Gilpin observer., 1905-03-02
D0INGs AT WASHINGTON


The river and harbor bill as passed
by the House carries appropriations to
the amount Of $17,234.657.
The Senate in executive session rat
lied and made public treaty between
practically all nations for the exemp-
ton Of hospital ships in time of war
from the payment of all duties and
taxes.
z Secretary Hay has received from the
Portuguese government a cordial ac-
ceptance and firm approval of the Sec
retary's note Of January 18th inviting
the adherence of the powers to the
principle Of the integrity Of China.
Representative Brooks and Hogg
have been assured by Republican
leaders in the House that the pending
Philippine bill proposing to reduce the
tariff on Philippine sugar will not be-
come law at this session. While the
bill will be brought to the House, there
is not time for its consideration, though
1t seems probable similar bill will be
passed at the next session.
The House passed the Philippine tar
III bill, practically as 1t came from the
committee and with but little discus
sion. There was no special opposition
to 1t, although amendments coming
from the Democratic side designed to
put certain products OH the free list
met with defeat. An effort to prohibit
the Importation of opium into the Is
lands, except for medical purposes,
also failed.
Secretary Hitchcock is quoted by
Representative Campbell as having
stated that whether there is legislation
or not touching the famous Foster oil
lease, the vested interests of the peo-
pie holding under that lease will be
protected after March, 1906, the date
OF the expiration of the lease. This in
formation was in answer to an offer
of 81 ,000,000 for the lease submitted by
Mr.. Campbell for certain of his con-
stituents.
Secretary Taft has transmitted to
the House a statement showing the TO-
tai cost of the joint encampmcnts and
maneuvers of the militia and regular
army for the past year. The maneu-
vers at Manassas, Virginia, cost the
state militia organizations S4S4,043.
and the regular army $105.156. In Cal
ifornia the cost to the militia was s24.-
900, and the army $3.50. In Washing
ton state the military expended $685.
732, and the army $9,471. The state
Pullman car fare for officers.
The naval appropriation bill as
agreed upon by the Senate committee
carries $1O0,336,879, an increase of
1922 $50 over the House bill. For in
creasing the number of petty officers
and men of the marine corps, $685.. -
is added. The limit of cost of each OF
the colliers and scout cruisers author
lied by the last naval appropriation
bill are increased to 81, 1,450,0O0 and 81,
000. 900. respectively. The limit of cost
of the sailing training vessels author
lied by the act of March 8, 1908, is in
creased to $4,000 each.
Although not figuring formally Of
late in the various tentative efforts by
the powers to bring about peace be-
tween Russia and Japan, this govern
ment has kept in close touch with de-
velopments along this direction. To
make any ofiicial statement of what II
has done on its own account might be
Ill advised, owing to the extreme SEN
sitiveness of both belligerents, but it
may be safely said that, while peace is
not regarded as Immediately at hand
at least foundations have been laid for
negotiations that will bring the princi
Piles together in the end and it will
probably be found that the United
States has had some share in this
work
The secretary of state has called to
the attention of the Department Of
Justice certain bodies of men in Mo-
bile, Alabama, who are said to be en-
gagged in flibustering expedition
against Guatemala. This action has
been taken at the suggestion of the
Guatemalan government. which repre-
sents that an American port was being
used as a base of hostile operations
against friendly nation, and that the
men, who were represented to be
merely laborers going to develop a
railroad concession. were really part Of
force recruited in the United States
to initiate a revolutionary movement
in Guatemala. The State Department
has asked the Department Of Justice
TO make an inquiry and II need be to
take the necessary steps to thwart the
movement.
The conferees on the army appro-
priation bill perfected an agreement
which covers all points of difference.
The amendment regarded as most i'm.
portant is that affecting the pay of re-
tired officers and involving tie pay Of
General Miles, which at present is the
full pay Of a lieutenant general. The
effect Of the agreement as to General
Miles Is to give him full retired pay.
without reference to any compensation
he may receive for service on the staff
Of the governor of Massachusetts. The
provision agreed on reads: THAT re-
tired officers Of the army above the
grade OF major. as heretofore or here
after assigned to active duty, shall
hereafter receive their full retired pay
and shall receive no further pay or al.
lowances from the United States; pro-
vided. further. that colonel or lieu