Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-18
no body but contractors and ship own
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondents OF the Alexandra aazette.]
WASHINGTON, May IS.

an offensive !uSttau VI a Oc4onoiN0 "S-''
and as result we ought to have the
ships capable of executing offensive
warfare. The strength OF the Spanish
squadron now in southern waters lies
in the fact that it has the type of arm
ored cruisers, with speed and protective
armor, suitable for offensive work. We
are not only carrying on an offensive
warfare, but we are reaching out to the
Philippines. The entire theory OF a
defensive navy, on which our present
navy was formed, has been changed by
this conflict with Spain and, beng
changed, the new conditions should be
promptly met by Congress.
Secretary Gage sent to Congress to.
day request for large increase OF
clerical force for the Office of auditor
for the navy depar'm ent.
Among other nominations sent by
the President to the Senate to-day was
the following To be inspector general
with rank of msjor-John G. Evans, of
South Carolina.
The total number of volunteers to
date, as announced by Adjutent Gener-
al Corbin to-day, amounts to 80, $50.
The regiment of infantry which the
District Of Columbia will furnish to the
volunteer army has been fully muster
ed. Brigadier General Hsrries reported
the fact to the War Department this
morning and received orders to proceed
to Chickamauga. The regiment prob.
ably will go on Saturday by the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad, which has
been given the contract for the trans.
portation.
1.-The Navy Department is completing
its arrangements to effect an exchange
OF prisoners, the purpose being to Sc
cure the release of the two American
newspaper meR, Thrall and Jones, now
in Moro Castle, where they were
lodged after being captured while at
tempting to make landing on the
Cuban coast. Two Of the Spaniards
imprisoned at Fort Mcpherson, Ga,
who were captured on the steamer
Argonauta, one being Spanish con-
sui, will be chosen for the exchange,
providing the arrangements can be
completed. The Madrid dispatch pub
lshed this morning, which seemed to
indicate that the Havana authorities
are disposed to regard the newspaper
prisoners as spies, possibly may inter-
fere with the exchange contemplated,
all the arrangements for which were
made by the Unces expedition.
Secretary Alger has sent to Congress
draft of bill to create in time of war
second assistant Secretary of War
with q salary of 81 900. The Secretary
urges the importance in this exigency
of immediate action.
There has been no meeting yet be-
tween the hostile fleets in the neigh
borheod of Cuba. That was all that
could be learned this morning at the
Navy Department.
Frances Aura Alger, the youngesi
daughter ofthe Secretary Of War, and
Charles Burial Pike, of Chicago, son
of Eugene S. Pike, Que of that city's
most energetic and influential citizens,
were married at noon to-day at the
residence of Secretary Alger. Pfesi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley were near the
We lding party during the ceremony as
were the Vice President and Mra.
Hobart.
Representative Bromwell, of Ohio,
has introduced q joint resolution au
thorizing the return of captured Con-
tederate flags on application of govern
ors of States whose troops carried the
flags.
1t is reported that the Navy Depart
ment was informed to-day that the bat
tleshhip Oregon had joined Samp5on's
squadron.
Judge r. T. w. Duke, jr., Grand
Master of Masons in Virginia, here to-
day, denies reports that he had author
lied the statement that he would make
Gen. Lee mason sat sight, if request
ed. He had said, iu response to cues
ton by mason, that he was willing to
grant dispensation under which
Richmond lodge could entertain Gen.
Lees petition and act upon it immedi-
ately. He had further expressed his
willingness to confer the degrees him
self requested. Similar dispensations
have been granted to members of the
Virginia volunteer forces who would
be compelled to leave their homes be-
lore UQelr p0lltlOu6 COulo 10 oSIou On III
tho regular way.
Congressman Lanham of Texas will
deliver sn address to Lee Camp of Con.
Tolerate Veterans of Richmond on the
20 b inst
There was quite lively tilt before
the House District committee yesterday
between the physicians and druggists of
this city, during the consideration of the
bill regulating the sale of poisons, the
former waiting to restrict the sale to
such as may be ordered by city physi-
cians; the latter, to sell on any ply
siciau's prescription, whether local or
foreign. The question was not settled.
Mr.. r. n. Harper represented the drug
gists.
Assistant District Attorney John
Blair of the western district of Virginia,
is here to-day to try to have his salary
increased from 81 200 to 81, 400.
The War Department has decided
that because Capt. Craighill of Lynch
burg, is commander of volunteer COM
pany, is no reason why ne should not
be appointed a lieutenant in the y. S.
A, and his name will be sent to the
President along with those of other
applicants:
Messrs. Park Agnew and W. T. Wick
ham, the chairmen of the two wings of
the Virginia republicans, met here yes