Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-11-15
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette. ]
Washington. d. c.. Nov. Is.

circulated that Secretary Of State Root
was to be given jurisdiction over the af-
fairs of ltbe archipelago. THAT story, "
said Secretary Taft, Originated in the
brain of the man who wrote it. There
Is no foundation whatever for the sug-
eestion." Mr.. Taft was the first caller
at the White House this morning, coming
TO give the President a report Of his trip
to the Canal Zone. ave had very
pleasant trip except a couple OF days on
the return trip when we met some wealth
or which tested the stability Of our d.
gestive apparatus" Secretary Taft will
leave here on Friday afternoon to go to
St. Louis and Kansas City. He will adj
dress the Commercial Club fist Louis,
Saturday night upon the Panama Canal,
and on Monday will address the business
men of the city upon the Philippines.
The Chinese Minister called at the
State Department this morning and an
nounced the receipt by him of dis
patch from the Viceroy of Canton re-
garding the recent killing of five Ameri-
can Presbyterian missionaries at Lien
Chau in that province. He said that
DR.. Machle and Miss Patterson, who es-
capped the massacre, have arrived at Can
ton bringing full account of the incl
dents which led to the unfortunate affair.
They reported that the Chinese Of the
town were having fair near the Pres
byterian hospital and mission. One OF
their buildings trepassed upon the mis-
sion grounds. In it was a sacred cannon
that was BEING fired at intervals, sup
posedly TO scare away the evil spirits.
The missionaries sailed forth and seized
this cannon which action was resented
by the Chinese who in their mad rage
proceeded to murder all Of the mission
aries whom they could reach.
Secretary of War Taft, who returned
to Washington this morning from his
visit to Panama, says that he was very
greatly impressed with the progress and
the many improvements in the canal
zone which have been made since he was
last there year ago.
The Department of Justice has COM
pleted the preparation of its answer to
the plea in bar recently filed by the Chi
cago packers in the action for conspiracy
in restraint of trade begun against them
by the government
A story has gained circulation here
that Speaker Cannon will have rival
for speakership honors in the caucns OF
republican members of the House, which
will be held at the opening of the session
of Congress on December, 4. 1t is said
that Representative Burton, Of Ohio,
who was chairman Of the rivers and
harbors committee in the last Congress,
contemplates shying his castor into the
ring as a candidate for the speakership
against Mr.. Cannon, with whom he
has not been on the best of terms. Mr..
Cannon called at the White House this
morning to talk over general matters with
President Roosevelt. There is no doubt
of his reelection.
Secretary of War Taft will leave
Washington on Friday afternoon for 81.
Louis where he will make an address
Saturday night before the Commercial
Club on the Panama canal. he will
60 thence to Kansas City, where he will
speak on the Philippines.
A delegation of the leading shoe, hide
and leather manufacturers Of the coun-
try, headed by Gov William l.. Doug
las, of Massachusetts, waited on the
President this morning, to ask that he
urge Congress to remove the duty on
hides. Many of the members of the
delegation were in favor of asking also
for the reduction of the duty on sole
leather, but at the last minute it was de-
cided to confne the request to the re-
moval of the duty on hides. President
Roosevelt made the shOemen a brief
speech after they had presented their
arguments and told them that he was
heartily 10 favor of any revision of the
iariff which would result in the genera
good of the people. The matter OF tariff
however must be left to Congress to settle
and all he could do in the premises
would be to advise with the Legislators
as to the proper course to pursue. The
Pr. sident said that he would have .
statement for publication later in the
dav. Before leaving the White House
the delegation proposed and gave three
cheers for the President Among the
delegation were several who are inter
ested in the beef Business, and some
what TO the surprise of the others,
they joined in the request TO the Presi-
dent.
Senior Quesada, the Cuban Minister,
called at the State Department this morn
ing looking for information regarding the
reported revolutionary movement in the
Isles ofPines where it is alleged that the
American residents have organized a
form government under the
of the United States, reius-
ing to recognize the sovereignty of the
Cuban government over the island.
Secretary Root told him that nothing OF
an official character regarding the affair
had reached him and that the State De-
partment is in absolute ignorance of the
reported iDsurrsction. Senior Quesada
has had no communication from his own
government on the subject. 1t is stated
here that if these American residents of
the Isle of Pines are expecting aid or
comfort in their actions from this gov
eminent they will be disappointed. The
United States has formally recognized the
of Cuba over that island and
has entered into written covenant to
that effect in the form of a treaty which