Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-10-14
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette. J
Washington. ID. c., Oct. IA.

Correspondence OF the Alexandra dazette,J
Washington. ID. c., Oct. IA.
The granting of divorce to Capt.
Taggart by Judge EasOn at Wooster, o.,
probably means that the scandal will be
thrashed all over again, the next time
in a military court. Capt Taggart will
be expected TO file charges against
Lieut.. Fortescue and General Miner,
who were named as correspondents in
the case. Should Capt. Taggart fail to
make formal charges against these Off
GERS, it is likely that the War Depart
ment will take cOgnizance of that pOr-
ton of tie courts opinion referring
to Lieut.. Fortescue and Gen. Miner, and
cause proceedings to be instituted
through the commanding officer of the
Department of the Lakes. The charges
which were filed some time ago by Gen.
Miner against Capt. Taggart are still
pending, and it is more than possible that
Capt. Taggsrt also will be brought to trial
on them Notwithstanding the opinion Of
Judge Eason that the allegations Of
drunkenness on the part of the captain
had not been sustained by the evidence.
During the trial of the case at Woos
ter high official of the War Depart
ment stated that nothing would be done
in the matter until the verdict OF the
court should be rendered and future ac-
ton would depend on the character of
the verdict Before any steps are taken
now certified copy of Judge Eason's
opinion will be requested by the depart
ment. 1t will be referred to the Judge
Advocate General for review and action
in the premises, in case Capt. Taggart
does not in the meantime take the initia-
tive and file charges against the two
officers named. The ethics of the pro-
fessiOn would require that be take action
Immediately. 1t was stated at the War
apartment this morning that nothing
would be done in the matter of the
pending charges by Gen. Miner agains,
Capt. Taggart until the return of Gen.
Cbaffee from his European tour next
week. Department officers are reluctant
to discuss the case in any of its features
and would gladly drop the whole affair
if it could be done.
With seven bullet WOUNDS in his head,
self inflicted, c. ]. F. Pierce, known to
his friends as "MajOr," is under treat
ment at the Emergency Hospital with
good chance to recover, so the doctors
say. The shots were from % caliber
revolver, and the wounds are comprised
within the space Of a silver dollar at the
base of his skull. An operation will be
had later in the day for the purpose of
locating and removing the bullets. Major
Pierce was partially conscious when
brought to the hospital this morning at
seven O'Clock, shortly after shooting
himself, and insisted that it was acct
dental. The shooting occurred in his
rooms at the Hotel Everett on H street.
After three bullets had been removed
from Major Pierce's head at the hospital
this morning, he persisted in his state
ment that the shooting was accidental.
The police are thoroughly puzzled over
the case. They discard the accident
theory as absurd, and can not bring
themselves 70 believe that a man at
tempting suicide could fire seven times
into his head in practically the same place
The victims vitality is most remarkable.
At the hotel it is stated that nothing was
known of the shooting until the Major
staggered into the office after coming
down stairs from his room, and announ-
ced that he had accidentally shot him.
self. He then collapsed on the floor.
1t is said that he mad been drinking
heavily during the past few days. He
was formerly an officer in the army, and
is well known about town. OF late be
has been employed as an inspector in the
water department of the District govern
ment.
Peace is now an assured fact. The
State Department was informed by
Baron Rosen this morning that the
Car had affixed his signature to the
treaty of Portsmouth, aud shortly after
noon Minister Takahira brought the
news that the Mikado had performed a
similar act. With the exchange of these
notifications between the two govern
ments of Russia and Japan, through the
American State Department, and the
French Foreign Office the armistice now
existing in the field of war will be Off
cislly ended and peace declared.
NJ. Jusserand, the French Ambassa-
dor, had another conference this morn
ing with Secretary OF State Root on the
subject of Venezuela. No additional
news developed as result of this confer
ence which was devoted to an exchange
of views on the general situation result
ing from the existing strained relations
between France and President Castro's