Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-07-19

witnessed the ceremony was senator
Dick, of Ohio, who was the first to con-
graduate the new Secretary. The Of
ficials of the department and party OF
newspaper men, who were also present,
also extended their fluctuations. There
was little formality observed and
the new Secretary made no speech.
In discussing informally his plans for
the conduct of the Office, Mr. Root said
that il would be MS endeavor to clear up
the daily routine in the mornings, leav-
ing his afternoons free. He will leave
for New York tonight, and with the ex-
ception of occasional visits to Washing
ton, as circumstances may require, he
will not take up the regular duties of
Secretary of State until the TALL. Dur
ing his absence Assistant Secretary Adee
will continue to serve as Acting Secre-
tary. 1t is probable that Mr.. Babcock,
who has been private secretary to The
Secretary of State since the beginning OF
the first Mckinley admin istratlon, Will
be retained by Mr.. Root as private sec
rotary.
Secretary Root at three O'Clock this
afternoon held a reception in his office
at the department to the chiefs OF the
various bureaus and divisions Of the
State Department. The employees OF
the department were presented by Chief
Clerk Mikell. 1t is understood that the
will visit the President at Oyster Bay
in a day o. two.
President RoOsevelt's efforts toward
securing an armistice in Manchuria be-
tween the Russian and japanese forces
have, it is said, not been wholly unpro-
ductive. IT is reported that the ques-
ton of suspension of hostilities pend
ing the negotiations will be the first
matter of importance considered by the
Observation-Disclosures after their formal or
canization at Portsmouth, n. II. Much
will depend, however, upon the attitude
the Gar assumes toward the japanese
demands. Minister Takahira, one Of
the Mikado's plenipotentiares, it is said,
so advised the President during his re-
cent visit at Oyster Boy. The retire
ment of M. Muravieff and the selection
of M. Witte as his successor Oh the
Russian peace commission is believed to
have greatly aided in securing from the
Mikado what officials here characterize
as gratifying concession. The selec-
ton Of Muravief was personally distaste-
full to Japan, aud prophesies of prOba-
BILE failure to settle the war were openly
made by leading diplomats, after Mura-
viefi7s appointment was announced.
At this time the japanese government
gave the President 10 understand that
il could not see its way clear to lose the
military advantages which it had achiey-
ed in the field by declaring an armstice.
When Japan officially expressed its
qualification over the Cars subsequent
selection of NJ. White, the President re-
newed his suggestion for an armstice,
pointing out that while the capture Of
Sakahlin island had greatly strengthened
Japan's hand in the negotiations for
peace, it was feared that a conflict in
Manchuria might cause Russia to with
draw her peace plenipOtentiarie'. AS a
recognition of the Csar's action in desIg-
mating NJ. White, and in Difference to
President ROosevefs representations,
Japan has finally agreed to consider and
act upon the qeustiOn OF an armlstice
Immediately after her demands have been
submitted to the plenipotentiaries. If
the Russian government indicates an ln'
tention to treat upon the bases as then
laid down, the Mikado will accept this
AS an assurance of the Cars good in
tentions and will agree TO an order di-
recting temporary suspension OF hostili-
lies bending the conclusion Of peace
treaty.
While trying to scale the high iron
fence around the White House yard,
tall man wearing white fannel suit and
Yachting cap was arrested early this
morning. In his hand he carried
small grip which he said contained
stuff that would blow every p0-
liceman in town to atoms. The police
man persuaded him to go to the station
house, where it was found that the
satchel contained several dozen letters
addressed to President Roosevelt, sug-
costing proper methods for running the
government. Tue prisoner said he was
Johu G. Eckleston, 3s years old, of
Philadelphia. Letters were fourd IN his
pockets written by Senator PenrOse and
Representative Bingham, of Pennsyl-
vania, recommending his appointment
as consul al Rosario, Argentine Repub-
lie. Eckleston soon after being taken
into custody declared that he was
"Scotty." the Death Valley miner, and
was going 10 spend several thousand in
Washington. The man was Frustrated
by the heat Monday afternoon and was
treated at the Emergency Hospital. The
police believe he is temporarily deranged.
Cabled advices from the United States
Consulate at Shanghai TO the State De
partment announced that the proposed
Chinese boycott against American goods
went into effect today. Every effort
had been made on the part OF the con
sular authorities to allay the agitation,
but without success,
Prof. Millet NJ. Hays, Assistant Secre-
tary of the Agriculture Department, took
charge this morning of the bureau OF
statistics of the Agriculture Depart
ment. He is TO remain at the head of
the bureau until Secretary Wilson Sc
lects successor TO John Hyde, chief
statistician, who resigned yesterday un-
dor Tho fire of the Southern Cotton