Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-24
FROM WASHINGTON.
TCorrespcndence Of the Alexandria GaSette.]
WASHINGTON. May "a.

WASHINGTON, May "a.
The principal subject of conversation
at Camp Alger yesterday evening was
Spanish spies and poisoned springs.
Three arrests were made by a member
of the Ninth Ohio battalion. The men
considered by him suspicious persons
ere Mariauo Sato, mayor OF Puerto
P incipe, Cuban iusurgent; w. b.
>treeks and H. E. McDevitt, American
citizens. Their appearance and the
f act that they spoke Spanish aroused
the suspicious of the guard. The
prisoners have been kept under guard,
nut probably will be released
this afternoon by order of Gen
eral Graham. Many charges of
pollution of water have been made, but
so far no foundation has been found for
Them. The water supply is not exces'
sive, but is thought to be sufficient for
the heads of the camp. There is some
illness among the soldiers, the prevail
ing complaint being colds.
The British Embassy has received no
report from London or from British
sources in the West Indies concerning
3 10 reported engagement of the Amerl-
can and Spanish squadrons in the
Windward Passage.
Secretary Long before joining the
President and the Cabinet to-day said
the press dispatch from London about
the reported destruction Of Admiral
Csrvera's fleet was all the news he had
Oh the subject and that there had been
nothing official to confirm it. The re-
port attracted considerable attention
among Senators and Representatives
who have been eager for news of con-
flict between the two nayies. Several
of them called the attention OF the
President to it, but succeeded in get
ting no news concerning it.
Senator Burrows said this morning
that his personal conviction was that
there should be 100000 men promptly
sent to Manila to hold the Philippines.
Senator Vest from the Senate COM
mittee on public health today reported
the Joint resolution prohibiting discrimi-
nations against the graduates of any
legally chartere i medical colleges in the
appointment of surgeons to the army
and navv.
The U. S. supreme court will not
meet again until Tuesday and will then
adjourn until next October.
Alter the Cabinet meeting to-day II
was stated that no news of any impor-
lance had been received from any
quarter. The rumor current in London
that the American and Spanish fleets
had come together and that the Span
iards had been de stroyed is not credited
hy members Of the Cabinet, who ap,
parently have no reason to expect an
early engagement. News is eagerly
awaited and some irritation is expres:ei
hat some one of the comparatively
large number of swift scouts in the
southern waters has not been able to
locate the enemy and so bring about q
collision between the fleets.
Sec'e AIRY Alger to-day sent to Con-
gress request for an urgency sppro
priation Of IS, 100000 for the subsistence
of the army until January 1, 1899.
Notwithstanding the persistent ru
! mors in circulation to the effect that q
great naval engagement has beer
| fought in the Windward Passage re-
| sulting in the destruction of the Span
sh fleet, it can be stated positively thai
the Navy Department has no informa'
ton that tends in the slightest to con
| firm these rumors.
Az Alexandria countyman here t.
day said the troops at Camp Alger hac
alre Ady become terror to the people
of all the country for miles around that
camp, and that nothing fit to eat il
their sight was safe from them. He
also said there is some sickness among
them already, and that as water i:
scarce there, talk has already comm enc
ed about moving the camp. He also
said that of the 1850 mules corralled a.
the st. Asaph track, $50 were sick and
some already dead, and that he had
heard that on the If way there they went
| three days without water.
Bids for the armor of the Illinois
Alabama aud Wisconsin were opened
to-day and the contracts given to the
Carnagie and Bethlehem works, at the
highest price allowed bp law.
It is stated at thel War Department
to-day that no plans have yet been
made for another call for troops for the
Spanish war.
The House military committee this
morning reported favorably bills to in
crease the force of the inspector gener
al's Office and to create the office OF
second assistant secretary of war.
Senator Daniel said to-day he though
the war revenue bill would be passed
some time next week, and he did not
think the opponents of the bond issue
won d be able to defeat that provision
of it.
Congre. sman Otey of Virgins introduced a
bill to-day 10 confer the Thanking privilege
upon all soldiers and sailors in the o. s. ar
my and navy.
A tally of the republican members of the
House has been made, and 1S9 of them have
been found to favor the annexation of Hawaii
Mr. Speaker Reed is opposed to the scheme,
but as his party favors it he will not oppose
its conside alton, but not, it is ssid, until the
Senate shall have passed the war revenue bill.
The President ent q large number of army
nominations t3 the Senate to-day, but no Viz
gniaus were among them; also that of P.
Morrill, Griffin of Ohio TO be Consul at Mata'
moras.
Congressman Rixey of the Alexandria dis
trict, and Lsnham of Texas will leave lie Q to-
morrow for Culpepsr to attend the Confeder.
ate memorial services there. 1t is reported
that Congressman Walker, now republican,
has been invited to accompany them
Mr.. o. A. Hawkins of Richmond, who was
q candidate for commissioner of the revenue
for his city at the last democratic primary
;c haro -dar- n,,.,li,n. .,la