The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28
At Washington.

The Russian government has accepted
the proposition of the United states 10
exclude American poaehers from the
waters around the Kommander islands.
A United States revenue cutter will be
detailed for patrol duty.
That Mr. Roosevelt is To make no
speeches in the campaign Is being re
ceived with approval by the republic
Cans, as being in line with the tradi-
tions of former presidents and in keep
ing with the dignity of the Office as rep
resentatye of all the people and not of
political party.
Charles Miller, an expert from the bn-
reau of engraving and printing, has left
Washington for Lisbon, Portugal,
where he will superitend the installation
of an up-to-dste American printing and
engraving establishment. Mr.. Miller is
loaned to Portugal by the United States
government for this purpose.
The Panama canal commission at
Washington, Thursday, received official
notification from the government of
Panama of the ratification of the none
tary system of the new government in
accordance with the agreement reached
by the joint commission Panama is
now a god-standard country.
A day in advance for the time of pay
ment the treasury officials were gratfied
by the receipt of half million of dollars
from the louisiana Purchase Exposition
Co. Thus far the amount of the sum
loaned by the government which has
been refunded is S90S, 40 and it is now
thought that possibly the - 600 900
will be paid before Dec. l.
Justice Brewer of the United States
Supreme Court has granted writ of
error to the United States District Court
for the eastern district of Missouri, in
the case Ex-senator Joseph K. Burton,
convicted in st. Louis of accepting fee
for services before the Postotfice Depart
ment while a member of the United States
Senate. The case will be reviewed by
the United States Supreme Court, proba-
bly, in the fall.
The following telegram has bean re-
ceived by acting Secretary Loomis from
Louis Kaiser. the American consul at
Maitland, Mexico, dated the 21st inst:
1.-TWO Americans were shot down in their
flee at Aguas Calention, this state, by
officials. | have wired the governor re.
questing prompt investigation Report
follows The State Department has
wired the consul to supply at once the
names of the Americans who were shot
and other important details of the affair,
without waiting for mail report.
Contrary to general expectation, the
forthcoming report of Commissioner of
Pensions Ware will show that the total
number of pensioners on the rolls is
still under 1000, 900. At the close of the
fiscal ear 1908 there were 996, 545, and
from unofficial estimates Mr.. Ware be-
lieves the increase, If any, is small.
Only one thing keeps the total below
1000, 000 and that is the heavy mortality
among the veterans. They are dying
off rapidly, but their places are fl led by
pensioning widows and men with no
other disability than old age. More
than 5000 pensioners died during the
month of May, and the monty average
will soon be 5000. In 1902 the number
of pensioners passed the 1,000,0 200 mark
by 1494, but after that date the total de-
clined steadily until May, 1908
Columbia is again to come into full
relations with the United
States, and the Panama matter will be
closed incident between the two repub-
lies. The state department to-day re-
ceived a cordial letter from the Column
bian minister for foreign affairs, announc
ing that DR.. Thomas Herran had been
appointed Columbian envoy at Washing
ton. Herran for many years was sec
retaIy of the legation here, and after
the hurried exit of Minister Concha
was charge d. affaires until the legation
was closed last wilmer as a result of
the Panama affair. He signed with MI.
Hay the Hay-Herran treaty for the con-
structton of the canal, which the Column
bian Congress rejected. The Columbian
Congress is assembling under the new
President, Gen. Rafael Reyes, whom
Columbia sent here last year as a peace
envoy.
An agent of the Pacific Mail Steam
ship company called at the State depart
meat, asking for ali official definition
of contraband of war, go that ships of
this company plying between San Fran
cisco and Oriental ports might look for
the most nsistent protection of the
government in the event of their over
hauling by Russian cruisers of the
Vladivostok squadron and the seizure of
any of their goods It is understood
that this company has been supplied
with the desired definition, from the
American point of view. 1t is known,
however, that large purchases have been
made by the Japanese in this country of
articles which Russia would doubtless
regard as contraband, and whose real
status is somewhat in dispute among the
nations.