The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-02-09
Washington Letter.
From our r gular Correspondent


|
Washington d. c., Feb. 5 1900.
President Mckinley will, it is ex-
pected, shortly issue n proclamation
Offering an unconditional pardon to
such ofthe Philippine rebels. rs sur
render before given date, and giving
notice that all found with arms in
their hands after that date, will be
considered brigands and outlaws, and
treated as such This may cause a
few spasms among the ''aunties," but
1t is the right and proper thing to do.
There is no longer even an apology
for Filipino government, and no or
gauized force Of any size anywhere,
and the peaceably inclined Inhabitants
are entitled TO the protection Of this
government, which can only be made
effectual by breaking up the small
roaming bands of armed rebels, living
by depreciation.
The House disposed OF the Roberts
case last week, by shutting him out,
the House Committee on mileage still
has to decide whether he is entitled
to mileage. Chairman Barham has
been trying to get at the legal status
OF the matter He talked with Attor-
ney General Griggs about it and was
referred to Comptroller Tracewell, of
the Treasury, who would have to pass
on the account, if Roberts should be
allowed mileage. The Comptroller
said he would be guided oy the action
of the Committee on Mileage. Speak
/ ing of the matter, Mr.. Barham said:
Personally, should like to pay Mr..
Roberts the amount Of his mileage.
He came here expecting to receive not
only his salary, but the perquisites
that belong.to the office of Represen-
tatiye; but L have examined the law
very carefully, and do not see how we
should be justified in paying him.
That is only my personal opinion.
The Committee may decide other
WISE"
Democrats are very fond of talking
about muzzling men, but they seem
to overlook the recent muzzling of Mr..
Bryan. Mr.. Bryan was muzzled by
the New York Democratic Club, which
is another name for Tammany, when
| he was dined without being allowed to
speak, and he was again muzzled by
the Gridiron Club, of Washington,
which had him as one Of its guests at
a dinner, given Saturday night, where
he was free to speak, but with the
] knowledge that an inyiolable rule of
the Club prohibits the publication of
speeches made by its guests. 1t looks
as though Mr.. Bryan really enjoyed
being muzzled, and it is certain that
the democratic party would be better
off in the end if he were permanently
muzzled, as it is clear to close observ-
ers that he is driving old democrats
into the republican party every day.
by his moss-back utterances, which
show an utter inability to read the
signs of the times.
The U. S. government is confident
of its ability to protect its interests
and those of anits citizens under any
and all circumstances therefore, it
would accept no invitation from any
other government or governments to
become party to negotiations, having
in view definition of the right of
neutrals and an agreement on what
shall constitute contraband of war.
These things are already sufficiently
defined by International law-and pre-
cedent to enable any government,
which dares to stand up for its rights,
to maintain them. Our representa-
tives at the Peace Conference, at The
Hague, last year, proposed that all
lpriyate property at sea should, in time
of war, be respected, but the confer
|ence declined to agree to that proposal
and that ended the matter.
| A report to the Department of State
from 7. J. Albert, US. Consul at
Brunswick, Germany, is devoted to the
remarkable increase of ship-bullding
in Germany, which has become second
to Great Britain in Ocean transporta-
tion, and which has obtained this
enviable position in the short period
Iof ten years. How this jump forward
ia great industry was brought about,
lis told IN a single sentence, which is
tbs strongest sort of argumentin favor
of the passage of the bill now pending
before Congress, providing for the in-
crease of our own merchant marine,
by system Of Federal aid to ship
building -aThis rapid development of
lship-buildlng in Germany is to be at
tributed to the encouragement given
Inv fhn goupra rannt fo the ship-buiId-