Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-11-01

alton in San Francisco and if the Jap
ancse Government were compelled to
view the impotence of the admins
tration in the matter it would not be
strange if they should misconstrue 1t
and determine to take advantage OF it.
The foreign countries are watching
the situation with interest and pre-
dict more or less freely that the final
result will be wal'bctween the Yam
KEGS of the East and Wcst". With
war in the wind the placing of Sec
rotary Mctcalf at the head of the Navy
Department is regard with interest.
Mr.. Metcalf is well known to be heart
lily in favor of every means to enlarge
and strengthen the Navy and in cor
dial sympathy with the administra-
TONS policy to upbuild that branch
of the service. In the Fifty Sixth Con-
gross the Secretary was member OF
The House committee on Naval Affairs
and it was on his motion that that
committee authorized two new battle
ships. lie also made an argument at
that time in favor of moro battle ships
in preference Of gunboats or other YES
sells of smaller type. Mr.. Metcalf
will probably not move from the De-
partmcnt of Commerce and Labor un-
til after Congress convenes in Deem
Der. Then Mr.. Bonaparte will assume
his duties at the head Of the Depart
ment of Justice and Oscar S. Sraus
will take his place in charge of the
Department Of Commerce and Labor.
Secretary Shaw will not retire from
the Trcaury until early in March 50
that the other Cabinet changes will
not nc coincident with the ones Just
mentioned. If relations between the
United States and Japan should be-
come further tsLrangcd one Of the
most kccnly rtgretful people in either
country will be little Countess Aoki,
the wife OF the japanese Ambassador
to Washington. The Countess has
come to this country for the first time
and for several months she has been
in Washington arranging her home
and making preparations for a real
American SEASON.. The Embassy
has leased fine white marble house,
one built and occupied by the late
Senator Sherman, and located in on"
of the fashionable centres Of the city.
Last year it was occupied by Congress
man Siblcy Of Pennsylvania one Of
richest members Of the lower house
and the entertainments given there
were occasions for rejoicing especially
among the caterers ard florists Of the
wealthy st here. The house is spa
cious and after rcmodcling and deco
ration by the Siblcy5 seemed fit for
any entertainment, but the japanese
Ambassador and his ambitious little
wife were not Satisfied and have had
carp ,ntrrs, painters and diapers at
work on it for months. The little
countess has planned for series Of
dinners and it Is said unlike many Of
the Ambassadors, she will not limit
her invitations to a particular set,
but will cultivate the exclusive cen
greaaional and residential SGT and the
lions who c. e to the city. She is a
clever little woman and she has de-
termincd to give to her house, deco
rations, her table and cuisine just
enough Of the japanese touch to
make them distinctive and different
from any other menago. Strained
relations now between the govern
mcnts would undo all this and throw
an icy fog over the Embassy and the
heart Of Tive little Ambassadors.