Gilpin observer., 1902-07-24
LATE WASHINGTON NEWS AND
GOVERNMENTAL PROCEEDINGS


tembe- 20th, and that it will be made
a department divided into different dis
tricts, as the reduction of the troops
In the islands and the changes incident
to the return of General Chaffee to
this country make this change advis-
able.
Minister WI has received official con-
firmation of his recall to Peking to as
sumo connection with the new Chi
nese foreign office. He had previously
received a copy of the official decree
naming himself with Shen Chat Pen as
the compiler of n new code of laws for
China, but he was not certain that the
new duty could not be discharged in
Washington, without the surrender of
his mission. Now, however, he is in
formed that he is to go to Peking.
The government of the United States
has not received an invitation to parti-
cipate in the antitrust conference pro-
posed by the Gar. The government
was not concerned officially in the in
ternational sugar conference at Brus-
sells, to which the projected conference
is natural supplement, therefore it is
not believed that its participation in
this is expected. Furthermore it is
known that Congress would not feel it
self bound by any agreement that
might be made.
Cuban Minister Quesada refuses to
make any statement regarding the
words attributed to Consul General
Bragg at Havana, in which he is al
legged in letter to Mrs. Bragg to have
made remarks derogatory to the Latin
race. The minister declares that he
has nothing to say ON the subject as
ic IN hn nl Or
probable, however, that Mr. Quesada
will take steps to ascertain whether or
not General Bragg has made use of
the words attributed to him, with a
view, if true, of bringing them to the
attention of his government.
Secretary Hay mas received from
Ambassador Choate at London, under
date Of July 9th, copy of a statement
furnished to the ambassador by Lord
Lansdowne, stating that the governors
of the various British colonies in
which prisoners Of war are detained
have been instructed by his majesty's
secretary of state for the colonies that
foreign prisoners who wish to leave
at their own expense should be allowed
to do so; that the remainder are to be
handed over to their respective consuls
If the governments desire to make spe
cial arrangements for their removal,
but if not, they will have to wait until
his majesty's government conveniently
repatriate them. Foreign prisoners of
war will not be allowed to return to
South Africa.
Secretary Root has given the final or
der for the establishment of the first
of the four great military posts which
are to be the gathering places of the
United States forces in case OF war,
and in time of peace are to be great
training schools of both regulars and
militiamen. The post will be at Chick
amauga. Secretary Root has allotted
$3.50, 600 for the construction of n post
there, to accommodate one full regi-
ment of cavalry and one company of
artillery, which force is to be the nu-
cleus of the first military post. The
medical board, which was charged
with an investigation of the report that
typhoid fever prevailed among the
troops now lying in the Chickamauga
park under canvas, has made most
careful examination and has reported
that there is no foundation for the
statement.
Senor Concha, Colombian minister;
Mr.. Herran, first secretary of legation.
and William Cromwell, representing
the Panama canal and railroad compa-
MES, are going over certain points in
the canal treaty with Colombia, which
must be modified before the instru-
ment can be signed. 1t is understood
all of them, either directly or indirect
ly, involve the question of sovereignty.
1t now appears that, contrary to the
first expectation, this treaty cannot be
signed before next fall. Minister Con-
cha deems it essential that his govern
ment shall be made acquainted with
the smallest details of the negotiations.
This necessitates recourse to the mails
and, as about six weeks time Is con-
sumed in each dispatch passing be-
tween Washington and Bogota, it Is
apprehended that the finishing touches
cannot be given to the treaty this sum-
mer
The report of Chief Examiner A. II.
Server of the civil service commission,
for 1901 has just been made public.
The following extract gives an idea of
the extent of this branch of the work
done by the commission: ''In this pe-
riod 4S,699 competitors were examined.
OF these 21.02S were for the depart
mental branch of the service, of whom
5,24O failed: 3,433 were for the custom
house, of whom 1856 passed and SIT
failed; 449 were for the internal reve-
nue. offices, of whom 252 passed and
107 failed; LOO were for the force of
the public printer, of whom 1854
passed and 1876 failed; and 2O.001 were
for appointment in the different classi-
fed postoffices, of whom 1910 passed
and S.152 failed. There were 252 per-
sons already In the classified service
who were examined for transfer, of
whom 1T3 passed and seventy-nine
failed. There were 321 persons exam
ined for promotion. of whom 1888
passed and 163 failed. making total
Of 4S.O93 persons examined for the
classified service. OF whom 1882
passed and 14.512 failed. During this