The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-11
BACK FROM HILLS
Commander-in-Chief Torrance Talks
of Recent Trip.
HILLS COUNTRY UNDERvALUED
Minneapolis People, He Says, Do Not
Appreciate Its 1n-
portance. E& SO

Commander in Chief Ell Torrance of
the Grand Army of the Republic returned
this morning from a trip to Hot Springs,
S. D., where he went to look over the
site for new branch of the National
Soldiers Home which it is proposed to
establish there. Judge Torrance is en-
thusiastic over the Black Hills region,
and says Minnesotans do not appreciate
it's Importance. Said he:
They have great country out there,
country that is bound to deveiop wonderfully.
Minneapolis ought to have a direct line of
railroad to the Black Hills. The possibilities
for trade are great and yet in order to get
to my destination I had to go by way Of
Omaha. That, of course, means that the twin
cities can hope to do no business with people
in the hills unless shorter route is built.
The Hot Springs, Of course, are summer
resort; and yet the weather was most pleas
ant while l was there. For some reason or
ether the storms which occasionally do much
damage in other parts Of the state always
pass the Springs by. 1 had private car, and
in fact the trip was one of the pleasantest
ever had in my life
The temperature of the springs themselves
ranges from 80 to 100 degrees. The state SOL
ders home is located there, and ! met every
man in it. The location could not be i'm
proved upon. When think Of the wonderful
Minneapolis has no way of reaching there
without going around Robin Hoods barn
feel that the matter is one that demands
immediate attention.
Minister WI Matter.
Speaking of the letter addressed to Min
lister WI, in his absence, the commander
said:
To say that was surprised to learn of the
of talx Nv ha a
Gil, with regard to the contemplated visit of
Minister WI to this city, would be to put it
very mildly indeed.
The invitation extended him by John A.
Rawlins post had no political significance,
nor would Minister Wu's presence in this city
have any possible influence ors bearing upon
local or national questions involving our
relations with the Chinese people. The off,
cial relation which he sustains at the present
time as the representative Of the oldest and
most populous government on earth, entities
him to the respect of all classes Of our citi-
zens, and l regret that one of our labor or
CARNATIONS of Minneapolis has felt called
upon to offend him.
When Senator Nelson and I called upon
Minister WI at Washington some time ago
and intimated that an invitation would short
ly be extended to him to visit Minneapolis,
he said that his official duties at Washing
ton were OF such character as TO make 1t
difficult to fix date while congress was in
session, but that he would be greatly pleased
to visit the northwest and verify what he
had heard concerning its growth and meet
the sturdy and enterprising people who had
accomplished such wonders in SO short time.
Whether he will come or not l am unable
to say, but if he does not We will miss a
rare treat, for he is a very interesting and
eloquent man. am sure his presence in our
city would not help his countrymen par
ticle as against our own people. Il
Will Visit West Point.
Commander Torrance has decided to ac-
cept the invitation to be present at the
centennial celebration Of the United
States Military academy at West Point.
to be held June II. An elaborate pro-
gram has been arranged for the celebra-
ton. Both President Roosevelt and Sec
rotary of War Root will deliver addresses.
The president will be received on his ar
rival at the Point, with all military hon
ors and will personally review the cadets.
He will then attend reception to be
given in his honor, following which he
will lunch with the officers and visiting
dignataries in mess hall. In the even
ing a banquet will be held, and the grad
uating exercises proper will take place
on the morning Of June u. Mrs. Tor;
rance and Miss Torrance will accompany
the commander