Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-10
FROM WASHINGTON.

Correspondence OF Jne AieAahuiio p"~S'SN''
Washington, d. c., December 10.
Minister Bowen, at Caracas, informed
the State Department by cable today OF
the capture by the naval forces of Great
Britain and Germany of the entire
Venezuelan feet in the harbor of La
Guayra. This occurred yesterday.
The Venezuelan warships are only four
in number and are not considered to be
very formidable craft. In the United
States they would be considered in the
tug-boat class. 1t is not believed that
anv resistance was offered, although the
minister is silent on this point. Minis
ter Bowen also confirms the morning
cables that large number of German
and English residents of Caracas were
arrested yesterday. He adds, however,
that he was instrumental in securing the
release of majority of them.
1t is probable that John Barrett OF
Oregon, will not be made Minister to
Japan, despite the Presidents DISPOSE
ton to appoint him. Mr.. Takahira, the
Japanese minister here, has conveyed a
hintto this government that Mr.. Barrett
might not be acceptable at Toxic.
Without raising against him any specific
objection, Mr.. Takahira in a talk with
Secretary Hay made inquiries as to Mr..
Barrett's standing in this country, and
his ability to fill so important diplo-
matte post, thus indicating that the
japanese government was doubtful as to
the wisdom of the appointment. In
making appointments to the diplomatic
service, the first requisite is that the APP
pointee must pc perfectly acceptable to
the government at whose court he Is to
serve, and the slightest hint from that
government that he would be persona
non grata is sufficient to prevent his
commission. IL is understood that the
President is now looking for another
man to succeed the late Minister Buck.
When the House committee on the
judiciary meets on next Friday, an eff
fort will be made to secure Independent
action on the bill carrying an appropria-
ton of $500, 600 to be placed at the dis
posal of the Attorney General to enable
him to exhaust all resources in an at
tempt to enforce the provisions of the
existing antitrust laws. All measures
touching on trust legislation have been
referred to a subcommittee, of which
Mr.. Littlefield, of Maine, is chairman,
which is to meet next Saturday.
Secretary Hay has cabled to J. Il. A.
Grassland (colored), United States Min
lister to Liberia, asking for "iull and
truthful" account by mail of the alleged
shooting by the minister of Thomas
Faulkner at Monrovia. Until the De-
partment is in receipt of the min
ister's explanation no step will be taken
in the matter. If it is found that
Grassland did not act in self-defencc he
will undoubtedly be replaced. Accord
ing to the various stories that have
reached Washington, razors and re-
volvers have played a far too prominent
part in the conduct of the Liberan
legation.
Fifty delegates to the convention of
the anti-saloon league, now in session
here, were received by the President at
the White House at noon today. The
morning session of the convention was
devoted to reports from the State leagues,
a fourishing condition being generally
announced by the delegates.
The Senate yesterday confirmed the
nomination of Judge Lewis as District
Attorney for the Eastern district Of Vir-
ginia.