The Republican., 1900-09-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

as much of his latest dispatch as has
been given out. There are reasons,
however, for the belief that he
strongly advises against any i'm
mediate withdrawal of American
troops from China, and gives good
reasons for the advice. Although
there are numerous rumors of con-
templated action by the powers,
either as an alliance or in sections, no
real move is expected by this govern
ment until after Ii Hung Chang ar
rives in Pekin. Then it is probable
that the powers will indicate what
they intend doing. In fact, it will be
necessary that they shall, as the de-
mands of the powers will be the
only basis upon which negotiations
with the Chinese can be started
The hope that the powers would all
unite in those demands is less strong
than it was, although it has not been
entirely abandoned.
Quartermaster General Ludington
has made a detailed statement show
ing conclusively that the charges of
extravaganza in connection with the
expenditures of his department dur
ing the war with Spain, made by a
clerk discharged for cause, e,-habitual
intemperance-have no foundation
whatever. Gen. Ludington says
THE records show that every dollar
expended by the Quartermaster's de-
partment during the war with Spain,
to meet the needs of the army was
judiciously, economically and honest
ly disbursed. The records are open
to Congress, and Gen. Ludington will
welcome the most rigid examination
thereof.
Mr.. David Fichman, of Montana,
who is visiting Washington, said of
political conditions in his state
There is a great surprise in store for
the Democrats in Montana. The free
silver spirit is not so strong in the
state as it was four years ago. Peo-
pie have began to reason with them
selves and have changed their views
on the subject. | would not be at all
astonished to see Montana go Repub-
lican. The Democrats are weak be-
cause they have so much trouble in
their own ranks. The Clark-Daly
friction keeps the party in hot water
all the time, and the Republicans are
taking advantage of the friction.
The silver Republicans are dropping
back into the ranks of the &. o. P.
again.
In view of the many criticisms of
Captain Richard P. Leary, who was
the first naval governor of the Island
of Guam, the following official COM
munication from Commander Seaton
Schroeder, who succeeded Capt.
Leary as Governor of the Island, re-
ceived by the Navy Department, will
be read with interest: Il consider it
my duty to state before assuming
this command, had the opportunity
of devoting several days to a sturdy
OF the conditions prevailing in the
island and at this station, and | am
much impressed by the extent and
excellence of the work that has been
done in evolving order from chaos. /
consider myself extremely fortunate
to be the successor of an officer whose
administration has been so wise and
characterized by such good judgment,
and whose untiring work has pro-
duced such excellent results"
There is no doubt that the big coal
strike in Pennsylvania is the result
of Bryanite scheming. They know
that tax upon the prosperity of the
country offers the only possible hope
for the success of Bryanism, it having
already become plain that the i'm
perialism bogy has fallen fiat every
where. 1t will not be surprising if
there are some very sensational dis
closures concerning the schemes
which have been and are still being
manipulated to bring about strikes
and other labor troubles, because of
the belief of the manipulators that
they will make votes for Bryan and
Organism, before the campaign
closes. The work has been secretly
and very cunningly done, but not so
secretly and cunningly that convinc-
ing proof may not be secured and
made public. The politicians who
incite strikes and labor troubles are
playing with fire, and some big
Bryanites may find that out before
long.
Representative Sulloway, New
Hampshire, is in Washington. He
said of the political situation: me
Kinley and Roosevelt will carry every
New England and middle state. The
Democrats claim to be well satisfied
with the results of the recent cleo
tions in Maine and Vermont, but
every public man acquainted with the
conditions in those states knows that
ho l.