The Lamar register., 1905-03-01
DoINes AT WASHINGTON

The river and harbor Dill as passeu
by the House carries appropriations TO
the amount of $17.23i,657.
Representative Scott of Kansas has
introduced bill placing pipe Inns ccp,-
panies In the category OF common car
riers and subject to the interstate cop,-
merce laws.
The Senate in executive session rat
ihed and made public treaty between
practically all nations for the exemp-
tion of hospital ships in time OF war
from the payment of all duties and
taxes.
Secretary Hay has received from the
Portuguese government cordiai 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.
A parcels post treaty between this
government and Great Britain was
signed February 18th by President
Roosevelt, Secretary Hay and Postmas-
ter Wynn. 1t has already been signed
by the British officials. and Will take
effect April LIST.
| The House passed the Philippine tar
| iff bill. practically as it 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 on the free iist
met with defeat. An effort to prohibit
| the importation of opium into the Is
lands, except for medical purposes.
also failed.
The naval appropriation bill as
agreed upon by the Senate committee
carries $100.336,879. an increase OF
$422,52 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 $l.450,0OO and $2,-
600, 900, respectively. The limit OF cost
of the sailing training vessels author
ized by the act of March 8, 1908, is in
creased to 100000 each.
The House passed the pensions ap-
preparation bill. carrying $l3s. .2S5.2O0.
The minority, led by Mr.. Underwood,
made an Intellectual effort to reduce
the aggregate of the appropriation SO
as to exclude pensions allowed under
order No. 49," which, 1t was stated.
would involve about si.5OO,OOO. 1t was
contended that the order was without
authority of law. The minority in
sisted that the majority should bring
in n service pension bill. The bill
was passed in the form in which 1t
came from the committee.
In order to facilitate action at this
session on the statehood bill, the
House passed resolution sending
that measure as amended by the Sen
ate to admit New Mexico separately
directly into conference without offer
ing an opportunity for debate. With
the exception of Mr.. McLachlan OF Cal
ifornia, who voted with the Democrats,
party lines were strictly drawn. MIR.
Lloyd (MissourD charged that thirty
five Republicans, who were In sympa-
thy with the Democrats on the state
hood question. had been coerced by
rules and leadership.
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 off1cia1 statement OF what 1t
has done on its own account might be
i'll advised. owing to the extreme SEN
sitiveness of both belligerents, but 1t
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-
pies together in the end and 1t will
probably be found that the United
States has had some share in this
work.
President Roosevelt has not aban-
doned his idea of obtaining, with the
leading powers of the world, definite,
comprehensive and effective agree
ments as to a scheme of international
arbitration. 1t will be his effort to
have the matter SO presented to the
attention of the second Hague confer
ence, which is to be held at the CON
clusion of the Russo-Japanese war, as
to insure favorable action of a char
acter that will be binding upon all
the powers signatory to the proposed
new convention. Such an agreement,
according to this view, would be more
effective than the general treaties en-
tered into between the United States
and other countries individually.
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 the pay of
General Miles which at present Is the
full pay of 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
sowances from the United States; pro-
vided. further. that colonel or lieu
tenant SO assigned shall receive the
full pay and allowances of the major
on the active list
The Senate passed the substitute for
the House bill relating to the construc-
ton of a dam and reservoir on the Rio
Grande river in New Mexico for i'm
pounding the waters of the stream for
purposes of irrigation. The bill as
passed by the Senate. and which it is
expected will be accepted by the
House, provides: THAT the provisions