The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-10-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

Washington is already beginning TO
take on gala appearance in preparation
for the G. A. R. encampment which is to
take place here next week. Stands are
being erected for the benefit of those who
will witness the parades and some of the
decorations are in place. Unfortunately
the renovation of the White House will
not be completed but the redecoration OF
statuary hall and other portions of the
Capitol will have been finished, and at
least three evenings during the week the
building will be illuminated and open for
the inspection of the visitors in the city.
~
The political situation as viewed from
Washington is peculiar and difficult to
understand. As the campaign progresses
it becomes more and more apparent that
the results will be very largely deter
mined by local issues and the leaders are
puzzled to know where it will pay them
to interfere, and where not The sudden
return of the President to Washington
was Immediately followed by that OF Sec
retaries Shaw and Wilson, and it is
understood that Secretary Root has can
celled some of his engagements. This it
| is claimed indicates that the republican
leaders believe that. generally speaking,
| the congressional candidates are better
able to handle the situations in their own
districts with the aid of the supporters
The withdrawal of Speaker Henderson
from the field, in itself largely curtails
the spellbinding program of the repub-
lican committee. The democrats are
doing little talking from the stump'
Some claim that they cannot get the
speakers, but the democratic leaders say
| that they are sending men into the field
wherever it seems judicious to do so. 1t
is almost needless to say that both parties
are claiming victory.
Nv
The unofficial news from Rome is to
the effect that the Pope is about to issue
a bull dealing with affairs in the Philip
pines, along lines in almost entire accord
ance with the wishes of the President and
the Secretary of War. The new papal
delegate will soon establish seminary in
Manila for the education of native priests,
and it is believed that the Vatican has
determined on a policy which involves
the recall of all the Spanish friars, within
short period. 1t is also gratifying to
learn that the money which the United
States will pay for the friar lands will re-
main in the Philippines instead of being
paid to the departing orders. 1t will be
used for the reconstruction of the relig-
ious organization in the islands, and as a
large amount is certain to be expended in
buildings, repairing churches, etc., it will
find its way back to the Philippine people
and help accelerate the financial pros
perity of the islands,
*.*
Apropos of military affairs, the recent
protest of the Secretary of the Navy
against the Congressional practice of
authorizing the construction of battleships
without providing for an adequate num-
Der of men to man the new ships, deserves
consideration. The authorized enlisted
force of the navy is but 900 men, while
within three years the ships completed,
in addition to those already in commits
sion, will require in order that they may
be properly manned, approximately
as, ,ooo men. AS will be readily under
stood, it is impossible to fill these places
instanter. Men must be put through
vigorous training before they are compe-
tent to manipulate even under the direc
ton of experienced officers, the intricate
machinery of the modern warship. Of
ficers too are required considerably be-
yond present provisions.