Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-02-20
WASHINGTON NEWS soTfs.
Cuban Question, Army Reorganization, IT,
riqation, Colored Members.

Cuban Question, Army Reorganization, IT,
rigation, Colored Members.
Washington, d. c.. Feb. ls.-Just
at present the Cuban question is at
the forefront OF all congressional gos-
sip, It's decision Involving the holding
or non-holding OF IN extra session.
Until 1t came up no oneimagined that
there would be any necessity Of even
considering this problem until next
full, and consequently the leaders had
let It go by In favor Of matters that
seemed more pressing. The announce
ment that the constitution would be
ready tn be acted upon within a few
weeks at the latest, came with u
shock of surprise to most members OF
congress-, and for this reason there
has been some delay informulating n
line Of action on the matter. Three
distinct groups exist, each holding a
different view on the subject; First,
n certain section believes that con-
gress has nothing whatever to do
with the constitution; that when q
stable government has been formed
the United States must simply with
draw. A second holds that congress
has the right to deal with the consti-
tuition as 1t may see fit; to amend,
accept or reject 1t, while a third class
stands midway between the first two,
holding that congress cannotumend,
bnt 1t can reject until the Cubans
have SO amended the document that
1t shall be satisfactory to the United
States. The first Of these views is
held, generally speaking, by the DEM
ocrats; the second IL mostly held by
Republicans, while the third Is held
by men Of both parties, including a
number of the Republican leaders.
Those who believe in the last advo-
cate the passage OF a resolution au-
thorizing the president to withdraw
the army from Cuba when the gov
eminent Of that island shall consent
to the establishment OF an American
naval station; to consult with the
United States before entering into
any relations with foreign govern
ments, and to refrain from negotiat-
ing any loan with any European
power. Other conditions may be
named, especially with reference to
commercial treaties with the United
States, but the three already men,
toned seem now to be certain Of in
corporation in the resolution. Ifcon-
gress adopts such u resolution prob
ably no extra session will be neces-
sary.
The war department is hard at
work carrying out the provisions Of
the new army bill. Orders have al.
ready been issued dispatching to the
Philippines the first regulars organ
ized under the new law. Orders have
also been sent broadcast to com
mence recruiting in all parts of the
Union. The latest reports TO the re-
cruiting division OF the war depart
ment show the strength OF the regu-
lar army, exclusive of hospital corps
men, to be 64,964. The number Of
Philippine enlistments reported for
the week ending January 18th was
225. There was on hand January
10Th, in the United States, a force OF
96j recruits. The delay In adopting
the bill, caused by the dilatory tao
ties Of the Democratic senator's, has
made 1t impossible to get all the vol
unteers back to the United States be-
fore July LIST. the date on which their
enlistments expire, and some Of them
will, therefore, be discharged on board
the transports before their arrival in
San Francisco. They will leave Ma
Mia as enlisted men and will reach
San Francisco as civilian passengers
on board an army transport. This
IL the best arrangement which the
war department Is able to make I'M
der the circumstances. Volunteer of.
ficers now discover that the army
bill does not preserve its new staff
positions for volunteer officers, as
was expected by those who framed
the army reorganization bill. The
bill. as 1t went to the president for
signature, contained M clause which
would prevent the appointment of
civilians to staff places, and pressure
on the president for appointments to
these places has already grown to
formidable proportions.
The senate committee on public
lands has decided to urge the Hans
brough storage reservoir bill rs an
amendment to- the smdry civil bill,
instead Of To the river and harbor
bill, as had been anticipated. The
probable reason for the change Is
that 1t ia possible that the latter bill
may he allowed to fail, while the
former Is essentialand must be adopt
ed in some form or other. The pro.
posed amendment follows closely the
reservoir storage idea, which has be-
come so popular In the west, and
contains a new feature OF importance,
which, 1t is believed, surmUunts the
The RIGHT THING TO PUT ON.