Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-09
FROM WASHINGTON.


nature of which thus far has been care
fully guarded. When Baron Speck Won
Sternberg called upon Minister Bowen
this morning, he presented this new
proposition as one of the conditions 10
be embodied in the protocol shortly 70
be signed. The Baron stated that ne
had received instructions from tne
foreign Office in Berlin to make the new
demand, which, however, he had no
hesitancy in saying was not IN accord
ance with his own personal views.
Neither of the diplomates would discuss
the nature of the new element that has
been injected into the unfortunate con-
troyersy, but it is stated by competent
authority that the proposition is one
that is entirely repugnant to American
principles, and that should it be pressed
it would likely arouse storm OF lndig-
nation throughout the country
In making the demand Germany
is backed up by Italy, pre-
sumably in accordance with the terms OF
the Dreibund, although Signor Mayor
des Planches seems even less enthusiastic
over it than does the German minister.
1t is believed that the new proposition
involves either an apology from Presl-
dent Castro or his resignation. il this is
true, it would be, in spirit at least, a
violation of the Monroe doctrine II
would mean interference in the internal
politics of an American republic. What
ever may be the nature OF the PROPOSE
ton, Minister Bowen has already disap-
proved oft, and should Germany press
the matter he will lay it before Secretary
Hay, as matter of which the United
States should have knowledge. Minister
Bowen told Baron Speck Won Sternberg
that he was prepared to waive all petty
differences in the protocols with the
three allied powers, but it is understood
that he stated emphatically that he
would not consent to the new proposition.
The publication of the story that John
d. Rockefeller, of the Standard Oil Com
pany. sent number of kilograms to
Senators urging the defeat OF the anti
trust publicity amendment to the Depart
ment of Commerce bill is viewed with
much scepticism by members of the Sen
ate and House. Practically every Sena-
tor in town has been interviewed and the
closest inquiry fails to discover any one
of the six alleged recipients of the dis
patches. Those Senators who are sup
posed to be most closely connected with
the corporate interests of the country are
especially emphatic in denounclng the
story as cake" Democrats and re-
publicans alike consider it wildly improb-
able that Mr.. Rockefeller, granting his
opposition to the proposed legislation,
would adopt such opens means OF night
ingit. kilograms from Mr.. Rockefeller,
signed with his name, on such sub
iect would be bound to get into the
newspapers and defeat their object.
Senator Aldrich, who is the father-in-
law of John d. Rockefeller, jr., says ;
eff Mr.. Rockefeller should send me
such a dispatch / should consider him a
subject for an insane asylum. l do not
believe him to be in any such condi-
ton" Senator Hanna, in denying that
he had received one of the messages,
said 81 do not think Mr. ROckeielleris
crazy or a fool. " As to the cOnnec-
ton with this story of the threat of the
President that if satisfactory legislation
was not adopted at this session he
would call Congress in special session,
the position of the President on this
matter has been thoroughly understood
for weeks. 1t was authoritatively an
nOunced from the White House early
in December that an extra session OF
Congress would be called in March II
antitrust legislation was not passed at
this session, and this information has
been repeatedly confirmed since. The
general opinion is that the authors OF
the story were the victims of hoax.
Secretary Root this morning transmit
ted cablegram from Governor Taft Of
the Philippines, indicating the urgent
necessity of legislation regarding the
Philippine currency.
Representative Swanson, who has beer
quite sick with grip, is improving.
The talk about the Capitol today is
that there will be no extra session o.
Congress.
The annual banquet of the University
of Virginia Alumni Association will be
held at the Willard tonight. Among
those who will be present are General
w. H. Payne, Major R. w. Hunter
DIR. p. NJ. Rixey, and Messrs. r. W.
Moore, Thomas Nelson Page, John Fox
L. H. Machen, G.. L. Boothe, G. G. Lei
and Frank Hume.
e The Comptroller of the Currency thl
. morning issued call for statement o
the condition of national banks through
out the country at the close of business
on Friday, February 6.
5 President Roosevelt, who was confined
G to the White House yesterday by order
of his physician on account of cold
was at his office as usual this morning
He is considerably improved and expect
0 all the effects of his indisposition
e pass off in a day or two.
r Among the Virginia republicans her
last night was Capt. p. II. McCaull, G
Lynchburg.
The ways and means committee toda
E ordered favorable report to the Hous
on bill allowing animals imported 10
breeding purposes to come in free o
duty.
Senators Spooner, Kean and Elkin
each denied this afternoon positively an
unequiyocally that they had receive
, any communications from the STANDARD
! Oil Company or its officers requestin
= H. lofont Of the antitrust amendmen