Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-17
FROM WASHINGTON.

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(1Corrcspandencc Of the Alexandria Gazette. ]
Washington. d. c.. December IL.
1t now seems that Holland and Den
mark also have claims against Nene-
zuela. Spain and Belgium have trav-
eled so far along the same road as to
notify President Castro that when set
Element is made with others their claims
must also be considered andi reported
that Holland and Denmark will take
similar steps. each nation that joins
in the coercion of Venezuela adds just
so much to the difficulties and complica-
tons of the situation" This was the
statement made yesterday by govern
ment official with reference to the notice
served by Italy that she had joined the
concerted action of Germany and Great
Britain. The tangle is regarded as
serious here. Secretary Hay has in
structed the Ambassadors in Berlin and
London to again call the attention OF
those governments to the proposal OF
arbitration. Advices from the capitals
indicate that arbitration will not be
acceptable except it is accompanied by
guarantee of eventual payment
of whatever award may be obtained.
AS regarded by the administration, no
violation of the Monroe doctrine has yet
occurred, but there is serious danger that
with the majority of European powers
struggling to extort money and satisfac-
ton out of Venezuela, the insolence Of
combined strength will lead to some overt
act. Then it will be question whether
the United States can enforce the policy
against such odds. If it is not so en-
forced purely American principle will
have to be abandoned. AT least Ger
many and Italy would welcome such an
overthrow. Great Britain might assist
the United States in maintaining it; in
fact it is the opinion held at the State
Department that Great Britain looks
upon the "doctrine" as essential to world
peace and for that reason is as much in
terested in its integrity as this nation.
The position of France is in doubt.
Orders will be sent tomorrow to Adj
miral Dewey to dispatch several of the
battleships which have been engaged in
manoeuvres off Culebra to Trinidad,
which is only about 1915 miles from La
Guayra; other vessels Of the feet will be
ordered to Curacao, 1877 miles from La
Guayra. This order will be in line with
programme mapped out some time ago
when there was little thought of trouble
between Venezuela and the European
powers. The United States, therefore,
will not be placed III an attitude of
seeming interference in the present crisis,
but will, nevertheless, have a powerful
feet on hand in case of necessity for its
use should arise.
1t is understood that Mr. Ashley NJ.
Gould, United States Attorney for the
District of Columbia, will not assume
his place on the bench of the District
Supreme Court until the appointment of
Mr.. Morgan II. Beach as his successor
in the District attorneys Office is APP
proved by the Senate.
According to the annual report of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, sent
to Congress today, the gross earnings of
the railroads of the United States during
the year ended June 80, 1902, was
81, III, 754, 200 or an average of IS, 76l
per mile of line; the operating expenses,
81, LOG, 1877, 405 or an average of So, Gel
per mile leaving net earnings of $685.
GIG, 795 or SO, 100 per mile. Compared
with the previous year the net earnings
are greater by some S51, 900, 900 and the
amount paid in dividends on stocks
greater by nearly $50, 100000.
The Cuban reciprocity treaty was sent
to the Senate by the President today.
A little later in an executive session the
treaty was read and referred to the COM
mittee for consideration.
Minister Bowen cabled the State De-
partment today from Caracas that the
Italian minister had left the city and
that he had assumed charge of the
Italian legations affairs according to in
structions.
Among the nominations sent to the
Senate by the President today is that of
Brigadier General. Commandant Charles
Haywood, U. S. Marine Corps, to be
Major General.
Memorial exercises in honor of the
late Senator Sewell, of New Jersey,
were held today in the Senate chamber.
Speeches were made by the two New
Jersey Senators and by a number of
statesmen who served with him on the
military committee.
The House ways and means commit
tee today authorized favorable report on
the bill reducing the tariff on goods
imported to this country from the
Philippines to 25 per cent. of the Ding
ley rates. They now pay IS per cent.
1t was decided to pass the bill today if
possible.
In obedience to orders from the Sec