The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-05-09
Washington Letter.


Ever since Admiral Dewey predicted
that the next war the U. s. had would be
with Germany, there have been periodi-
cal stories alleging an intention on the
part of Germany to provoke war with
U.s. just now the latest Is being dis
cussed. 1t started in Berlin, its founda-
tion being published interview purport-
ing to have been given out by high Ger
man officials, which, in speaking of the
rapid growth of German interests In South
and Central America, markedly ignores
the Monroe doctrine. That interview has
aroused considerable interest in Washing
ton, particularly in official circles. AS all
the world knows, the Emperor of Ger
many is desirous of greatly Strengthening
his navy,-he wishes Germany to become
a great sea power,-and while he has par
TALLY succeeded and is now constructing
fleet of warships that will make his navy
about as strong as ours, he wants more
moLey for naval purposes, and is desirous
of influencing public opinion in Germany
In that direction. For that reason, war;
like talk in the German press Is not very
seriously considered in Washington. But
one thing may be set down as certain. If
Germany, or any other power, thinks the
U. s. will not fight to maintain the Mon
roe doctrine, they will make costly mis-
| take.
The interstate commerce commission
rendered a decision that Is highly i'm
when it construed the law, which New
| York firm sought to show was intended
to put all receivers of freight in carloads
on the same footing, that railroad COM
pany is not in every case under legal COM
pulsion to furnish the same terminal ia
cilities for all descriptions of traffic.
If that construction stands, it will place a
powerful weapon in the hands of such
railroads as may desire to discriminate
against any of.fts patrons.
A domestic problem, which war depart
ment officials will try to solve before con-
gress meets, Is how to make the national
guard Of the several states working
auxiliary Of the regular army in time OF
war, In such way that the cumbersome
red ape method, followed when the mem
berss of the national guard became U. 8.
volunteers for the war with Spain, may
be avoided without offending the princi-
Piles or prejudices of those who are stick
lers for the rights OF the states in all deal
ings with the federal government. 1t is
not an easy task, but those who are
charged with the duty of considering 1t
are hopeful of success. All those inter
ested will have ample opportunity to be
heard before any plan is settled upon by
the war department, as 1t is the desire Of
the department that plan be reported to
congress which will arouse no serious op
position.
1t Is already quite certain that tariff
war will be fought in congress next win
ter, unless something occurs to distract
public attention from the question. The
agitation started by Representative Bah
cock of Wisconsin, when he introduced
the bill to remove the duty from all pro
ducts of the big steel trust, has grown
steadily, and Mr.. Babcock says that ht
intends to broaden it by introducing {
bill as soon as congress meets, providing
for the repeal Of the duty on all trus
controlled products. While Mr.. Bah
cock would prefer that this war be con
fined to the republican party in congress
it is obvious that 1t will not be. Thu
democrats have already noted the ad
vantage they think they can gain for tbei
party by supporting Mr.. Babcock's idea
and they will probably attempt to carry i
even further. On the other hand, tn
more conservative republicans are likel.
to be found opposing the bill, NOT 81
much because they are against its pro
visions, as because they regard it as al
attack upon the protection principle
which they claim to be the keystone o
success of their party as we'll as of tn
country's prosperity, which they canno
safely encourage. The attitude of tn
people will probably decide the result O
the fight. On general principles, regard
less of party, the people are overwhelm
ingly in favor of legislation that will cur
the power Of the trusts. This Mr.. Bah
: cock claims his bill will do. The argu
ments presented by the supporters AM
opponents of the bill will be the determ
. lining factors of the attitude of the people
Speaking of the privilege of frankins
mail matter, an official called attention
to the not generally known fact that tw
women have the privilege of sending an
mailable matter through the U. s.. mail
r free; also that any mail matter address
ed to either of them will be carried free
These two women are Mrs. D. Grant am
Mrs. Lucretia r. Garfield.
Montagu White, the Boer diplomati
} agent, who has been In Washington
week, has announced that Dom Pau
Kruger will visit this country in October