Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-12-25
GENERAL STAFF BILL
Secretary Root Argues In Favor Of
It Before Senate Committee.
WANTS UNITED STATES GUARANTY.


Washington, Dec. 10.--Secretary
Root yesterday made an argument
before the senate committee on mill
tary affairs in support Of the bill fol-
the creation Of q general staff with
the lieutenant general as the head
Of 1t. He presented 1t In less de.
tail than he presented it to the house
committee, but answered . number
Of questions put by the committee.
Senator Alger sat with tho commit.
tee for the hrst time and consider.
able interest was manifested in hia
position on the bill, owing to the
fact Of his recent connection with
the war department. He asked q
number Of questions Of his successor
In Office and, after tho committee
adjourned, stated that 1t was his in
tention to support the bill.
Secretary Root renewed his ques-
ton that the bill should be amended
SO as to postpone the date when 1t
shall take effect, until after next Au-
gust, when Gen. Miles, who opposes
the measure, will retire by reason Of
age.
In the meeting Of the committee
Senator Alger took very decided
position in support Of the bill, say
ing that his experience as secretary
Of war had convinced him that only
by the adoption Of a system like this
could endless confusion be prevented.
The exchange Of views among men,
bers Of the committee left no room
for doubt that the bill will be "a
vorably reported by the committee.
wants Unitsd States to Guarantee.
Washington, Dec. lo.--Representa-
tive Shafroth, Of Colorado, appeared
before the committee on foreign at
fairs to urge action on a joint reso-
luton which he introduced author
izing the president to propose to
Great Britain and Germany to sub
NIT their claims against Venezuela
to arbitration and to guarantee the
payment Of awards. Mr.. Shafroth
said that war in Venezuela would
make violence to the Monroe dec
crime probable He did not think
the objection that this guaranty
might establish . precedent should
control, as other cases could be met
as they arose. Shafroth expressed
the opinion that the trouble in Ven
ezuela would not end until the United
States guarantees payment Of what
ever demands are made. Castro's
proposal Is inadequate, he said, un-
less accompanied by a guarantee by
the United States. II can be given by
no other nation and by no body Of
men in Venezuela now.
by House Committee on Patents.
Washington, Dec. 10.--The house
committee on patents yesterday gave
hearings on the recommendations Of
the international patent convention
with view to putting them into ef-
feet. Messrs. Forbes and Greeley,
who were delegates from the United
States to that convention, and Com
missioner Of Patents Allen were
heard. The committee authorized a
favorable report on the bill to modify |
The practice in matters Of temporary |
Injunction where infringement is
claimed, providing that injunctions
shall not be denied merely because
patents have not been adjudicated in
The courts.
Favorable Report on Eight-Hsur Bili.
Washington, Dec. 19.-The senate
on education and labor
yesterday agreed upon favorable
'eport Of the house eight-hour bill.
Many amendments have been made.