The National tribune., 1902-03-20
CHAT OF THE CORRIDORS.

Some time ago the Naval Board on
Awards decided that the engagement IN
which the United States steamer Yosem-
ite took part in June, 1898, was net big
enough in its eyes to warrant the bestow-
al of West Indian campaign medals upon
the surviving members of the crew. h
| large part of the YOsemites complement
during the war with Spain was made of
naval militiamen of Detroit, Mich, and
an appeal was made from that quarter
| to the President against the Boards de-
cisiOn.
The matter was referred back to the
Board, and it reported to Secretary Long
that after n careful reconsideration of
facts, it still holds that, while the con-
duet of the crew is shown to have been
most commendable the actual importance
of the affair was not such as to warrant
commemorative medals 1t is declared
that the Yosemite was not injured by the
enemys fire, and that she inflicted no
damage of any consequence to the Span
iards, except to force the transport An
tonic Lopez to run ashore to escape cap
ture.
Satisfactory results have been obtained
from the new caliber seven-inch gun, re-
Gently completed in the Washington gun
foundry. The gun has been fired for We
locity and speed, obtaining a velocity of
almost 5000 feet second and rapidity
of four times minute, managed by a
green crew.
One of the most noteworthy features of
the G. A. r. Encampment will be pa
geant in which every war the United
States has been engaged in since 1I76 viii
be represented. 1t is proposed to make
the parade a great historical panorama,
and every possible accessory, such as
uniforms. battle-fiags and arms, will be
utilized in making the pageant true to the
past. 1t will be somewhat similar to the
jubilee parade of several years ago, but
upon n more elaborate scale Every not
able war, even those with the Indians,
will be represented the Revolution, the
war of 1872, the Black Hawk Wars, the
contest with the Seminole Indians, the
civil war and the war with Spain.
Col Thomas Fl. Mckee has been elect
ed chairman of the subcommittee in
whose hands the historical parade is left.
He is the Journal Clerk of the House
and COmmander-in-C Chief of Washington
Minute Men.
One of the most interesting of the COM
rades who come to Washington is Mai.
A. w. Edwards, for % years n leading
citizen OF Fargo, N. D., and editor of the
Forum. Mai. Edwards was boy in I'LL
nois at the outbreak of the war, and
finally succeeded in enlisting. He made
so good a soldier, despite his youth, that
he was one of those selected to organize
the 1st Ala. Cav, in which he became a
Lieutenant and finally Captain. He at
tracted the attention of Gen. John NJ.
Corse, the hero of Allatoona, and Com
mander of the Fourth Division of the Fif-
H. l.. 1. n.
ant AdJutant-General, and he acted as
such in the march through Georgia and
the CarOlinas. Maj. Edwards has been
prominently identified with every success
full movement to build up his State, and
has been constantly called on to take the
lead. He is ut present in Washington
advocating a plan to reduce the destruc-
tiveneSs of the foods of the Red River
of the North, and there are many Dakota
people who think that he would make a
very efficient First Assistant Postmaster
General.
Mr.. Hit, Chairman of the House Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs, has introduced
a resolution authorizing and requesting
the President to extend to the Govern
ment and people of France and the FAM
lily of Gen. de Rochambeau an invitation
to join the people, and Government of the
United States in the dedication of the
monument of Rochambeau to be unvailed
in this city May "a, 1902.
The attention of Secretary Wilson, of
the Agricultural Department, was called
to reports that he contemplated soon re-
signing from President Rooseyelts Cabi- |
net. The Secretary treated the subject
very lightly, declaring that the report was
news to him, and adding in reply to spe- !
cific inquiry that he had no intention of
taking the step suggested.
A chorus of from 500 to 1000 school |
children is to be one of the musical fea- |
lures of the G. A. II. Encampment pa
rade next October. Chairman Edwin b.
Hay, of the Committee on Music, intends
to enlist the school children and train
them as chorus. capable of singing
songs. When the time arrives
they will be dressed to represent huge
American flag, and stationed at the head
of Pennsylvania Avenue just south of the