davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
ENGLAND.
ENoLAND's NAVAL DEFENcEs.
By Lord Charles BeTsgIord.

have always sought to study naval
requirements as much from the view Of
the politician as that Of the naval officer,
Parliament being really responsible for
the defence of the empire. On many
occasions large additions to our naval
defenses have proved that the policy
which had previously advocated was
a necessity Never since the year 1888
have felt so alarmed about the state of
our naval defences. The reasons for
such alarm are apparent. 1. The estim-
ate for new construction for last year
fell short of the minimum considered
necessary by responsible authority by no
less than "a. .27o, 900. 2, We have a
decrease OF ke6I, 1903 on the normal
estimate of7H millions for the last two
wears, II we are making no J[I,4oo, 200
OF the def cit this year. g. Parliamentary
Return No. 2o6 of 1898 clearly shows
that not only are we falling behind the
proportional standard of numbers of
three to two, laid down by authority as
necessary. but we have. actually not even
an equality OF numbers with France and
Russia numbers refer TO built, building
aud projected). 4. We are confronted
with most uniriendly actions abroad
S. We are alarmed with the most dis
quieting speeches at home made by
members OF the Cabinet.
There is a sense of uneasiness in the
country. The only optimists are the
ministers responsible for our defences.
II is time to spur the public up to the
actual facts of the dangers of our POSI-
ton / appeal to my fellow countrymen
through the medium OF the press to con
slider the situation. am satisfied, if its
dangers are known, the Government
will be forced to propose supplement
tary estimate. According to present
appearances and official utterances there
is no Intention whatever OF bringing in
a supplementary estimate. / consider
delay is criminal.
Adding SI,50o,ooo for rearmingEthe
seventeen useful old ironclads, as have
frequently advocated, the total needed
would be brought up to S3s,ooo 600,
which seems a large sum, but is really
only based on the normal estimate for
the last three years for naval construc-
tion. The colliers proposed, properly
as service golfers. are an all important
question when coal is the breadth and
life Of the fleet, and being able to coal
quickly will seal the fate Of campaign,
The colliers should be sixteen knots.
These and the rearmlng Of the useful
old ironclads should be placed in hand
at once by a supplementary estimate for
as much of the work as could be carried
out. The remainder of the money
should be spread over the next FIVE
years. l earnestly trust that the press
and the public will examine these state
ments and carefully weigh them, II the
Government do not seriously grapple
with the question of new construction
on Vote 8 the only resource will be to
arrange a series OF meetings throughout
the country, when the irresistible force
of public opinion would probably pro-
duce the same effect as It did on previ.
GUS occasions.
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
Stamps Must BE Used.

Under the war revenue law stamps
will be required as follows: On all ordi-
nary checks, two cents; demand bank
drafts, two cents; promissory notes, for
each sIoo or frsction thereof, two cents;
certificates OF deposit not draw ing in
terest, two cents; sight drafts, two cents.
time drafts. for each BIoo or fraction
thereof, two cents, and for every transfer
OF each share of stock of the par value Of
SIoo or fraction thereof, two cents.
d The following is the amount in stamps
necessary to be placed on every instru.
ment offered for record IN the Office Of
the Recorder of Dee IS according to the
new war revenue bill:
DEEDS-Where the consideration is
more than SIoo and less than $500
Fifty cents. For every additional $500
or fraction thereof over $500 fifty cents
extra.
TRUSTS OR MORTGAGES-s1. 600
or less, Tree; between 81 900 and
$1,000, twenty-five cents; on each
$500 or traction thereof in excess OF
SI,sOo, twenty-five cents extra.
ASES--Free.
LEASES-Not exceeding one year,
twenty-five cents; more than one and
less than three years, fifty cents; more
than three years, one dollar.
POWER OF ATTORNEY, to sell OF
convey, rent, or lease real estate
twenty-five cents.
BILL OF SALE-Same rate as trusts
BUSINESS ASSIGNMENTS S-Sans
rate as trusts, to De computed on the
statement OF liabilities.
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
ON MoNoPoLIsTs.
SpsekatOY-London.

To create a monopoly is, if you can
effect it, the quickest and safest way of
making a tortune yet invented by man.
You buy at sixpence, and as nobody
else has any of the article, you sell to the
whole world at sevenpence, which if the
whole world buys means millions. For
tunately it is also the most difficult way.
1t looks easy if you have money enough,
for no law interferes with your pur-
chases, and, except in the rarest cases,
no one with power to execute the decree
will forbid your asking for any article OF
commerce any price you please. In
civilized countries the Government is
10th to interfere. though we have known
that done IN the case of salt, and the
chance OF being lynched, even when
much misery is inflicted, is exceedingly
remote. The pOpulace knows too little
to hang the Mr. Letters. There are,
however, limitations on such specula.
tions which operate with considerable
effect. If the article is one of prime
necessity, ii is also an article existing
in enormous quantities, and under con
ditions which make far reaching pur-
chases either impossible or exceedingly
full of risk. The number OF things which
absolutely cannot be done without is
exceedingly limited, even if we include
the articles which mankind, though It
could go on IN their absence, will not
consent to lose. Water IS one Of them
bread is another. and salt is a third, anc
we may add for practical purposes the
material OF woollen or cotton clothing,
meat, milk, alcohol IN some form, iron,
tobacco, and we rather think as the
world IS now constituted, paper, and to
a monopoly OF each there are serious
obstacles. The supply OF water is pro
tected IN most places where it is scarce
or difficult to distribute, by Legislative
enactment, and in others by the dreac
Of popular rage, which might be very
quickly excited, and would be both un
scrupulous and cruel.
To monopolize food in a besieged cit
is dangerous, but to monopolize waite
would mean death If the thirsty coulC
infilct it. Buying up the worlds suppl!
OF corn is saier' indeed quite safe, but /
requires enormous capital. II can hardl,
be attempted in more than one country
and the moment 1t is attempted the higl
price draws to the market the surplus
Of the world. Mr.. Letter, of Chicago
for example, succeeded in holding for
few weeks the whole American suppl
OF wheat, and so sent up prices all owe
Europe and America. but before h
began to reap his profits, Russia, India
Argentina, and hundred smaller whea
fields began pouring in their stocks unit
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
The Cape verd "Terrors. "

On the 10th Of April we said that
''the only Spanish naval forces to
be considered in case Of prompt
action are the Vizcaya and the
Oquendo," then at Porto Rico;
and added that "they cannot stand
for an hour against the formidable
ships which Sampson can send to
meet them"
Though joined aiterward by two
more armored cruisers and two
fast torpedo boat destroyers, the
Spanish squadron never made a
fighting stand. 1t ran from one
port to another, and finally sought
refuge in the harbor of Santiago.
After being bottled up there for
fortv FIVE days its Admiral made
a desperate dash out of the harbor
"a gallant running fight to get
away. His only hope was to
"outrun our ships"
1t took Sampson just four hours
and half to catch and destroy or
capture the whole outfit. He
had one man killed and two
wounded-not ship injured so
far as appears. And he took 800
prisoners, including Admiral Ger.
vera.
And this is the terrible feet that
for many weeks kept the New
England coast towns IN a state OF
constant alarm, that caused the
appearance Of phantom fleets and
spook ships in all sorts OF places,
and that finally led to the abandon
ment of the attack on San Juan
and the combining Of SIMPSONS
and Schley's formidable squadrons
to hunt the vanishing Spaniards!
Well, it is all happily over now.
The terrible feet is junk or prize
But the history of the scares that
it caused will, when it shall here
after be written, be funnier than
any play.
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09

the future. The first class liners
have abolished one species Of dan
gerous OF obnoxious freight after
another, but none has yet been able
to abandon freight carrying alto
gether in behalf OF safety to pas
sengers. For without freight re-
ceipts no ship can afford the enor-
nous expense Of the ocean pas
sage.
Sooner or later this will come,
with greatly increased passenger
fares, of course; but until it comes
it will not be possible to make
ships as proof against collision as
they are now against the other
dangers of the sea.
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09

prices sunk again. He had, moreover,
oVerestimated the shortage, new and
ample crop.w on ITS way, it was neces-
sary to sell to avoid loss, and the mo-
ment he sold the panic ended, and a
slump" or rapid fall of price, occurred
which in few days swept away his
entire profits. He was millionaire one
week and plain man" the next, and
even to gamblers an alienation Of for
tune like that is not attractive Even IN
a land where protection reigns, the re.
grating OF corn on the grand scale is
very risky work You can buy all there
is If there is money enough, but the
populaCe is sure to clamor, and the
Government sure to yield, and when the
ports are once open commerce is too
strong Tor you. Tobacco is saved from
the monopolistsin much the same way.
1t exists almost everywhere, the stocks
are very large, there is always a crop
coming on, and though mankind will
not entirely do without the weed, it can,
and will, enormously reduce its regular
consumption.
A great firm did once, we believe,
possess themselves, as they fancied, OF
all the indigo in the world, only to find
that their high price drew quantities
from countries where they did not know
it existed; while very daring attempt
to mOnoPlize hops ran up the value, not
of hops so much, as OF camomile and
other less innocent substitutes. Quinine
has been monopolized repeatedly, to
the no small trouble of hospitals; the
supply Of rhubarb has been occasionally
in one or two hands; and there are tales
told Of the fortunes made by buying up
articles little known. but Indispensable
to certain processes OF manufacture. AS
a rule, however, spectators find science
a little too strong tor them, and the only
article we know of in which a true
monopoly has been successfully main
tanned for many years is petroleum. Its
managers have been wise enough to
avoid unendurable prices; they have
therefore incurred little popular hatred;
they seem somehow to have suTmounted
the danger from strikes, which one
would have expected to be formidable;
and their chief, Mr.. Rockefeller, is
reputed to be the richest man in the
world, and must certainly be IN enjoy
ment Of one of its largest incomes, which
probably, as he is very like anl other
dissenting deacon, gives him no more
pleasure than he would derive from ten
thousand year, Diamonds are only
partially monopolized, the spectators
controlling only one source of supply;
but still, that is the chief source, and
as the few like diamonds to be dear
while the many know nothing about
them, many fortunes have been
made IN the article without any popular
hatred being incurred. Mr.. Letter would
have been lYnched il German Socialists
could have got at him; but nobody
wanted to lynch Mr.. Barnato or Mr..
Belt, though the latter is supposed to
have accumulated sums "beyond the
dreams OF avarice."
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
rhe Trurh about Germany.

Andrew d. White, our Ambas-
sador to Germany, made a sup
remedy sensible speech at the
Fourth of July banquet Of Ameri-
cans at Leipsic. He asserted in
the most convincing manner that
the German Government has been
more than correct" in ITS attitude
oil neutrality: it has been friendly,
eager to avoid even the remotest
suspicion of offense. And he also
asserted that "the feelings of the
great majority of thinking German
people are friendly, and this major
ity has the wit or instinct to dis
Germ the reason Of any injustice
that may be done our country by
individuals. "
A certain part of the German
press, like a part of the French
press. has been working for the
holders OF Spanish bonds. 10
quote such utterances as Indicative
OF real public sentiment is as alb
surd as it would be TO quote from
a Wall street organ to prove that
the American people were opposed
to a popular loan and in favor ol
secret syndicate swindles.
Mr.. White said:
THE demeanor of those in authority
in Germany has always been all thai
| America could wish. From the begin
ming Of the present war the German
Government has recognized our right,
as combatants, Ii has observed perfec
and strict neutrality, and this neutralit,
is neither cold Eor unfavorabIe.
America recognizes a second mothe
country IN Germany, to whose universi
ties and higher educational establish
ments America owes so much.
81 don't believe the various force
which unite America and Germany will
easily be broken. Assurances givei
our Government by Germany preven
the United States from thinking tha
Germany would treat our nation In an,
but an upright, loyal and open way Ii
this German policy OF fairness an,
Justice toward our country lies a guar
antee of that legitimate territorial an,
| commercial expansion which German
wishes so eagerly"
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
The Lesson of The Rnnds.

Whether it be true, says the New
York Financial Record, that SUBJ
scriptions OF $500 and under have
already reached the sum Of $751;
ooo, 900, it seems TO be foTsgone
conclusion that enough small SUBJ
scriptions, with the cash attached,
will be in, before the time expires,
to cover the whole loan, with the
chances strongly favoring the clos
ing of the loan before July IA, as
it is not to be supposed the loan
will be kept open and money al
lowed to be sent on after it is
known all the bonds are sold. To
cover the loan by small subscrip
tions within the time allowed will
count Just as much for the credit
and prestige of the Government as
to have it largely oversubscribed.
So far as the money markets of
the country and general business
are concerned. the taking up, from
ali over the country, of so large an
amount OF money, would work a
general disturbance only for the
fact that the money has already
been spent and the deficiency bill,
which will be a law by the time the
loan is closed, provides for paying
out the whole proceeds immedi-
ately, The bills will be paid, that
is all, and the money 60 back into
circulation.
But that so large an amount can
be collected in such a way, from
small contributions by the score
OF thousands, and without disturb.
ing business more than it has, is a
tremendous object lesson for other
nations. and will have its effect.
Mulhall, the English statistician,
in some recent figures puts the
wealth Of the United States at
S8I,75o, 900. 600, the largest amount
in history; that OF Great Britain
next, at $59, ,o3o, 900, 900, France at
S47,9so ,ooo, 900, Germany at $780,
90, 900, ,ooe. Russia at S32,Ia5,-
600, 900, Austria at sla, 500 ,ooo,-
900, Italy at SIS, 1900, 900 900 and
Spain at SI1,3oo, 900, 900.
The wealth OF the United States,
therefore, is equal to that of Rus
sia, Austria, Italy and Spain com
bined. The estimate Of Mulhall
includes the values of money, real
estate, build ng, railways, ,merchan-
disc, covering everything from the
ground up.
The significance of the figures,
while great in itself, lies mainly in
the fact that the United States has
just got its foundations laid for in
dustry and commerce, and has not
fairly begun its real work. The
possibilities Of the future are not
to be measured by achievements
up to date. But with the nations
of Europe, Russia alone excepted,
it is very different. They can only
sustain present output from their
material and labor, at stationary
or increased cost. With us, we
have not yet reached the limits of
lower cost in production and, con-
sequentlY, of ability to still further
compete with the nations OF the
world. Russia has the raw mater
ial, but not the skill, intelligence,
capital and organization to work
it up. Best OF all, our home mar
ket is our big market, and always
will be, and is capable OF indefinite
expansion.
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
spain's Naval Power Shattered.

More dramatic even than
Dewe!''s lightning swoop upon
Montojo was the splendid running
fight in which Sampson destroyed
the feet OF Cervera and captured
the Spanish Admiral himself.
The brief and business like dis
patch OF Admiral Sampson enables
US TO read between it's lines the
story OF one Of the most desperate
and intensely thrilling combats in
all naval history. The Spanish
feet, says the Admiral, attempted
to escape at $50 a. m, and at ? p.
m. the last, the Cristobol Colon,
had run ashore sixty miles west Of
Santiago and has let down her
colors."
The Inianta Maria Teresa,
Oquendo and VizcaYa were forced
ashore burned and blown no within
twenty miles oil Santiago.
The Furor and Pluton we're des-
troyed within four miles OF the
port.
Can you not see it all1 The
Spanish fleet dashed madlY for the
open sea, hoping to escape by its
superior speed The American
ships, which had been hungrilY
watching week after week for their
prey, pounced upon it, and raced
by its side, fighting as they went.
The eggsnell torpedo boat des-
troyers perished FIRST. They lasted
for four miles--perhaps for fifteen
minutes. The armored cruisers
Vizcaya, Infanta Maria Teresa and
Almirante Oquendo kept up the
fight for twenty miles, which at the
rate the ships were going repre-
sented a struggle Of nearly an hour
and a halt At last, in flames, they
drove ashore, and their bursting
magazines deprived the American
navy list of some coveted acquisi-
tions. Running the gauntlet alone,
the Cristobal Colon held out for
three hours longer, but at last, run
TO earth, she stopped, and the flag
that symbolized the last remnant
oi SPANS maritime power in the
Western World f1uttered down.
1t is a pity that so many fine
ships that would have graced our
service should be lost, but il looks
as il we should be able to save the
Cristobal Colon, and that will be
a most desirable addition to our
naval strength.
Sampson has had his opportun-
ity, and he has risen to il nobly.
And others will do as we'll when
their time comes. Evidently
Dewey's name will not be the only
one that will deserve consideration
when we are ready to create a Vice
Admiral
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
All welIin the East

Hardly less important than the
destruction OF CeIvera's fleet and
the imminent capture of Santiago
is the arrival of DeweY's reinforce
ments at Manila. The Charles
ton so far strengthens the Ameri-
can Asiatic squadron as to make
it more than a match for Camara,
The troops on the transports will
enable the notifications at Cavite
and Corregidor to be effectively
garrisoned. The supplies of am
munition, which were said to be
running low, have been thoroughly
replenished. Dewey has two gun
boats taken from the Spanish, an d
with guns taken from Montcjo's
feet he has probably armed the
McCulloch and his two golfers.
His force is quite twice as strong
now as it was when it won the vic
tory OF the First OF May, and we
have no doubt that It could hold
its own, not only against Camara,
but against any of the fleets in
those waters.
En- route the Charleston Incl
dentally picked up bit OF colonial
empire in the Ladrones. 1t is a
reminder to Spain that if she has
anything lying out of doors which
she would like to save she has no
time to lose in taking it in under
the shelter of treaty of peace.
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09

for the present year, and hopes to have
them prolonged for the next FIVE years.
All machinery for gold mining IN
Siberia IS, furthermore, made free Of
duty on all the frontiers OF the Empire,
Duties are likewise repealed or reduced
for five years, from September I next,
on agricultural machinery. Steam
ploughs. various kinds OF threshing
machines, reapers, sorters, ,harrows, &c.
Will be free of duty, while duties on
other special kinds will be reduced from
rouble 40 kopecks to so kopecks per
pood.
From the foregoing it will be easily
seen, then, that there is every reason
for hoping that British manufactured
exports to Russia will materially grow
in amount.
The CANTRRN IN SEAGoING SHIPS.
Arny and May Gazette.
The navy is proverbially conservative.
and in no direction does It show fits
conservatism moIe pronouncedly than
In the victualling question. The regu-
lations that govern the food supply of
the navy date back MANY years in spite
OF the different conditions that exist to-
day. y y The days are long past
when the seaman was content to live
upon the Government ration, eked out
when in harbor by such luxuries as the
bumboat woman could provide. We
do not imply that the daily ration IS not
ample and good too, for 1t is both; but
IN these days OF cheap and excellent
canned foods for use at sea, and manv
opportunities Of obtaining butter, -four,
potf toes, &c, in harbor, it is not reas.
enable to expect the men to be content
to do without them. 1t is not within
our province to suggest a remedy,
though two very apparent ones might
be mentioned:-iI) Putting the whole
thing in the hands of one or other of
the big firms that cater Tor canteens,
letting them provide their own manager
and servers. and making them paw a
certain rent for the favor. This plan
has been tried successfully already, al.
though it was, Of course, uusanctioned
by the regulations. t7)The taking over
by the government ofthe whole concern
and placing 1t in the hands OF the pay.
master and his staff This latter plan
appears to us to be by far the simplest
remedy. The present troubles and
abuses would cease to exist; the seamen
would get their food cheaper and better,
while the Victualling Department of the
navy would make a very handsome
profit instead Of allowing it TO go, as at
present, into the pockets of private
firms
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
.StaNdayd-London, June II.

Owing to the interruption OF the
supplies of coal from South Wales, it
has been judged imprudent to draw
largely upon the stock Of fuel which Is
now at the disposal OF the Admiralty.
Nothing could be simpler-nothing It
might have been supposed, more ade-
quate-as an explanation But the
taste for legend is Unsuitable, and the
supply keeps up with the demand.
statesmen have been speaking of late,
with more than ordinary gravity, OF the
risk of combinations among foreign
powers inimical TO British interests. 1t
is true they have expressly disclaimed
the suggestion that they had any specific
danger before their eyes. Their object
was to impress their countrymen with a
sense that the contingency was suffici-
emily within the sphere of possibility 20
call for the necessary measures of pre-
caution, and Mr.. Goschen has, in fact,
pointed the moral by announcing some
substantial additions to the ship build
ing programme. But for a certain order
OF intelligence the line between alarm
and rational provision is very family
drawn. Accordingly, the news that the
customary naval manRuvers were not
10 take place next month became at
once a text for fanciful stories about
strained relations with this or tina,
Continental Government. .
Matters are happily not in condition
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09
WASHINGTON CITY. d. G., SATURDAY JULY g. 1898

thanking the real destroyer of
Cervera's feet, and we trust that
the President will be equally as
just in his recommendations.
Washington sentinel., 1898-07-09

rIrst insertion. one inch, 81. so; second
sertion, IS cents Liberal deductions
y ade for annual advertisements. Special
notices IS cents line.