Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-05-29
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, ID. c., May 20.

washington, ~ ", NAY -.
Not since the days of the Spanish war
has there been such intense interest
manifested at the State and Navy De-
nartments and ut the White House over
a niece of news as there is today over
the reports of the japanese victory IN
the Korean straits The meager official
Information of yesterday only served to
whet the appeti,es of Washington OIL
Gals. The President. was at his office
early this morning inquiring for official
advices. He is particularly solicitous
because of the report that Rojestvensky
has sunk an American merchant ship.
In the absence of details, the Russian
embassy has been requested to ask the
home government for any information
if NAV be able to secure. Naval officers
are disposed to withhold comment on
The reported japanese victory until the
other side shall have had chance to be
heard from. Some are inclined to be-
lieye that the fleet which Togo is re-
ported to have put out ofbu siness is only
a detachment of the Russian naval force.
at is the beginning of the end | can
see no other outcome than that Russia
will sue for peace" Admiral Dewey
made this declaration this morning when
shown the report of the losses sustained
nv the Russian fleet. "In my opinion,
he continued, the victory of the Japa-
nese may be attributed to their training
and preparedness. Such advices as we
have would seem TO show that the Japa-
nese achieved their victory by hurting
torpedo boats against the Russians. Still
we cannot ascribe their success 10 this
alone. 1t is not to be supposed that the
two Russian battleships reported cap
tured would surrender to the torpedo
boats alone. Admiral Togo's training
and preparedness throughout his fleet |
am convinced is responsible for his vic
tory in this great naval engagement"
The U. &. Supreme Court sustained
the constitutionality of the New York
franchise tax law, affirming the decisions
of the lower courts. The cases involved
the right of the State in New York to
tax franchises of public service corpora
ton the same as real estate.
In the case of John w. Ballmann the
Cincinnati broker charged with contempt
of court in refusing TO answer questions
before federal grand jury investigating
a bank shoItlge and in refusing to pro-
duce certain books bearing on the inves-
tigation, the u. s Court today sustained
the application for writ of error, thus
maintaining Ballmann's right to act as
he did on the ground that to do other
wise might have incriminated him.
An official report from Minister Griscom,
al Toxic. received at the State Department
early this morning, says that Togo reports
that he has SINK one large Ru' sian battleship
aud three or four other smaller ships. besides
capturing two or three others. Togo adds
that no japanese ships were injured. Mr..
Griscom states that at the time he sent the
message the battle was still progressing slow
ly. but all indications point to great Japa-
nese victory. Minister Griscom, at Toxic, in
A second dispatch today, telegraphs the state
Department that Admiral Togo reports to his
government that the total losses sustained by
the Russian fleet on Saturday and Sunday
we're two battleships. one coast defender, five
cruisers, two special service ships and three
dcstroyers, all sunk In addition to this
there were captured two battleships two coast
defenders, one special service ship AM one de-
strOyer and over 1900 prisoners. The adj
miral adds that the Japanese squadron was
unchanged.
President Roosevelt will leave Washington
shortly after midnight for Brooklyn where
he is TO deliver an address at the unwilling of
the monument to General Henry w. Slocum
and review the memorial day parade of the
civil and Spanish war veterans. Mayor
Mcclellan, of New York, will also speak,
After the exercises President Roosevelt will
return TO Jersey City to take his train for
Washington, stopping on the way. if there is
time, TO visit the naval Y. NJ. {. A. headquar-
tiers at the Brooklyn navy yard. The nome
ward journey will begin from jersey City at
/ D. M. and the President is due TO reach the
capital at 5:20. On the trip to Brooklyn the
President will be accompanied by Secretary
Loeb the usual following of secret service
men, etc.
Connt Cassni, the Russian ambassador, has
made protest to the President against the
proposed visit Of Secretary of War Taft 10
Toxic on the occasion of his call at Japan ON
his way TO the Philippine Islands. The pro-
test will, however, not be needed.