davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-01-20

aDl6 ueOtS as was uOue year or TWO
ago at Corinto aud as was done month
or so ago at Hayti. The Cuban case is
this: For three years the insurgents
have fought with courage and suf-
fered with fortitude that has chai-
lenged the admiration, of the world
save and except the Mckinley admins.
tration. Three or four hundred thou
sand people have died, men, women
and chill 1ren, as much martyrs in the
cause of liberty as was Warren or any
other hero who died that we might be
fle and yet the Mckinley a1ministra-
lion lifts not its finger to stay the
slaughter. Three or four hundred thou
sand people, men, women and children
are known to he dying by the slow aud
cruel process OF starvation, and the Nc
Klnley administration can think of
nothing more effective for their relief
than to pose as the big beggarmap.
The party of Sumner, Chase and Sew
ard, which proudly Wanted itself as
the friend of man, has become the ally
of pestilence, arson, famine, devasta
ton, rape, and murder. To every sug-
gestion that we should re.enter upon q
vigorously foreign policy, which will
Thoroughly protect American citizens
and American interests on every part
of the habitable globe, we ara met with
the hysterical shrek that we are adyo.
eating war. It is not true, but suppose
it were. There are some things worse
than war-deplorabie az war unques-
tionably is-and one of them is to play
the cry baby act until we are despised
of all nations and kindreds and tongues.
Now that we number seventy million
souls, republican Administration cannot
The times., 1898-08-30
The Hospital Scandals.

The defense which Gen. Alger made.
when he was finally driven to admit
that there was something the matter
with the hospital arrangements in this
war was rather an odd one. 1t was
described by one sarcastic journal as
a statement that he had made mess,
but it was tremendous big mess, and
therefore to be excused. That is prob
ably as good a synopsis Of it as could
he made.
The country expected to excuse some
mistakes in this war, even some very
serious mistakes, on the ground of
lack of experience. The mob lization
and feeding of a large army is a very
serious matter. and requires much wis
dom. and there were very few people
on the ground in this emergency who
had had any training at all in that line
But there was one thing which the
people were not prepared to excuse on
any grounds whatever, and that was
inefficient hospital service in tn coun-
try after the war was over. They
would have forgiven almost anything
single wounded soldier should have
been allowed to suffer, after leaving
Cuba. for lack of food, medicine or at
tention. There is no real reason why
the men should have suffered in Cuba
at any rate as much as they did, but
The times., 1898-08-30

prisoners except In the matter Of ra-
tions, or with Aguinaldo.
Is it that the far-seeing mind of our
diplomatic naval hero contemplates an
American display in Chinese waters?
His presence is demanded at home,
first that we may have a clear under
standing of the situation at Manila, If
that is possible to the merely finite in
telligence; and second, that he may
give to the President the benefit of his
observations in respect of the islands
he has acquired and so place the re-
turn of any one of them TO Spain out
of the question.
Sagasta has once more expressed his
view that war is still on and that Spain
has never surrendered her sovereignty
at Manila The strange capitulation
there after the signing of the protocol
may make no difference in the status
of the Philippines question. or it may
be conclusive. AT any rate, an inter-
view between the President and Ad-
miral Dewey before final instructions
are given to the Peace Commissioners
seems very desirable.
The times., 1898-08-30
Traitors to the Rear.

There is but one reason why the
Democrats of New York should not
elect a governor in the Empire State
this Fall, but that reason Will be fur
nished by the nomination of a man
who bolted the Chicago ticket in 1896.
The Times cannot conceive of self
respecting Democrat who would vote
for anyone who did not two years ago
give Mr.. Bryan his firm, fixed and un-
swerving support.
The Chicago platform represented
and represents overwhelmingly the
Democratic sentiment of the country.
Mr.. Bryan may or may not be the
Pres Il ntial candidate in 1900. He was
the candidate in 1886, regularly nomi-
mated by a two-thirds majority, and.
as the campaign demonstrated, worthy
in every respect of the high Office to
which his party proposed TO elect him.
The Democrats who. as Democrats, op-
posed him we're political traitors then
and they are no less traitors now. To
select one of them to carry the Demo-
cratic standard in the coming battle in
New York is to insult every one of the
$500, 900 men who bowed to the party S
viii in 1896 and Loyalty kept the faith.
The Times recognizes the right, aye,
the duty, of an American to change
his Democracy for Republicanism
when his conscience and Judgment
compel him; but the change once
made should be final-the convert
should stay converted and not return
within two years a candidate for Of
fee at the hands of the men whose
| principles he has discarded.
The Spanish war cannot be made a
party issue in the Fall elections. All
America was for the war, and all
America rejoices in the victory. Demo
Gratis and Republicans fought shoulder
to shoulder in the trenches before San
| tiago, and Democrats, Republicans,
Populists, and Independents alike &C
| claim the achievements of the navy
and shout the glory Of Dewey and
Schley.
In selecting governor the voters Of
New York will decide between Dem.
ocrat and Republican simply. AS the
| Republican nominee will be a Repuoli
can, SO must his Democratic opponen
| be a Democrat-a Democrat of 1896.
The times., 1898-08-30
Admiral Dewey,s Requisition

Admiral Dewey has spoken plainly
enough about what our policy should
be in relation to the Philippines-that
we should never allow the flag he
planted there to be hauled down This
should have an influence on American
opinion, since no one has had as good
opportunities as he for forming a sound
judgment on the question. 1t is to be
hoped that he will be able to return to
the United States in time to impress
his views on the President.
II is unfortunate that the admiral
was not free to speak as distinctly on
other matters. His desire for more
warships must awaken not a little
curiosity, if not anxiety, along with
his statement that he thinks it is nee
essary to remain at Manila. If the
war with Spain is ended and there is
no reason to anticipate a rupture of
our friendly relations with Germany or
any other power, why should he need
more warships, and why should he
consider it unsafe for him to come
home?
The preparations for the early mus
ter out Of hundred thousand of our
soldiers, including some regulars, is
inconsistent with the idea that a re-
newal Of hostilities with Spain is prob
able. The suggestion of Gen. Merritt
that some of the American soldiers at
Manila should be returned to their
homes disposes of the thought of any
further trouble with the Spaniards
there, although they are not rated as
The times., 1898-08-30
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30. 1898.
The Cars Proposition.

1t was 70 be expected that most of
the statesmen and public journals in
Europe would applaud the proposition
of the Car for the disarming of all
the powers, and at the same time find
reasons why the idea is impracticable.
Knowing what they do Of the tastes
and disposition of the Russian ruler,
they could not doubt his sincerity;
knowing his power and fearing the ef-
feet of a direct opposition, it was not
like them TO find fault with his scheme.
While giving him the credit for beau
tiful conception of a truly civilized
Europe, they know too well the ulti-
mate ambitions of the different ma
items TO encourage the hope of a, real
ization of his vision.
1t is impossible to deny the benefi-
cent effect of disarmament if only 1t
were matter of the mutual relations
of the powers. But Italy, Spain, and
France, and in time Germany, may
have to depend on an immense army to
prevent revolutions. More than once
IN the past dozen years only the exist
ence of a large army saved France
from disastrous instructions and a
repetition of the horrors of the Reign
Of Terror Italy is already ripe for a
republican uprising, which is held
back by fear of the soldiers No mon
archy could exist in Spain without the
military, and the people are not cap
able of self-government. The socialist
element is large and growing in Ger
many. and il would reach dangerous
proportions but for the soldiers. 1t is
a question whether Russia cou'd ma n
tain domestic peace without its troops.
Besides all this, il is doubtful if the
Emperor Of Germany has more than a
passing fancy for perpetual peace.
OF all the nations. England and the
United States would give the mcst
hearty support to a proposition that
would insure peace with safety. The
former, however, has its India pos
sessions to administer in the interest
Of civilization, and the time is still re-
mote when they can be ruled without
a military power back of the admins
tration. The position of the Car must
have a great moral effect and promote
the cause of arbitration, but we see no
reason to hope he can achieve the OBJ
3ect he has in view.
The times., 1898-08-30
The Country Wnits

frequent comment on the selection
of the Peace Commissioners is virtually
that of the Rochester Post Express
that the Commission viii do the right
thing and the people, relying on its
good faith and patriotism, will indorse
its decision, whatever it may be-
That is nonsense. There are no five
men in the country whose decision on
a matter like the Philippines question
would be indorsed by the country
simply because of their good faith and
patriotism.
The American people have pretty
generally made up their minds as to
what they want in this instance. They
know that there are some men whose
good faith and patriotism are estab-
lished, yet who are altogether wrong
in their notions about the Philippines
men who have allowed their minds
to dwell so much on the difficulties of
administration in the case of remote
islands that they have lost sight of the
adaptability of our institutions and
our people, both of which have had
harder nuts to crack and have cracked
them.
To decide we'll in this matter, a
Commissioner must have such a lively
faith in the American people that he
can intrust them with colonies,
without a doubt about the good re-
suits Very sensible men, suddenly
charged with the responsibility of a
decision of far-reaching consequences.
might find it the easier and safer road
to distrust the people and relieve them
of the opportunity to fail The timid,
over-cautious patriot would rather de-
prive the nation of a glorious posi-
bility than run the risk of small
trouble.
If the Peace Commissioners insist on
retaining for this country all it has
won in the war, they will be heartily
indorsed by the majority of their
countrymep. If they fail to do tn S, the
fact that they are sincere will not ex-
cuse them in the minds of the people
who will not be satisfied with their de-
cision because it reflects an honest
doubt of the wisdom of such a policy.
The times., 1898-08-30
TO ASSERT THEIR CLAIMS.
States VIII Send Representatives to
the CopifaI


Representatives of many of the leading
States from the Atlantic TO the Pacific.
are expected in Washington some time
this week. Their object is TO look after
what are known as stale claims" or
alleged liabilities claimed 70 be due them
from the Government
Many of these. growing out of the Civil
War, remained unsettled for years and re-
quired energetic lobbying. so TO speak
Past experience has taught governors
who assumed personal or State obliga-
tions in getting troops. ready for the re-
cent volunteer service to make haste with
Uncle Sam while his sun shines. For this
reason State representatives will person.
ally see 10 the early collection OF their
just dues. Ohio. Illinois. Massachusetts,.
Kansas. the far Western States. Penn
syIvania. New York and Indiana are
most concerned.
Representatives from these States Will
meet IN conference here and CO operate in
the work with which they are commits
stoned. They will Ou-..ne pIans and unite
/ in making urgent repre- esenratioIs % the
( Government.
1t - usually tic tdoc ltldL N4lVIt
sums of money are involved and The
! Government is concerned disputes and
/ dissatisfaction Invariably arise. Nov 5hIc
the war is over, Auditor Brown. of the
/ Treasury Department admits thai he is
| the recipient of numerous claims from
| the different States asking reimbursement
for alleged expenditures in aiding the war
| with Spain
Summarized. the situation seems
| TO be that the important mat
| ter of perfeoting relation OK
/ a business nature between certain State
/ officials and those of the National GOV
ernment was. in the hurry of war. passed
| by. and now all sorts of wild Gains are
| pouring in from all directions
| In many cases governors Of States. es-
| pec-aIIy in the Sou. h, having 10 funds at
hand legally appropriated for the pre-
Ininary expenses of the volunteers. were
| compelled to borrow money for the pur-
pose on their personal guarantees that
the amount would be refunded out Of any
appropriation made By the National Gov
ernment TO reimburse the several States
The transportation OF mil5tiamen from
| their homes 70 the point Of rendezvous
was paid for by the several States, and
their subsistence pending the musier---s
into the United States service was like
wise provided for. II 50 happened that in
many cases from twenty-five to forty per
cent of the men offered by the States
were rejected for physical disability and
other causes. As the War Department
has declined TO pay either the trausDor-
tation OF Subsistence Of rejected men, the
legislatures Of the several States will be
called upon 10 repay what has been s25nt
on those who were not accepted By
Uncle Sans medical men
This feature Of the situation is likely 70
cause trouble. and may resui, in legisla-
ton by CongrtSs. with a view 70 max
ing the Commonwea5ths Of the Union
whole" on war expenditures
War complications continue 10 crop cut
and from all indications me Treasury
Department win require an extra force
TO adjust them.
The times., 1898-08-30
PERSON MAKES DEFENSE.
A New Turn to the Wnr Telegraph
erS, COntroYerrN

Lieut.. Pierson. of the signal corps. who
is in charge of the telegraph office at The
War Department. made a statement in
his own defense last night bearing upon
the controversy between the civilian teIe
graphers and himself.
Two more OF the operators resigned yer
terday, and their places were flied h<
volunteer signal men Lieut.. Pierson saA
the operators had treated him uniustly.
Notwithstanding the fact that he had
always been their friend.
when their salary was but $1,000 per
annum," he stated, II succeeded in hav-
ceeded in securing for them two and a
half days leave of absence for every
month they served. and looked out gem
orally for their welfare.
They tried to leave me in the lurch at
this time. when the telegraph business OF
the department is heavy. and l found il
necessary for the protection of the de-
partmeut and myself TO secure a detail
of signal men 10 do the work. The men
are soldiers. il is true. but they are also
gentlemen and firSt-claSS telegraph Oper-
ators."
There are still eight civilian operators
ON duty at the War Department AMI seven
members of the signal corps. -Four other
signal operators are expected TO arrive
today from Montauk Point. -Four of the
signal men now on duty are from the
company at Washington Barracks and
three from Camp Meade, Pa IL neces-
sary more will be ordered here from other
points where signal detachmentS are sta
toned.
Lieut.. Pierson further stated that the
men would not be required TO work "a
the key on the salary they receive IN the
army. He has made an arrangement OS
which they will receive S0i0 each per
month. and be allowed to live in the city
as they may choose instead OF having
TO spend their leisure time at the par
racks under military restraint They Will
also be allowed to wear citizens clothes
when not on duty. IN order to bring their
salary I'D to 5000. the men VIII receive
$50 per month as commutation of quarters
and fuel: ST per month for Communication
of rations: 50 for clothing allowance and
their army salary of 5000 per month IL
is stated that Lieut.. Persons action in
employing signal corps operators has been
approved by the War Department
The times., 1898-08-30
THE PEACE COMMISSION.
beieyed Tint Spain Has Named
Her Represenfatiyes

Madrid. Aug. 29.-At the conclusion OF
the cabinet meeting this evening the min
listers pretended that the Spanish peace
commission had not been formed.
Nevertheless. it is believed that the
Washington Government had been in
formed that the commission will consist
OF Senor Leon Castillo. Spanish arnbas-
sador 30 France. who will be president. :.
Gen. Zabala, juris-consult: the Duke of
Tananese. diDlomatist and ex-governor
of Madrid. and either Senior Moret. for
merly minister of colonies. or Senor Ar
bazuza. should Senior Moret decline to
serve. Senior Arbazuza was colonial min
lister in the last Sagasta cabinet. All the
above are Liberals.
To Prevent Long Debates
1t is reported the ministers are reaching
an agreement to prevent long debates in
the Cortes relating to the war Duke
Almodovar del Rio, minister of foreign
affairs: Senior Groizard, minister of JUS
ice, and Senor Giron, minister of the
colonies, have been appointed TO draft
measure to be submitted TO the Cortes
~sNe-4NAA A~-4A5 5Sst ~ Hldhe
peace.
1t is understood that the conservatives
will not ally themselves with the opposi-
ton against the government. but Senor
Romero Robledo proposes to discuss In
the Cortes everything relating 10 the wal
and the conditions Of peace
1t is not officially known what course
the Republicans will take, but the Car
lists will probably offer strenuous oppo-
sition TO the government.
VIII Obtain All They Can
In regard TO the instructions given tC
the military commissioners in the matter
of the evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico
the government announced that the com.
missioners have been told TO obtain every
possible advantage.
The times., 1898-08-30

that was one of the cases in which in
experience necessarily made trouble.
The condition of things at Montauk,
and in the volunteer camps, and on the
transports, however, is entirely diff
ferent matter.
Nobody would have found fault II
the War Department had seen fit to
issue special orders seizing all the
ships, stores, medicines and funds that
were necessary to bring our wounded
men home from Cuba as soon as they
could have been got on board ship.
There would have been no trouble In
securing doctors and nurses enough TO
give one to every sick man in the
transport if necessary. War hospitals
are one thing on which the United
States is not likely to economize. The
most determined cheese-paring states
man would have voted appropriations
for that purpose and added. IF that
isn't enough, just let Inc know.
This was a matter so thoroughly un-
derstood that when the reports or the
disgraceful condition of the Seneca
came in the country was little in
credulous. 1t did not seem that the
medical department could have been 50
criminaIly careless as to allow such
state of things. The population OF this
country is a large one. and ali could
not investigate this thing in person.
But it was the business of the Secre-
tary of War TO investigate such an af-
fair as soon as he heard the report OF
it, and to find out where the response
biIity belonged, and to see that heads
came off where they were not fit to stay
on. Whether he did this or not there
is no positive way of knowing. He told
the public that there should be no
more such trouble
But there was. Every hospital ship
since that time, every transport that
has carried soldiers, wounded or other
wise, from Cuba, has brought tale OF
horror such as has not been told since
the days of the trade. For con-
siderable time now this scandal has
been going on. There has been plenty
| of time to make Investigations. There
| is no evidence that the War Depart
ment has made any. If it had, the
country would have stood by Secretary
| Alger in whatever he chose TO do.
straightforward, decided. manly action
on his part, removing incompetent OF
dishonest officials. and showing d-s-
position to cut red tape with one mas
terful sword-stroke when it interfereo
with the we'll being of the soldiers
| would have endeared him to the nation
| He missed that opportunity He has
tardily taken up the task-in his visit
to Montauk, and for the sake of the
soldiers let everyone be thankful The
thing which remains to be done now Is
for the country to insist on an invesu'
CATION of the whole matter. in WHICH
the blame shall be fixed and an exam
pie made of the guilty ones which VII
prevent such national disgrace evel
occurring again
The times., 1898-08-30
MUsTER-oUT ROLL GROWS.
More Regiments Are Ordered to
Their State Cnmps

An official bulletin was issued by the
War Department yesterday directing the
mastering out OF the following troops.
who have been ordered to their State
camps:
Ninth Massachusetts, Infantry, 46 Off
GERS and $50 enlisted men. from Middle
town to South birmingham.
Seventh Illinois Infantry. 50 officers
and 1858 enlisted men, from Middletown
to Springfield. III.
First Illinois Infantry, 50 officers and
1.272 enlisted men. from Lexington to
Springfield, III.
Fifth Illinois Infantry, Il officers and
1,2s4 enlisted men. from Lexington to
Springfield. Ill.
Sixty-fifth New York Infantry, so Off
GERS and 1858 enlisted men, from Camp
Alger to Buffalo.
Third United States Volunteer Cavalry.
46 officers aud 962 men, Chickamauga
Fourth Texas Infantry. IS officers and
1.240 men, Austin, Texas
First Wisconsin Infantry, 50 officers
men. Fernandina, Fla. to Columbus, o.
First Wisconsin Infantry. 80 officers
md 1.2ss men. Jacksonville, Fla. to Camp
Douglass, Wis
The times., 1898-08-30
Her Tresses us n Matchbox

(From the Utica ObserveF.)
az saw something a New York street car
the other day which interested me, and | have
been wondering If it is something new with
young people, New York CUSTOM
The wondering man explained. "A young man
and woman sat in one of the smoker seats He
was so ungallant 10 smoke. Then his cigar
became cold The young woman took a match
out of the coil of her hair and handed it to him.
He took it, reighted his cigar. and resumed
smoking in the most unconcerned manner. The
cigar got cold again, and again the young woman
handed him match from her hair. And she was
so unconcerned in her that / conclud ed
she must be in the habit of using her hair for his
match box"
The times., 1898-08-30

The Democrats of New York should be
allowed TO keep the issue down to State
matters If they can. The people. regard
less of their opinions as TO national ques-
tions, are disposed to administer rebuke
TO the thieving Republicans, and no OBJ
stacles should be put in their way. Two
years from now will be time enough for
the Democrats to talk about national is
sues There are rascals to be whipped
and that should absorb all their attention
The times., 1898-08-30
A PATRIOTIC RELIC.
New Jersey Troops Have a Flag
Raised in Hawaii

Elizabeth. " J.. Aug 29.-GeOrge STRAIT
meyer, surveyor of the port of Honolulu.
on August 10, mailed 10 his brother Louis
Stratmeyer. a fifteen-foot American flag
which was hoisted over the custom house
in Honolulu on August Z. by tie United
States troops.
The flag, which arrived this morning,
win be presented to Company c. Third
Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. now
stationed at Fort Wadsworth. Surveyor
Stratmeyer is veteran OF the company
The times., 1898-08-30
TRENTON TARs COMING HOME.
There VIII Be Big Demonstration
to Welcome Them

Trenton, N J., Aug. 29-The local
Grand Army posts and other patriotic
organizations are arranging for big
demonstration in honor OF the hOmecom-
ing of the Trenton naval reserves.
Masonic Temple, the largest assembly
hall in the city. has been placed at the
disposal of the committee in charge. 1t
is proposed TO have a triumphant march
of the Trenton tars through the principal
streets.