davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29

Washington and Madrid cabinets in
behalf of the Spanish-Cuban bond deal.
We are more than ever at sea as to
whether the plan contemplates the
complete suppression of Congressional
opposition to it's obvious purpose;
whether a sufficient number of sena-
tors and members have been ''paci-
fed" to assure its success; or, finally,
whether it is still in the stage of a
tentative proposition, the outcome OF
which is to depend upon the view that
an emancipated legislature of the
whole American people may take of it.
If the stock ticker is right, then the
scheme certainly includes enforced sur
render to autonomy by the Cuban
Republic and its patriots in arms, and
total Indifference to what our nation,
outside of certain Republican mag
mates and campaign creditors, may
think of it Once more we must re-
vive in Congress the memory of how
that body was put to sleep in the
matter of the Kansas Pacific bond
transaction.
If the representatives of the people
go home. and leave the situation, with
the Army and Navy, at the sole com
mand of Mr.. Hanna. there is little hope
that the power so delegated will not be
used to restore the sovereignty of
Spain over Cuba, and to make holy
war against the young country now
struggling for recognition of its indie
pendence of Spain and the bloody Span
ish-Cuban debt. Unless the American
Congress and people shall intervene,
there is grave reason to fear that both
Spanish and eternal financial slavery
will be fastened upon the neck of poor,
suffering Cuba, by the iron hand of the
nation Of Washington, Jefferson, Mon
roe, Jackson and Lincoln.
This is a thought that ought to make
some impression upon American pa
triots in Congress. We are not yet
ready to believe that there are not
great many.
The next few days will tell!
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29

sue is declared to be the freedom of
Cuba, a matter, by the way, to which
the Administration has been absolutely
Indifferent from the first But the tide
Of popular feeling is coming in. 1t has
been coming in ever since the middle
of February
The idea Of endeayoring at this late
hour to transfer public attention from
the Maine to the food supply in Cuba
is futile. in more than one way. In the
first place, is it to be supposed that we
shall send our supplies to Cuba to be
distributed without question by Span
ish soldiers? Was there ever a neutral
power that did such a supremacy ridic-
Glous thing as that? And suppose we
send American troops to attend to this
distribution. what guarantee have we
that they viii ever return alive? If
the destruction of the Maine meant
anything at all, it meant that Spain
resents bitterly and uncompromisingly
the presence of Americans in Cuba and
that she does not intend to allow any
/ interference. even tacit Interference,
with her affairs in that island This
being so, what reason have we to sup
/ pose that Americans are safe while de-
/ ing any sort of business inside her
/ lines?
Another reason why this policy Of
casting things upon the waters for the
I sharks to eat is nothing less than sui
! cidal is in the effect it viii have on
national welfare. If we advertise to
/ the world in this public way that we do
not resent the murder of our citizens or
! the insult TO our flag, involved in the
Maine disaster, what is to become of
/ our commerce? 1t may be safe so far
as it has to do with nations which have
/ diplomatic commercial interests of
] their own, but what about nations
which are not of the brotherhood"
/ Sanguinary as Ensland's policy has
! been, it has had this effect: An English
/ sailor can do about what he chooses
/ in any foreign port Our policy, being
exactly the opposite Of Englands, viii
! lead to the inference that foreign ma
tons can do just what they choose
with our citizens. There is point be-
! tween these two extremes at which it
/ is safe to stop; but if We do net resent
! the sort of outrage which has just been
/ perpetrated by Spain, it is perfectly
evident that we do not intend to re-
sent anything. OF course this may not
matter so much to statesmen whose in
terests are all concerned with inland
trade, but the country at large has
something to say about it, and the
country at large will therefore return
/ to the question:
What is to be done about the Maine +?
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29
SYMPATHY FOR SPAIN.
The Continental Powers Desire n
Peaceful Settlements.

New York. March ga special cable
from London to the Commercial Al
vertiser says:
"A high source thus explains the re-
lations of the continental powers to
Spain The pressure the French. Rus
sian and Austrian governments are ex-
erting the Spanish ministry and the re-
gent makes for peace, not war. The rep
RESERVATIONS show more sympathy for
Spain than for the United States. but
dwell upon the undoubted losses To the
former in territory, men and money
through war with a superior power. They
suggest such a financial arrangement as
10 Cuba through mediation of France or
Russia, as shall best reconcile Spanish
honor to the inevitable.
The Spanish reply is virtually non pos
SumuS, admitting the possibility OF 4
financial arrangement and mediation as
TO the Maine disaster in the last extrem-
ity. but holding these agencies impossi-
Bile as to Cuba. because a virtual renun-
citation of sovereignty would be inrOler-
able to Spanish opinion. and more peril
Gus than war 10 the stability OF the gov
eminent and the constitution Neverthe-
less continental pressure continues.
England holds quite alOof- French Opiu-
ion in the journals and politicians talk
is warmer toward Spain than the re-
spOnsibIe foreign office cares to GO Like
conditions exist in Vienna and St Pc
tersburg. All authorities agree. in spite
of contrary American impression that
thus far Spanish public opinion is unan-
imously behind the ministry.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29

The usual strong bill was offered to the
usual houses at the Bijou yesterday The
entertainment offers several of the bright
est vaudeville acts on the boards and
these include some entirely new names
here and those Of old favorites who have
lost none of their attractiyeness-
Florence Moore. the leading feature, is
a very pretty woman who sings number
of songs in excellent voice and promptly
installed herself as a favOrite. Marie
Heath returns for a short season with a
new installment of Gitties, which she rem
ders in her own dashing way. Ruth
Beecher is retained for another week and
Emerie scored a decided hit with nov
city act on the flying rings. Gerald and
Geraldine GIee are clever musicians. who
play well upon all sorts of Instruments;
Charles DeFOrreSt and Charles NJ Lester
appeared in a comedy sketch which pro-
vOked rOars of laughter and HOnley and
Leslie pleased with a new turn. Riley and
Hughes were good in their darzy sketch
Phil and Carrie Russell won plenty OF
laughter with their funny creations
Carrie Fredericks easily repeated her
success OF a fortnight ago with her
daShing and attractive manner of sing
ing the latest popular songs. new
conner here is Miss Annie Carter who has
a strong cOntraltO voice. which she uses
we'll Her selection earned her several
recalls. The Bijou Stock Company ap-
peared in a rOlIiclxing burletta- Natinees
as usual.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29
The Inlnorfanf Print.

What the American people wish TO
know at this present moment is. not
e. much what is TO be done about Cuba.
as what is TO be done about the Maine.
Now that il is officia ally known that the
battlsship and two hundred and sixty
six American lives were destroyed as
a result Of Spanish treachery. what
does the Administration intend to do
about it? For some time, as the tide
Of popular Indignation was observed to
be rising, Administration organs as
sured their readers that If the Maine
had been blown up, the President
would not hesitate to take strong and
decided action, which would satisfy
every citizen in the land who had an
atom Of patriotic feeling. As American
patriotism waXed rampant, these state
ments, though vague, became stronger
Then there was an attempt TO direct
the attention Of the people to the con-
dition Of the reconcentrados, and re-
ports which had been dubbed "sensa-
tiOnal' a year ago were revived. yeri-
fed, and found TO be absolutely cor
rect. And now, the idea is timidly and
coyly advanced that the Maine affair
is an incident" The real point al is
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29
The Presidents Message.

The brisf and thoroughly character
less message which President Mckinley
sent to Congress yesterday, transmit
ting and commenting upon the report
OF the Maine Board Of Inquiry, was
exactly such a paper as state
ments by leading senators and mem
bers who have recently consulted with
MI Mckinley had led US TO expect Il
presents and inGorses the conclusions
OF the court, that the massacre was
due 10 the explosion Of a submarine
mine, and that Captain Sigsbee, his Of
hcers and crew were in no sense TO
blame for the catastrophe.
Under these circumstances, the Pres
ident informs Congress that he has ad-
dressed a note to the Spanish govern
ment, asking for an explanation, and
promises TO communicate further, on
receiving a reply. In the meantime it
is his urgent wish that nothing shall
be done in the matter.
The Presidents request viii be grant
ed, no doubt, and the Senate and House
OF Representatives viii wait patiently
while the diplomatic correspondence is
fB progress, unless there should be evil
dence Of unnecessary or unreasonable
delay But in the course Of some days.
there viii be a demand for the Spanish
reply. and II it is not forthcoming or
satisfactory, it Will be found impos-
sibIe for the Administration to hold the
delegates Of the people longer in check.
But for the fact that an adjourn
ment Of the House was effected imme-
diately after the reading Of the report,
out Of respect 10 the memory Of Rep
resentative Simpkins Of Massachu-
sets, who died on the day before, It is
probable that the sitting would not
have come TO a close without some
strong expressions Of congressional
opinion. The motion Of Mr. McMillin,
that the whole episode be taken up on
n et1i4eSGstyY winch was agreed 10,
makes It evident that the week viii not
20 by without some discussion, If not
an attempt at action.
The President does not doubt, he
says, the sense Of justice Of the Span
ish nation. The American people do.
They VIII wait another week. per-
haps, for Mr. Mckinley to agree with
them
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29
q Faulty Plan.

The Administration press is more in
sistent than ever that a plan is being
prepared between the cabinets of
Washington and Madrid, which Presi-
dent Mckinley regards with complete
favor, if not entirely with confidence in
the ability of his Administration to Sc
cure its acceptance by Congress. We
may remark to begin with that it is
quite faulty in one particular. 1t pro-
poses to ignore the wishes of both the
American and the Cuban peoples in
the premises, and if pressed upon an
nounced lines, will most surely fail.
AS reported in papers and by public
men very close to the President and
Cabinet, the plan amounts to nothing
more or less than Intervention for the
purposes of restoring the nominal SOW
eIeignty of Spain in Cuba, and forcing
an amplifed scheme of autonomy"
upon the Cuban people. 1t is claimed
In support Of this design that the Sa-
gasta ministry is now willing to grant
the kind of self government to the
island that Canada enjoys. There
would be a governor general named by
the crown, but he would only have
veto power which could be overriden
by a two-thirds vote of a Cuban par
Lament. The Spanish-Cuban debt
would be thus preserved and its bur-
den upon the devastated country main
tanned, and the Spanish flag would still
wave over Moro Castle, the Cabanas
fortress. and all the custom houses.
We do not need to waste space in dis
cussing the utter hopelessness Of
SPANS keeping any promises. The re-
forms promised by the treaty of Zanjou
were nearly if not quite as liberal as
those credited to the new project Of
autonomy" As soon as the patriots
had been deluded into laying down
their arms, the old regime Of cruelty.
persecution. rapine and robbery was
promptly re-established, as it would be
again the minute the Spaniards had a
free hand again. Even if that We're
not so, the people Of free America could
never be brought to countenance a
scheme involving the re-establishment
of the lost sovereignty of Spain over
brave people who have freed them
serves IIOlil us SOAt, anu WIZ, again
and again, declare that they prefer
death TO any settlement short Of abso-
lutte political independence.
The Cuban attitude on this question
is as well known at the State Depart
ment as it is TO US or anyone else. Con-
sequently it is impossible to see any
way to compel their acceptance Of such
Intervention except by force and arms,
which it is not conceivable that Presi-
dent Mckinley would think of using
against them for the benefit Of Spain
and the holders Of the Spanish-Cuban
debt
If that be the case, there is no more
prospect for the latest than for the
first Spanish autonomy subterfuge
Delays of one sort or another may
seem to favor the views and designs
of those who would force the free Re
public Of Cuba to submit to it's former
oppressor and relentless enemy. But
delays viii not effect the main purpose.
The climax to the crisis must come,
and Spain must be ordered to leave
the Western Hemisphere. Cuban in
dependence must be recognized without
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29
The Presidents Purpose.

1t has been observed for a long time
that the New York Stock Exchange
ticker is usually the most inspired of
all the Administration organs in the
country. Yesterday leading broker
age firm in Washington received a wire
from its correspondent house in New
York. which said:
The market has rallied on this dispatch:
Washington, March 2s.-SpIin has agreed 10
accept President Mckmlcy's plan in regard to
Cuba. This plan is briefly:
First, arnistice between Cubans and
Spanisids until October
Second, the United States to feed the recon-
ccntrados, with SPANS consent.
Third, the Maine report to be held in com
mittee indefinitely"
The stock ticker is evidently Of the
opinion generally entertained in the
National Capital, that the solution Of
our differences with Spain is intended
TO be found without the least refer
ence 10 the wishes or interests of either
the American or the Cuban people; but
is 10 be based on an arrangement ex-
Guiding both, to be effected between the
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29
That Friendly FIOtiIIa.

According to reports from sources
friendly to the Administration, notice
has been served upon Spain that her
torpedo fiotilla, now pushing with all
speed in the direction of our shores,
must not come nearer to them than the
Island Of Porto Rico. The precautton
is thought by q, great many well in
formed naval and commercial authori-
ties to be inadequate to the occasion.
The torpedo boats, to be sure, viii not
be Immediately as dangerous to our ma
val and mercantile fleets at Porto Rico
as they would be in ports of Cuba. But
in Porto Rico they will enjoy an ample
opportunity to perfect their destruc-
tive equipment, and will be in excel
lent condition for sudden excursions
within few days after their arrival at
this new station.
If there be any danger from them at
all, it should be averted by stopping
them in mid ocean and turning back
or capturing them. 1t is not so long
that we took the extreme chance of
losing the battIeship Maine after it was
reported to the Government as being
exposed to destruction by submarine
mines The result of the indisposition
to seem suspicious of a friendly pow
err in that case is notorious. Allow
ing the Spanish flotilla to approach the
American coast on any pretense, ap-
pears to US to be i'll advised, and tend
ing to invite a whole chain Of "acci-
dents"
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29
ANGRY CoNGREssMEN.
shamed and Inundated by the Ad-
ministratiOn's Course.

hsshistratiOn'S course
The following interviews show the gen.
eral tone of the sentiment among some
of the really American members of the
House They also show that if the Dem
ocrats take a decided stand. many Re
publicans will join with them in fight to
burst the bonds put upon them by Speak
er Reed.
Representative Docllery of Missouri
was seen last night at his hotel. He vas
suffering from a high fever and expressed
a general disgust for the way the House
had been treated in the Maine matter
He said the President did not decide
that it would be wise to transmit the
testimony of the Court of Inquiry to
Congress until 10 o'clock yesterday morn
ing There was only one copy of that re-
port, and that went to the Senate. 1t was
too Late to make another.
I'VE in the House do not know much
more about the matter than we did be-
fore. The message was read and refer
red to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Where 1t will stay, l suppose, until the
PRESIDENT directs that it is proper for the
House to consider it. or until after the
House adjOurns," he said.
about the only thing the Democrats
can do in this Congress is to get inter-
viewed by the newspapers. and that is
poor satisfaction for men who are anx-
lous to do their duty as patriotic Ameri-
can citizens"
henry r. Gibson, of Tennessee. one of
the two Republican congressman from
that State, was very angry by the time
the House adjourned.
We given the President all the
iee"ay and all the time necessary"
ne said, and now it's come to a show
down, He still has a chance to be with
the American people, but he has not
much time.
IL he doesn't keep the promises of the
Republican party to the people why, the
Republicans in Congress will make him.
he can't wreck us by him backing down
now, by Cd. The Cubans are going to
be relieved, but that relief must come
to them only under the flag of free Cuba
or under the Stars and Stripes
The President must intervene. and
Spain must get off the island II we
can't persuade her to do it peacefully,
then we shall use bullets and powder
Congressman Thomas c. Butler. of
Westchester, Pa, a stanch Republican
and up to the present an obedient party
man. is ready to join any movement that
will liberate Cuba
'If the President does not lead the
American people now he said yester-
day afternoon, "the American people will
lead him, and will not be long in doing
it, either. If 1 stand at my window and
see my neighbor treating his wife or an
unknown brute abusing a helpless child.
and do not interfere. ! am as much of a
brute as the offender, and deserve the
eXecratfon of every decent person.
The present crisis is a parallel case.
Spain is the brute that must be COM
PEELED to quit or must be punished
IF the President does not act, and
act quickly, Congress will do it for him. -
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29

British newspapers yesterday were
aghast at the surrender of their govern
ment 20 the aggressive policy and move
ments of Russia in China The truth
seems to be that as a last resort, the
Salisbury ministry has accepted what il
could get, namely, Russian permission to
take q slice of the empire, in return for
the concession Of all the cars demands.
So it is reported that Great Britain will
help herself to the Island OF Chusan, and
forever hold her peace regarding Port
Arthur and Talienwan. John Bull is hui
inflated, but he has been getting used to
that for several years.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29
Academy-"At Piney Ridge"

The first return engagement of the sea-
son at the Academy of Music was be-
gun last evening by the presentation of
David Higgins's beautiful play. cat
Piney Ridge" Upon its first appearance
in this city that portion of the popula-
ton managers refer to as press and
public" were unanimous in its praise.
and. from the prevalent feeling of salts
faction among tIcket-holders Iast night.
it does not appear as though there were
any reasons for reversing the previous
verdict.
The merit of the play is largely in in
genuity and unconventionality. though
it's treatment is notably fine. To be sure.
there is a duel. but this is far from being
the crucial point of the piece, and does
not CRATE on ones nerves as do many
of its kind. The Omnipresent colored
couple are not too prominent, and a
clean, natural love story runs under the
strong current of drama that is strong
without being sensational The piece Is
a trifie similar TO "Pudd' nhead Wilson"
in that it introduces the question of the
heros freedom from colored blood. but
so well is this feature handled and with
so much originality that the two can
hardly be compared In all that goes to
make n play interesting. picturesque and
pleasing, AT Piney Ridge is one of the
few superior productions of the year.
The author-actor plays a part not I'M
like that of Jack Mason, in THE Golden
Giant" in a natural and. at the same
time powerful and effective manner. In
some of the stronger scenes with Georgia
Waldron, the two approach the magnifi-
cent. Mrs. Louise Rial does some re-
markable emotional acting. and Van
Kinsie is a capable delineator of negro
parts. Others in the excellent cast are
Frederick Julian Edwin Holland Henry
billiard. b. j. Murphy. Helen Bell. and
Olive Davis. The lack of bad dialect
was commentators
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29

and others throughout the evening. ''Thc
subtleties of Jealousy is u very slight
one-act comedy. in which the fun is 50
subtle as to cause only gentle ripples of
laughter. Miss Lettice Fairfax was
very charming as the young bride. who
is determined to be jealous. and she did
some fine comedy work. while Mr. Tyrone
Power was equally effective as the be-
wildered husband and Miss Irene Perry
as the discreet friend
The laughter only began. however, with
number Nine, a farCicaI comedy in
three acts. from the German of Oscar
Blumenthal and Gustave Heidelberg. 1t
has been very completely Anglicized
however The plot hinges on the FRANKS
OF a cinematographe. which has photo
graphed three Of the masculine charac-
terS IN more or less embarrassing posi-
tons. Mr. Richard WhortIes. the young
husband. who is the chief sufferer from
this mechanical detective. was very
effectively played by Wilfred Clarke, and
Mr. Charles Richman. as Ted Blake a
young 1rishman. is one of the very few
satisfactory CeIts to be seen on our stage.
His brogue, though slight, was delicious.
and his references to his ancestral castle
with the banshee and the mortgage pro-
Voked delighted laughter The lines of
this part are very bright and Mr. Rich
man gives every speech it's due
round of hearty applause greeted the
appearance of Mrs. c.. Fl. Gilbert as Mrs
Carbury. and Mr.. William Owen as Mr.
CaTbury. Mrs. Gilbert is probably the
best player of her special line on the
American stage. and her impersonation
OF the suspicious and keen-witted old
lady was simply inimitabIe. Mr. Owen
also was fully equal to the part of the
comic old man. Miss irene Perry played
the young wife with spirit and grace.
ana Miss Fairfax was a dainty and CO.
quettlsh maiden. The rather difficult
part OF Mr. Toby Krockitt was accepta-
Dly zone by Sidney Herbert. The minor
parts were all we'll taken. and the niece
as a whole, was played in an artistic
and mastery way. One stage setting. an
interior, is used for all the three acts.
and II was designed by an artist.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-29

Pittsburg. Pa. March Zs.-8Ir Richard
Mansfield opened his annual engagement
in this city at the Alvin Theater tonight
before he1argest and most brilliant au-
dience of the year He appeared in his
new play. The Devils Disciple His
reception was most enthusiastic and at the
end of the play he made q Characteristic
speech
Mr.. Mansfield will appear at the Co
lumbia Theater next week The sale Of
seats and boxes for this important en-
sasement begins at the box office at
o'clock promptly this morning