The Press., 1902-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, March 10th, 1902.

l
regarded more and more, by foreign ma
tions, as a power In the diplomatic world.
The diplomatic receptions of the secre-
tary of state, which occur every Thurs
day, are more generally attended than
ever before and few hours spent in the
ante-room of the secretary's reception
room In the state department, will fur
nish an opportunity of seeing practically
all Of the ambassadors and ministers
accredited to Washington. Where, a few
years ago the diplomatic days of the sec
retary we're hardly observed and only a
small number of the secretaries and
attaches called, with perhaps an occa-
sional minister who had some especial OBJ
ject In view, to-day none of the ambas-
sadors considers that he is properly full
filling his mission to the United States II
he does not attend at least two days 10
the month and pay his respects to the
secretary of state.
Another notable instance of the i'm
portance which this country has attained
in European eyes Is the elevation of the
minister from Austria Hungary to the
rank of an ambassador. This will, of
course, be followed by the elevation of
the United States minister to that country,
Mr.. Robert s. Mccormack, to like rank.
The diplomatic and consular bill, which
has just passed and which carries total
appropriations of approximately $2,000,-
600, will make this change possible.
There Is at least one person in Washing
ton who does not welcome the increased
Importance from the European standpoint
of the United States and that is Miss
Alice Roosevelt. Following the christen-
Ing of the ''Meteor" the Emperor Of Ger
many extended an invitation to Miss
Roosevelt to visit him on her proposed
trip to Europe at the time of the coro-
nation of King Edward. AS it would be
impossible for Miss Roosevelt to accept
the invitation in the purely personal ca
pacity in which she would have attended
the coronation ceremonies, and as a re-
fusal of the imperial hospitalities might
have occasioned offense, the young lady
has been compelled to abandon her Euro
pean trip entirely for the present, the
president holding the view that after the
people of the United States had spent so
much time and effort in the entertainment
of Prince Henry, with view to cement
ing the friendly relations between the
United States and Germany, it would be
most improper to do anything which in
| any way might undo, by offending the
supersensitive pride of his Teutonia Maj
esty, whatever good may have been ac-
complished.
Miss Roosevelt left last night for q visit
| to Cuba where she will be the guest of
Gen. and Mrs. Leonard Wood, the trip
being something of a consolation favor in
view of the disappointment which attend
ed the foregoing of the European visit.
Mrs. Harriet Blaine Beale who will also
be guest Of Mrs. Wood.
One Of the events of the past week in
the senate was the passage of legislative
and executive appropriation bill which
carries a total appropriation of about
$25 200, 900. There has been little atten.
tion paid to this bill by the newspapers
for the reason that it contains provisions
for many sinecures for the protegees of
both political parties and party organs
are unable to criticise its provisions with
out running amuck among the pets of
politicians. A mere line stating that the
bill has passed Is all that will be found 10
the majority of the newspapers.
The senate Is actively engaged In dis
cussing the measure popularity known as
the "ship-subsidy bill" If the bill be-
comes law it will increase the annual
expenses of the government by several
millions of dollars, but the republicans
claim that the advantages to be derived
will more than Offset any increase in the
government outlay. The democrats, on
the. other hand, pronounce the measure
an extravagant and unnecessary form of
legislation. From a non-partisan stand
point the bill seems to be clearly in line
with the republican policy of the past,
and simply an extension of the protective
principle to the owners of vessels. 1t
will be discussed until the 18th of the
month, and will be made the occasion OF
much lurid oratory on both sides of the
senate. Senator Hanna has already brok-
: en- his long period OF silence to give his
views on the subject, and he presented a
most striking appearance as he did so.
Mr.. Hanna finds speech making stupen.
dous and heating undertaking, and when
he had concluded his speech he remarked
hopping his brow, as he took his seat
"There! thiak that effort alone earned
me my salary for this session."
Cuban reciprocity continues to be 6
source of trouble to the republicans. The
, apprehension that any practical reduction
J of the sugar and tobacco schedules ir
, Cuba's favor will be made the occasion
of amendments by the senate which will
= precipitate virtual tariff revision al
, along the line leads many of the republi
can members, who do not consider the
time ripe for such revision, to vigorous
| ly oppose the measure reported by the
ways and means committee. The caucus
of Thursday evening was the third tha
has been held on the subject, and thu
members seem to be no nearer an agree
ment than they were at first, while th'
I president has made it clear that he viii
not concede anything from his origina
L position as expressed In his message.
The president has signed the bill max
ing the census bureau permanent par
' Of the governmental machinery, but, b!
8 what appears to have been predeter
mined arrangement between the White
House and the conference committee, tn
y president Is authorized to exclude from
Y the classified service all those persons
whose services will not be required in tn