Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-17
FROM WASHINGTON.
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WASHINGTON. Nav Il.

pressure OF the part OF the United
States as q greater power: no po5sioli-
NV OF objections by other governments,
but Is the result of the natural course
OF events. The only question involved
is whether the proposed possession OF
the Hawaiian Islands would be advan-
tageous 10 the United States" The
strategic importance OF the Islands Is
then discussed, also the risk OF delay.
ing acquisition, as there is danger OF
the islands falling under Japanese iDtu-
ence and control. American CONNER
cial interests would be promoted and
annexation, the report says, would do
away with foreign complications OF the
island. It states that there is nothing
IN the Constitution to prevent the &C
QUESTION OF territory by legislative act
and says tie acquisition of the islands
does not contravene our national policy
or traditions. Il carries out the Mon
roe doctrine, which excludes European
powers from interfering in the Ameri.
can continent and outlying islands, but
does not limit the nited States.
The House committee on interstate
and foreign commerce has reported ia
vorably bill recognizing the revenue
cutter service. 1t empowers the con-
veuing OF boards to enforce discipline,
etc., makes the term OF the enlisted
force not to exceed three years, de-
clares absence OF al enlisted person for
three days desertion, and prohibits an
officer dismissed or suffered to resign to
escape dismissal from again becoming
an officer. 1t also provides for the co
operation Of the revenue cutter service
with the navy whenever the President
SO directs.
Secretary Long has appointed Assist
ant Secretary Allen president OF board
which is to be charged with the selec-
tiod OF desigos for the medals to be
awarded 10 Admiral Dewey and tie
members Of his sbips' crews in reccg-
nilion of their acoieveme ais at Manila.
i delegation OF negroes, consisting OF
Piuchback, James Lewis and Judson
~. Lyons, called on the Secretary Of
War to-day and urged that all OF the
ter regiments OF immunes to be sent to
Cuba to be made up Of their race. They
pointed out the especial service such
oops, bred in the southern climate
aad most OF them used to conditions
similar 10 those 10 be confronted in
Clbs, would have in the campaign.
Secretary Alger was not able to coz
cede all OF the immune regiments to
coiored volunteers but gave assurance
that several Of them would be com posed
of men of their race. The delegation
also urged the appointment of Thomas
s. Kelley, of / ouisiana, negro, as a
cnlonel OF one OF the immune regiments.
Kelley, it is said, has the endorsement
of General Miles.
The House committee on military
affairs agreed to-day 70 report favorably
bills prohibiting the photographing OF
any guns which would give the strength
of any fertilization OF the United States;
increasing the number of post quarter
master serReants Of the army by p;
and su5pendiug the provisions OF the
statutes that limit the number of army
hospital stewards to 100 and that re-
quire the stewards before appointment
to demonstrate fitness by service of not
less than year as acting hospital
steward.
Colonel r. P. Hughes, inspector gen.
eral, with headquarters at New York
city, was at the War Department to.
day Oh mission from General Merritt
in connection with the assignment OF
regular troops to accompany the Phil
ippine expedition soon to start from
San Francisco. Gen. Merritt's prefer
ence for larger number of regulars
than it was proposed by the depart
ment to give him has been known here
for some time and mis- views on that
subject are shared by many ofth army
officials. Secretary Alger and the de-
partment officials have been consider
ing the advi5ability of Withdrawing
about three Of the regular infantry reg.
iments from Tampa and adding them
to General Merritt's commaOd.
As he left the Navy Department at Il
o'clock to-day to attend the Cabinet
meeting, Secretary Long stated that he
had no information relative to the
movements of the fleets in the Gulf of
Mexico that could be communicated to
the public. No report has reached the
Navy Department to indicate that dis
aster has overtaken any of the Ameri.
can vessels on the blockading station.
II it should be true, as reported from
Havana, that one ofthe vessels engaged
in the removal Of Spanish torpedoes at
Cardenas was blown up, it could have
been nothing larger than steam
launch at most, for that is the class of
boats employed in such work. The de.
psrtment has 40 information of any
such accident.
The fact is conceded that several YES
sells under neutral flags have passed the
blockade lines on tie Cuban coast.
Eighty-two thousand volunteers have
now been mustered in and are being
sent to mobilizing points.
Gen. Greedy, chief of the signal serv-
ice and in charge of ali strategic and
cable lines, telegraphed last night to
the New York manager of the Haytian
Cable Company forbidding the sending
or receipt of any messages, except Of
fetal messages to or from the United
States government, disclosing the move
ments Of ships.
The democratic members of the
House from Virginia say that their in
formation is to the effect that the en-
tire delegation from their State in the
next House will be democratic; that
Messrs. Epes and Young, who Were
turned out of their seats by the repub-
lican majority in the House, will be re.
elected by increased mejorities; that
Nv n will %oI- r.