The Press., 1901-03-21
Washington Letter.

washington, Mar 1S, 1901.
Washington officials believe that the
friction between the English and Rus
sians In China is greatly exaggerated In
the press dispatches, and that It is moth
ing more than some petty dispute be-
tween military officers of minor rank,
and not at all likely to become of suf-
ficient Importance to be taken notice of
by the two governments. 1t must not be
inferred by this, however, that this gov
eminent has no apprehension Of interna-
tional trouble In China. It has appre-
hensions, and very grave ones, that the
Chinese muddle will, before it is ended,
lead to scrap between some Of the pow
ers. Those apprehensions are believed
to have instigated the order to Gen. Chat
fee to proceed with all the U. 8. troops
in Pekin, except 150 men to be left as q
legation guard, to Manila. II there Ia to
be trouble among the powers this govern
ment doesn't wish to be mixed therein.
Some regard this policy as a mistake, be-
lieying that 1t would have been we'll to
keep Gen. Chaftee and the 1900 men he
had under him In Pekin, until 1t was Ger
tain that American interests would be
properly taken care of in the final settle
ment. But they do not pretend to have
as much knowledge on the subject as the
government has.
The news from Cuba isn't altogether
pleasing for those who wish to see our
pledge to turn the islands over to the Gu
bans speedily carried out. 1t Is evident
that powerful influences are at work try
ingsto prevent the withdrawal Of Ameri-
cansauthority by persuading the Cubans
not 10 accept the conditions congress has
offered them. II they refuse, American
authority would necessarily be indefinite
~ continued. Great Britain's ambassa-
dor has followed the example of France
andf signed agreements with Secretary
Hay, extending for one year the period
within which the reciprocity treaties with
the British West India Islands may be
ratified. ....
Workmen to-day began to tear up the
old iloor of the house, preparatory to car
rying out the improved plans for heating
and ventilating. II the representatives
do 1t get plenty Of fresh and healthy air
after the new plans are carried out, It
will greatly disappoint the scientific ex.
perts who prepared them, and who are
In Washington to superintend carrying
them out. The new floor is to be air
tight, In order to keep out dust and filth
while underneath will be chambers for
fresh air, which is to be admitted through
apertures In the floor at the rate of 100
cubic feet minute for each member OF
the house.
o. B. Stevens, state commissioner OF
agriculture of Georgia, who is in Wash.
ington to testify before the I. s. indus.
trial commission on the condition of agri.
culture In his state, said: Georgia is
prospering immensely under the modern
program of diversified crops. I doubt Il
the empire state of the south was ever
more prosperous agriculturally than al
present"
| Owing to the cost, the census bureau
has abandoned it's original plan of issu
ing separate bulletin showing the man
ufacturing Industries of each city of 20,
900 or more population, and, except Ii
several special instances, the manufac
turing bulletins will be issued for Who'll,
states. That for Rhode Island will b,
the first ready, and Delaware will follow
The bulletins will be published as fast a.
completed.
u Judge Geary of California, who was
member of the house during three con
crosses, and who Is now In Washington
on business before the supreme court
talks very plainly about the alleged ex
istence of the Bubonic plague on the Pa
cifc coast He said II have no pa
tience with those iumors of Buboni
plague in San Francisco. There Is n,
truth In them. l don't care how mucl
. commissions may investigate and hoy
much federal health officers may report
The whole truth of the matter lies Il
this: That a health officer cannot gal
any political prominence unless he dis
covers plague or an epidemic of som
kind to stir up disturbance with. Whe
|, he has made lot Of people uncomforta
BILE, and has gotten his name In the pa
pers all over the covntry In favorable an
unfavorable articles, he begins to thin
he Is success. Surgeon Kinyoun of tn
. marine hospital service, acting as the reI
: resentative Of the U. s. government, sim
Z ply stirred up a mares nest and tried {
: make capital out of IT,"
r Col. Sanger Of New York, who succeed
! : ed Assistant Secretary of War Meikle
john several days ago, is quietly proceed
!, ing with his duties, just as though th
war over his appointment, which Senator
. !. Platt and Depew were threatening, an
which some of the yellow journals ou,
lined and headlined as sort OF duplicat
OF the war on Garfield, waged by Sens
tors ConKling and Platt-which resulted
1t will be remembered, in the retiremer
OF both senators-had never been hear
OF. The belligerent senators were, it
! understood, appeased with promises
d several appointments about which the
: had been doubtful. Such Is the game
politics as played in these early days
{ the new century.
o Charles Fl. Buell., Commissioners OF D,
! tents, has rendered his resignation, t
take effect upon the appointment Of b
successor.
Is Their promptness and their pleasal
effects make DeWitt's Little Early Risel