The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-08-10
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

Washington d. c., June 6, 1900
Unless The Chinese government is
composed Of lot of the most unblush-
ing liars on earth, Minister Conger
and the other foreign ministers at
Pekin are safe; but even if the minis
| ters are safe, the murder OF other for
eigners known to have taken place in
Pekin and elsewhere, make it neces-
sary for the allied army now at Taku,
to march to Pekin, take possession of
that city, and retain it until satisfac-
tion has been obtained from China.
The allied powers are determined that
China shall be punished anyway.
The fate of the foreign ministers will
be an Important factor III determin-
ing how great that punishment will be
also in deciding whether war will be
formally declared against China 10y
the allies. OF course if war is TO be
declared, President Mckinley will
have TO call an extra session of Con-
gress; but know one knows at this
time that any or all of the powers
will decide to declare war. Should it
turn out that the foreign ministers
have been killed, the chances would
increase for declaration Of war.
The republican leaders will meet the
democrats more than half way in max
ing so-called imperialism the cam
paign issue, although, OF course, every
person of ordinary common sense
knows that there are no advocates of
an American empire in The republican
party. The foreign policy OF the Nc
Kinley administration, which is fully
endorsed by the republican party, is
what the democrats pretend to see
imperialism IN. They will find out
before they get through with it that
about seven out OF every ten voters in
the U. S. are supporters OF the foreign
policy of President Mckinley and be-
levers In the era of Greater America
inaugurated under his administration.
Maj. e. T. Ladd, who is Treasurer of
the Military Governor of Cuba, says
there is a very strong sentiment in
Cuba especially among the property
owners, against the carrying out of the
announced programme for the with
drawal OF U. S. Troops from the island
early next year. He says the Cul an
masses are in no way fitted for self
government. The Finances of Cuba
are in fourishing condition, there
being surplus of more than $4,000,
900 in It's Treasury.
The offer of this government to pur-
chase from Spain the two islands of
the Philippine group which are out
side the geographical boundaries
named by the treaty, which ceded the
Philippines to us, is one of the states
manlike precaution. The islands
themselves are Insignificant, but in
the hands of a power hostile to the
U. S., they might give us a lot of
trouble. It was because it was learned
that European nation was anxious
to secure these islands for the pur-
pose of using one Of them as naval
station, that this government con-
cluded that it would be wiser as we'll
as cheaper to settle the controversy
with Spain over the title to them, by
buying them, and offered Spain $10O,
900 for them, which it will probably
accept. OF course, it is we'll known
that the omission OF those two islands
from the Treaty of Paris was an err
ror, and that Spain has no equitable
right to claim sovereignty over them:
technically they still belong to Spain
and the easiest and quickest method
of dealing with the matter has been
adopted by this government.
Internal revenue receipts for the
last fiscal year aggregated $295,316,
105, an increase over the previous year
of $21 ,S3l ,534. There was an increase
in all kinds of liquor stamps sold, am
ounting 0,143 gallons of spirits dis
titled from fruits; 1861, ,526 gallons of
spirits distilled from grain and 2,749,
735 barrels Of fermented liquors.
There was an increase in all sorts of
tobacco stamps except those for cigar
cites weighing not more than three
pounds to the thousand, which de-
creased l67 ,O5l ,lSO. The increase in
the sale OF oleomargarine stamps was
%, 76S, ,023 pounds.