The Press., 1900-06-14
Washington Letter.
Washington, June II, 1900.

| IA pOpulhE COuuuuruu Ill w dSuluSIou
just now is, will Secretary Long bluff the
armor-plate trust, or be bluffed by 1t?
Under authority conferred by the naval
appropriation act, over which there was
such hot fight just before congress ad-
journed, Secretary Long has advertised
for bids for furnishing armor-plates for
battleships. The two companies forming
the trust have the only arming- making
plants in the country, and will, therefore,
necessarily be the only bidders. Their
price is always the same. Under the law
Secretary Long has authority to buy the
armor at the price submitted, If he con-
siders it reasonable, or to reject the bids
and spend $4,000,OOO for the establish
ment of government armor-making
| plant. How much of a reduction in their
previous prices will the trusts make, and
how much will Secretary Long consider
necessary to bring it within the treason
able" class? are interesting side ques-
tons of the conundrum. The general i'm
preston Is that the trusts will bow to
be accepted by Secretary Long.
Gen. E. s. Otis is being treated with
marked consideration by the president
and other prominent officials in Washing
ton. He thanked the president for pro-
noting him, and was told by the presi-
dent that no thanks were due, as he had
only been given what he had fully earned
while in command Of our army in the
Philippines. He will leave Washington
In time to participate in the reception
that will be held in his honor by the citl-
zens of Rochester, N. Y, his home, next
Friday evening.
The critical situation in China, owing
to the insurrection by the anti-foreign So
ciety known as the BOXERS" is being
watched with more Oh less anxiety III Of
fetal circles, where it Is well known that
European powers only await favorable
opportunity to take charge of all of China.
According to Secretary Hay, the U. s.
minister to China and Rear Admiral
Kempff, who is in command of the U. s.
naval forces In Chinese waters, have plain
and positive instructions to act with the
European forces only to the extent of
protecting life and property, and to do
nothing or take any part in anything done
by others that can be construed into of
fensive interference with the control of
its own affairs by the government of
China. The anxiety is caused by the
knowledge of how easy movement Of
the combined marines of the foreign ma
tions, including the U. S., started for the
defense of foreigners In China and their
property, might, either by uncomfortable
circumstances, or by the design of several
of the powers represented, be turned into
one that would result in the overthrow of
Chinese authority. Members of the ad-
ministration know that If anything OF
that sort happens, the opponents of the
administration will charge 1t with having
been party to the scheme, and with de-
string to share with European powers In
the acquisition of Chinese territory, and
with the presidential campaign on hand,
such a charge would not be welcome
one to meet. Secretary Hay says that
all this country wants with China Is the
right to trade on the same terms as other
nations.
A New York business man, who was
discussing the political fight that both
parties. are preparing to make on the
trusts, In the coming campaign, said :
"Both parties will claim to be enemies OF
the trusts, and both will be blufing to an
extent. The rich democrats are In the
trusts, just the same as the rich republi-
cans. Therefore, they cannot go in and
smash things. / have no idea that either
party will do much towards smashing
trusts, although both sides are now put.
ting up huge bluffs"
The one hundred new cadets to West
Point, provided for by congress, will be
whom has the privilege of naming one
cadet, have been notified to make the Sc
lections In time for the summer examina.
lions, and If they fail to do so, the presi
ommendation. The president has decid
ed to reserve the ten appointments which
are given to him under the increase fol
the sons of officers who gained distinction
in the war with Spain or 10 the Philip
pines, which has disappointed some O
the politicians. The Annapolis academy
also gets 100 additional cadets under
new law, but 1t has not been fully deter
mined how and when they shall be ap
pointed. The naval authorities do no
wish them all appointed at once. becaus,
that would throw them all into one class
| Secretary Hay and the British ambassa
dor have arranged to give the senate an
other chance to ratify the reciprocit,
treaty with Barbados, which was no
acted upon at the session which endet
Last week nv SIGNING for their raanoctiv.