Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-01-23
From Washington.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. !
Washington. Jan, 20,

Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. !
Washington, Jan. 20.
When the seismogrsph record at the
Weather Bureau was developed today it
was found to have recorded an earth
qake of distant origin last night Of the
same character and intensity as the
record obtained at the time Of the recent
great Italian quake. The frat prelimi-
cary tremors began at 10, IL, 5. The
rtrong portion Of the motion was Of
noticeably long duration. aud lasted from
1890 until after IL o'clock, the whole
earthquake having duration of about
one snd half hourf. 1t is stated that
certain characteristic phases Of the
record not being sharply defined, no re-
liable calculations can be made as to the
distance of the disturbance. Apparent
ly, however, the origin was nearer
Washington than in the case of the Itsl-
isu earthquake probably at distance Of
about 4, 900 miles.
A conference Of FIVE commandments OF
Atlantic coast navy yards was held in
Secretary Newberry's Office today to de-
eide upon the nature of the order which
is to be issued soon eliminating the bu-
resu system at the yards. The nature
Of the order is not yet anticipated ex-
cept in so far that it proposes to consol
idate all of the shops under the admins
traliye authority of the commandaut.
Secretary Root and Ambassador Ma.
buco signed today treaty Of arbitration
between the United States aud Brazil,
the twenty-fourth of the treaties of this
series 10 be srranged by Secretary Root
during his term of Office. 10 the ag-
gregate these mark importsnt progress
toward the elimination of war in the
settlement of international differences.
The only important powers that have
not yet signed similar treaties with the
United S .ates are Russia and Germany.
These countries have refused to adopt
the form proposed by this government,
but have not declined altogether the
proposition to sign conventions 10 form
suitable to themselves.
A special agent of the government has
reported that there was an international
syndicate of steel manufacturers and an
agreement as to territory of operation.
This has always been denied by the
steel msgnstes.
William Nelson Cromwell, who repre-
sented the French company In the trans
fer OF the Panama canal to the United
States, was the star witness In today's
proceedings before the grand jury 10 The
libel case against certain newspapers. 1t
is presumed that be will lay before
the grand Jury all the correspondence
ia the case. 10 sn interview last fsll
Cromwell stated that the inference that
there had been crooked dealings in con-
nection with the canal transfer, WAS
false. Hs said that st that time that the
$40, 600, 900 went to the French stock
holders. lis stated that he reiterated
this statement today and that the docu.
meuts he carried with him to the grand
Jury room we're records of the French
company. The rumor that President
Roosevelt Is to testify before the grand
Jury is thought 10 be uniOunded.
A contest arose over the pension to be
grauted the widow Of Rear Admiral
Ooghlan. Uuder the general law she
was ent tied to $50 month. The COM
milt0e on pensions recommended that
she be given $50. Mr.. Olcoit led fight
for 500 shich Mrs Ooghlsn said, 10 8
latter, was necessary to her support.
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