The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-08-16
+ WASHINGTON LETTER.
Reciprocity with italy-The Hunts
as Island COvcrnOrs-Marine
* to he Enlisted.
Especial correspondence

iSDctlAi Correspondents
The state department has made pub
lie the reciprocity tariff treaty between
the United States and Italy. The treaty
was drawn in February last and sub
mitted to his majesty the king Of Italy
and now having received his official ap-
prevail is promulgated in both coun-
tries. The proclamation, which APP
pears as sort Of preamble to the
treaty, says.
"Whereas. His majesty the king of
Italy has entered into reciprocal COM
mercial agreement with the United
States Of America pursuant to and in
accordance with the provisions of sec
ton 5 Of the tariff act of the United
States, approved July "A, 1897, which
agreement is in the English text in
the words and figures fOllowing-to wit:
"'The president Of the United States
Of America and his majesty the king
Of Italy, mutually DESTROYS to improve
the commercial relations between the
two countries by a special agreement
relative thereto, have appointed as
their plenipotentarles for that purpose
namely:
"'The president of the United States
Of America, the Hon. John \. kasson'
special commissioner plenipotentiary
etc, and
ellis majesty the king of Italy, his
excelency the Baron S. Fava, senator
Of the kingdom, his ambassador at
Washington, etc.
ut is agreed on the part of the Unit
ed States, pursuant to and in accord
ance with the provisions of the third
section of the tariff act Of the United
States, approved July "a, 1897, and in
consideration Of the concessions here
matter made on the part of Italy in
favor of the products and manufac-
lures Of the United States, that the
existing duties imposed upon the fol
lowing articles, being TIE product OF
the soil or industry of Italy imported
into the United States, shall be sus-
pended during the continuance In force
Of this agreement, and in place thereof
the duties to be assessed and collected
theron shall be as fOllOws-namely.'
Then follows a list of the articles
and the reduced tariff thereon. Article
. contains the list Of products Of the
United States that are admitted TO
Italy at the reduced tariff.
Tne Hunts as Island Governors.
In the absence of Governor Allen,
who is visiting the United States, the
duties Of governor Of Porto Rico de-
volve, ex officio. upon ex-Judge Hunt
secretary of state. 1t is an interesting
coincidence that Acting Governor Hunt
represents the third generation Of his
family to hold a similarly high position
on an island on this side of the At
lantic.
Judge Hunts great-grandfather
Thomas Hunt, was an Englishman
and in 175G and for many years
afterward was a member Of the
upper council of the Bermudas and
as such is said to have acted
as governor on several occasions.
Robert Hunt, son Of Thomas, went
to the Bahamas, where he held
several high offices, was president of
the so called kings council and on two
occasions acting governor of the island.
This was about 1890 And now VIII
liam H., great grandson Of Robert
Hunt. finds himself a member Of the
council, or cabinet, Of third island in
the West Indies and filling, like both
his ancestors, the governors chair.
This seems a striking exhibition either
Of the strange workings Of the laws
Of chance or Of the impulse Of heredi-
~. Two nationalities and q century
and a half of time have not prevent
ed their operation.
Marines TO BE Enlisted.
In figuring upon the number Of addi-
tional marines available Secretary
Long summoned to the recent cabinet
meeting General Haywood, who COM
mands the marine corps and who Is
familiar with every detail Of that
branch Of the service. He explained
that under existing law the full
strength Of the marine corps is 5000.
But the enlistments at the present time
aggregate only about 5000. This makes
an additional 1000 marines who can
be brought into the service without
congressional action. No new order for
recruiting these men is necessary, as
the recruiting stations are now In 'oper-
alton, but in the presence Of the oabi-
net Secretary Long directed General
Haywood TO use his utmost endeavOrs
to complete the recruiting Of the addi-
tional 1000 marines. 1t was decided
also that the battalion Of marines, 500
in number, who were to have left for
the far east in two weeks should go
forward at once in command Of Major
Randolph Dickens.
A Special Bank Tax Decision.
The commissioner Of internal revenue
has decided that # any part Of the sur
plus Of a bank is set over to the ac-
count Of profit and loss" or "undl-
vided profits" it must still be taken
into account in reckoning the special
tax OF the bank. Even actual undivid-
ed profits, If they are by formal action
Of the bank authorities ordered to be
employed in the banking business In
stead Of being divided among the
shareholders, must be included In esti-
mating the amount Of special tax
which the bank Is required to pay. In
another decision the commissioner
rules that q receipt given for the pay
ment Of storage after the storage has
ceased is not taxable as a warehouse
receipt.
The rank Of major general for the
commander of the Chinese expedition
will necessitate the presence Of two or
perhaps three brigadler generals In