Middletown transcript., 1901-06-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.

COuC0iuSu ONOA Nils uChIuley con
dition, she having done little, if any
more than hold her own since she 90
back to Washington, that he has Cancelled
all of his June engagements, except thai
to visit Harvard University commence
ment June 26th, which is held in abev.
ance, he being very anxious to 60 there
if Mrs. McKinley's health will permit,
Her physicians are hopeful, but admit
that Mrs. Mckinley is dangerously i'll.
and that her failure to gain strength
more rapidly is alarming.
~
Director Merriam, of the Census Bu-
reau, has been breaking records ever since
the taking of the census was started last
year, and the final report on population
showing the aggregate population bv
states and territories, density of popula-
ton of Alaska and Hawaii, ETC., the first
half of which has just been issued and
the concluding half of which will he is.
sued in the early iall, will be four wears
ahead of similar reports made in anv
previous census.
~
Attorney General Knox, at the reouest
of the Spanish Claims Commission, has
rendered an opinion that claims growing
out of the loss of the batteship Maine
are properly claims of United States
against Spain, which means that thev
have no legal status, as the Treaty of
Paris expressly stipulated that no claims
of the United States against Spain on ac-
count of the war should be made. Such
claims are still being filed, but it is pro-
bable that they had been prepared be-
fore the Attorney General had been
heard from, and that the attorneys are
filing them so as to be in a position to
take advantage of the possibility of the
opinion not being upheld by the Courts,
SO far as known, no steps have
been taken towards getting its legality
passed upon.
~
One of the results of published inter-
view with the President of Venezuela, in
which he reflected severely upon United
States Minister Loomis, now in Europe
on a vacation, for acts in which he was
out his instructions from Secre-
tary Hay, is that President Mckinley has
decided that Mr.. Loomis shall not return
to Venezuela, but shall be given another
position of equal Importance.
The President of Venezuela will find no
difference in the charge, as the new Min
ster will be given precisely the same in
,tructions that were given to Mr.. Loomis.
Mr. w W. Russell, who is
N charge Of the United States Legation
1t Caracas, has been instructed to inform
he government of Venezuela, that this
endorses every official act of
Minister Loomis.
~
Attorney General Knox is now en-
ragged by direction of President Mckinley,
n preparing a comprehensive opinion on
III the Supreme Court Insular Decisions,
hoxing precisely how far they go and
what effect they will have upon our in
ular relations. That opinion will be
admitted to the President and Cabinet
his week, and after its careful consider
!tion, it will be decided and probably
announced what, if any, changes
will be made in any branch of those
citations; the opinion will also be a de-
factor in the question of
whether an extra session of Congress
will be called.
Secretary Roots letter, instructing
General Wood to inform the members of
he Cuban Constitutional Convention
hat this government did not approve Of
he additions made to the Platt amend
nent, before its acceptance by the con-
,ention, was long and carefully prepared
document, in the preparation of which
President Mckinley assisted. 1t inn
PRESSED upon General Wood that this gov
does not wish to offend the Gu
,ans, but that they must accept the
'latt amendment just as it passed Con-
ress, if they wish American authority
o be withdrawn from the island; that
Iothing short of that will be satisfactory
o this government. The Platt amend
nent is plain and the attempt to inter-
ret several of its provisions, which the
1ubans added, are obscure.
~
Perry Heath passed through Washing
on several days ago, and in the course of
conversation, said of his much talked
London interview, concerning the
omination of Senator Hanna for Presi-
ent: "That boom, if that term could be
pplied to my expression in London, was
ne merest incident or the outgrowth of a
'iendly conversation that could be posi-
lie. 1 had not thought of the expression
moment before it passed my lips, and l
ont believe I thought of it again until I
rived in the United States. l think
lie idea of being Presidential nominee
about the furtherest away from Sena-
" Hanna's mind than any other sub
ct in the world. In talking of his great
rength of character and popularity,
1ly meant to convey the idea that he
ould make magnificent candidate and
tip-top President. I expect that the
rst time 1 meet Senator Hanna, l will
ave to dodge few brick bats, for | feel
cry certain that this subject is one, not
lily foreign to his ambitions, but dis
,reeable to him."
Will Go to New York
George Carter has resigned his position