oing through all the trouble of unpacking and searching.

It is said that cigars can be easily counted by this new process, which
promises to be a great success.

The method of using it is very simple.

The instrument is mounted on a large table; one of the Custom House
officers takes the fluoroscope and stands at the end of the table. Two
others seize the baggage, and piece by piece hold it in front of the
rays for examination.

If this method is really as useful as it is declared to be, it will save
an infinite amount of trouble in our Custom House. Unfortunately there
are so many more dutiable articles in this country than in France that
it is possible even the X-rays might not be sharp enough to discover
them all.

* * * * *

The treaty for the annexation of Hawaii has been approved by the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations, and returned to the Senate for
ratification.

The committee thoroughly approved of the treaty, and sent it to the
Senate without any alteration or criticism. It therefore stands as we
explained it to you in No. 34.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Davis, would be glad to have the
treaty ratified at once, as he thinks that speedy action would be the
best way to avoid any trouble with Japan. He has, however, been warned
that if he tries to press the treaty this session, the Senate will block
it with the lengthy discussions about which we told you. Senator Davis
therefore thinks that it will be best to let the matter rest for the
present.

The President called a cabinet council to discuss the affairs of Hawaii,
and at the council a policy was laid down to protect our interests in
the Sandwich Islands until the treaty can be ratified.

In accordance with this policy full instructions have been sent to
Rear-Admiral Beardslee, who is in command of the cruiser _Philadelphia_,
which is now in Hawaiian waters.

The Admiral has been commanded to land a force of sailors and marines
and hoist the American flag over the Hawaiian Islands at the first sign
of hostility from Japan.

As we stated before, the American fleet in Hawaiian waters is to be
reinforced by the battle-ship _Oregon_, one of our first-class cruisers.
This will give the Admiral three vessels under his command--the
_Philadelphia_, the _Oregon_, and the _Marion_. There have been several
rumors that the _Marion_ was to be recalled, because she was an
old-fashioned wooden ship, and was bad