Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-06

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Weaver.
1t is intended that the commission shall
get to work as soon as possible, in view of
the vast amount of work to be done. In
form and method of doing business this
Spanish war claims commission will approx
innate the Alabama claims commission,
rather than any of the international COM
missions that have sat in recent years.
Unless hereafter authorized by Congress-
this Spanish commission will not consider
any of the claims of citizens of other ma
tionS than the United States for DANA geS
sustained during the war, 50 that the vast
aggregate of the claims Of foreign bond
holders, and of foreign corporations, such
as cable companies steamship companies,
etc, will have to be otherwise adjusted if
they are admitted to treatment at all The
French claims alone, on account of losses
sustained through French citizens in Cuba
by the inSurrection and the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, aggregate 13, 100000 francs and
the German claims are probably in excess
of this sum.
Protest Against Nesre Postmaster.
Representative Howard of Georgia filed a
strong protest with the President today
against the reappointment of Pink Mar
tin, colored, as postmaster at Athens Ga
Mr. Howard said that the opposition of the
white people to Martins reappointment was
unanimous, and he believed the President
would recognize their wishes. When Mar
tin was appointed about four years ago
Mr. Howard said the white people were not
unanimous in opposition.
Prominent Negroes Call.
The President this afternoon received a
committee from the National Afro -Ameri-
can Council, which asked for recognition
of colored soldiers in the reorganiza ton of
the army. The committee was composed
of Bishop A. Walters. Bishop 3. W. Ar
nett, H. P. Cheatham, ]. w. Lyons, H. c.
Prof. Jesse Lawson, Cyrus Field Adams,
F. L. MCGEE, F. l.. Barnett. A. T. Arnet.
Bishop Walters presented this address:
Mr.. President: We Ga committee of the
National Afro-American CounciD have come
to congratulate you upon your most aus
picious induction into office as the chief ex-
ecutive Of our great nation for the second
time We wish for you continued health
and success.
I'VE are all grateful to Almighty God
and your excellency for the unusual pros
perity this country has enjoyed during your
administration and We are glad to note
that all the indications point to its contin-
uance.
LAS representatives of the largest organ
iZation in existence which has for its OBJ
jects the moral, industrial, financial and
civil uplifting of the colored people of
America, we come to pledge anew our 10y
atty to yourself and grand old flag, to
which your excellency has added additional
luster by our recent territorial acquisitions
1T is our cherished hope that the rights
of the Afro-American citizens may not be
allowed to suffer by reason of any indiffer-
ence on your part, but that you will con-
tinue to use your potent influence to check
the outrages perpetrated against black men
and the disfranchisement of them in the
south on account of their color.
And since the colored soldiers have made
such a splendid record for bravery, disci-
pline and loyalty in the revolutionary civil,
Spanish American and Philippine wars we
appeal to you, Mr. President. to give to
Afro-American citizens in the reorganiza-
ton of the army increase In representation
and regular succession in the line of pro-
motion of commissioned officers.
1--WE assure you that everything within
our power will be done to make our people
good and capable citizens
The Presidents Answer.
Bishop Walters said that the Presidents
response to their address was entirely sat
tsfactory, and that he stated that he would
appoint some colored officers in the new
army.