Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-19

face maps. The Secretary himself oc-
casionally consults ii, when revolving in
his mind some problem OF transporting
troops to the Philippines, Porto Rico, or
possibly even to Spain itself. And in
fiuenced by these examples Of no less per-
sonal interest, every visitor TO the room
follows suit.
This Spanish-American war has been a
great geographical educator to the whole
country. Whereas, heretofore a COM
paratively small section of North Ameri-
ca bounded nearly all our national in
terests, the Cuban campaign, and above
all Admiral Dewey's victory at Manila
have broadened our horizon until We feel
that mo pent up Utica contracts our
Powers, but the whole boundless uni
verse IS ours" People to whom here
tofore the now well-known names Of the
Philippines, Porto Rico. and even Cuba,
were mere words. now take a vital in
terest in every detail that can be learn
ed about them. The reason is that they
have sons brothers. sweetheartss or, at
least, countrymen bound for these far
shores, bearing with them the Stars and
Stripes which shall replace the blood and
yellow flag of Spain, and by the valor OF
American soldiers and sailors, proclaim
these prosecuted provinces free forever
more.
But the aged mother, who anxiously
scans this globe map, and with unacus-
toned fingers traces out the path from
San Francisco to Hawaii, and then half
way around the sphere finally locates
those NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. islands, the
Philippines, is not considering the glory
Of the conquest nor the freedom which
this war will bring TO millions of misera-
bic slaves. She realizes only, with a
nj vfu -
tears to her eyes, that her darling has
gone from her, farther than she can
fully appreciate Heretofore China has
been to her a symbol of the most remote
and heathenish land on the globe. With
pained surprise then, she notes that
Hongkong IS the nearest continental port
to the Philippines. Whereas, the eXpe-
dition TO Cuba seemed fearfully long be-
fore. she realizes that Habana is prac-
tically next door. compared TO Manila.
But the enthusiastic youngster, who is
consumed with envy of his fortunate
elder brother, points out to his fearful
mother that Jack will be right near Bor-
neo. where the wild men come from, and
Java, where he can get some genuine
coffee, while gay japan and "India's
coral strand" duly celebrated in the old
missionary hymn, are not far distant.
And he dilates upon the characteristics
and products of these countries newly
learned from his geography with per-
sonal interest never before experienced,
because, as he proudly tells his school
mates, my brother Jack is going over
10 help Dewey chase the Spaniards out
OF Manila"
But like the mother, the sweetheart or
bride of the young soldier is not able
to see the bright side OF the picture In
addition TO the terrible distance which
divides her from her lover, she is not
quite certain that absence makes her
heart grow fonder." OF course. she is
sure about herself. but she remembers
another old saying, that "a sailor has
sweetheart in every port" and she won
ders II Jack may not acquire this
elastic affection. She has read some
where that the women Of Manila are very
beautiful; that they wear shockingly few
clothes, and their ''raven-hair Arranging
down their backs" She has also heard
that these Malayas smoke cheroots and
dance and play on some queer musical
Instruments and Immediately the green
monster Of the Imagination seizes upon
her, and she regrets that she ever lee
tured Jack for smoking or refused 10
dance with him and scorned his awkward
efforts upon the guitar. Perhaps he may
find some more complaisant sweetheart
In Manila and never come back at all.
Small wonder then, that with all these
anxious folk pondering over II daily, the
big globe is already marked with pencil
scratches and sundry blistered spots
which suggest that II has been believed
with the tears OF women. But such Is
war
For men must work and women must
weep.
Though the harbor bar be moaning"