Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-01-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington. ID. c.. Jan. %.

Washington, ID. o., Jan. 70.
The killing of helpless men, women
and children in the village ofSan Carlos,
Venezuela, inhabited by number OF
| inoffeusive fishermen and their families,
if correctly reported in the morning DIS
patches, is likely to make an important
change in the Venezuelan situation;
The State Department will ask Consul
Plumacher and Secretary husseii
thoroughly to investigate the affair.
Up to the present time no explanation
cf the bombardments has been made by
q srmany nor has one been asked by
the United States. Both attacks, ac-
cording to the information Of the State
Department, were unprovoked and the
shelling began without notice to non
combatants. So long, however, as the
Commandments were confined to Vene-
zlielan Notifications the attitude OF this
government was one of absolute qules-
cence. The Smelling of San Carlos vii
lage is an entirely different matter and
it is hoped here that the Germans Will
be able to show that it was unknown
to the German admiral. That there Is
much apprehension felt here over the
attitude of Germany is not concealed by
officials of the administration.
Minister Bowen is still in a state OF
expectancy. No reply to his proposition
TO a cessation of the blockade and the be-
ginning of claim arbitrations have yet
been received, but these are daily expect
ed In all of the negotiations Mr.. Bowen
will be personally assisted by Senior
Pulido, charge d affaires of the Venezne-
Ian Legation. The change of sentiment
here in regared to President Castro is re-
markable. The Venezuelan legation has
informally received number of express
sions of sympathy.
Sentiment in Congress is strongly an
tagonistic to Germany because OF her
belligerent attitude towards Venezuela
as manifested by the bombardment Of
San Carlos at a moment when Venezuela $
representative in Washington was begin
ming negotiations for the amicable settle
mcnt of the question in dispute. Mem
bers of the foreign relations committee OF
the Senate are strongly of the opinion
that Germany is going too far and that it
will soon become necessary for the
United States to tell her she must stop.
They see in her actions purpose to test
lust how far she can 60 without incur
ring the open hostility of the United
States and disposition to irritate the
United States to point OF strainlng
friendly relations Senator Morgan Is
outspoken in denouncing the lombard
ment. at is a manifestation of I'M
friendiness to the United States" he
said, con a I ar with Admiral Dieterich's
performances in Manila Bay. 1t is my
opinion that Germany is itching for a
fight with the United States and that we
are dangerously near to giving lit her. "
The House committee on naval affairs,
which is to investigate the charge of at
tempted bribery preferred by Represen-
tatiye Lessler, of New York, met this
morning at 1920 and Immediately went
into executive session to formulate a
plan of procedure. The hearing of tes-
timony is to be public. Mr.. Lessler
was the first witness called. He said ::
Somewhere between the election in
November and the opening of the session
of Congress, | had talk with Doblin
about the Holland submarine boats. 1t
was in my office in New York. He asked
me whether the submarine boat question
still against it. He told me Quigg had
told him there would be So, 900 in it for
me if / could be brought to the other
side. | laughed at that and said l didn't
want to hear anything about it. He
said Quigg was man of powerful in
iluence and if | want to come back to
Congress it would aid me to aid Quigg.
Iasked him where he had seen Quigg and
he told me it was at his Office in New
York. Quigg, | saw later. 1t may have
been during the Christmas recess.
lie telegraphed me and asked for an III
terview and the interview was had an
hour later at my office. l opened it by
saying that there should be no question
of money; this is business. We were
both silent for a time and then | explain
ed my opposition to the Holland bill.
He said he had no interest in the Hol-
land boat himself but a man named
Hunter, think that was the name, Hunt
ter, formerly of Virginia, had asked him
to see me about it." Mr.. Lessler than
told about an interview with John McCul-
lagh, superintendent of elections in New
York. Ex-Congressman Quigg, who had
been mentioned in the testimony, asked
the privilege of putting some questions
to Mr.. Lesser through his attorney, Del
ancey Nicoll. Mr.. Nicoll led Mr.. Less
Ter back over most of his testimony.
Lessler quoted Doblin as saying; "There
is 5000 in it." Could not say that
he said. There's So, 900 in it for you"
Mr.. LESSER, subsequently, left the
stand and his secretary was ready to
testify, but ex-senator Eppa Hunton, of
Virginia, was next called and sworn.
He has been counsel for the Holland
Boat Co. for two years. My acquin-
lance with Mr.. Quigg," he said, "began
at IL o'clock today in this committee
rom. He denied specifically that he
had ever talked with Mr.. Quigg about
any of the matters brought out in Mr..
testers testimony. He was excused in
a very few minutes. Mr.. Lessler's |
secretary, Frank p. Sun, was sworn.
He told about the interview between
Lessler and McCullagh, to which he
was witness. He confirmed Mr.. |
Lessler's testimony. The committee
went into executive session shortly after
one o. clock to discuss the question as to
whether Quigg should be heard or not.
In executive session the committee de-
cided not to hear Mr.. Quigg until Mr.. |