Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-21
FROM WASHINGTON.
CORRESPONDENCE Of the Alexandria Gazette.]
WASHINGTON. April 81.

Charles Emory Smith OF FenDsylVanla,
to be postmaster general vice James A.
Csrv resigned. To be Consuls-Fred.
erick H. Allison of New York. at Teg-
ucigalpa, Honduras; Hans J. Smith,
of South Dakota, at Port Louis Maur-
titus; VIM. E. Bainbridge, OF LOVE,
second secretary of legation at Pekln,
China.
The republican members of the ways
snd means committee expect TO
to complete the war revenue
measure and have it ready Tor
submission to the full committee to-mor.
row or Saturday at the latest. One OF
the biggest contests in progress IN the
committee is over the question OF TAX
ing tea and coffee. The proposition to
place 10 cents tax on tea and three
cents upon coffee has met considerable
opposition and various suggestions have
been made as to subjects Tor taxation
in lieu of tea and coffee. Among them
is a proposition to place 80 cents per
barrel tax on petroleum but it now
seems probable this will be abandoned
There IS also proposition to tax min.
eral waters, wines, etc., but q PROPOSE
ton which now meets with more favor
is to lax railroad tickets and sleeping
car tickets 10 cents for each trip OF over
100 miles. It is estimated between
$4,000 900 and S25,000,00O could be
raised from this source.
Diplomatic relations between the
United States and Spain are at an end.
Il is expected that from now on events
will move with amazing rapidity up to
the climax of actual war. Judge Day,
Assis ant Secretary of State, early this
morning received q cablegram from
Minister Woodfcrd, at Madrid, stating
that he had been handed his passports
and had been notified that official rela-
lions between the United States and
Spain were ended. His cablegram
said that he had been given the pass
ports before he had an opportunity to
present the ultimatum transmitted to
him for submission to the Spanish gov
ernmeut. Judge Day at once hurried
to the White House, where he found
President Mckinley about to enter a
carriage to take Mrs. Mckinley to the
railroad station, where he intended to
see her of on a short trip to New
York. The newsIthat diplomatic rela
tions between the United States and
Spain were formally at an end was so
Important that the President babe a
nasty goodbye to his wife on the White
House portico and repaired immedi-
ately to the upstairs part Of the house,
where ne and Judge Day held a con-
ference. the result OF which was the
dispatch Of Secretary Porter to the
Capitol to communicate the news to
the Senate committee on foreign rela-
tons and also to leading members Of
the House.
The following statement of the text
of the ultimatum TO Spain was issued
to-day "On yesterday, April 20, 1898,
about eleven o'clock @. M, the Depart
ment of State served notice of the pur
pose of this government by delivering
to Minister Polo copy OF an instruction
to Minister Woodford, and also copy
of the resolutions passed by the Con.
gress of the United States on the 10Th
instant. After the receipt of this no.
tice the Spanish Minister forwarded to
the State Department request for his
passports which were furnished to him
on yesterday afternoon. The United
States Minister at Madrid was, ct the
same time, instructed to make like
communication to the government of
Spain. This morning the department
received from General Woodfoed
telegram showing that the Spanish
government hsd broken off diplo
matte relations with this gov
eminent. This course renders un-
necessary any further diplomatic
action on the part Of the United States.
The instructions were as follows
The President directs you to immed-
lately communicate to the government
Of Spain said resolutions with the formal
demand of the government the United
States that the government of Spain at
once relinquish its authority and gov
erment in the Island of Cuba and with
draw its land and naval forces from
Cuba and Cuban waters. Ia taking
this step, the United States hereby dis.
claims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over said Island except for the
pacifcation thereof aud asserts its
when that is accom-
plished to leave the government and
control of the island to Its people
under such free and Independent
government as they may establish.
Ii by the hour of noon oh Saturday
next, the twenty-third day of April,
Instant, there be not communicated to
this government by thst of Spain full
and satisfactory response to this de-
mand and resolution whereby the ends
of peace in Cuba shall be assured, the
President will proceed without further
notice to use the power and authority
enjoined end conferred upon him by
the said joint resolution to such extent
as may be necessary to carry the same
into effect"
Some of the Virginia republicans in
and around the House tried to get up
the WiseYoung contested election case
Yesterday but they had no strength. In
deed it is the general impression ii the
House that except two of the Virginia
members and some of the
rank South-haters, the republican mem
bers of that body take little or no ins
terest in the Virginia contested casss.
1t is now said to be pretty certain
that Mr.. Swanson will retain his seat
in the House, that is being contested By
Nj. Brown, as three republican mem
hars OF TIE elections committee are in