Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-04-10
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, ID. c., April 10.

correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.l
Washington. d. c., April 10.
1t is believed by officers of the Amer,
can navy, that Admiral Rojestsensky
intends to meet the the japanese fleet
under Admiral Togo aud give battle
While the location of RojesIyensky's
feet is now known, that OF Admiral
Togo is problematical, but the concensus
of opinion among naval officers Is that
the japanese are distributed between the
Straits of Formosa and the Straits Of
Korea. 1t is expected that the battle
will take place in one OF these places,
probably the latter. One prominent
officer of the navy said to-day: "Rojest-
vensky will surely fight. He has now
zone entirely too far TO recede, and it is
evident that he has received orders from
ST. Petersburg to risk all by bringing his
immense feet INTO combat with the fleet of
Admiral Togo. Nominally the strength
of the fleet with Admiral Rojestvensky
and that supposed to be under the com
mand of Togo is the same; but from my
point of view the japanese have the
advantage in the fac! that their men are
all tried veterans whose morale is not
excelled in any navy in the world, while
the Russians are untried men, a majority
of whom have never been under fire.
Naturally, the objective of the Rus
sian feet is VIadivostok, and the en-
gagement, which promises to be the
greatest naval fight in modern history
will have to take place somewhere OIL the
coast OF China between Singapore and
the Sea of Japan"
Chief Engineer John f. Wallace,
who arrived in the city from Panama
last night, reported to Secretary of War
Taft this morning and later was sworn
10 as member Of the new Panama
Canal Commission. AS Mr.. Shonts,
chairman of the commission, will not
reach the city until tomorrow, the con-
suItation of the executive committee OF
the commission with Secretary Taft and
the South American diplomats regard
ing Panama railroad rates, which was to
have been held today, will not take
place until tomorrow.
After the opening of the National
Council of Women's triennial conven-
ton yesterday, no formal meeting was
held today. A reception was given to
the delegates at the Shoreham Hotel this
afternoon.
On account of the recent occurrences
of cases of cerebro spinal meningitis,
commonly known as "spotted fever, !" IN
various parts Of the country, the public
health and marine hospital service has
compiled a special report on the preya-
lence of that disease in the United States
during the past year. 1t shows that there
have been in all 2, $50 deaths from the
disease. In New York State alone dur
ing the calendar year 1904, there were
| 700 fatal cases of "spotted fever" n
New York city alone during January of
this year there were 1870 and during Feb
uary, 1856. Jersey city reports 10 deaths
from the disease during March.
Guessing contests in the newspapers
have become so numerous that the
Treasury Department has been com
PEELED to take official notice Of them.
The department has issued circular
which concludes as follows 'Such
guessing contests are regard rs lottery
schemes, and the department cannot
furnish information to enable persons to
engage therein"
Consul Burch, at Malaga, Spain, re-
ports to the State Department as fol-
lows "Nheat duty has been reduced
80 per cent. on account OF failure of the
crop. Advise sellers that American
wheat is in great demand"
The races were again largely attended
today and all who visit Benning seem to
greatly enjoy the sport. The races close
on Thursday.
Senator 0. H. Plat was thought to
be slightly better today, though his con
dition remains extremely critical.