Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-01-03
FROM WASHINGTON.
of the Alexandria Gazette. ]


Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, d. c., January 3.
1t is believed here that the State De
partment is preparing to take decisive
action in the Panama Canal negotiations
Last night Secretary Hay sent to thC
Colombian legation and requested DR.
Herran TO meet him at the formers
Office at $50 this morning. No state
ment of the result of that meeting has
yet been given out, but it is believed
that Colombia has been told that she
must Immediately exhibit more interest
in the matter or negotiations for this
route will be dropped and recommends
ton made that Nicaragua and Costa
RIGA be again approached. A difference
of about $500, 900 in ths detail of annual
rental to be paid by this country has
been holding the two countries apart for
several weeks. Colombia is now, in the
opinion of the State Department, making
unreasonable demands for the concession
and she has also been extremely dilatory
in giving DIR. Herran plenory power to
negotiate. Following the interview of
DIR. Herran with Secretary Hay this
morning Mr.. Nelson Cromwell, general
attorney for the Panama Canal Co.,
called upon Secretary Hay. Mr.. Crom-
we'll said that the main detail of the pro-
tocol, the question of sovereignty, the
lump sum to be paid by the United
States and minor considerations had
been agreed upon. The annual rental
asked by Colombia, he said, is $3.50, 600.
1t is understood that Secretary Hay adj
mitted the justice of this claim and that
steps will be taken at once to verify the
correctness of these figures.
Justice Shiras of the Supreme Court
has been persuaded to deter his retire
ment for year in order to allow Gov
ernor Taft, who is to be his successor, to
remain II months longer at the helm in
the Philippines. This announcement
was made today by business man of
Manila who had a conference with Sec
rotary Root yesterday. eff Governor
Taft should leave the Philippines now"
said the gentleman, "the progress of the
islands would be set back five years.
We cannot afford to lose Governor Taft
Just yet" The President in order to
persuade Governor Taft to retain the
governorship for little while longer,
urged Justice Shiras TO defer his retire
ment This the justice has consented to
do and unless he becomes much more
feeble than he is at present, will remain
another year.
According to~mail advices just re-
ceived from the Philippines Governor
Taft, of the civil authorities, and Rear
Admiral Evans, in command of the
American feet in Asiatic waters, have
clashed over the question as to whether
the civil authorities shall have juris-
diction over naval officers assigned to
special duty in the archipelago. The
difficulty first arose over the telegraphic
assignment by Admiral Evans of Com
mander Mark, captain of the port at
Manila and admiral of the coastwise
feet, to Annoy for service on court
martial. Governor Taft revoked the
order. Later Lieut.. Key, CommandeS
Mark assistant, received an assignment
with the Chinese squadron, and shortly
thereafter Commander Glennon, super
intendent of the nautical school, was
given regular duty. Governor Taft has
advised Admiral Evans that the officers
in question should not be disturbed. If
his request cannot be granted he has ex
pressed his determination of appealing to
the Washington authorities and endeav-
oring to have such naval officers as are
necessary for special duty in the Philip
pines assigned direct from Washington.
The War Department is advised of the
deep interest felt in the Philippines over
the establishment at Singalow, near
Manila, of government experiment
station to be conducted along lines
similar to the operation of the agricul-
tural stations in this country.
An organization of the scientists,
naval officers and newspaper men who
went with the United States relief ex-
petition to the island of Martinique is
to be effected tonight in Washington.
Senator Hoar's bill for the regulation
of the trusts has attracted great deal
of attention here and will undoubtedly |
receive serious consideration when Con-
gress reassembles. The Senator's repu-
tation as a profound lawyer. especially |
on constitutional topics, and his posi-
ton as chairman of the judiciary COM
mittee of the Senate, ensure respect
full hearing for his measure. The
bill combines the best features of all
the numerous antitrust measures that
have been introduced this session.
There are several members of his COM
mittee who are opposed to any legisla-
ton against trusts, but they are in
Although they may delay a
report on Mr.. Hoar's bill temporarily,
it is not likely that they will be able to
prevent action upon it altogether.
After it gets into the Senate, however,
the situation will be different. There it
will have to take its chances with other
measures and it is not expected that it
will reach the point of passage. Prob
ably Mr.. Hoar had this in mind when
he proposed in his bill that it should
become operative in July 1904.
Senator Cullom, author of the first
antitrust measure introduced into
Congress this session, said this morn
ing that he preferred at this
time not to discuss in detail the
provision of the Hoar antitrust
bill. He believed this Congress should
enact some such legislation before 1t
and said thatany bill looking