The Monte Vista journal., 1900-03-31


right on every question al long as he
was q member on the floor, but when
he got into the chair he discovered that
he had judicial temperament. and
has been trying to develop 1t with con.
siderable success.
Secretary Root has taken step long
contemplated in the administration of
the Philippines by directing the crea-
ton OF an entirely new military divis-
ion to he known as the division OF the
Pacific" embracing all OF the Philip
pine archipelago. The division In
turn ls to Ike divided into three military
departments as follows: The Depart.
nent Of Northern Luzon, commanded
by General Macarthur; the Depart
ment of Southern Luzon, commanded
by General Bates; the Department of
the Niscayes, commanded by General
Hughes, and the Department of Min
danao and JolO. commanded by Gen
eral Kobbe. Major General Otis will
retain the supreme command over
these departments us division COM
mnnder. occupying toward them n po.
sition corresponding closely ~ that Oc-
cupied by General Miles toward the
military departments OF the United
States. 1t is said at the War Depart
ment that the purpose OF the new order
of things is TO free General Otis of
many minor details incident to the ad.
ministration OF the islands, leaving
him ut liberty to devote more time to
large questions OF policy and civil ad-
ministration.
Representative Shafroth last week
h.. tl,x
ers' association and the cattle growers
association of Lincoln county against
the leasing or ceding the public lands.
While number of similar petitions
have been received by members OF
Congress from associations md indi-
viduals living in the arid states, the
great bulk Of the petitions with which
Congress has been flooded have come
from Persons not directly concerned in
public land problems, and from parts
OF the country where accurate knowl-
edge or public Land conditions IL not
likely TO be in possession Of those
sending the petition. The form OF all
these petitions Is indentical and they
are mainly sent by labor and trade or
gahiLations located In the eastern and
southern cities. That they are not
spontaneous bIt are the work OF Sc
Great bureau, IL shown by the fact OF
the opposition TO the Shafroth bill,
which provides for absolute reclama-
ton OF the land to be ceded and for Its
distribution among actual settlers In
small tracts.
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 were agreed to by
IT, The amendments were Incorporated
IN new print of the bill. and the bill
as thus amended introduced as n new
measure. The first important change
Is made In section 3. In which the In
hhbitnnts are described as citizens or
Puerto Rico, and as such entitled to
the protection of the United States"
whereas in the old bill they were deS.
Ignaied MS citizens Of the United
States" The following provision In
substituted for section I'm regard TO
articles imported into Puerto Rico from
ports outside OF the United States:
That on and after the passage Of this
act the same tariff customs and duties
shall be 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 for
eign countries" The new provision In
rs.Rnrd to commerce between the Unit
ed States and Puerto Rico plncex a tnx
OF fifteen per cent. n the Dlngley rates
upon Imports into the United States.
This tax tn bc discontinued after two
years. Imports Into Puerto Rico to tsc
free OF duty.
Il think the Cuhans are getting to un.
d-rs'and that stcndy progress is being
made toward the establishment Of their
government. do not think they wish
the present condition OF Affairs 10 con.
tinu., but they are no, impatient about
taking over the government" Sec
tary Root made this statement after he
had reported to the President ON his re-
turn from Cuba. II was evident from
the secrctnry's manner that he does
not think the cnbans are yet ready for
self government. though he would not
say 40. The strongest men In Cubn. :"
he continued. realize that the ctlucn.
tion Of the inhabitants Of the island In
going ON Ms rapidly ms II can. The Gu.
bans are capable Of learning the art Of
learn. They have taken very kindly 10
the business OF education. The island
is Ia n very satisfactory condition, 10.
liticnlly ana otherwise. Everything ia
quiet and serene. would like 10 have
our people go 10 Cubn and look over
the island. The cities and towns ure
clean and everything Ia la excellent
condition. The island II consequently
healthy Very few Uf tho tre.,,. -.
on the sick list. 1T is the PURPOSE Of
the department TO withdraw troops
from time TO time. hut as result OF
my trip u In not proposed TO accelerate
such withdrawal. II II Intended 10 re-.
ducc the military force after q time.
Nothing II TO IT, done now. have tnk.
en- 10 action respecting the formation
OF Cuban bntialions. We have no nu.
thority nt present TO take such action,
70 do 50 now would nccc~siin,c IN.
discharge Of some Of the volunteers In
service"
Anticipating n favorable deciaIon
from the courts on the suit now pend.
Ing to determine the validity Of the vi.
tai patent Of the BELL telephone, the RI
yni. Of the He'll company are ronsolI-
dating for night that viii t~ ficrce
and long. Negotiations now pending
contemplate mn organization that will
embrace everything that il not In the
hell company under the awkward title
OF the Telephone. Telegraph and Cnbi.
Company Of America. II IL To have n
capital stock of epUO.O0O, and
the incorporators are the ruling
men Ia the several local companies,
The ifnircsslou hns Uoil.. am that ,hn