The state herald., 1902-08-29
LATE WASHINGTON NEWS AND
GOVERNMENTAL PROCEEDINGS

suit the President, who will review the
troops that participate In them. Sew
eral thousand regular and volunteer
soldiers will appear In the maneuvers
including two regiments Of United
states infantry, one regiment of Unit
ed States cavalry, several batteries OF
omitted States artillery and the militia
organizations of Kansas and Nebraska.
1t Is admitted at the State Depart
ment that there is n renewal of tension
between the United States and Turkey
but the officials do not deem 1t prudent
to disclose the present condition of af-
fairs. They say, however, that the
condition IL in no way grave, but 1t Is
of that strained character which has
occurred from time to time with Tur-
key In recent years. 1t Is inferred that
the present tension grows out of the
long pending claims of Americans who
suffered loss during the Armenian out
break. To some extent the Stone alb
ductlon gave added cause for irrita-
ton. The American minister, Mr..
Leishman, has been given wide lati-
tude to deal with the situation as cir
cumstances may demand.
In the naval maneuvers 1t Is believed
mander Pilsbury has had difficult
problem set for it. Pllsbury's restric-
tons were such as to coniine him to
at most dozen harbors, among them
Portland, Portsmouth, Rockport, Sa-
lem and Provlncetown. A full moon Is
also another factor against the enemy's
success. In the circumstances, the ma
val experts generally agree that an at
tempt to strike the coast during the
daytime would be foolhardy for at
tacking fleet. but that at night, wi,h
very thick weather 1t might be possible
for Commander Pillsbury, with his
ships darkened, to creep in. pass the
scouts and quietly anchor without be-
ing reported until too late for Higgin-
son to reach him with n superior force.
Attorney General Knox returned to
Washington August Odd. being sched-
uled to sail from New York for Paris
on the 2Tth. Mry Russell. who is now
there investigating the Panama canal
question for this government, has ca
bled Mr.. Knox that there are some fea-
lures of the case that should receive
the attorney generals personal atten-
ton. In speaking of the railroad
merger suit the attorney general said
that testimony would be taken in the
case, beginning at New York next
month. Referring to the published re-
port that he would be selected to sue
cecd Justice Shiras on the supreme
bench In case of the latter's early re
tirement, Mr.. Knox said that he had
no Information upon the subject. The
published report that Solicitor General
John X. Richards Ia to resign TO enter
into partnership with Abner Mckinley
is discredltcd by Mr. Knox.
The new tariff treaty that has been
signed by T. Il. Shsrretts. United
States commissioner for tariff revision
in China, and by the representatives
of six other nations, changes the pres
cnt ad valorem tariff OF China to spe-
cific rates. This Is In accordance with
the protocol. The specific rate agreed
upon Is based upon the average value
of products imported into China during
the past twenty years. Under the terms
of the protocol this change from al va
loren to specific rates does not need
the signature OF China. The change
will no doubt make some slight differ
encc In the rates Of duty. but Is not re-
gardcd as n revision OF the tarln to
any general extent. II is expected that
In q commercial treaty the tsriff Will
be changed to a considerable extent.
The commissioners on the part OF the
United States to negotiate this treaty
are Minister Conger. Consul General
Goodnow at Shanghai and Mr. Feely.
The treaty which they negotiate. II Is
expected. will be completed within n
short time.
In a report made public At
tho State Department United States
Minister Spuires at Havana calls
attention TO an interesting change
In the Cuban tariff law which
admits cheese cloth into the Is.
land free OF duty In order to promote
what IL known NJ the covered cuitiva-
tion" OF tobacco. Important ngricul-
tural interests OF Cuba have for some
time urged that the step announced
above should be taken. and President
Estrada Palma In his message To the
Cuban Congress strongly recommended
the exemption OF cheese cloth from the
payment OF Import duties. Covering
tobacco consists In placing the cheese
cloth Mt a certain height In the form OF
an awning over the plants TO moderate
the Intensity OF the suns rays. prevent
the wind from swnylng and breaking
the leaves. and. most Important OF all.
to guard against insect attacks. The
system has been tried with success In
Sumaira. The duty on cheese cloth
was from IL 10 10 cents per kllogrnm
about . 10 poundsl and the amount
Imported has been approximately Si5.-
600 worth per annum. n little more
than onc-half being from the United
States.
Advocates Of the metric system IN
the United States nee In the action OF
the colonial conference In favor OF
compulsory us. OF the metric system
the early adoption OF that system by
the United States. While II may he
true That the nction Of the colonial con.
ference does not npply to Great Britain
proper, Its sentimental influence will
b. very great Indeed. with the british
Parliament strongly In favor OF the
metric system aud $50 of Its members
absolutely on record In favor OF II.
there is little donb, In the minds Of the
American caponrhis NJ this modern
system that Its world. wide adoption II
almost nj hand. foriy.ihrrr countries
of the world. Including France. Russia
nnd Germany, nni n host NJ lesser nn,
ilonS. now usc the metric system. The
British empire IN hnlf committed and
the United States II on the threshold
) In Congress there Il n blll fayornbly re-
ported and on the House calendar fof
cnrly consideration. Representative
nnd advanced thinkers ~ every busi
meas mud ufufpestun In tLia sauutr.