Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-01
FROM WASHING ION.
T Correspondence OF the Alexandria Gazette.l
WASHINGTON, March l.

while the officials of the Navy Depart
ment have reached the conclusion that
harm is being done by the preaching of
theories to account for the explosion,
so notice has been served upon the ex-
perts who have been heard from in the
press that it is preferred they shall no
longer discuss this matter in advance Of
the report of the court of inquiry.
No advices have been received at
either the State or Navy Department
that would warrant the statement that
the Spanish officials in Havana have at
tempted to interpose any obstacle to
the prosecution of the work of the
wreckers on the Names hull. 1t is
said that the very last phase OF this
matter was sent out in the published
dispatch of Assistant Secretary Day au-
thoriziDg the Spanish government to
prosecute an independent investigation
bv It's own divers into the cause of the
loss of the Maine. The department has
not withdrawn that permission.
Concerning the published report that
the limitation of time suggested by the
[ nited Stated TO Spain for the paciica-
ton of Cuba expired to-day, March /,
and that the Spanish government was
now earnestly negotiating at Washing
ton to secure two months extension
of the time, an official whose position
makes him completely familiar with all
such negotiations said 1.-THE report is
absolutely false in every particular.
No time limit expires to-day or at any
other specified date, and for that
reason there are no negotiations in
progress or contemplated for a two
months extension or for any other ex-
tension. The report is an invention
throughout"
At the Spanish Legation no recent
advices had been received from Havana
or Madrid concerning the Maine disas-
ter, except the specific information con-
veyed to Senior Du Bose that no mines
or submarine detenses exist in Havana
harbor. He has been informed of the
arrival at Jacksonville of the alleged
flibustering steamer Dauntless, which
is said to have landed large expedi-
ton in Cuba few days ago. Senior Du
Bose was at the State Department to.
day aud called attention to the arrival
of the Daunlless at Jacksonville and
the evidences of her expeditionary trip.
A party of Senators and members Of
the House left here to-day for Cuba
They go by train to Fortress Monroe
and from there will take a private
yacht for Havana. The party will con-
sist of Senators Galliuger, Thurston
aud Money, and Representatives Amos
J Cummings aud William Alden
Smith and their wives. Senator Thurs
ton said to-day that the trip was uD-
d srtaken for the purpose of making a
personal investigation into affairs in
Cuba. Senator GAllinger said he had
not exchanged word with the Presi.
dent about the trip and that it was
purely private undertaking for the
purpose of making personal inspec-
ton.
Following the cabinet meeting to day
a report was circulated to the effect
that Secretary Long had stated that the
element of Spanish responsibility had
been eliminated from the incident OF
the disaster to the Maine. Secretary
Long said the expression was based en-
tireIy upon his personal judgment and
did not spring from any evidence or
information in his posse ssion. He
further said that there was material
abatement of the excitement oyer the
suhiect of the Maine.
The meeting OF the Cabinet today,
at which all of the members were pre-
sent. disclosed the fact that the govern
ment is still without news regarding
the cause of the disaster to the Maine.
Up to this time the court OF inquiry has
not indica' ed ia any way the trend OF
the investigation. The President and
the members of the Cabinet are as
completely in the dark as to what the
evidence so far sddpced discloses> as
they were on the day after the eIplo-
sion.
The murder recently of the negro
postmaster st Lake City, S. c., by q
mob of hundred or so white men was
considered by the Cabinet to-day. 1t
was remarked by member after tho
close of the meeting that this crime had
been passed by almost unnoticed by the
public in the excitement caused by the
wreck of the Maine, and that thought
full men might pro6tably give a share
of their attention to this great wrong
committed by our own people.
Senator Plat, of New York, to-day
introduced bill to regulate the issue
of circulating notes by State banks. 1t
relieves such notes from taxation. 1t
authorizes the banks to deposit with
the treasurer of the United States the
stocks or bonds of any State, city or
county in exchange for circulating notes
to the extent of 50 per cent of the value
of the deposits and 70 per cent of the
capital stock OF the bank.
The monthly circulation statement
issued BY the Comptroller of the Cur
rency to-day shows that at the close of
business yesterday the amount of ma
tional bank notes outstanding was
$224 747, 032, decrease for the month
of $1,697 ,S74 and a decrease for the
twelve months of $9,402,92S. The
amount Of circulation based on United
States bonds was S19l, 056.S1S, de-
crease for the month of 81 ,667 ,4S1 and
a decrease for the year Of 19,S5S, 597.
The circulation secured by lsWful
money amounted to $33 500 pa, de
crease for the month OF $50, 1872.
The monthly treasury statement to
be issued to-day will show an excess OF
receipts over expenditures for the
Eohruarr of S1 ORG 40