The Delta independent., 1902-07-25
LATE WASHINGTON NEWS AND
GOVERNMENTAL PROCEEDINGS

ture of instructions as to what rejoin-
der shall be made to the Vatican in
answer to its first general reply to
Governor Taft. These instructions to
Governor Taft were prepared before
Secretary Root left Washington, but
were deemed of such importance that
submission to the President was
thought desirable. The position of the
United States is unchanged and the
instructions to Secretary Root, issued
before Governor Taft went to Rome,
are adhered to in every essential. The
important point of those instructions
was that the friars should be with
drawn and upon this question the ad-
ministEation remains firm. The re-
joinder is diplomatic document ana
couched in such language that there
will be a continuance of the negotia-
tons.
4 statement has been prepared at
the immigration bureau showing the
number of immigrants who arrived in
the United States by countries during
the fiscal year 1902, as compared with
1901. The total arrivals of the last tis-
cal year were 64S,743 immigrants and
S2,O55 other alien passengers, making
a total of 73O, 799. This is an increase
of 1GO.225 immigrants over 1901. The
principal increases during the last year
as compared with 1901, Were as FOL
lows: Austria-Hungary. $3.50; Italy,
including Sicily and SARDINIA, 42-3I9:
Russian empire and Finland, 22,O9O:
japan, 9,O01: Sweden, 1858; German
empire. 6,6J3; Norway 5.236, Greece,
2194: Denmark, zoos. The principal
decreases are Ireland, 1,423; China,
SO and Turkey ip Europe 200. Follow
lowing are the names of the countries
from which the largest number Of i'm
migrants came during the last fiscal
year: Italy. including Sicily and Sar-
dinia. 17S,375; Austria Hungary, ILL.,
9S9; Russian empire and Finland. IT,
347; Sweden. 3O,S94: Ireland. 29,13S;
German empire. 2s,304; Norway, H.
4S4: Japan, 1920; England. 1873.
1t is reported that unless the propo-
sltions of this government in connec-
tion with the disposition of the friar
lands in the Philippines is accepted very
soon by the vatican Governor Taft will
be instructed to issue an ultimatum
that will bring speedy disposition Of
the question. The Philippine civil gov
ernment bill passed by the last Con-
gress contains a provision authorizing
the Philippine commission to secure
any lands necessary for school pur-
poses. forest reserves or other public
purposes by condemnation proceedings.
1t is proposed to use this power to get
possession OF the friar lands, should
the vatican insist upon Its present pol
icy of delaying the negotiations. 1t IL
believed by the war department off,
cials here that such an ultimatum
would insure n speedy acceptance OF
the propositions already made by this
government. In case of condemnation
proceeding the church would unques-
tIonably fail to fare as well ns II would
by n sale such as Is now under con-
sideration. There Is every confidence
that the negotiations will be success
fully concluded before another week.
Secretary Root brought from Oyster
Bay the case OF Gen. Jacob ii. Smith,
tried by court-nartinl at Manila. on
account Of orders issued to Major Wal
Ter. General Smith was found guilty
OF the charges by the court and SEN
fenced to be admonlshed by the re.
viewing authority. The President has
so admonished General Smith and re-
tired him under the law which pro-
vides that officers having reached the
age of sixty-two years may be retired
at will by the President.
Following is the text of the Presi-
dents review of the case:
1.-THE findings and sentence OF the
court arc approved. I am well aware
Of the danger and great difficulty OF
the task our army has had in the
Philippine island and OF the well nigh
intOlerable provocations 1t has received
from the cruelty. treachery and total
di.-fegard of the rules and customs OF
civilized warfare on the part OF It's
foes. l also heartily approve the en-
ployment OF the sternest measures nee
essary to put stop to such atrocities
and to bring this war to close. 1t
would be culpnble to show weakness
In dealing with such foes, or to fall
to use all legitimate and honorable
methods to overcome them. But the
very fact that warfare is Of such
character as to AFFORD infinite provoca-
ton for the commission of acts OF cru.
city by junior officers and enlisted men,
must make the officers in high and re.
sponsible positions peculiarly careful
I'm their bearing and conduct, SO as TO
keen n moral check over any acts OF
nm Improper character by their subor-
dInntcs. Almost universally the higher
officers have so borne themselves as to
supply this necessary check: and with
but few exceptions the officers and sol
dIers Of the army have shown wonder.
ful klHuHess anu ioTDehThHce III uehi-
| Ing with their foes. But there have
been exceptions: there have been in
stances OF the use OF torture and Of
Improper hcartlessness in warfare on
| the part OF individuals or small detach-
ments.
"In the recent campaign ordered by
General Smith the shooting Of the na-
tive bearers by the orders Of Major
| Waller was an act which sullIed the
American name and can be but partly
excused by Major Walters mental con-
dItion at the time: this mental con-
dition being due to the fearful hardship
| and suffering which he had undergone
| In his campaign. 1t Is impossible to
tell exactly how much influence Ian
! gunge like that used by General Smith
may have had In preparing the minds
| OF those under him for the commitment
| OF deeds which we regret. Loose and
| vioIent talk by an officer OF high rink