The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-05-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.

proved conditions in the Philippines
will Justify a reduction of the army
in those islands to at least DO, 900 men.
There are now in the Philippine
archipelago $4,000 regulars in addi-
ton to the volunteer regiments which
have been ordered home. The sur
render of the numerous Filipino lead
ers and the capture of Aguinaldo
are held as sufficient justification by
the War Department for this reduc-
ton. There are now in the United
States about 5000 of the ten new in
fantry and cavalry regiments recently
organized. All of these troops are to
be forwarded to the Philippines as
soon as convenient. Their arrival
and the reduction of the army to
10000 men will permit 10000 men to
be sent home, who have seen two
years service in the tropics.
The plans of the War Department
are based on the theory that an army
will be required in the Philippines
for prolonged period, and with.that
end in view it has been decided that
troops shall not have more than two
years service there, thus insuring
them one year out of three in the
United States.
The State Department has paid to
the Mexican government, through
the Mexican ambass ador here, $4,000
as full indemnity to the heirs of Flor
entine Suaste, Mexican citizen, who
was lynched in La Sale county, Texas,
in 1895. The payment was provided
by Congress, out of humane consider
alton, and without reference to the
question of federal liability. The
Mexican ambassador has forwarded
the amount to his government to be
paid over. to the heirs.
1t is learned at the State Depart
ment that the President has made no
statement through of any the usual
channels to the effect that he should
refuse to receive Paul Kruger official
ly or unofficially. The government
has made no promise as to the char
acter of his reception.
Consul General Guenther at Frank
fort reports to the State Department
that in consequence of the South
African War horses are in great de-
mand in England. Between October,
1899, and the 31st of January, 1901,
35, 775 mares and geldings and 1897
stations were bought in the United
Kingdom for South Africa; other
countries furnished 3G,314 mares and
geldings and $3.50 stations for the
same purpose. The British horses,
especially those from Ireland, are said
to have been the most desirable, those
from the United States and Canada
following.
The Spanish treaty claims commits
sion is likely to be overwhelmed with
an avalanche of claims for damages
sustained by members of the crew of
the battleship Maine, that was blown
up in Havana harbor. Some enter
prising firm of lawyers in New York
has already filed a couple of claims,
and no doubt more will follow. 1t is
regarded as rather a novel contention
that the commission should take jur-
isdiction of claims of this kind, but
the petitions are very carefully word
ed, and it is probable that the COM
mission will have to hold a special
meeting to pass upon the subject.
Baron Fava, the Italian ambassa-
dor, has arranged to sail from New
York May 16. He is now in New
York, but will return to make fare
well call at the State Department
The new Italian ambassador to Wash
ington is still at Buenos Ayres, and
will proceed to Rome before coming
here to assume his duties.
New York harbor is to be defended
by the most formidable gun in the
world. In length it is 40 feet inches,
and weighs 1870 tons. The bore is 16
inches. Five hundred and seventy
six pounds of smokeless or 1176 pounds
of black powder will be used at a
charge, and this will throw proiec-
tile of 1870 pounds at the rate of 230O
feet second. No battleship in the
world could withstand the impact of
such a mass. The guns range is esti-
mated at about 81 miles.
Col. Charles G. Bryne, assistant sur
geon general of the army, was retired
today on reaching the age limit. Col.
Bryne is graduate of the University
of Maryland and a native of that
State. He entered the army in 1860
as an assistant surgeon and reached
his present rank December 4, 1898.
He was made major and lieutenant
colonel March 10, 1866, for faithful and
meritorious service during the war.
He was last stationed at Governors
Island, N. Y.
Wool.