The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1906-12-15
WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular Correspondent

| From our Regular CORES pondent
1t is demonstrated this early in
the session that a ship subsidy
bill will be passed, not perhaps
the general subsidy outlined in
SECRETARY Roots memorable speech
at Kansas City but a subsidy con
fined strictly to ships plying be
tween the United States and
South American ports and be
tween the Pacific ports and the
Philippines. Such subsidy will
answer for an opening wedge and
if the experiment shall prove eff
caciOus in revivlng the American
merchant marine it can be extend
ed to cover other ocean routes.
That the situation as regards
strained relations with Japan is
not serious and that the President
is satisfied that the trouble has
been at least temporarily adjusted
is evidenced by the departure Of
Secretary Root for New York
Thursday. The effect of the Pre-
sidents message has been most
satisfactory so far as the little
Japs are concerned and Viscount
AOki, who is Ambassador from the
tiowery kingdom, made a special
call at the White House to thank
the President for his cordial words
about Japan and to assure him in
his polished Japanese manner that
Japan entertalns no less fattering
regard for the Unitei States. In
spite Of official denlals from the
White House and from the De
partments it is nevertheless pei
s'stently ruMored that q new
treaty had been negotiated with
Japan which provided for the ex-
clusiOn Of Japanese coolies from
the United States. If there IS no
such treaty under advisement, at
least there is an agreement that
will take the place Of a formal
treaty and by which the Japanese
will be restrained from sending
coolies into this country. 1t is
well known that the Japanese
will not cOnsiuer this exclusion a
hardship for they prefer to bring
about increased immigration to
Korea aud Manchuria by sending
the coolies there, rather than hav-
ing them 60 to the United States
Senator Perkins of California has
had several long interviews with
the President since the message
was delivered to Congress and
since the part relating to the
California trouble caused such a !
stir among California Keprese ia.
tives and Senators. As result |
of these interviews the ruffled |
feelings of the Calieornians have
been smoothed out for Senator
Perkins has explained that the
Presidents reference to his inten.
ton to use military force if neces.
sary was meant to apply only to
an instance where Japanese pro-
tected by treaty rights were
threatened with physical violence
Secretary Bonaparte IN his an
nual report to Congress advises the
of two great battle ships
IS formidable as those possessed by
any power in the world, to cost
about ten millions of dollars each
de wants these two monster ships in
to the big battle ship an
'hortzed at the last session Of Con.
yress. He also recommends the more
'apid promotion of junior officers,
md the establishment of a reserve
list, composed OF large force Of sea-
men, to be held in readiness for
and to be added to the
'avy ut the outbreak Of war. He
|lso believes tina. there should be a
,eneral increase Of salaries in the
ivil list in order that the Navy
apartment may keep its efficient
Jerks instead Of having them lured
way BY the offers of better sala rice