Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-28
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, ID. c.. Dec. %.

Washington, d. c.. Dec. IS.
Today or tomorrow will see the depart
IRE from Solomons Island in Chesapeake
Bay of the immense floating dry dock
Dewey on its long trip to Olongapo in
the PHILIPPINE Islands. Never before in
the history OF the world has floating
dry dock OF this size been towed such a
distance as the Dewey will have to cover
The structure cost the United States
government 81, 124, 900. The Dewey
was built by the Maryland Steel Com
pany, of Baltimore, Nd. 1t is 500 feet
long, with corresponding depth and
Width, and can dock the largest battle
ship aHoat. The colliers Brutus and
Caesar, in tandem, with a tow line nearly
a mile in length, will start the dock
down the bay. 1t will be conveyed by
the seagOiDg tug Potomac and the Glac-
Ter, under the command of Commander
Hosley. The trip will be made via the
the Suez canal and will occupy between
4 and ) months. The United States
government will have to pay 800, 900
for the passage of the dock and its con-
voys through the canal. The Dewey
will form on OF the principal adjuncts to
the great naval base now being built by
the United States at OlOngapO, which,
when complete, will be the strongest and
most thoroughly equipped in the Orient.
An important conference, which may
result in the wiping out of the rebate
system, was held at the Offices of the
Interstate Commerce Commission this
morning. A delegation of traffic mana
gers of the great western roads, bearing
the olive branch of peace, waited upon
Chairman Knapp and Commissioners
Clements and Cockrell to tell them that
they would not only quit rebating but
would take pleasure in tipping off to the
commission any evil practices they might
discover 10 other roads. The commits
sion has already been in communication
with the managers of the important
eastern roads and has received assurances
of a similar character from them.
Minister JOubert, the diplomatic rep
resentative of Santo Domingo in this
country, was at the State Department
this morning and had long conference
with Secretary of State Root on the situa-
ton of affairs in his country where
former President Morales is in flight, pur-
sued by troops sent by his iormerCabinet,
and where Vice President Caceres has
been selected to act as Morales success
scr. Minister JouDert has received dis
spatches from Senior Tejera, the Foreign
Minister of Santo Domingo, but these
contain no reference to the report that
the fleeing President Morales has been
wounded in the fighting. The hostIlities,
according to the information received,
have been so far on very small scale.
The Dominican government feels per-
fectly able to handle the present situation
and does not require or desire any assis-
lance from the United States.
Ambassador Jusserand today denied
all knowledge of the alleged ultima
tum" which it is said the French gov.
eminent has sent to President Castro of
Venezuela. eff such course has been
pursued | believe should have been
advised of it by my Government, said
the Ambassador. NJ. Jussersnd also
disclaimed any knowledge Of the reopen
ing of negotiations in any form for the
adjustment of the controversy over the
French cable company's concession.
Judge VIM. l.. Penfeld, of Ind, solic-
itor of the State Department. has re-
1igned. Health and financial con-
siderations are assigned as to the cause.
He was appointed in 1897.
The Philippine Commission has enacted
law making il crime TO export silver from
the islands. This step has been taken on ac-
count of the serious menace TO the party Of
the Philippine currency threatened by the
recent expectations of Philippine coins and
silver bullion. The Law provides for the for
fixture Of such attempted expectations and for
fine of not more than $, 0OO in gold or i'm
prisonment for year. or both. Passengers
on ships leaving the islands will be allowed
TO take with them no more than % pesos IN
silver $3.50 in gold.
There is likely TO be a prolonged fight be-
tween the employing printers and the work
ing printers when the men quit work on Jan
usry 6rst. They demand eight hours day.