Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-07-06
FROM WASHINGTON.
[Oorrsspsndence OF the Alexandris Gazette.

[Oorrsspsndence OF the Alexandris Gazette. J
Washington. July 6.
Col, J. 8. Mosby, who Ia rapidly re-
covering from his recent Illness, is daily
visited by some OF his former comrades
| in arms. To one Of them he said day
or two since that he never expected to
visit Front Royal again till the monu-
ment erected there last year to the
members OF his command who were
murdered by federal soldiers, was re-.
moved from the cemetery to q suitable
spot in the town.
An interesting question has arisen In
connection with the decision of the
Spanish treaty claims commission that
thew will, In special cases, permit the
taking of testimony in Cuba and per-
haps in Spain. The question is, what
mower the commission would have to
compel the attendance OF witnesses and
to punish perjury or contempt. The
opinion Is expressed that the commits
sion can neither compel the attendance
of witnesses abroad nor punish them
for perjury. 1t has been found that 10
the case of the French claims commits
sion, which met In the early eighties to
s1iudicate the claims OF American and
French citizens arising from the civil
war, the Franco-Prussian war, etc., 1t
was impossible in France to compel
witnesses to attend commission Great.
ed In the United States, nor was it pos
sible to punish those whose testimony
was not truthful.
The Cramps Shipbuilding Company
has informed the Navy department
that the batteship Maine will be
launched July %.
The official report OF the German
Ambassador at Pekin. just received at
the Navy department, pays high COM
pliment to Capt. John T. Myers of the
Marine Corps, q. 8. N, who COM
manded the legation guard during the
siege, 10 part he says: "If an excep-
ton could be made to the rule that
American officers cannot receive
foreign decorations, then In my opinion
of those (not Germany who took part in
the siege OF Pekin, the American, Cap
tain Myers, should be the first to re-
ceiye from us an order of distinction.
According to the universal opinion OF
all participants, Captain Myers worked
from the beginning to the end In har.
mony with Count Soden for the defense
OF the southern wall, which led to the
legation quarter. By means of his fire..
quent proofs OF his personal fearlesness
and bravery, he contributed 10 no little
measure towards keeping up the cour-
age of our own people"
General Alger's book on the Spanish
War, dealing particularly with the
Washington end thereof, will appear
in September. Gen. AIger, who is
spending the summer at Carlsbad, ex.
presses great surprise that several
American newspapers should assert
that his retirement from the Cabinet
resulted from the army beef scandals.
The General insists that the beef
scandals had nothing whatever to do
with his retirement and promises that
his book would clear up the whole
matter.
Secretary Root has decided that one
must actually be soldier and subject
to military authority If he would enjoy
| the 10 per cent. increase OF pay award
ed those serving beyond the seas. The
Comptroller of the Treasury had his at
tention brought to the case OF army
| veterinarians recently and decided that
those serving in Porto Rico, Alaska,
Hawaii and the Philippines shall re-
csive the Increase. Thereupon the
army paymssters' clerks took up the
matter, made their demsnd and were
awarded the same decision by the
| Comptroller. Secretary Root, however,
has arbitrarily set this decision aside
and the clerks to obtain the larger pay
must fight for 1t 10 the court OF claims
Jas. Il. Dubois, u. s. consul general
of st. Gall, Switzerland, has changed
places with Jas. 1. McCsllum, who ID
engaged in the State Department 10
editing the revised statutes. Mr.. Du.
bois is now in the United States. Mr.
McCallum married the daughter oil
the late Secretary of State John Sher-
man.
Although Russia has Indicated that
she does not desire to enter into suy
tariff war with the United States and il
willing to take of her retsliatory duties
on American products provided the
| United States will rescind it's action to.
wards Russian sugar, this does not by
any means indicate an early settlement
OF the tariff difficulties between the
two countries. The State department
has called upon the Treasury for q
full statement OF the reasons upon
which 1t based its action in imposing q
countervsiling duty on Russian sugar
In view of the mandatory nature Of the
Dingley tariff act, which requires the
imposition of such duty upon sugars
imported from countries giving 9
direct or indirect bounty on sugar ex
portstions, it lie expected that the State
department will endeavor to secure
from Russia modification OF her TART