Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-10-29

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The State and War Departments ara
seriously considering the act of the Ven
tzuean government in using an Ameri-
ean flag on the gunhoat Restaura6or to
deceive the people of Ciudad Bolivar.
when that city was bombarded Sept. 30.
President Castro at once granted the
apology demanded by United States Min
lister Bowen, but there are questions in
volyed which Secretary Hay says cannot
be settled so easily. International law
on the subject permits a nation to Use
the flag of a neutral nation in time of
war. but the peculiar relations existing
between the United States and South
American countries makes this case an
entirely new one. Besides this the flag
was used in the River Orinoco. within the
tbree-miie limit, not on the high seas,
making another irregularity in the case.
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Attorney General Knox has discovered
defects in the Panama Canal Company
title to Colombian concessions which, 4
is thought, may prevent the sale of the
company's property to the United States.
A six years extension of the original
"Sii ,ession by the Colombian government
in 1898 failed to have the approval OF
the Congress, the country being under
martial law. The rebels at that time de-
clared their intention of repudiatng the
extension, and the question is still I'M
settled.
The War Department has decided to
continue the manufacture of Disappearing
gun carriages for S-inch, 10-nch and ~
inch guns, and stop mounting 6-iueh guns
on disappearing carriages, rs the develop
ment Of rapid-fre G.inch guns has made il
necessary to mount them on barbette car.
riages. Gunners are to be paid more as
an inducement TO expert mechanics to y
gage in the service, and they are also
10 be provided with better protection Ia
the form of small movable shields.
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The totals of the naval estimates foi
1904. made public, are over $90o0.00C
less than the amount asked for by Sec
rotary Long last year. The estimates in
clude a $1,000 annual appropriation for 6
new civilian expert advocated by the ord
nance department. for the gun factory nj
Washington. 1t is CLAIM ed that work
suffers from the constant shifting of the
officers in charge. Three new ships asked
for are two steel and one wooden training
vessel propelled by sail.
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The treasury report for the first quar-.
ter Of the fiscal year shows that the june
deficit of 100000 is entirely wiped out,
and the excess Of receipts for the MS
was $9,009.909. Customs receipts for
September show an increase Of $1,000. coo
over the same month of last year Inter.
nal revenue increase is over S2.00o.000.
The total gold fund is now $500. 500, 500,
the largest sum of gold ever held by the
treasury, or ever held in any one place
in the world.
The New York commissioner of labor
McMackin, reports that immigration dur.
ing the past year has surpassed all IRE.
vious records. the number recorded al
The port Of New York being nearly 500,
900. lie attributes this to improved con,
ditions, Offering large attractions 10 thi,
country, and 10 the industrial depression
prevalent III European countries.
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The contracts for carrying the mails by
pneumatic tube service In New York
Be ston. Philadelphia Chicago and St
Lo,is have been awarded by the Post.
Office Department to local companies in
those cities. The agreements provide
hat f..l 4
in all cities shall not exceed 100000 a
year, the amount which Congress has al.
lowed
Admiral Bradford, chief of the equip.
ment bureau Of the navy, states that be
has sn hand about 100000 tons of coal
distribCteG throughout the coaing sta.
tons and navy yards. besides contracts
which insure to naval vessels an adequate
supply as long as there is any cual to be
had. and at the same low prices paid in
the past.
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Secretary Of the Treasury Shaw has
announced to all employees under his de-
rartment that participation in partisan
politics will not be tolerated by the Unit.
ed States government. lie says no per
son is under obligation to contribute 10
any political fund, and no persop will
be removed for refusing to do sd.
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The War Department han oo-lered the
establishment Of schools at every post in
the army for the instruction Of officers,
Including all lieutenants and captains Of
less than ten years service as commits.
iioned officers. The plan is to give thor
pugh technical trailing in all branches
IF knowledge relating to the military pro
lession.
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The annual sport of the commissioner
IF pensions skews gain during the year
IF 5,732 nameA, the total enrolment now
jeing 990. 44G. The amount paid is Sf37,-
tO4,26S The total cost Of pensions since
HE beginning Of the government is given
as 81 9l2 ,509010, exclusive Of the estab.
ishment Of soldiers homes.
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William Nelson Cromwell counsel for
the new Panama Canal Company. return
I'd from Paris. asserting that the titles
Ia the Panama property weTs good. He
said it only now remained foQ the United
States to perfect a treaty with Colom-
bia.
49,
The steel floating dock ut Havana,
brought there by the Spaniards and sold
to the United States for 1916. 600 has
broken. and it is estimated that repairs
will cost 100000.
IT.
II Ia observed by officials Of the gov
eminent service that the proportion Of