davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1898-09-30
LETTERS OF COMPLAINT.
The War Investigation Is Progress
Ing SLOWLY


The commission which Is fnves+foa,,rs-
the War Department in it's management
OF military affairs devoted it's entire time
yesterday TO reading letters of complaint
which had been forwarded to il by the
President To the writer of each letter
was sent a request for further informa-
uon and an invitation TO come forward
ana testify before the commission.
IL Is said that there was large batch
or these letters, but that many of them
were very vague and indefinite in their
accusations. 1t is likely that the commits
SION VIII adopt rule shortly that no at
'eii'ioh VIII be paid to charges unless they
are specihe and OF direct character.
III we Try TO investigate every idle and
irresponsible rumor.' said a member %
the commission yesterday, we will no, he
aDie TO complete our Iabors during Tho
lifetime of the Mckinley Administrario,
In fact, there would be no end to fl NJ
one VINO has any information of inDor-
tance to divulge will be suppressed or de-
MED hearing. but We will not have time
10 hsten TO complaining gossip"
There were only four of the nine men,
bers of the commission present Yesterday
They We're Hon. Charles DENLY. acting
chairman; Gen. Wilson. Capt. Howell and
Hon Urban "A. Woodbury. II is said that
there will be a full attendance of the
members OF the commission the first of
the week
BY that time it is expected that the re-
ports called for by the commissioners
from the various bureaus will be handed
IN. When these have been recorded. read
and dlgested by the investigators the com
mission will be prepared to begin the ex
animation of witnesses.
1t is understood that Gen. Wheeler will
be the first important witness examined.
His testimony will doubtless. be inter-
esting. and instructive, as he is a train
ed soldier in every sense of the word. but
whether he will feel at liberty 10 tell all
that he knows remains 10 be seen
The question as to whether the Com
mission will decide 20 visit Santiago be-
fore concluding its labors. has not as Vet
been officially decided. Several members
OF the Commission including Gen Dodge
the chairman. have important private
business interests 10 look after and they
are anxious 10 wind up the investigation
as speedily as possible. 1t may be ar
ranged to send a subcommittee of the
Commission 10 Santiago 10 look into that
end of the investigation.
The Commission will continue its ses-
sion today, but II does not expect 10 have
anything more important on hand than
the reading OF complaints.
Gen Miles has been invited to come
before the Commission and testify. but il
is said that he is reluctant TO do so. as
he has been preparing himself for hear
ing before Congressional investigation
committee, which he feels certain will be
appointed as soon as Congress cOnveaes
in December. However, If the Commits
sion insists, which IN all probability il
will do. Gen. Miles viii appear before ig
as a witness.
The times., 1898-09-30
NO COMMENT FROM ALGER.
He Declines to Discuss Gen. MiIes's
Caustic Words

The attention of the Secretary of War
was invited yesterday to a speech -deIiv-
cred by Gen Miles al a reception in his
honor on Wednesday evening. Although
Gen. Miles did not mention the Secretary
of War by name it is generally believed
that his remarks were aimed in the di-
rectiOn of that high functionary Gen.
Miles took direct issue with the asser-
ton made by Mr.. AIger that much of the
sickness and death among the troops was
due TO the fact that the soldiers were
careless and did not know how 10 take
care of Themselves incidentally Gen
Miles paid a high tribute to gallantry,
discipline, and bravery of the volunteer
soldiers at Santiago.
Mr.. Alger said that he did not wish 20
make any comment on the remarks OF
Gen. Miles. He did not intend to be
drawn into a personal controversy with
Gen. Miles or any other man at this time
upon matters relating to the late war.
Friends of Secretary Alger. however.
declared that the general commanding
the army would live 10 regret his rash
action in assailing publicly the Secretary
of War
Mr.. Alger. they said is not by nature a
revengeful man. but he has been stung 10
the quick by Gen Miless sharp and caus-
tic comments, and he proposes to get
even if such thing is possible. So far.
they add Gen. Miles has done all of his
talking in the newspapers. His statements
have not been official or reduced TO writ
ing
When Gen. Miles goes before the inves-
tigation commission and gives his testi-
mony the department will have him on
record in black and white and can govern
itself accordingly.
1t is apparent that the controversy be-
tween Miles and Alger is not over with
by any means. Gen. Miles is not inclined
TO run away, and Mr. Alger will be finally
forced TO meet the issue and fight The
matter is not likely. however, 10 assume
an acute stage for some little time yet
The times., 1898-09-30
The President and the Philippines

II was fully expected that the resolu-
ton of the New York Republican con-
vention touching the Philippines ques-
ton would reflect the sentiments of the
President That the visit of Senator
Platt to the White House had reference
to this, among other questions, was
reasonable and almost unavoidable in
ference This was followed by the in
teryiew between General Woodford, the
chairman of the committee on reso-
lutions. and the President. 1t would
be an extraordinary, indeed, an unpar-
alleled thing if the New York managers
had failed to invite the President to
state his views as to the wording of the
resolution. The matter is one that only
the President could determine With
the utmost cordiality in the relations of
the President and the Republican man
ayers, it would be an objectionable Of
fense for the latter to commit the party
to policy that the President might
disapprove. Therefore, it is safe to say
that he was asked TO sound the key
note for the party. and that he virtual
ly wrote the resolution adopted by the
New York convention.
That resolution is as distinct as words
can make it. 1t favors the retention of
every foot of Philippines territory. 1t
specifically opposes the restoration or
preservation of Spanish sovereignty in
any of the islands. Just as specifically
it condemns every suggestion of allow
ing any other nation of Europe to ac-
quire any rights there. 1t is equally en-
phatic in opposing the independence of
the people of the Philippines. In short
ii commits the Republican party to the
extremity of expansion, leaving moth
ing in doubt, nothing to be compromis-
ed, nothing to be discussed. President
McKinley's resolution contains no hint
of discretionary powers in the hands of
the Peace Commissioners, but imposes
on them the duty of acquiring full I'll
tie to all the Philippines. American
ownership of all now and forever with
no suggestion of a future independent
republic, is the Presidents platform.
Yet, in his guarded statements to the
public, when tho Peace Commissioners
received their instructions, the Presi-
dent took no such positive ground. On
the contrary, he allowed the impression
to prevail that the utmost demand to be
made on Spain would be for the island
of Luzon. 1t was denied for him that
the Commissioners had authority to
shape the American demands according
to their own views and to changes in
circumstances. If they were not to in
sist on the single island and reject the
offer of more, his views were strangely
misrepresented, and he permitted it.
How to reconcile the Presidents atti-
tude as affirmed in the New York reso-
luton. and as il appears in the pre-
vious expressions, we do not know It
is conceivable that he has been stead
fastly determined on the annexation of
the Philippines in their entirety all
along, but considered it wise to mislead
the Spaniards. That such course
The times., 1898-09-30

would be wise, we doubt, after our ex-
perience with Spain. but that may ex-
plain the inconsistency. If not that,
then we can only conclude that, while
determined to keep only the island OF
Luzon, the President proposes to de-
ceive the people into thinking he desires
to take all the islands. Since the popu-
lar sentiment undoubtedly demands the
latter, the resolution would serve in
the elections, as the Peace Commission
will not conclude it's treaty until after
the ballots are cast. If there were the
least reasonableness il. the idea that
he intends to hoodwink the Spaniards
by pretending to want less than he in
tends to take. we should readily and
gladly accept that as the explanation
of the very serious discrepancy in the
two expressions.
The times., 1898-09-30
Europe,s srother-in-La,v.

In the death of Queen Louise, of Den
mark. reported yesterday, Europe loses
its most enterprising mother-in-law, its
most accomplished and successful
matchmaker and very remarkable
woman. She was the oldest queen in Eu-
rope, although she had not been on the
throne as long as the Empress Eliza
beth, of Austria, who was so cruelty as
sassinated a few weeks ago She was
eighty-one years old at the time of her
death. In the last thirty-five years of
her life she achieved wonders in the
way Of marrying off her children so as
20 command an extraordinary influence
over the politics Of Europe. She was
a superb manager, whether 1t was in
The times., 1898-09-30

The temptation to observe that I'VE told
you So is irresistible. From the day the
protocol was signed to the day the Presi-
dent tried to put some stiffening into the
spinal column of the Evacuation Commits
sion, The Times repeatedly and urgently
warned the President that, if Blanco were
not treated to an exhibition of American
firmness, he would cause no end of trou-
BILE. The Commissioners showed about as
much backbone as jelly fish, and Blanco
has been encouraged in his absurd and
mischievous course. We shall continue to
repeat the suggestion of further stirring
up of the too amiable Commission.
The times., 1898-09-30
PROMOTED FOR GALLANTRY.
The President Rewards an Officer
for DistiD guished Service.

The promotion OF Col Hamilton s
Hawkins. L. s A, major general of vol
unteers. to be brigadier general in the
regular army. was announced yesterday.
The promotion was made for gaIlantry
at Santiago, and is TO I'LL the vacancy
caused by the retirement of Gen William
NJ. Graham.
At the beginning of the war ne was
colonel of the Twentieth United States
Infantry, and was commissioned by the
President brigadier general of volun-
teers. He was promoted major general
of volunteers for gallantry at Santiago
In that battle he was badly wounded in
the foot, and is still compelled TO use
crutches.
Immediately after receiving his commits
sion he will be placed on the retired list
on his own application. under the thirty
years service clause.
This will enable the President to SINH
larIy advance Major General j. F. Kent
United States Volunteers, to the grade
of brigadier general in the regular army
for meritorious service at FL Caney.
The times., 1898-09-30

Hobson shows what bright American
lad can do when he is fortunate enough
to have enough public opinion behind him
to be independent of the Barnacle and
Bumboat bureau of the Navy Depart
ment. If the old bivalves of the sea Of
fee could have had their way, the Maria
Teresa would not have been saved and
added to our navy. If they could work
their will now Hobson would be prevented
from winning the Colon and Vizcaya
back from old ocean for US. Such enter
prises involve intelligence and skill, not
to say genius as in the present instance.
All such qualities are hateful, of course,
in the eyes of the Barnacle and Bumboat
bureau.
The times., 1898-09-30
Irgratitude.
fFrom the Chicago News.

iFrom the Chicago News.l p
''Some men are ungrateful wretches.''
''Why?"
''when l was passing old Rockingham's pack
ing house, last night, / saw that it was on fire,
so / broke into the Office, called him up by tele
phone, and told him about it,
''YesT'
''well. he called me all kinds OF hard names
for not ringing in fire alarm instead of vast
ing time talking TO him.
The times., 1898-09-30
LAWYERS ARE NOT NEEDED.
Secretary Longs Hint to Sailors
Claiming Prize Money.


Claiming Prize Money.
Secretary Long has issued the following
order, warning naval officers against the
Establishments of claim sharks:
Commanding officers are directed To
notify all persons under their command
that any persons entitled to prize money,
bounty. back pay. etc, will have their
claims promptly settled by applying di-
rectIy to the Auditor of the Navy De-
partment. through the Navy Department,
and that the employment of an attor-
ney is entirely unnecessary
This Department is informed by the
Treasury Department that large num-
bers of claims are being presented by
ATTORNEYS in the names of persons inter-
ested. This employment of an attorney
does not advance. the interests Of the
claimant in the slightest degree"
The times., 1898-09-30

The Vatican has asked Spain to insist
upon the integrity of church goods" and
a definition of the position of the church
in former Spanish colonies which have be-
come American. This action will strike
the people of the United States as pc
culiar, and certainly superfluous. The
Constitution and laws of the American
Republic comprise everything needed to
inform the papal court as to exactly what
the position of the Catholic Church will
be under the Stars and Stripes. 1t should
not be expected that this Government
would bind itself to an arrangement by
which any particular religious denomina-
ton in our colonial possessions would
enjoy privileges or immunities not COM
mon to all religious organizations, or in
consistent with our institutions.
The times., 1898-09-30
Mrs. Curzon Not the First.

IFrom the st. LOUIS tfioDe- -Democrat.)
Mrs Curzon is not the first American whose
husband reached the station of Yiceroy of India
The wife of the Marquis of Wellesley one of the
rulers of India was Miss Cation. of Philadelphia
granddaughter of Charles Carroll, of Carrrolton,
Her second husband was the Duke of Wellington
Her sisters married the Duke of Leeds and Earl Of
Stafford
The times., 1898-09-30
Unfair.
(From the Chicago Tribune

tFrom the Chicago Tribune-)
..John Henry. it isn't any good, | know what
keeps you down town so late, when you ought TO
be at home with me and the children"
(Shrugging his shoulders). . 'Honi soft qui
NAL pense,' my dear.
THAT'S right. Swear at your wife IN Latin"
The times., 1898-09-30
The Veretarinns.
(From the New York Tribune.

IFrOm tHe IStW IUfh ITIUuHt
The vegetarans OF Chicago are saying that the
slaughter of cattle sheep, and hogs is the pro-
longation of the red hand of war, and barbecue
is most inappropriate form of peace jubilee
banquet They further declare that prunes cauli-
flower, and tomatoes are, from an epicurean
point, the real emblems Of peace.
The times., 1898-09-30
a Rad Maxe-

(From the Detroit Free Press)
Don't you speak to Miss Sharply any more,
Miss Elderly?''
Indeed do not, and what's more, never
will again. She had the impudence to send me
thirty-six roses on my thirty-fifth birthday
The times., 1898-09-30
A Prophecy FULFILLED.

(From the Chicago News.)
She-It was the poet Gray who said: "The
paths of glory lead but TO the grave" wasn't
itY
He-Yes. guess he must have had vision
in which he saw our heroes coming from victory
back to fever camps.
The times., 1898-09-30
Not a New Discovery,

(From the Detroit Free Press.)
"a member of the French Academy says that
the growth of hair can be stimulated by music,
remarked Mrs. barley.
'WelI. he needn't think that is a new dis
covery," replied Mr.. barley. 'Tve heard many
hairraising song myself
The times., 1898-09-30
His Only Concern.

FTUH tHt HIcHiHUHu IlWes.
Car Reed is going on the stamp in several
Western States 1t is suspected that Mr.. Reed
is anxious not to the House put to the trouble
of having new Speaker.
The times., 1898-09-30

Col. John Hay will take the oath of Of
flee as Secretary Of State today. Col.
Hay has not changed 10 any marked ex
tent in his personal appearance since he
departed from this country TO represent
this country in London. His clothes are
perhaps a little more English but his ac-
cent is still plain United States. Col Hay
said yesterday that he had no idea whom
the President would select for the position
of Assistant Secretary of State, made
vacant by the resignation of Mr. Moore.
1t is understood that the President Will
leave the selection largely 10 Col Hay,
and it is not unlikely that he will recon-
mend the appointment OF his friend and
neighbor, Henry Adams. Mr.. Adams is a
direct descendent of the famous Adams
family of Massachusetts, w. w. Rock
hill may, 1t is thought be appointed,
but it is question still in doubt.
The times., 1898-09-30

One of the up-to-date young ladies of
Avenue, on the west side of Twelfth
Street, yesterday afternoon, chatting
with another who leaned gracefully
against a diamond frame wheel. waiting
for a west bound car. The one who was
waiting for the ear was arrayed in a natty
blue bicycle costume, with a bewitching
cap which settled down on clustering
curls and shaded a pretty face. and she
was evidently unaware of the existence
of the police regulation which requires
cars to stop on the near side of the street
After the chat was concluded the young
lady with the wheel mounted II and
rode away and the other walked out 10
the track and hailed the first car that
passed. To her surprise and evident in
dignation il speeded ma jestically on and
no attention was paid to her. The young
lady said several things TO herself wheth-
er they were printable or not cannot be
stated and waited for the next car She
signaled TO the motorman to stop, but as
before no attention was paid to her. But
this time she was not to be baffied Brac-
ing herself she leaned gracefully forward.
caught the post handles with both hands,
and as neatly as any man could have done
she sprang into a seat and pumped her
self down by the side of an astonished
youth.
The youth gasped. everybody else in the
car turned around and laughed but the
young lady settled herself in her seat and
fished up car ticket. merely asking:
What old side of the street do these
. cars stop on, anyway"
The conductor gave her the information
in exchange for her fare.
The times., 1898-09-30
THINGS SEEN AND HEARD.

II have read great deal In the papers
recently said Col. Fleming, of Cincin-
natl, TO a Times reporter. "about num-
ber of railroads going to increase the
speed of their trains. / have watched
with great interest the progress that has
been made in the speed of railway trains
for the last thirty years. / have ridden
on trains that would make great spurts
for short distances, as fast as a mile
minute for twenty-five to forty miles, and
l venture TO say there Is not three rail-
roads in the United States that will JUS
tify the driving of trains at greater rate
of speed than is now provided for in the
regular schedules.
"A few years ago in England l rode
from Easton station in London to Edin-
burgh on a train of the London
and Northwestern Road. This train
was a better train than the famous En-
pire State express that runs from New
York to Buffalo on the New York Central
Railway. The distance between Easton
station to Edinburgh is about sos miles.
and between New York and Buffalo the
distance is about 456 miles. The English
train travels with greater rate of speed
and with apparently much greater ease
than does the American train. / have
ridden on both trains. One of the secrets
of the success of the Empire State ex-
press is the lightness of rolling stock. 1t
is well equipped train and the cars are
about as light as they can be made TO
insure safety, but the English cars are
not as heavy as the cars of the Empire
State express. They are not so long and
do not accommodate as many people.
They are superbly built however, and the
roadbed on the English system could not
be improved upon. 1t is as solid as 1t
is possible to make 1t. and the steel
weighs about lis pounds to the yard. 1t
is no use to attempt to make fast time
on the railroads in this country until the
roads are laid with much heavier steel
than is now used.
The times., 1898-09-30

Henry A. Ashby, one of the urbane gen.
tlemen who presides at the police tele-
phone exchange, has several other ac-
complishments besides being a manipu-
lator of the pegs that send the tones of
the voice all over the city through the
network of wires owned and controlled by
the District government. Some years age
Mr.. Ashby was employed as dramatic
critic on one of the daily papers in a
small Western town and was very pop
ular among the members of the profess
sion. Suppers after the play were a COM
mon occurrence in this place and all sorts
of dainty refreshments We're served dur
ing the course of these very pleasant
evenings, or, more properly speaking.
mornings. On one such occasion Ashby
happened to state to a certain very jocu-
lar contemporary that he had spent sew
eral years in Germany and was thorough
ly familiar with the German language.
The other offered to bet any amount that
Ashby could not order a dinner in Ger
man and his challenge was promptly ac-
cepted for five dollars worth.
waiter was called and the dinner or
der given Ashby leaned back in his
chair with a smile of satisfaction on his
face and the consciousness that he had
vindicated his veracity. In a short time
the waiter returned, but he did not have
the dinner. On the contrary, he was ac-
companied by a policeman, who, after
much hesitation, came down to the place
where Ashby was sitting.
What did you want with me, sir, the
officer of the law inquired.
II don't want you. Who told you i
did, asked the astonished critic.
"Why, the waiter came around to the
stationhouse and said a man in the din
Ing room wanted a policeman immediate
ly, and when / arrived he pointed you out
TO me as the person who had sent the
message"
The waiter was called and asked for an
explanation. Then it came out that the
waiter thought Ashby had told him to
get policeman when the wrecker OF
dramatic hopes had ordered dinner.
They finally got matters Strengthened
out and the viands were placed before
them, but they were not ordered in Ger
man and the waiter received an extra
large fee to keep STILL"
Since that time Ashby has ceased speak
ing German.
The times., 1898-09-30

The suggestion of Senator Wolcotts
name for ambassador to England has been
well received in political circles. Repub-
lican statesmen generally yesterday ex-
pressed the belief that the President
could not possibly make a better appoint
ment.
The times., 1898-09-30

81 remember going from Cincinnati to
New Orleans some years ago on the Gin
cinnati Southern, or better known as the
Queen and Crescent system. The mana
gers of the road had arranged for fast
schedule for special train bearing some
particular organization, and the road was
desirous of making fast time for advertis-
ing purposes. The distance between these
two cities is about thousand miles. The
time in transit was about twenty-three
hours, but the actual running time of the
train was nineteen hours and twenty-one
minutes. This was fast time, but was
made under great disadvantages. The
train was badly equipped and over two
and one-half hours were lost in repairing
the brakes of the engine and cars. II was
a hazardous ride and one that | would
not take again under any circumstances.
From Cincinnati TO Chattanooga, dis
tance of 335 miles, there is not a mile of
the road that does not have either cut,
fill bridge, or tunnel. There are more
reverse curves to the mile on that road
than on any other road in the United
States, with possibly the exception of the
Baltimore and Ohio between here and
Parkersburg In the wild dash of the
train ii was impossible to sit In the seats.
AT some points the train achieved a speed
of a mile a minute. but every passenger
on the train felt that it would be the last
mile they would ever ride, as they ex-
pected death before the journey was
ended.
Il believe IL Is possible to reduce the
time in transit between the greater points
in this country a great deal within the
next few years, but 1t would be we'll for
the managers TO remember that il is i'm
possible to make great speed every day
in the week when the tracks are laid with
such light steel as is now in use. A solid
roadbed and heavy steel will do more to-
ward accomplishing rapid transit than
anything [ know OF in connection with
railroads.