Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-11-24
FROM WASHINGTON.

A subcommittee of the Senate COM
mittee on military affairs held meeting
this morning at which Maj. Rathbone
submitted list Of witnesses whom he
desired TO be summoned before the COM
mittee to testify regarding Gen. Woods
administration in Cuba. The members
of the subcommittee are Senators Proc
tor. Ouarles and Pettus. Senator Scott,
although not a member of the sub-com-
mittee, was also present, supposedly IN
the interests of Senator Hanna, who is
conducting the fight for Maj. Rathbone's
vindication. No decision has yet been
reached by the committee on the propo-
sition to send subcommittee to Cuba
to take testimony. Among the witnesses
who will he heard here is Consul Gen.
eral Steinhart, of Havana, who is now in
this country. Probably the most promi-
nent witness whose summons is requested
bv Major Rathbone, is General Tasker
II. Bliss, who was in charge of the col
lection of customs in Cuba during the
American occupation. Major Rathbone
expects TO prove by General Bliss that
when General Wood went from Havana
10 New York in 1900, in company with
Captain E. G. Bellairs, he then knew
that Bellairs, was an ex-convict. Healso
intends to show By this witness that the
present of the So, 900 silver service made
To General Wood by the Jai Alai com
pany was admitted to Cuba without the
payment of customs duties, presumably
By General Woods own orders.
The Butte labor leaders took lunch
con with President Roosevelt today.
The officials and the labor representa-
tiyes discussed the various phases OF
the wage problem at the table with the
President. The President and his sub
ordinates assured the visitors that the
government was prepared to favor the
workingmen whenever the good of the
public service was not hampered, and
the workingmen told the President and
his advisors that all labor demanded at
the hands of the government was
square deal. you will always have
that treatment said the President, ''as
long as haze anything to do with the
administration of public affairs. "
A deeper significance than appears on
the surface is believed to attach to the
debate in the Senate yesterday on the
Newlands resolution proposing the an
nexation of Cuba. Last year the same
resolution was introduced from the same
source without attracting any but pass
ing attention. Now is it made the sub
iect of an earnest debate in which all
he big guns on the republican side of
he chamber take part. Senators Hale,
Plat, of Connecticut and Lodge spoke
Yesterday and Spooner and others are
vet to speak. Moreover the discussion
was the result of an agreement
among the republicans themselves,
showing that there was definite pur-
pose to be accomplished, believed by
them to be of sufficient moment to
warrant the time and trouble. The
real motive of the debate, it is be-
lieved, was to extend assurances, not so
much to Cuba as to the South and Cen
trail American republics, that the United
States is not embarking upon land pol
lev and impression likely to be produced
by recent events at Panama. To reassure
these governments and, at the same time
to prevent any possibility of thesympathy
Of Cuba going to Colombia because of
similar fears for herself, is believed Ito
have been the real purpose for the exhi-
bition of all the ablest republican leaders
engaging in debate on the unimportant
question of the reference of resolution
to a committee
Word was received here this morning
of the death in New York last night of
James K. Oracle, uncle of President
Roosevelt. The following announce
ment was given out at the White House
this afternoon 1.-THE White House is
in mourning on account of the death OF
the Presidents uncle, Mr.. James K.
Oracle. There will be no special enter
tainments until the Cabinet dinner, De-
cember T." 1t is explained that this
announcement does not cover the dinner
at the White House tonight at which
Governor Odell, Senator Plat, and
Chairman Dunn will be guests. Mr..
Gracie's funeral will take place Friday
morning. The President will attend,
providing be finds he can spare the
time from his official duties.
Senator Morgan's arraignment of
President Roosevelt, as it appears in the
Congressional Record this morning, is
even more caustic than were his spoken
words on the floor of the Senate yester-
day. He has thrown quotation marks,
about the words 'clean" and decent
which he used several times in referring
to what the attitude of this country should
he with reference to the canal question.
Those familiar with President Rooseyelts
public utterance will recognize in these
words familiar acquaintance. The
Senator's object in enclosing them in
quotations is therefore obvious.
William Edison, son of Thomas A.
Edison, the famous inventor, of New
York city, was fined So in the police
court this morning for exceeding the
speed law with his automobile, last night.
The treaty confirming to the Republic
of Cuba the title to the Isle of Pines was
favorably reported to the Senate in the
executive session held yesterday after
noon. The treaty is in charge of Senator
Bacon. Senator Quay and other Sena-
tors indicated that they had constituents