Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-11-18
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington. d. c., Nov. Is.

VIII -
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington. d. c., Nov. lS
The advisory board of consulting en-
gineers of the Panama canal does not
expect to reach decision as to the type
of canal to be constructed until some
time next week, at a meeting to be de-
cided upon later The members dis
cussed the subject all morning and are
again in secret session. The opinion is ex-
pressed by certain members that the pre-
parstion of the boards report to the
President may not be completed before
the departure of the foreign members, on
November %. In that case it will be
sent to them for their signatures before
being sent to the White House.
A semi-official announcement was made
at the Treasury Department this alter
noon that no special deposit ofgovernment
funds would at this time be placed in re-
serve banks 10 New York city or else
where, in response to a demand of spec
ulators that the financial situation need
ed immediate relief. 1t is stated at the
Treasury Department that no difference
of opinion exists and that there is no
present need of interfering in the money
market.
in his annual report Lieut.. Gen. Adna
r. Chatiee, chief of staff of the army,
states that the army is underofficered for
he duties required of in time of peace.
Should war occur, says Gen. Chsffce, the
armv would be in a decidedly crippled
condition because of this defeat. Gen
eral Chaffe reco mends that Congress
authorize that vacancies created in the
line of the army by details to the gen
eral staff be filled by the promotion OF
officers from the lower grades.
The State Department is much con-
cerned over the situation in Santo Do
mingo, as it has been reported by
United States Minister Dawson. 1t IS
clear from the reports which have been
constantly received from Minister Daw-
son that a State of unrest exists among
a large part of The population of Santo
Domingo and that troublOuS time which
are likely to eventuate in a revolution
are coming in the island.
Thomas Day, colored, aged 50 years,
employed by a local coal dealer, at
tempted to drive under the big White
House porch this morning on his wood
wagon and was scraped from his seat by
the low archway under the front porch.
He broke his collar bone and the doctors
believe his skull also may have been
fractured. He was taken to a hospital.
The President did not see the accident
Lseutenant-G eneaal Chaffee, chief of
staff, conferred with the President to-
day relative TO his retirement about
February l. He desires to take his
family to California. This will enable
the fufillment of the programme to per-
nit Generals Corbin and Bates TO he
heads of the army, before their retire
ment for age.
Spencer Eddy, the U. S. charge
d'afairs at St. Petersburg, has reported
to the State Department that all is quiet
in that city this morning. This is taken
here as an indication that the strike Is
subsiding and that Count Witte and the
force. of law and order are getting the
upper hand.
Secretary oftbe Navy BOnaparte today
made public the three charges and their
specifications preferred by him against
Midshipman Minor Meriweatherjr, who
recently caused the death of Mldshlp-
man James r. Branch in fiatic en-
counter at the Naval Academy. Mid
shipman Meriweather is to be tried at
Annapolis, Md, next Wednesday.
Not only the conduct of Midsbip'
man Meriweather is to be tried by
the court, but the entire cadet code OF
the Academy. The first charge is man
slaughter The second charge is viola
ton of the third class of the Eighth Ar
ticle of the Articles for the government
of the navy and the third charge is con-
duct to the prejudice of good order and
discipline.
The assistant secretary of war, General
Oliver, today approved the resignation OF
First Lieut.. Granville r. Fortescue, Presi
dent Roosevelt's relative. whose name was
dragged into the Taggart divorce scandal.
That some Germens are dog eaters would
seem to be indicated by the report OF statistics
sent to the Department Of Commerce and
Labor by Consul. General Guenther, Of Frank
fort, Germany. During 1904. III dogs were
slaughtered for food and inspected. Horse
meat was in demand also, for Sl.Sl2 horses
we're slaughtered and also inspected. He
continues that the figures show that the home
supply Of animals is subject TO diseases. and
it also shows the importance of proper in
spection of animals slaughtered for human
consumption.
U. S Minister Squiers, at Havana, Cuba,
reports that there were two deaths from yell
low fever in that city yesterday, but that
there were no more suspected cases.
Increased Price of Drugs.
In the suit of G.. G.. A. Loder against