Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-06-29
NOTES FROM WASHINGTON.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.


layed volume OF papers relating to the
foreign relations Of the United States
in 1898 has Just been issued by the
state department. Half OF the nearly
1900 pages are taken up with cor
lespUndencr concerning relations with
Spain prior to anl after the war.
Most of the correspondence has al
ready been published. but there Is
much new material chiefly. however,
Of historical and not Of current inter
est. 1t is shown by the collected pa
pers that just before The war began
kilograms and letters We're exchanged
direct between President Mckinley
and General Woolford, thea United
States minister to Madrid. These
confidential exchanges are exceeding
ly interesting and valuable historical
ly. Gen. Wuodforl wiote- long per.
sonal letters to the president. telling
Of his efforts to p vent war and re-
ferred to these as The Presidential
Series" These letters show that the
Spanish government sounded Gen.
WUOlforI as to recalling Gen. FitZ-
hugh Lee. consul.general at Havana,
alleging that he was in correspond
tnce with the insurgents. but the pres.
idont refused to consider the proposal.
Did Not Talk Tariff-With regard to
the wiiely-circulated reports that Sen-
ator AlIrich, chairman OF the finance
committee when in Washington last
Friday conferred with the president
Oh the subject of reciprocity treaties.
the ntatement is made upon the author
ity VI the senator that he did not
call at the White House during his
recent visit to Washington. This
/ statement is officially confirmed at the
White House. 1t is a fast. moreover.
ssthat President Mckinley aud Senator
Alirich have not been in communica-
tion on any public question since the
adjournment Of the senate last March.
opposed to some of the pending recip-
rocity treaties. but he is favorable to
the ratification of others. He does not
favor a reopening Of the tariff ques-
tion at the coming session OF congress.
but has given no serious consideration
to the question of the tariffs or Of
the reciprocity treaties since the 5Gth
congress adjourned.
A Presidential Possibility-Senator
William Boyd Allison Of Iowa is in
town for a few days, merely to look
after 4 few matters of interest to my
constituents" he said smilingly. and
nobody doubts that while the senator
is here his constituents will have
their interests carefully attended to.
Mr.. Allison's presence in town at this
dull season naturally revives discus
sion of HE presidential question. and
President McKinley's announcement
that he would not accept thir term
brings Mr.. Allison again prominently
to the front as a possible candidate.
In several conventions Of the Republi-
can party the name Of this popular
Hawkeye citizen and experienced leg
islator has aroused enthusiasm and
brought forth votes.
Army "Frauds"-In response to a
telegram to Gen. Shafter calling for
q statement in regard to newspaper
reports that frauds had been aiscoy.
Tered in the quartermaster's depart.
Nment at San Francisco. by the sale
$of clothing to dealers. Gen. Shafter
photographed an explanation Of the
matter showing it to have been great
E exaggerated ana disproving all
4harges Of frauds in the department
0en Shafter says he refrained from
making report regarding clothing
Seized by Col. Maus. because the quan.
stity was very small and it all appeared
to have come from the same man. a
Junk dealer, who did business around
fthe Preside. The clothing had evi.
SNently been sold to this peddler by sol.
sdiers and recruits.
II Cabinet Approved-Most of the time
4of the cabinet today was spent in
"a discussion of the action of the treas.
Sury department in imposing a counter.
$Nailing duty on certain Russian pro
$ducts. Secretary Gage explained in de-
&tail the action which the department
dshad taken. and the cabinet unanimous
IN approved of what he had done. He
was authorized to give a statement to
;sclear up the MISUNDERSTANDING which
&eNist and later did so at the treasury
Ne pal tment.
81 RETTOC.
10 ask what truth is with a double