Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-05-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. ]
Washington, ID c., May 2.

at the State Department regarding the
case of Consul j. J. LANCER stationed at
Solingen, Germany. 1t is reported that
he was Yesterday fined for contempt of
court, having accepted service as witness
and on the stand refused to answer ques-
tons on theground of personal privilege.
No action has been taken but the out
come is being watched closely by the De-
partment officials. LANCER was born in
Austria but appointed from Nebraska in
1901. His salary is $4,000 with fees
amounting last year to 1924.
The Army and Navy Register in to-
days issue, commenting on General
Miless recent report regarding alleged
atrocities in the Philippines says: ave
do not believe that General Miles wished
to contribute to the ammunition of the
critics of the army or that he realized
that he was aiding the cause of the So
called anti-imperialists, but the publicity
that has attended his report has that un-
fortunate effect. We have Believed that
General Miles has just cause for COM
plant on account of some injustice OF
which he has been the object during the
past few years, but his warmest friends
and admirers, among whom the Register
would class itself, must deeply deplore
the state of mind and form of expression
with which the lieutenant general COM
handing has dealt with his subject. 1t
was a mistake to have touched on the
matter in this official way unless some
thing more definite could have been
given than has been vOuchsafed by
General Miles. His report will only
serve to renew an unpleasant, not to say
unseemly discussion, and it is to be re-
GREETED that General Miles, among the
last acts of brilliant career, should
have been betrayed into such an express
sion. The Army and Navy Journal
likewise censures General Miles for his
"atrocity" report
Secretary of the Treasury Shaw, who
returned to the city last evening, was at
his desk in the Treasury Department
today. He mas had conference with
President Roosevelt, but details of the
confab are not given out. Contrary to
expectations the secretary has still fur
Their delayed the announcement of sue
cessor to Assistant Secretary Allies, ex-
planning that the question has not been
definitely settled. 1t was semi-offcially
given out that Collector Nixon and As
sistant Treasurer Williams, of Chicago,
whose berths were apparently desired Tor
some men to he selected by the new
Senator, Mr.. Hopkins, will not be dis
turbed. Mr.. Shaw intends to leave for
New Orleans tomorrow for a short bust
ness trip.
The first suit for libel growing out of the
Postoffice scandal was instituted today
by Michael A. w. Louis, Superintend-
ent of the Postoflice Supply Division,
against Frank o. Mittog, of Passaic,
New Jersey. Louis asks for $50, 900
damages on account of alleged state
ments of Mittog that he Qouis) ac-
cepted brides of money and other valu-
able considerations which influenced
his decision and action on matters in
his division. Mittog is alleged to have
declared 'If it had not been for me,
Louis would be in the pententiary".
This statement, Louis declares, gives
the impression that Mittog has damag-
ing knowledge of transactions by him
and he seeks vindication and redress.
Mr.. Mittog has the contract of furnish
ing the carbon papers and typewriter
ribbons to the Postofilce Department.
Representative Albert BurlesOn, OF
Texas, who is stopping here prior to a
voyage to Europe, has been discussing
the political situation freely with his ac-
quaintances. Among other things he
recently said "The suggestion of any
democrat for the nomination for Presi-
dent who did not support the ticket in
1896 and 1900 is absurd. Such men as
Cleveland, Ingalls,, Francis and like
political ilk can be dismissed from con-
sideration in this connection with a
word. They must rejoin the democratic
party and spell up before they can be
placed in the lead They must show by
their works that they can be trusted to
follow before they are again called on to
lead. No man will be nominated in
1904 who is not known to be orthodox,
and, of course, it would be the partI of
wisdom to seek the most available man
of this character to be found. No man
who laid down in the trenches when the
fight was on can expect to be selected as
a leader in the next battle"
Nine Italian labOrers have complained
to the embassy of their country in this
city of maltreatment at the hands of
in New York and a railroad
contractor at Beckley, West Virginia.
The first, according to their story, acted
as employment agent and they were
shipped under contract to the mountains.
There they were set at work blasting and
other hazardous tasks. They
alleged that when he refused to continue
they were bound, brought back to the
work and forced to labor at the muzzle
Of gun. This lasted for two days when
they we're permitting to leave but with
out pay for the Is days they had been
IN the job. The matter will probably |
be investigated by ambassador Mayor
les Planches on his return from st.
Louis next week.
Rear Admiral Evans, commanding
he Asiatic squadron, cables from
yokohama that the American engineers
who were attacked by a mob near
Canton recently, have been rescued and
ire now safe in that city.
Secretary Cortelyou announced today
he following appointments in the Bureau
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