The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-18
Resignation OF A. c. Harris, Minister
to Austria. Expected, but Not Yet
Received at Washington.
NEW NAVAL GUN A SUCCESS
HAS GREATER VELOCITY THAN ANY
12-INCH GUN MADE ABROAD.
No Armor Plate VIII he Able to with
stand n ProiectfIe Fired by
the New sTerror."
special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The war De-
partment Is preparing the data for a plan
for the reorganization Of the army. to be
submitted to Secretary Root on his return
from Cuba. The plan will be based on the
military needs of the country. uninfiuenced
by supposed political considerations. These
latter will be left &c Congress. According
10 the adjutant generals records the pres
ent military force consists of 80. 023 officers
and men, made up of 2.5S5 officers and S,s6l
enlisted men in the regular establishment
and 1,54S officers and 31.079 enlisted men In
the volunteer establishment Under exist
ing law all the volunteers and all but
about 300O0 of the regulars must be dis
charged before July L next Conse
quently unless other provisions are made
in the meantime. the army that date
will consist of 2,5S5 officers and 5000 en-
listed men, TO which must be added, how
ever, 5000 new artiIlerymen specially pro-
vided for at the last session. There is some
difference of opinion as to the strength the
army should have in the future. the more
enthusiastic arguing in favor of 10000.
while General Miles. by some process of
reasoning OF his OWE, wants one soldier for
every 1000 of population. or 5000. However,
there is a practical agreement among most
OF the military experts that the army
should consist of not less than 10000 men
and $500 officers, line and staff.
Meanwhile there will be no reduction in
the military force 10 the Philippines, pend
ing the action OF Congress on the question
OF maintaining the army at its present
strength on a permanent basis. The home
ward movement of the volunteers and
short-term regulars, which was originally
10 haoi hon he mi of
vember, has been postponed until the 1st
of January at the earliest. and it is sup
posed that the movement may not begin
before the 1st of March. 1t has been cal
culated by the officers OF the Quartermas-
ter's department that in case of necessity
the 5000 men affected can be transported
from Manila to San Francisco within the
few months ending June 30. The present
plan is to discharge these troops at San
Francisco on or before July l, but in case
OF necessity they may be detained on duty
in the Philippines up to that date. dis
charged there and then sent home in a
more leisurely manner. Such course will
be resorted TO only in the event that the
situation in the Philippines becomes more
acute than is anticipated and by unlocked
for delay on the part of Congress In max
ing the reorganization OF the army on the
proposed enlarged basis.
The resignation of A c. Harris of his
post as minister to Austria has not vet
been received at the State Department. but
it has been known to the officials for some
months past that 1t would be forthcoming,
Mr.. Harris having expressed his desire to
return 10 his law practice at home when
he passed through Washington about three
months ago on his way to Indianapolis
A raD0rf 10 povv c,,rrapf vbfol, co&
possible at the present to confirm in Wash
ington, to the effect that John c. Leish-
man. the present United States minister to
Switzerland, also is about to resign his
office. having exhausted its possibilities as
field for his activities Mr.. Leishman
was a resident of Pittsburg. Pa.
Postmaster General Charles Emory Smith
tonight gave an unqualified denial to a
published report that he intended TO resign
next month.
The House ways and means committee
proposes 10 introduce a bill for the reduc-
ton Of the war taxes. This measure will
be thoroughly discussed in committee dur
ing the next two weeks Representative
Dalzell. Of Pennsylvania, one Of the men,
4 bers of the ways and means committee,
said: ut is our intention TO take of be-
Il tween s15.OO0.OO0 and s2o.0oo.O00 of the war
4 taxes The committee will give no hearings
upon the subject Secretary Gage and the
commissioner of internal revenue have been
asked 10 furnish a schedule OF the articles
upon which war taxes are collected with
the amount of the receipts. Until these
statements are received no exact estimate
can be made OF the amount OF the war tax
10 be removed or the articles to be favored.
There will be no prolonged debate in Con-
gress over the subject" Mr.. Dalzells re-
marks regarding the limiting OF debate are
significant. as he is a member OF the COM
debate.
Postmaster General Smith has concluded
parcels post convention with Venezuela,
the documents in the case having been
brought 10 Washington with the signature
OF President Castro. OF Venezuela by
United States Minister Loomis Mr. LOOMS
holds that this arrangement will be OF the
greatest advantage TO the trade interests
OF the United States. enabling merchants
10 transmit samples and small articles of
merchandise speedily and safely A great
volume OF trade with Venezuela has been
done by such an arrangement by French
merchants. and Mr.. LOOMS believes that
as New York Is much nearer than Paris
oy mail to Venezuela, our merchants
should secure considerable part OF this
trade The convention mas been an object
o. diplomatic exchange for several years