The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1901-08-29

publicly expressed his opinion was
made prioS to the publication in
question. From the latest develop
ments, it seems that Sampson not
only delayed for seven days in act
ing on the:poSitive information sent
to him by General Greeley to the ef-
feet that Che Spanish fleet was at
Santiago, but that he was warned
through General Shafter on the very
day before: the Spanish made their
sOrtie that a message had been re-
ceived FROM the city stating that the
fleet was expected to leave the next
day. Curi9usly enough, the original
copy of the dispatch on which Gen
eral Greeley based his notification
has disappeared from the War De-
partment records. While the au-
thenticity of the dispatch is admit
ed and copies of it are found in the
reports, tt hc original, which is of spe-
cial value, is gone. 1t is said that
General Greeley superintended the
translation of the secret dispatches
himself during the war, and was in
the habit of placing them in his
pocket when he considered them Of
unusual importance and carrying
them to the Secretary of War, or the
-
Navy, or to the President, as the case
might be, retaining the originals, but
leaving copies on file. In this case
the original is of great importance,
as it is presumed it has on it an en-
dOrsement Of the names Of those to
whom its contents were cOmmuni-
Gated.
Since the outcry on the subject of
slavery in the Philippines has grown
so pronounced, the War Department
announces that it is determined at
least to break up the traffic in child
ren, which constitutes one of the
grayest problems with which army
officers in that section have to deal.
The traffic comes as a result Of the
imprOvidrnce of the people, families
who have been stricken by famine
not hesitating to seek relief by the
sale of their children. Kindred ques-
tiOns which confront the military
authorities in that section of the
Philippine archipelago is the state of
slavery existing under. the MOrOs,
with whom our pacific relationship
can Only,be maintained by the most
adrOit and diplomatic negotiations.
Slavery, It appears, having been con-
firmed By solemn treaty with Presi-
dent Mckinley, can now only be
abolished in one Of two ways-by
war or bg purchase. In all districts
the slavery question is a constant
source Of trouble on account Of
fugitive slaves escaping from one
master ts another. When a question
relating ito slaves comes up, the
owners are compelled to prove their
slaves beyond doubt, and in case of
a flaw ini their title the alleged slaves
receive freedom papers. In case no
flaw cam be found, + however, the
sfaVes have to be surrendered under
the treaty with the United States,
negotiated and accepted by the Pres
ident. j
The number Of pensioners from the
war Of Che rebellion is still increas-
ing, although 36 years have gone by.
since tn / close of that struggle. Dur
ing the fiscal year, the roll for that
war she Tvs a net increase of 1894;
further there were about $4,000 al
togethe1 new claimants whose de-
mands sVere awaiting action at the
end Of sthe year, while upwards of
225,00Q now on the roll were de-
mandinE increases on various pleas.
The nea increase in the roll during
the last year from all wars was f.
2O6, bringing it up to the enormous
total Of 977,735 persons, who drew
over $1B 100000, about the same as
the avefage for the past eight years.
Since the beginning of the govern