The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-11-12
Army Distributing Point for
the Entire Northwest.
WORK OF NEW BOARD
Something Besides the Stationing
of Batteries at Minnesota Fort.
ARMY SUPPLIES BOUGHT HERE
Fort MissOu1a ne Only One in the
Northwest Likely to Be
abandoned.

.rtera Ths Jeesrm9S Bureau. EOSst &S. rsSs
| Washington, Nov. 12.-The board ap-
pointed yesterday by Secretary Root to
select military training camps had its
duties considerably enlarged by the Sec
retary in that it has to recommend in
detail which of existing posts shall be
abandoned and which shall be enlarged
to accommodate more troops.
1t is said at the war department that
the board will almost certainly recon-
mend the enlargement of Fort Smelling
| now that it has been decided that two
! batteries of artillery are to be stationed
| there. 1t is also expected that the board
will suggest other changes to accommo-
date the growing needs of the staff
branches of the service. One of these
will be increased accommodation for the
quartermaster and commissary depart
ments in order that Fort Smelling may
| become a distributing point for the army
for the entire northwest. This plan has
been advocated by Representatives
Fletcher and Stevens for several years.
1t will increase the Importance Of Fort
Smelling as military post and will induce
the government to purchase supplies in
the twin cities that are now bought in
Chicago and distributed from there.
1t Is also said that the board may
| recommend considerable additions to Fort
Meade to accommodate the cavalry force
now stationed there. 1t may even recon-
mend entire reconstruction of the plan
that has been pushed by the South Dako-
ia delegation for a year or two.
North Dakota is well supplied with ar
my posts. which will hardly be changed.
The new post near Bismarck is now un-
der construction and will be completed in
abandoned, as it is in Indian country and
troops may be needed at any time to
quelI disturbances. All the other posts
in the department are also necessary for
the maintenance of order, except possibly
Fort Missoula, Mont. 1t is considered
possible and even probable that the board
will recommend its abandonment. The
board will be in session for some time
and it's report will hardly be rendered
uQI1l some time next year.
PROTECTING Senator Mcmillan Of
Michigan, who is here at
BEET SUGAR. the presidents invitation
to discuss public ques-
tions, said to-day that he did not think
the beet sugar producers of the northwest
need fear revision of the tariff or a rec
iprocity arrangement with Cuba that will
interfere with their business. Said the
senator:
l think beet sugar men can rest assured
that the duty will not be abolished Cane
sugar importers and refners, of course, would
like to see Cuban sugar come in free. With
no duty, raw Cuban sugar could be delivered
in New York and refined ready for the market
at ccst of cents per pound, less than the
cost of production of beet sugar The duty
of 100 per cent on Cuban sugar may be re-
duced, but it will be left high enough to pre-
vent beet sugar growers and manufacturers
from being hurt
WARSHIPS Senator Mcmillan also
said that there was a de-
ON LAKES. mand on the part of ship
builders on the great
lakes for the abrogation of the Rush
Baggot treaty, which limits the number
Of warships on the lakes to one for the
United States and one for England. Sew
| have urged the president to recommend
the abrogation of this treaty so that small
war vessels might be constructed at lake
shipyards. Men like Senator Mcmillan.
however, who have studied the question
say that the advantage of such action
would all be with Great Britain in the
| event of war. That government could
build fleet which could devastate our
cities along the lakes while we could not
| Petaliatp tbpro pre no oitioO Of
size on the Canadian side. When the sub
ject of the abrogation Of the treaty was
| mentioned to President Roosevelt yester-
| day. he told his caller that he did not
| think it advisable to begin the negotia-
tion of new treaty with Great Britain,
If at all, until the canal treaty is dis
| posed Of
RECIPROCITY E. G. Preston of the
Boston Chamber of Com
WITH merce and NJ S. Greene
ough of the Cleveland
| CANADA. Chamber of Commerce
called at the White House
/ to-day to perfect plans for a conference
there tomorrow morning at which rep
| resentatives of commercial bodies of
! nearly all the northern cities will urge
| the negotiation of a reciprocity treaty
| with Canada. Members Of this commit
! tee will meet this evening to discuss
definite plans, such as the selection Of
/ a spokesman, and what is more impor-
tant the specific recommendation which
| they will make to the president
| He may be asked to urge Canadian rec
iprocity in his message, or, what would
| be more effective, to take steps towards
! the renewal of the sessions of the high
| joint commission which is still in exist
ence. OF course, this proposal has moth
ing to do to Kasson treaties, none of
which related to Canada, and the time
for the negotiation of new ones under the
Dingley law has long been passed. But
| the president always has the right to
enter into treaty negotiations and would
not be hamperd in doineg so by the limi-
tations of the Dingley law.
w. w. Jermane.