the three battalion fOrma-
tions as in the regular service, and is
designed to obyiate the necessity of n
large standing army upon the eXpira-
tion of the present law, July /, 1901,
and authorizing the present volunteer
army of $4,000. The bill makes all
citizens between the ages Of eighteen
and forty-five liable to military service
In the volunteer army. 1t nppropriates
$4,OO0, 900 annually for the maintenance
and equipment, of the national guard of
the several stafcs and requires the Sec
retary Of war to keep In each state n
supply Of ordnance stores sufficient for
ninety days use In the event of war.
Governor Steunenberg of Idaho called
at the War Department Saturday, and
presented In person to Secretary Root
the petition to which he referred while
under examination before the House
committee on military affairs, in favor
Of the retention of the federal troops
In the disturbed mining districts. The
governor had refused to produce the
petition before the committee until he
had first submitted 1t to the secretary
Of war, to whom It was addressed. The
petition bears about $500 signatures,
and recites that all Of the signers are
citizens of Idaho and of the county of
Shoshone and the Coeur d'Alene min
ing district. They petition that the Sec
retary of war allow the small force of
federal troops to remain in the quarters
provided for and occupied by them Mt
the town Of Osborn, Shoshone county,
for as long a time as Governor Steunen-
berg may think their presence neces-
sary for the preservation Of peace and
order. The citizens also express their
approval of all the acts that have been
done by the governor and the officials
Of their state to preserve peace md or
der and to bring criminals TO justice.
Whether Great Britain made an
apology to the United States for the
opening of Consul Macrum's mail by
Its censor depends upon the meaning
| of that word. From our standpoint 1t
was apology; from the British stand
point, 1t was an explanation. When the
charge was first made by Macrum and
fac Smiles of the envelopes were pub
lished, II was noticed that the censor
who opened them had been careful to
write his initials upon the sticker 30
that he could be easily traced. Lord
Pauncefote voluntarily offered to make
an Investigation. and few days later
came to the Department of State with
the explanation that the censor had
violated his instructions accidentally,
owing to an enormous amount OF mail
matter which passed through his
hands. He expressed regret at the cir
cumstance AMI explained the orders
under which the censOrs were operat-
Ing. Representative Berry, a member
OF the committee to Investigate the Ma
crum charges, called at the Depart
ment of State for Information yester-
day, and was given this information In
confidence by Secretary Hay. He I'm
medIately delivered 1t TO New York
newspaper. The committee ON foreign
affairs will commence the Investigation
OF Macrum's troubles tomorrow.
Senator Foraker has introduced the
amendments TO the Puerto Ricnn gov
ernmental bill which were read to the
Republican senatorial caucus Monday,
and some OF which We're agreed to by
H. The amendments were Incorporated
In new print OF the bill. and the bill
as thus amended introduced as new
measure. The first important change
Is made In section 3, In which the In
habitants nrc described as citizens OF
Puerto Rico, and as such entitled to
the protection Of the United States"
whereas In the old bill they were des-
| ignated us "ctizens OF the United
States" The following provision In
substituted for section s in regard to
articles imported into Puerto Rico from
ports outside OF the United States:
THAT on aud after the passage Of this
act the same tnrlff customs and duties
shall he levied, collected and paid upon
all articles Imported into Puerto Rico
from ports other than those OF the
United States. which are required by
law to be collected upon articles I'M
ported into the United States from fcr-
elgn countries" The new provision In
regard TO commerce between the Unit
cd States and Puerto Rico places a tax
OF fifteen per cent. II the Dinglcy rates
upon imports Into the United States.
This tax 10 be discontinued after two
years. Imports Into Puerto Rico to be
free OF duty.
| In n speech Saturday ON the FORTH
cations appropriation bill. Representa-.
tive Bell called attention In strong
terms TO tho growing extravaganza OF
the administration OF public business.
He said among other things: an the
contingent expenses OF Congress you
cnn lop on hundreds OF thousands OF
dollars In expenditures by which mon
cy In iilchcd from the people. The
present bill is n const defense bill and
the great expenditures II calls for have
TO be made. but In supporting the bill.
do not want my friends 10 say that
am responsible for these grent cxpcDdi.
lures. ! wns not one Of the bcillgcrcnt
fellows In the days OF excitement here.
I never wanted amy particular war.
and | have always objected TO the Idea
Of 10 conducting whnt ynu cnll the nc