Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-22
FROM WASHING TON.
Correspondence OF the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON. April %.


the State Department to the joint ac'
ton of the French Ambassador and the
Austrian Minister, in representing
Spanish interests in this country, it is
understood that arrangement has been
made by which the Ambassador and
Minister will divide their duties and
will act separately in looking after
Spanish affairs and in dealing with the
authorities here. The French consul
or consuls general will take charge of
Spanish interests at New Orleans, San
Francisco, Philadelphia, Boston and
Galveston. At these points the Aus
trian government is not represented by
consular officers. If any case originates
ct these points and is brought before
the State Department, then the French
Ambassador will take entire charge of
the negotiations, so far as SPANS in
terests are concerned, without consult
ing the Austrian Minister. Austrian
consuls and vice consuls will take
charge of Spanish interests at New
York, Chicago and Pittsburg and IS to
cases in these localities the Austrian
Minister will act independently and
without consulting the French Ambss-
sador. n smaller cities where no con-
suls belonging to the regular service of
France or Austria are located the con-
sular agents, commercial or honor
airy, will take charge of Spanish inter-
ests, seniority determining whether a
French or an Austrian official shall be
in charge.
The Senate went into executive ses-
sion Immediately on conyening to-day
in order to allow the conference report
ON the volunteer army bill to be acted
upon before the announcement OF
Senator Walthall's death in order that
adjournment might be taken imme-
dia!ely after the announcement. The
desire was out OF respect to the Sena.
tors memory to avoid making any
record of business on account OF the
Senator's death. The report having
been agreed to before the formal noti-
fcation to the Senate Of the appoint.
ment of the conferees the announce
ment of their appointment was made
while the Senate was in executive ses-
sion and after the actual acceptance of
the report by the House.
The cabinet to-day considered the
proposed proclamation to the world
that this government will establish and
effectively maintain a blockade of the
port of Havana. The proclamation,
substantially as prepared by the Attor-
pey General, was signed before the
meeting adjourned and will be promul-
ated, it is understood, at once. The
embargo resolutions of Congress were
also discussed at length and finally sp.
proved by the President. These will
be put into effect Immediately. They
will ehectually prevent the landing at
any Cuban or other Spanish port of coal
or other coutrsband articles. Customs
officers will be instructed not to grant
clearance papers to any vessels so laden
and if false statement is made as to
their destination they will not be per-
United to pass the blockade and will be
subject to seizure.
Great enthusiasm was manifested
here to day at the announcement that
the flying squadron had captured
Spanish merchantmen with a load of
lumber, that had sailed from Texas un-
der the conviction that she could reach
her destination before the commence
ment of hostilities.
VIM. ]. Wheeler and P. II. Scott, of
Virginia, were appointed by the Presi-
dent as third lieutenants In the reveHue
service to-day.
Mr.. Charles Emory Smith of Phila.
adelphia, whose nomination as Post
master General was confirmed yester-
day by the Senate, took the oath of Of
flee at II o'clock this morning iu the
cabinet room of the White House in tho
presence of the President, the members
of the cabinet and number of other
prominent people. The oath was ad-
by Mr. Justice Shiras of the
U. S. Supreme Court. Mr.. Smith after.
wards attended the cabinet meeting.
By the new volunteer army bill the
time in which the volunteers shall serve
is reduced from three years to two.
The amendment authorizing the Presi-
dent to organize Independent troops
was retained but the number was lin.
tied to 5000, and the appointment of
regmental and company militia officers
is optional with the governors of their
respective states, and two assistant sur
geons are provided for each regiment.
Mr.. Dingley, Of the House ways and
means committee, says the men who
have been most clamorous for war will
be farthest from the recruiting and the
revenue officers. - .a
MIR. B. G. Milburn of this CITY. a
druggist, son of the late Mr.. Parker
Milburn, OF Alexandria, has passed the
required examination, and enlisted as
hospital steward in the Virginia Volun-
teers for the war with Spain.
Mr.. Lamb 10 the House to-day pre-
scented several petitions from the bust
ness men of Richmond in favor of the
anti-scalpers' bill.
Captain John Miller of the Washington
Ii sht Infantry has resigned.
Il is stated at the War Department to-day
that no less than seventeen thousand spplics-
tions for commissions have been received
there.
Nothing but wsr talk is heard at the Capt.
tol OF anywhere else here to-day, and large
crowd has fingered sll day around q recruit.
ing office in Centre Market building.
Secretary Long said this afternoon that
Captain Sampson had been appointed an
acting rear admiral" 1t is supposed he
will be named arer as "rear admiral"
There will be no business transacted BY the
Senate tomorrow. The naval bill will 20
over until Monday.
1t is rumored that the President will issue
bis call upon the States for 100000 men to.
day or to morrow. Lon the same lines that