We need more sailors and more officers to
properly fit out our navy, and the department is making earnest efforts
to secure them.
We are so short-handed at present that the cruiser _Philadelphia_,
returning from Hawaii, was obliged to transfer part of her officers and
crew to the _Baltimore_, which was to take her place at Honolulu. There
were not enough sailors available to man the _Baltimore_ without this
exchange.
* * * * *
It is said that the health of good old Oom Paul is failing, and that he
is not likely to live very long.
In spite of this, the rugged old President of the Transvaal is so
anxious to be re-elected that he is going round the country making
speeches and trying to secure votes, as if he were still a young man.
Oom Paul has three times been made President of the Transvaal. The
presidents of the South African Republic hold office for five years, so
the reins of government have been in this one man's hands for fifteen
years.
He is opposed by General Joubert, the man who beat the English at the
battle of Majuba Hill.
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