The Springfield herald., 1900-01-12
form the British government tnat we
could not admit the right Of the seizure
n thnSn fuSpS

The Roberts investigating committee
resumed its session Thursday for the
purpose of hearing arguments and
bringing the inquiry to an early CON
clusion. Mr.. Schroeder. head of the
Gentle delegation here to oppose Rob
erts then opened the argument against
Roberts. The argument was largely
technical and was divided under three
general heads. viz: First whether or
not the member-elect has the conSt!tu
tional qualifications. including citizen
ship: second, whether or not the con-
stitutional provisions as to citizenship
includes one who has impaired his cit
iZenship by crime or unlawful status,
and whether Mr.. Roberts has so i'm
paired his citizenship; third. whether
member-elect has the statutory qualiti-
cations, and whether the House has
the power to establish qualifications
beyorI those in the constitution. Mrs.
j. Ellen Foster addressed the commit
tee in behalf of the great number of
women interested in the case and WHO
We're not represented before the com
mittee. She spoke vigorously. denlinS
wlln the Roberts case and the general
moral interests it involved. This con
cluded the days proceedings and the
committee adjourned until 1880
O'clock
Italy has returned favorable re
SponSe to the reccn: note of the State
Department respecting the open door in
China. Italy was the last of the Sreat
powers remaining TO be heard from. 1t
is learned that although Italy was the
last of the powers addressed to return
an answer to Secretary Hays over
lures. that government really was more
prompt than ony other in the ncgota'
tons. This is explained by the fact
that the Italian government was adj
dressed on the subject some time after
the other continental nations had it un-
der consideration. owing to the fact
that our ambassador, Mr.. Draper was
away from his post on leave OF ab.
sence in the United States when the
Identical note of instructions was Sent
out. The agreements have not yet
been reduced to their final form. but
the State Department will now enter
upon the task of putting them into
shape of precis. and as in each case
the agreement to the principles ill.,
volved in our invitation is returned III
uneQuivocal terms according to the de-
partment officials ii is not anticipated
that any difficulty will be experienced
in accomplishing this work sntisfactor-
lily. Pending that outcome the State
Department does not intend to make
any statement for the public as to the
exact terms of the agreements, though
it is admitted that the ground has been
covered with unusual accuracy in the
press reports up to this point.
The House of Representatives at the
present session will pass the Hepburn
bill providing for the construction of
the Nicaragua canal. This statement
Is made emphatically by Il member of
the House committee on commerce.
which has the bill in charge. The men,
ber has given the matter close atten-
tiOn because the district he represents
in Congress is vitality interested in the
construction of an isthmiHn canal. The
committee had Il meeting to-day, and.
while no formal vote was taken. it
was discovered that all the members,
Republicans and Democrats. with the
exception of one, were in favor of re-
porting the Hepburn bill Immediately.
Upon further discussion. il was agreed
to give the French Panama company
an opportunity TO be heard before final
action was taken. and next Friday
was set as the date for the hearing.
The representatives of the company
will be invited to appear and submit
their statements under oath. If they
decline to be sworn they will not be
heard. 1t is understood the administra
ton will not oppose canal legislation
Mt this session. While the members
of the commerce committee are conf
dent that they can pass the Hepburn
bill in the House. it is not known
what action the Senate would take
upon it, although Senator Morgan and
others prominently identified with the
movement are expected to exert suf-
tcient influence to force it to consider
alton.
Eight officers from the navy, rank
ing as captains or higher who We're
in actual command of vessels partici-
pating in the naval operations at San
tiago and ut other points In the West
Indies during the late war met the
President by invitation. in order that
he might consult with them as to the
best means of rewarding the services
of the men under their command. All
of the eight captains present, including
every commanding officer in Admiral
Schley's fleet, recommended the pro-
motion of Admiral Sampson to the
grade of vice admiral. because they be-
licve him to be entitled to all the credit
that has been claimed for him in CON
nection with the naval operations of
the Spanish war. and. with the eXccp-
ton of Captain Cook. who commanded
the Brooklyn admiral Schleys flag
ship, they opposed the promotion of
any officer charged with reprehensiblc
conduct until he has availed himself
of the opportunities offered by the
regulations of the navy for an official
inquiry into his conduct. or has other
wise purged himself of the charge.
This means Admiral Schley, although
his name is not mentioned, and
the recommendation from the COM
manderS of all the vessels of
Admiral Schlcy's squadron. with one
exception. was unanimous. The cap
tninS We're also unanimous i'll recon-
Ilnnlium flnt 1ln Snf.l.in9S of 1lnlr