The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-11
WILL GOVERN TUTUILA
COMMANDER SCHROEDER TO taxi Il
CHARGE OF SAMOAN ISLANDS.
VIII Proceed to His New Post at an
Early Day-woIcOtt Declines to
Go to the Philippines.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-It has been
practically decided by the secretary of the
navy TO appoint Commander Seaton Schroe-
der to be the first naval governor of the
Samoan island of Tutuila. Commander
Schroeder is at present duty I'm Wash
ington as a member of the board charged
with the revision of the naval regulations.
This work is about complete, so the officer
will be able to leave for his new post at an
early day. 1t is expected that Captain Til
ley, OF the Abarenda, the station ship at
Pago-Pago, viii look after United States
interests in Tutuila until the regular gov
errors arrival. 1t is understood that Capt.
Tilley has already notified the native in
habitants OF the annexation of the islands.
The work of establishing a coaling station
has been vigorously pushed, and now that
a governor is to be appointed the depart
ment will take steps TO have suitable res
idence erected for his occupation. in addi-
ton to the coal sheds and machinery build
ings already under erection at Pago-Pago.
For time at least the department will
maintain one of the auxiliary vessels as a
station ship at Pago-Pago. although as
Captain Tilley is to come home in the
spring. some other vessel than the Abar-
The naval officers have just completed
another survey of Pago-Pago harbor. 1t
discloses the fact that the harbor is we'll
night perfect, and beyond replacing two
buoys on as many rocks there is no occa-
sion to spend any money for improvements.
State Department officials admit that the
existence of two great interests claiming
exclusive concessions in the Nicaraguan
canal project tends to complicate very
much the negotiations which must be UNI
dertaken with Nicaragua and Costa RIGA
as condition precedent to the acquisition
of right of way for the canal by the
United States 1t is said the department
has not felt itself called on to decide be-
tween these two rival interests. but atten-
ton is directed to the fact that the con-
nlet Is now before an arbitration board,
which the Nicaragua government has au-
thOriZed. Should this arbitration decide
that neither claimant is entitled to any con-
cession. then the problem would be very
much simplihed. But should it hold that
one OF the parties has just claim, then II
will be necessary for Congress IN perfect
ing the Nicaragua bill, to make sure that
suitable provision is included to compen-
safe the concessionaries for any equities
tney may possess.
The final draft of the military appropria-
ton bill. which was to have been COM
pleted by the House committee on military
affairs. was held up to-day by the notifica-
ton Of the War Department that an appro-
priation for cable and telegraph lines to
connect the military posts in Alaska with
the headquarters at ST. MichaePs would be
asked Estimates for this appropriation are
new being prepared, and il is expected the
OIL Will be finished at the meeting next
tuesday Some new legislation has been
Incorporated in the bill Among the items
Is provision that the longevity pay OF
oincerS or the regular army holding volun-
.ary rank shall be computed on the regu-
lar rank Provision is also made for veter-
mary surgeons to obtain the allowances of
sergeant majors. and If they do not draw
these allowances they shall be entitled to
the money equivalent at the end of their
services. Provision is made for the re-
turn home of the remains of civilian en-
piOyes OF the War Department who die
While serving in the insular possessions.
PROVISION is also made for the return TO
the States of the quartermaster stores
taken by State troops during the Spanish
war war: and $4,000 of the general appropriation
Tor military hospitals is devoted to the hos
pital at Hot Springs, Ark.
Ex-Governor Roger wolcott, of Massa-
chusetts. has wired the President his in
ability to accept a position on the new
Philippine commission. The three commits
sloners already selected are Judge Taft,
professor Worcester and CofoneI Charles
DENLY. the last two having served on the
Old commission. II Is altogether probable
that the President viii select one member
from the South, and. presumably, a DEM
ocrat.
The House committee on military affairs
to-day issued twenty-five subpoenas for the
investigation into the Idaho mining riots.
which federal troops under General Mer-
RAM suppressed. The investigation is TO
Knights of Labor, and other representa-
tlves of labor organizations were among
those subpoenaed.
To-day's statement OF the condition OF the
treasury shows Available cash balance.
S2S6, .0s4; gold reserve, 81, 242s 40.
Secretary Long has semitic Senator Hale.
chairman of the committee on naval af-
fairs. all correspondence and other docu-
ments which have accumulated in his de-
partment reIatfveto the question of sheath
ing and coppering the new battleships and
cruisers ordered by the naval appropriation
bill or the Last session OF Congress ma
tority OF the board OF construction united
IN recommendation for the repeal or the
provision. This recommendation Is signed
py the chiefs OF the bureaus OF ordnance
equipment and steam engineering and also
by the chief intelligence officer, while Ad-
miral Hichborn. chief Of the Bureau OK