Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-05-06
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the AleIandria Gazette.

The protocol between the allies, Great
Britain, Germany and Italy on the one
hand and Venezuela on the other by
which the question as 10 whether the
allied powers are entitled to preferential
treatment in the settlement of their
claims will be sent to The Hague for
arbitrament, will be signed at the
British Embassy in this city at 10 O. clock
tonight. One document instead of three
will be signed by the representatives of
each power and by Mr.. Bowen, and twill
then be taken to the State Department
where Secretary Hay, representing the
United States, and the Representatives of
the unallied powers having claims against
enezuela, will have an opportunity to
On their adherence to its terms by af-
fixing their signatures.
Extensive as is the present investiga-
ton into the affairs of the Postoffice De-
partment, it is but an incident compared
what Postmaster General Payne has in
mind. He announced this morning
that when Fourth Assistant Bristow
completes his inquiry into the charges
of Encouragement, the work of reor-
ganizing the entire postal system will
begin. He said particular attention
would be given offices in all the larger
cities, mentioning those in New York
city, Chicago, Philadelphia, st. Louis,
Boston and San Francisco, but explain
ing that the insertion of the official
probe would not be limited to the offices
named In response to inquiries he
said he thought the work could not be
completed before 1904. He had not
vet decided whether it would be pre-
formed by inspectors or postal COM
mission. 1t was this general revision
of the system he had in mind when he
secured an additional appropriation of
So, 900 from the last Congress.
The Treasury Department will this
week ship to Manila from Philadelphia
8. 900. 900 silver coins for the use of the
Philippine islands. Ofthese $500, 900
are silver pesos and the remainder are
subsidiary coins. The department has
already sent from San Francisco l., POO
600 of the new pesos, and as soon as
l. 800, 900, can be minted, making the
FIVE million required by the act of Con-
gress in order to establish the standard
of value, the new coinage system author
lied at the last session will go
into effect in the Philippines.
The price of silver bullion has risen
in the market about five cents an ounce
since the government began purchasing
for this purpose. The department has
temporary suspended purchases in the
East on this account and is only buying
small quantities in San Francisco, the
last purchase being made at "a IA cents.
Buying will be resumed when the price
at which the bullion is offered drops
some. Up to date the Treasury Depart
ment has bought 3,4OO, 600 ounces on
account of the Philippine coinage.
Emory Robinson, Postmaster at
Kanawha station, West Virginia, was
notified by the Postofice Department to-
day that his resignation had been ac-
copied. 1t appears that Mr.. Robinson,
who is Seventh Day Adventist, has
been assisted by clerk who had no
conscientious scruples against working
on the last day OF the week. The clerk
resigned Monday. The Postmaster, in
explaining the situation, requested that
he be permitted to close the Office on
Saturdays aud open it on Sundays. If
this could not be permitted he asked to
be relieved. His alternative request has
been granted. Mr.. Robinson has served
since January. The Office pays 1896
per year.
Edward F. Markle, local assistant
superintendent of the Union Transfer
Company, dropped dead today at the
Saengerbund Club of heart disease. His
home was at Germantown, Pa. He was
As years old, and had been with the
company twenty years.
President Roosevelt yesterday, by
telegram, ordered the release of the lad
Martin Guilford from the Fl. Leaven
worth penitentiary, where he was serv-
ing 10 months for postoffice robbery in
Indiana, but Guilford had died on
April, 49,
The delegates to represent the United
States at the international convention at
Geneva, for the purpose Of revising the
Geneva treaty of 1864, under which the
various Red Cross societies are recOgniz-
ed, have been designated by the President.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
has assigned number of cases for hear
ing, among them: Glade Coal Company,
VS.. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany, refusal to supply cars for coal
shipments, Cumberland, Nd, May Is;
William Randolph Hearst VS.. Philadel
phia & Reading and other railroads,
coal rates, May 26, at New York.
Cuba's acquiescence in the treaty
providing for trade reciprocity with the
United States and coaling stations and
other privileges is becoming exceed
ingly doubtful. The communication to
the State Department from Minister
Squiers, it is said, are less and less
optimistic and it now seems possible
that years may elapse before an agree
ment is reached between the two gov
ernments.
Mr.. Alan Phillips Hume, son of Mr.
Frank Hume, ofAlexsndria county, has
been appointed from The Sth District as
midshipman to U. S. Navy Academy at
Annapolis. Mr.. Rixey will probably
send the nomination in tomorrow.
Secretary Shaw, accompanied by Mrs
| Shaw, his two daughters and son, will sail for
| Europe July 4. The Secretary's trip will be
very brief. but his family will remain abroad
until autumn. Secretary Shaw left here last
night for Texas on some private business
| -, ua mill ha zone ahOut a week