Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-09-21
From Washington.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette

1t is not probable that any important
constitutional questions will be decided
upon by the Supreme Court OF the
United States at its October term which
begins in few days. This is because
there are only eight members on the
bench While President Roosevelt Of
fered the vacancy caused by the retire.
ment of Justice Brown tooecretary Taft,
the nomination was not sent to Congress,
and even should the Secretary accept he
would hardly violate the precedent OF
many years of going on the bench before
being confirmed. The court does not
relish close division at any time, and
above I'll things seeks to avoid an equal
division. With some important ques-
ton before it, the court does not want
to be tied up with fOur-tc-four decl-
sion. Attorneys before he bar hesti-
tate to argue cases before eight justices
for the same reason.
The Navy Department has received a
despatch announcing the arrival at
Havana of the battleships Louisiana
and Virginia, and the cruisers Tacoma
and Cleveland. The Minneapolis and
the Newark are expected to reach there
tonight or tomorrow morning early.
The most formidable feet of United
States warships ever assembled in
Cuban port in peace times is now in Ha-
vans harbor and will be further augment
ed tonight or tomorrow. Two big bal.
tleships, Louisiana snd Virginia and
four cruisers the Denver, Des MOines,
Cleveland amp Tacoma are now anchor
ed under the walls of the old Moro
Castle. Tonight the Newark with lis
reserves eff marines should arrive and by
tomorrow the big bsttlesbip, New Jersey
and the cruiser Minneapolis will join the
feet. Between them these ships can
land force of 5, 900 marines and sailors
which would be ample TO take possession
OF the city of Havana and back up any
decision reached by Secretary Taft that
might require the employment OF force.
This feet is under the command oil
Capt Albert r. Couden, commanding
the Louisiana. While President Roose-
yeIts letter TO the Cuban people urged
them to lay aside their differences with
out the necessity of outside interference,
it also laid stress upon the fact that
the United States had duty TO perform
10 case OF the Cubans continued fighting.
The presence of the American feet will
show them that the United States is
ready to do what it undertakes and that
President Roosevelt meant what he said
when he suggested that he might be
forced to take action to restore order
even at the price of Cuban Independ-
euce. In the meantime preparations are
proceeding at the War Department for any
eyentuality that may arise. Gen. Funs-
ton, who will leave here tomorrow TO join
Secretary Taft in Havana has had tenn
porary Office assigned TO him neAt to
that of the Chief of staff, Gen. Bell, and
has been there all morning Studying the
mass of Cuba. He is being informed
of every step in contemplated to meet
any emergency that may arise IN Cuba
demanding the use OF United States
troops.
TRUSTS are increasing at present more
rapidly in Great Britain than in the
United States" says the Bureau OF
Manufactures in publication today, ''de-
spite the lack Of a protective tariff in the
former country" The bureau is led to
make this statement after receiving a
report from London that a new trust,
composed of the whole of the hinge
makers of Great Britain, has recently
been formed to put au end to undersell-
ing.
Arthur c. Whiteacre has been appointed
postmaster at Kerns, Frederick county,
Virginia.