Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-09-26
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of Alexandria Gazette

West Point men, astouDded at the
news of the arrest of the entire cadet
corps at West Point, expressed the
opinion today that the situation would
have to be dealt with by Maj. Gen.
Barry, in command OF the academy,
as a breach OF disciplins." The
"silencing" Of Capt. Rufus f. Longan,
by the entire corps, presents a problem
such as army officials have not been
confronted with in years. 1t is the
first important case OF silencing" at
the academy in long time. A few
months ago the midshipmen at
Annapolis, administered silence" to
Lieut.. Bratholf, but after Supt. Bowyer
deprived few midshipmen OF their
privileges, the incident was passed
over and the offense was not repeated.
The action of the entire corps at West
Point in refusing to speak when Capt.
Longan entered the dining room Sat
urday night and the repetition OF that
method of showing their dislike and
dsrespect for superior office yester-
day. is looked upon here as creating a
situation of the utmost seriousness.
Strict dsciplinarians declare that such
a breach of order must be given
severe treatment. But army men would
look upon it as national shame and
disgrace if the entire corps were court
martialed. 1t would be considered a
disaster, scarcely to be considered, to
expel a majority of the cadets. With
this muddled prospect, army officers
and War Department officials are
watching the situation with intense
interest.
The whole cadet corps at West Point,
n. Y, is disciplined because OF the way
they received Captain Rufus E. Longan,
an instructor in the tactical department,
when he came into dinner Saturday
night. As soon as Captain Longan
appeared a silence fell over the whole
body OF cadets and it continued until
the order was given for the cadets to
90 to their barracks. This is the
method of showing disapproval at the
military academy and at Annapolis.
General Barry held a long conference
with President Taft today regarding
the action he will take in disciplning"
the corps OF cadets for silenclhg"
Captain Longan. No official statement
was made. but it was understood here
that neither the president nor Barry
favored court-martialing or dismisslng
all of the budding soldiers engaged in
the incident. Most rigid measures will
be taken, however, and severe penalties
are expected to be inflicted. Barry,
who came here to fill social appoint
ments, was an early caller at the White
House. He told the president that he
had cancelled all of his appointments
and would return TO West Point this
afternoon. Both the president and
Barry look upon the incident as a
serious matter demanding positive and
immediate action. The commandant
arranged to confer with Maj. Gen.
Wood, chief Of staff, and War Depart
ment officials before his departure.
A report issued by the census bureau
today shows that the total supply OF
cotton in the United States for the
year ended August 81, 1910, was g.
S26. 927 bales less than for the preced-
ing year. The total for 1910 was H.
$50, 95S. In the last year 6,339, JUS
bales were exported, while in the pre-
cedng year more than eight million
were exported. The consumption in
the United States was nearly million
greater for 1909 than for 1910 which Is
shown as 4,707 .127.
Commander in Chief Schroeder in
dispatches received today at the Navy
Department. informed Secretary Meyer
that target practice had been COM
pleted. The first division is now in
Hampton Roads. All OF the ships
will come in from the drill grounds TO
put themselves in shape for their trip
TO New York. 1t is probable that they
will he ready TO sail tonight il the ships
which require it will complete coaling
in time After the work of the last two
weeks the men will be given ten days
of rest.
When told of the report from Sara
togo that he is being doomed for lieu
tenant governor, Public Printer Donelly
today refused to make any comment,
but the impression prevails that he is a
receptive candidate. He was busily
engaged with the work Of his office and
evidently was not highly exercised over
the prospect.
Though President Taft reached
Washington yesterday, Mr.. Norton
his private secretary, deferred his Of
fetal arrival until this morning. Sec
retarles Knox, MacVeagh, Ballinger
and Wilson also arrived yesterday. 1t
is announced that Secretaries Meyer,
WickerSham and Nagel will arrive to-
morrow.
Mrs. Franklin MacVeagh, wife OF the
secretary of the Treasury, is planning,
it is said,a gift of brand new $3.50, OOO
home at the capital as a Christmas
present to her husband.
The Sultan OF Sulu reached this city
today and called upon Assistant Secre-
tary of War Oliver and General Wood,
Chief of Staff Of the Army. 1t was de-
cided to give him an audience at the
White House Wednesday afternoon.
The Sultan said he intends to remain
in Washington some time, as be wishe: