The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-11-13

WASHINGTON LETTER.
Red Cross G~alvesfon Report-Anseri-
cans Broke Ia saatti Africa-Plnns
Fer Capital Centennial.
Especial csrr,sponaence.l

tionai Red Cross society has received
from Miss Clara Barton. president of
the nationa. society. who is now at
Galveston. an interesting letter, in
which she refers to the destitute people
on the mainland. She says:
THE governor made his apportion-
ment for the mainland and two coun-
ties nearest Galveston, Slo0.00O. to be
distributed by Mr.. Talliaferro. This
gentleman came to tell me that he had
| placed the entire sum in the hands of
/ committeeman who were distributing
1t. He thought 1t would provide for the
people for the next two or three weeks.
His own work was finished, he said.
and the remainder, after the distribu-
ton of the governors fund. would fall
under our care.
There are at least six destitute
counties, some Of which have received
very little indeed. With these prospects
it seemed necessary for us to learn def
nitely the condition of the people of
these counties. The heavy supplies
shipped here come advertently. or In
| advertently. addressed to Galveston
merely. Thus Galveston has no legal
| right to distribute them on any other
| territory. This leaves the mainland
helpless so far as they are concerned.
| decided to send at once one or u
men as an agent to go among these
people. visit them and learn their needs
and select some good. true. capable
man from each needy village or CON-
munity to act for them. This man
must be sent to us. with full instruc-
tons. a complete list of these needs
and remain for the filling of the order.
taking the shipment back with him to
his people. Under this method there
could be neither delay. fraud nor poll
tics. Some of these villages have seven
or eight hundred families"
Americans Broke In south Africa.
The state department is in receipt OF
a dispatch dated Sept. ..6 from Mr..
Stowe. consul general of this govern
ment at Cape Town. in which he refers
to the recent arrival there of American
citizens who shipped on board of Brit
ish transports in charge of mules and
horses from New Orleans. Mr.. Stowe
remarks that through his instructions
| to the consular agents at Fort Eliza
beth, East London and Durham many
of these citizens have been reshipped
to the United States. but he adds:
"Ships still continue TO arrive. and |
am still burdened with this extra duty.
All or nearly all need money. which |
am unable to give"
In many instances these persons are
| under the impression that the consul
general is required under the law to
| send Them back to the United States
and endeayor to make trouble for Mr..
Stowe and bis agents when informed
that neither has any funds from which
to give them relief or prepay their re-
turn passage to the United States. Mr..
Stowe accordingly hopes that some ac-
ton will be taken in this country TO
the end that Americans who ship on
board of transports for South Africa as
muleteers will be made to understand
that they must not expect the consular
representatives of the United States to
assist them on arrival by providing
them with money.
Under the law only distressed Ameri-
car seamen can be given relief to the
extent of their transportation back to
the United States,
Plans For Capital Centennial.
Various details of arrangements for
the celebration of the capital centen-
NAL the 18th of December next were
considered at a meeting of the citizens
committee, 1t had been suggested thai
a reception be made one of the features
of the celebration. and II had also been
proposed that a colonial ball be given
After discussion the decision was
reached to refer this matter to thf
chairman of the reception COMMITTEES
for consideration.
In regard to having civic OrganiZa
lions In the parade the conclusion was
reached tn admit the Grand Army Of
the Republic, the Union Veteran union
and kindred military organizations o.
the district. Favorable action was TAX
en- upon the request from the Govern
or's foot guards of Connecticut to par
ticipate IN the parade, and II was de
eided to admit similar organizations,
Arrangements have been made foI
the addresses at the capitol, Senator
Daniel OF Virginia and Senator Ncco
mas of Maryland will deliver address
es. The speakers for the house VI rep
reseltatiyes viii be Messrs. Serene Y
Payne of New York and James y
Richardson OF Tennessee, As previous
~ stated, C0loael Theodore A, Bing
ham will make some remarks IN con
aection with the display of the mode
OF the new White House at the exef
cises to be held ut the executive man
sion, ON the same occasion Chairman
Macfarlane will give a hisf0rlea
sketch OF the District Of Columbia dur
Ing the past century,
Missionary aHesftap w chfss'
Mr., Charles DENLY, former mlnlste
l. IT,. 90 AIa -. al tho IfnIFai2