Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-11
FROM WASHING TON.
+ Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.]
WASHINGTON, March IL.

four hours before delivery. Although
Americans and Others are allowed to
land without passports, no one can
leave port or obtain passage ticket
by an outgoing vessel without present
ing q passport duly vised by the gov
ernmeht, which is kept by the con-
signees of the vessel for police inspec-
ton on board, when it is then returned
TO the passenger if in order. The Con-
sui General recommends that all Amer
leans intending to visit Cuba should
provide themselves with passports from
the Department OF State, which will
serye to identity them properly while
in Cuba and greatly facilitate their de-
p4rture when ready to leave the island,
Negotiations are proceeding Tor the
purchase OF the Brazilian cruiser Anna
zopas and her sister ship, the Barbozo,
by the United States, but so far as the
NAVY Department is advised have not
vet been closed. The negotiations for
the purchase of the two Japanese cruis-
ers now building in this country-at
Philadelphia aud San Franclsco-are oil,
and the present indications are that no
further steps will be taken towards &C
curing these ships. The japanese gov
ernment appears to bs even more desir-
Gus of securing these ships than the
United States, and, owing to the deli
cate character of the aspect of affairs
between Russia and Japan, it is felt
that the needs of Japan are quite as ur-
IL - - e,
Secretary Alger has made ar
engagements for procuring large num-
b r of rapid fire guns for sea coast de-
lenses. Ever since the Maine was
wrecked the ordnance department he's
been fastening the delivery of guns al
ready finished and making arrangements
for the supply of such number of ad-
ditional ones as the officials felt war
ranted in ordering without the addi-
tional funds which have since been put
at their disposal.
The orders for the manning Of the
new batteries demand the utmost
promptness in their execution, and it is
expected that the movement OF the
troops to the various places assigned
them will begin within the next forty
eig hit hours. Fort Monroe, Va, is
probably the strongest and best equip
ped station on the Atlantic coast, and
the garrison there will be called upon
t6 man other Notifications, but not to
an extent that would weaken its own
efficiency.
Orders were issued to-day for man.
ming the newly established Notifications
on the Atlantic coast from Boston down
to Galveston on the gulf, They include
the organization of the two new ar
tillery regiments. The first will have
its headquarters at Fort Slocum, n. Y,
and the second at Fort McHenry, Md.
For the better projection OF the nation
al capital, one battery OF the Fourth ar
tillery at Fort Monroe has been ordered
to Sheridan Point, Va. This fort is
nearly opposite Fort Washington and
in connection with it commands the
approach to Washington by water.
Arrangements have been made to e.
tablish immediate telegraphic and tele-
phonic connections between all the new
stations on the coast to which troops
have been assigned. The only method
of communicating between the national
capital and its most important defensive
work, Fort Washington, on the Pc
tomac, is by means OF messenger.
Prince Albert, heir presumptive to
the Belgian throne, made an Informal
call on the President at the White
House at noon to-day. The Prince was
accompanied by the members of his
suite, all of whom were in citizens dress.
The President received his distinguished
guest in a most cordial manner and after
the greetings, which are usual on such
occasions, had been said the President
joined the party in drive about the city.
The royal guest arose early to-day
and in company with his aide de camp
took stroll through Lafayette Park
aud along Pennsylvania avenue near the
White House. He was not recognized
by those on the streets. Most of to-day
will be given to the exchange of court
estes with the President and tomorrow
the Prince will visit some of the govern
ment institutions and begin the obser-
vations for which his visit was made.
The naval officers who are endeavor-
ing to effect the purchase of ships
abroad have encountered an obstacle
that promises to give some trouble.
This is found in the difference between
the cSlibres of the guns on foreign built
ships and the United States navy stand.
ards. Not only do these guns differ in
calibre from those of this country, but
as they are almost all designed for the
use Of smokeless powder their COM
bustion chambers are too small to use
the ordinary brown powder with which
the American navy is still supplied.
Nothing of Importance was done at
to-day's Cabinet meeting and the dis
cGssion was OF the most general charac.
ter.
The ways and means commitie6 re.
ported favorsbly today the bill repeal
ing the resolution enacted three years
ago to prevent a large smuggling trade
back into the United States from the
ofres" goods admitted into the free zone
along the Mexican border.
The Senate committee on judiciary
to-day completed its consideration of
the proposed amendment to the consti.
tuition of the United States providing
for the succession to the presidency in
case of the death of the president-elect
before his Inauguration. The amend
ment was modified so as to empower
Congress to iegislate on the subject.
The bill for the relief of the victims
Of the Maine disaster was to have been
called up in the House o-dqy. Speak