The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-25
WAITING ON CONGRESS
RECIPROCITY NEGOTIATIONS
DROPPED FOR THE PRESENT.
Nothing Further VIII BE Done with
the German Treaty Until senate
Acts on French Agreement.

@-
bears out the statement credited to Am
bassador White, at Berlin. that nothing is
now going on about the German-American
commission. The truth is, as before init
mated by the officials here, that all of the
negotiations respecting reciprocity nave
come to an absolute halt. 1t is felt to be
idle to waste time in negotiations on his
subject until something is known as to the
temper of Congress. The pending French
reciprocity treaty has been selected by the
administration officials as a test. If this
cannot secure approval officials here feel
there would be little use in pressing the
treaties already negotiated, and no sense
in continuing the work of arranging other
treaties. This statement covers the pro-
posed German reciprocity treaty.
The suggestion OF a mixed commission to
assist or participate in the negotiations is a
minor detail. The suggestion was originally
put forward by President Mckinley in his
last annual message to Congress. The Ger
mans were crying out against the quality
of American meats, and the Americans
were seriously impugning the integrity OF
German wines and sauSages and casting
grave doubts on the safety of German toys.
To reconcile the two interests TO do what
could be done to relieve German merchants
from what were asserted to be vexatious
and unnecessary customs regulations, the
President suggested the creation of a mixed
commission of scientific and practical men,
experts in trade, who should try to agree
upon some project n report to their re-
Spective governments. The work of this
commission would. it was hoped, prepare
the way for a reciprocity treaty between
the United States and Germany, which Is
said to be impossible of attainment so long
as existing restrictions are maintained. II
is intimated that the German government
is acting upon the suggestion and has al
ready selected two commissioners On the
part of the United States. however, con-
gressional action seems to be equired in
view of the fact that the Presidents origi-
nal suggestion looked to such action; there
fore it has not been possible for the ex-
ecutive branch to move further in the mat
ter at this stage.
The Swiss watchmakers are combining to
protect themselves from American compe-
tition. Prizes are being offered to develop
improvements in the Swiss watch which
will tend to maintain its reputation. Con-
sui General Dubois, at st. Gall, in report
ing On this matter, adds that the American
watch case is also having a field day in the
land of watches" to such a degree that
the Swiss are making a general movement
to prevent, or modify, at least, its i'm
portation. To demonstrate the growth of
American trade, the consul general says
hat one can now buy American watches
In Berne: American ham and bacon in
Basic. and that Swiss horses sleep on
American straw; American hardware fills
the shop windows; American shoes are In
popular demand, and everywhere are strik-
ing evidences of the increased export Of
American wares.
Allen c. Blackwell, commander of Lafay-
cite Post, G.. A. r., of New York city, and
Wilbur f. Brown, adjutant and past com
mander of the same post, were at the War
Department to-day and arranged for the
transportation on the transport Sumner of
500 United States flags to Manila for free
distribution among the native officials and
citizens of that city. They are four by six
feet, made of the best bunting. in strict
accordance with military regulations.
Senator Allen to-day introduced a resolu-
ton, which went over until Monday. di-
recting the secretary of war to send to the
Senate a statement of the number of SOL
diers, volunteer and regular. who have
been killed and who have died from wounds
received in the Philippines since Aug. 1,
1899. the number of regular and volunteer
soldiers who have died from disease dur
ing that period and various other informa-
ton concerning the deaths, together with
steps taken TO better protect the health OF
the soldiers in the Philippines.
Senator Mason to-day introduced a bill
which, provides as follows: THAT the Sec
rotary of the navy be, and is hereby, au-
thorized to furnish and deliver to the
Schley home fund of the
Women's Patriotic League of Washington
500 pounds of historical bronze, the same
TO be a portion of hat captured at San
tiago de Cuba on or about the Sd of July,
1895, or during said war by the
United States. from the kingdom Of Spain,
said bronze to be used by said committee
fnr tho ntlrpOGo Of striking fhQr6frOm GER
tain medals to be presented by said COM
mittee to individual members thereof"
The President to-day sent the following
nominations to the Senat John j. Giro
mondi, of California, to be consul at San
tos, Brazil. Regular army, infantry: First
Lieutenant H. j. Hunt, Sixth Infantry, to
be captain; Second Lieutenant j. b. Alli-
son, Seventh Infantry, to be first neuten-
ant: Second Lieutenant j. L. Dewitt. TWEEN
tieth Infantry to be iirst lieutenant
Assistant Secretary Vanderlip. Treasurer
Roberts and other treasury officials were
before the House committee on coinage to-
day relative to the several bills proposing
the establishment of mints at various
points in the West, FIVE in all. Mr.. Van
derlip said that at most one additional
mint would suffice for all government
needs. Representatives Cushman and
Tongue inquired of Treasurer Roberts as
TO the probable gold product or Alaska and
| the Klondike during the present year, and
were Informed that it probably would reach
$50. OO0.O 900, a material increase over last
year.
To-day's statement of the treasury bal
ances in the general fund, exclusive of the
$50. 900. 900 gold reserve in the division Of re-
demption. shows: Available cash balance,
sl6O, 1884; gold, ss9.lS.,5lS
The secretary of state is informed by the
viceroy of India, with reference to offers
of aid to the suffering faminers in India
| which have generously been communicated
| TO him by charitably disposed people in this
| country. that while the Indian government
is devoting it's energies to fulfilling its
| duty to save 100000 souls from starvation
| contributions from any American friends
| of India will be thankfully received and
will be devoted to the material relief Of
suffering.
After several conferences to-day between
| General Wheeler and officers of the admin
| istration it was ANNOUNCED that the War
Department had temporarily disposed Of
IL o,Sa nv nla cipD him on waiting orders