Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-09-06
From Washington

Washington, Sept. 6.
There is great activity among Central
American diplomatists these days. After
months Of patient work on the part of
Assistant Secretary of State Bacon, to
whom the task was turned over by Sec
rotary Root, backed up by officials Of the
Mexican government and BY Seniors Cal
70 and Coreo, the Ministers of Costa
RIGA and Nicaragua, respectively, to
this country, the FIVE small republics OF
Central America have at least been
brought into accord upon a proposition
for the holding of an international con-
ference for the discussion Of all their
differences. 1t is the nope that, as re-
suit of this conference, treaty may be
framed which will guarantee the future
peace of this section OF the world. That
is the avowed purpose of the proposed
assembly and it has met the approval OF
the FIVE Presidents. Now the five For
eign Ministries of Guatemala, Nicaragua,
Honduras, Salvador and Costa Rica are
busily engaged in making suggestions as
to where the conference should be held,
when it will be most convenient for them
to attend, how many delegates each
country il entitled to, and the range
of subjects that shall be discussed.
The main object of the conference is to
secure the adoption of treaty which
will make it obligatory upon each Of
the Central American republics to sub
nit to arbitration every difference Of
whatever kind that may arise between
them and which might otherwise threaten
to disturb their peaceful relations. The
treaty is further TO provide that the
Uni'ed States and Mexico, jointly, shall
have the authority to enforce this pro-
vision. If either party to dispute
objects to submit it to arbitration it is
to be made the business of both Mexico
and this county to bring such pressure
to bear upon the recslcitrant that he
will be compelled to yield. 1t is the
general expectation that the conference
will hold its sessions in this city.
Because of the necessity of having not
only large hall for the plenary meet
iugs of the delegates but number of
smaller rooms for conference, ETC.
such accommodations nc being avail
able at the State Departmental is
thought probable that the meetings will
be held iu the Congressional Library.
Attorney General Bonaparte has ad-
vised the Department of Justice that for
few days his address will be AsticOux,
Maine. The fact that Judge Landis, of
Chicago has just left New York city for
northern fishing trip, and the announce
ment that District Attorney Sims is
somewhere in Michigan, leads to the i'm
preston here that a conference between
the three men over the Chicago aud AL
ton rebate cases may be held before At
torney General Bonaparte leaves bis
Maine lodge. The Attorney General is
to speak before the civil service reform
league at New London, Conn.,, Septem-
Der IL, On the 18th, he will address
the Prison Congress at Chicago. 1t is
understood that he will at that time have
final conference with Judge Lands and
United States District Attorney Sims and
determine whether the grand jury,
which has been given a recess until the
24tb, shall continue its investigation in
to the Chicago and Alton case or be dis
charged from any further consideration
of it.
The army is cooperating with the
navy in preparing for the possibility of
war 10 the Orient. While the Navy
Department is arranging the details OF
the cruise of the battleship feet to the
Pacific coast, the War Department is
looking after Notifications in the Philip
pines. Orders have been Issued 10 Lieu
tenant Colonel Frederick V. Abbott,
corps Of engineers, and Captain Stanley
B. limerick, coast artillery corps, to pro-
coed at once to Manila for the purpose of
carrying out secret instructions with ref
ereDce to the defenses Of that city and OF
Subig bay, the site of the future great
naval station.
Acting Secretary of the Navy New
berry today entered an absolute denial Of
the published statement that it has been
definitely decided to transfer the old ship
Constitution from Boston to Annapolis.
While that course has been considered
as 8 possibility, 10 view Of the fact that
the old ship is occupying a good deal of
room at The Boston navy yard which
might be used to more practical effect,
Mr.. Newberry said today that the entire
question of the disposition of the ship
he's been indefinitely postponed. That
is understood to mean that the patriotic
oulcry raised by the Massachusetts,
people has been effective in keeping the
Constitution where she now is.
Ambassador Reid has not yet notified
the State Department of the agreement
upon the new modus vivendi to govern
the operations of American fishermen in
Newfoundland waters during the present
season, the draft of which, according to
dispatches from London is to be signed
early next week. The Department is
not, therefore, in position to give out
any details OF The new convention.
Charges of stupendous land and tim
Der frauds in New Mexico are being
rigidly investigated by the Department
of Justice. 1t is believed that whole
sale prosecutions will follow the probing
that is being done by three special SCENTS
from the Department.
Acting Secretary of the Navy New
berry Will leave here tonight on his
vacation. Secretary Metcslf, who has
been absent in California since late July,
is expected to return and resume the
direction of the affairs of the De-
partment next Tuesday. In the mean