Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-03

have claims. The promptness WIN
"b;cb Minister Bowen rejected this
proposition was surprising to the rep,o
.entatiyes of three allied powers.
Mr.. Bowsn's position is apPro,vea a ~
this government, and copy Oh inc me-. NJ
,bicL he sent last night to the ailies
has in all likelihood, been sent 70 .he
other non allied powers, including
France Spain, Belgium, ETC., Tor the
anrnose of securing their support. II
The allies persist in their course Mr..
Rowen will send the question as to
preferential treatment to The Hague
court of arbitration for settlement But
the allies are opposed to such course,
probably because they realize that there
they would not be awarded so large an
amount as they hope to obtain by forci-
bic means. Whatever may be the mo-
tive it is certain that the allies have
shown no disposition to hasten the con-
clusion of the negotiations. In the
meantime arms and supplies are being
constantly furnished from some mys-
terious source to the insurgents in Vene-
zuela. If they should succeed in over
throwing Castro it is reasonable to sup
pose that the new government they
would establish would be disposed to be
more friendly and grant concessions to
the foreigners who had aided them.
Shortly after 10 o'clock this morning
Sir Michael Herbert and Baron Speck
Won Sternberg called upon Minister
Bowen, and remained in consultation with
him for some time. Prior to their ar
rival Mr.. Bowen received Senator Hanna
and James j. Hill, president OF the
Great Northern Railroad The latter
was very anxious to ascertain the exact
situation regarding Venezuela. After
the consultation this morning, Sir
Michael Herbert and Baron Speck Won
Sternberg went to the British Embassy,
where they were joined by Signor Mayor
des Planches, the Italian Ambassador.
There the three diplomates entered into
conference upon this stand of Minister
Bowen, which is regarded as practically
an ultimatum. The minister made fur
Their representations to his callers this
morning on the proposition of the allied
powers that two-thirds Of the 30 per cent
of customs collections at Puerto Cabello
and La Guayra be turned over to them,
showing how it was impossible for Vene-
zuela to consent to this arrangement in
the light of her obligations to other for
eign governments.
Herr Won Baltazzi, German charge
d'ahaires at Caracas, Venezuela, who was
compelled to retire from that city at the
beginning of the present troubles, ar
rived in Washington today. He is ex-
pected to assist Baron Speck in the
negotiations with Minister Bowen.
The House committee on naval affairs
today agreed on a report in the Lessler
case. 1t vindicates Lessler, Quigg and
the Holland Boat Co., and recommends
further proceedings against Philip Doblin
the self confessed perjurer. The COM
mittee report finds that Congressman
Lessler was approached with a corrupt
proposition; that this proposition, that
for specified sum Of money 50, 900
he should vote an appropriation for
more Holland boats, was made to him
by Philip Doblin, of New York, acting
on his own initiative and responsibility;
That ex-Congressman Lemuel E. Quigg
of New York, whose name Doblin used,
knew nothing of the transaction, and
had no connection with it; that the Hol-
land Boat Company had no connection
with it. The report cites that Doblin
testified before the committee in one way
one day, then contradicted himself the
next; and instructs the Attorney Gen
eral to proceed against him in such man
ner as the law and the facts warrant.
After disposing of the Lessler case, the
committee again took up the naval appro-
priation bill. The first point considered
was the proposition for ten more Hol-
land boats, which gave rise to the entire
controversy. The proposition was lost
by vote of 9 to 6.
1t was announced today that the Pres
ident has decided to appoint Judge Page
Morris, present representative from Min
nesota, Judge of the new United States
District Court in that State.
A cablegram from Gen. Davis, COM
handing the troops in the Philippines,
states that First Lieut.. Edwin f. Car
roll, LIST Infantry, while passenger on
the transport Ibidan, from Manila to
to Iloillo, disappeared on the morning OF
January rs, and that the other officers
on board believe that he fell overheard.
Lieut.. Carroll was a son of Col. Henry
Carroll, U. S. A., retired, and was APP
pointed to the army from Kensas,
1t was decided at the Cabinet meeting
today that the award of contracts for the
construction of the armored cruisers.
Tennessee and Washington should be
E made as follows: One ship to the VIM.
Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Build
ing Company, of Philadelphia, and one t.
the New York Shipbuilding Co., O
Camden. n. j., each to be built upor
the governments plans for the sum o.
"a. 035. 900. These awards are ap
proved by the President, as required by
law.
The Panama Canal treaty was today
reported favorably to the Senate for rati
fication without amendment, by the
committee on foreign relations. Senator
Morgan, the only opponent of the treaty
and the only member of the committee
who voted against the report, gave notice
that he would continue his opposition OF
, the floor of the Senate and endeavor t.
defeat it.
u. S. Minister Hart at Bogota, Colon