davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

Modern accomplishments have added to
Our difficulties. and the general directions
preparatory to attack, which answered
well enough in earlier days, won't do
now With ships moving easily at the rate
OF sixteen knots an hour and closing on
the foe at twice that speed there will be
no time to raise twelve separate hoists, as
Nelson did. TO inspire the men with a
sense Of duty. Every moment will have
its 2ppreciable burden of preparation or
performance; the clement of chance will
Change with every minute. and the leaders
must be able to direct instantly the Selling
OF that advantage. Important at all
times. the question of signaling becomes
doubiy SO before an enemy. and in the GER
tain management of the rushing sweep of
ponierous squadron, the integral safety
or which depends Upon instant unity of
action.
Various Methods.
At present. We have no less than eigh
means of signaling, and, paradoxical as 1t
may seem, We are most in the dark by
Daylight. for then we must depend for the
greater part upon the doubtful fiuttering
Of our flags, and the questionable inter-
probation of color and form which distance
and refraction tend easily to confuse At
night. backed by the deep setting of gloom,
u Is an easy matter to fash for miles cur
messages with accuracy and quickness and
be sure of their proper reading.
For day use, setting aside that polyglot
International flag code common to all mari
time nations. we have the service flag code.
the wig-wag or sirgie-fag code familiar to
nearly every modern school boy, the eema-
phore code-an elaboration of the raiiw ay
signdiS-and the whistle code, to be used
either day or night in foggy weather. The
use Of the speed cone. hoisted on the yard
srm 10 give the graduation of concerted
speed. can hardly be called code.
Aside fiom the flag code. consisting es-
sentially of thirteen elements or flags rep
resenting the numerals from . to 0 and
three ''reDeaters in place of
dupiications, and the soma phore covering
the same numerals and all the letters of
the alphabet. the two remaining-the wig
wag and the whistie-are based upon the
familiar telegraph codes Of dots and
dashes.
Flag Combinations.
The semaphore in our service can hard
ly be counted upon in time of war. for the
New York Is the only vessel SO fitted. and
the rest Of the ships are practically I'M
practiced in reading it. In the British
service the eemaI hore IL one Of the most
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26


a hotel. and the ground upon which it
stands is worth SO much that Mr. Foraker
must have had to almost cover it with dol
lar bills when he bought It, 1t will take an
otter fortune to furnish it, and it is a
house that any millionaire would be proud
to own.
Poor Once, but Now, Oh, My!
Still Senator Foraker passed his boyhood
In log cabin. You have heard the tradi-
ton of his coffee sack trousers. and the
story of how. by pure brains and nerve, he
Is now broadcloth United States Senator
with apparently money to burn. know of
score Of pubic men who started life poor
boys, and who now live In palaces. Secre
tary Alger was born in a cabin. worked for
four dollars month, and for a time lived
upon thickened milk and cornmeal He has
q magnificent home in Detroit and has
rented house here near the corner of 10th
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

tried daytime methods of signaling, and
the rapidity and accuracy with which
they can dispatch messages Is truly WON
derful. With out bluejackets, they look
upon 1t as something akin to marine rail-
reading, and are not complimentary in
their remarks.
With the thirteen principal flags of our
day code. supplemented by a half dozen
about 1900 different "hoists' or combina-
four flags, not counting the pennants.
These hoists indicate the numbers of GER
tain established orders or instructions car
ried in the key books of the service,
and, with very few common exceptions,
these orders are not memorized.
Most codes are arranged in much the
same manner-years of trial having de-
termined the general principle, and the
system of the French shows the usual
method of arrangement
The Code Book.
Each page is arranged alphabetically and
consecutively. much in the following way:
Signal. Index Ref
Numbers. Signals Words. Numb
loSl Attack the enemy with Torpedo
torpedo vessels. vessels a..
1852. E. Attack the enemys
center. Center. a..
1893. Attack the enemys
rear. Rear. 90.
ldst4 Attack enemy with Armored 90.
mored vessels. vessels. -.
1895. Attack Immediately Immediately 5S4
The main column is devoted to an alpha
betical arrangement of signal texts, and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

disadvantages of limited reach and Of too
much exposure for modern fighting condi-
tions.
For night work we have the Ardois sys-
tenn of electric light signals, the Very
rocket signals, the masthead lamp signal
and the search-light signal.
The Ardois signals consist Of four double
lamps, the upper half red and the lower
half white, but the two halves are never
lighted at the same time. This is the most
rapid and accurate means of signaling we
have, and can be seen for miles. The red
and the white lights are flashed In various
combinations by the simple and positive
movement of a switch across a keyboard
and by answering a signal in kind the op-
orator cannot fail to read correctly the
signal made to him.
Talking Fifty Miles.
The Very signals consist Of red and green
stars fired aloft in combinations Of four,
the green corresponding to the white lamp
of the Ardois. These signals have a range
of quite fourteen miles, and can be seen
when the masts OF a vessel lie too far be-
low the horizon to use the Ardois. The
only disadvantage is their comparative
slowness of action; one set of rockets
must be allowed to burn out before another
is fired. and the failure Of one star utilities
that number. By using all the red lights
of the Ardois in unison to represent a dot
and all the white ones to denote dash,
ng-distance signaling may be effected by
the usual Geographic code, but 1t Is not
rapid. The double masthead lamp can be
sed in the same way; but while quite as
slow, 1t has not the range of the Ardois
1t would do in case of failure of the Ardois
for limited work, but would never be used
in preference. The searchlight is made to
represent dots and dashes by long and
short flashes, ard when cast upon high,
distant clouds can be made to send mes
sages for fifty or sixty miles easily. It, too.
is slow. So far, we are abreast the best OF
foreign nations in the matter of material,
but in the matters Of personnel and prac-
fice we are far behind the British and the
French-the formerly particularly. With
US, the duty Of signaling Is conhded, In
general to the supervision Of cadet and
a working force of four quartermasters and
six or eight apprentices. With the single
exception Of the senior Quartermaster, or
chief signalman, as he is called, the en-
listed force qualify after they have reached
the ship; and 1t is the chief signalman's
plications of the duty. Even then their
duty is not alone in this direction, for they
have other stations, and are told OF" as
the phrase goes. for signal duty when the
occasion requires.
Rigorous Training.
Signaling might better be said to be their
avocation, other things their vocation; and
it Is when dealing with nag signals espe-
cially their questionable efficiency shows
| to the greatest disadvantage. Again, the
rating of signal quartermaster Is given as
| a reward of merit. but for merit in every
=, other direction than that Of signaling ia
cility. Swedes and Danes In our service,
because of their well-known sobriety and
worth, have been assigned to this duty,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

the smaller one, to the left, to the original
number of that signal. On the right there
is column of Index words" and also
column of reference numbers To make
signal the eye is cast down the column
of Index words under the general head
ing attack for instance. till the guiding
words of the intended signal are found
then, IL the signal be original there, the
number to be signaled will appear in the
far left-hand column. but If the signal be
original to another group the number will
appear in the extreme right-hand column
and designate where to turn for the origi-
nal. In receiving signal one has only to
search for the number made in its proper
consecutive place in the left-hand column
and to read the accompanying text.
Use In Action.
Each ship carries a number of signal
books or keys for various uses, all ar
ranged in the same manner and perhaps
many having Implications of the numbers,
and 1t is necessary first to tell in which
key the answer is to be read before the
signal can be properly translated In one
book 4l36 may mean lend aid, while
in another 1t may mean attack" and still
something else in the cipher book.
On going into action covers weighted
with lead are slipped about them, and 1t
becomes the signal officers duty to cast
them overheard and beyond the reach of a
victorious foe. When the frigate Chesa-
peake was captured by the Shannon her
signal books were taken, too, and that ne
cessitated the preparation of a new code
a much easier thing then than now. AS
can be seen. the possession of the keys"
is everything to a solution of the signal.
and a knowledge of the flag numbers in
themselves. although not common property,
is decidedly secondary. Even possessing
one of the code books, an enemy would still
be at a loss unless he knew the signal re-
ferred to the key in his possession and by
prearrangement 1t is possible to increase
the number Of every signal made by ten.
twenty, ETC., and to make its proper read
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

meat" by signal; but in the moment of
strife the mistake of a unit might prove
fatal.
In the British navy the men are carefully
and vigorously trained first on shore, and
for no other duty than that of signaling;
and the result on shipboard Is that excep-
tional accuracy and speed for which they
are noted. Specialism Is the secret, and
the organization Of a navy signal corps for
our own service, combined with constant
practice. Is what Is needed. In that way
only can We avoid that embarrassing alter
native of sending boat to make sure Of
the reading.
Father-"Remember, my son, one never
loses anything in this world by being DO
lite"
Son-'You're wrong, father; I lost my
seat in street car this morning from that
very cause."-Truth
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26


in our service. could scarcely embarrass
US more. New books would haze to be is
sued. and before every ship could be noti-
fed and supplied anew with other keys"
months of priceless time would be lost and
our service severely crippled.
Signaling between ships is as old as the
has 1t become the scientific necessity it is
tant signaling is even worse of than a
dumb man without arms. Cor she is rot
orly pitiably mute but dangerously so as
we'll II is seldom possible, even in times
OF peace. at sea, 10 hail a passing vessel
by speech, and in times of war, TO do so
would be practically denied by the condi-
ticns of service. Some sure and accurate
means of visual communication must ssrve
Instead; aid with is We have recourse to
cC,ors form and sound Whatever may be
the questionable fighting value of the mod
ern military mast, It's Importance as a
means of bearing high IN the air symbols
OF direction and OF response cannot be
oVercStima ted.
Duplicate Outfits.
In this regard, We have learned another
l=~son from that ever suggestive battle Of
the ialu, where the japanese suddenly
found themselves without leader because
Of the loss of the single mast carried by
the flagship, and the Inability of the ad-
mirsl to direct his feet. Our battle ships
building are to have two masts, and each
one is TO be fitted with separate signal
ing outfit; and the signal staff of n
nan-of-war constitutes. in effect, its tongue
ard ears. an armorad station will be uilt
Tor their safety in action. Today, it is
eiheI wise-tae men are exposed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

even though they could neither write Eng
fish nor speak 1t intelligibly for the pur-
poses of reciting the numbers of signals.
On fagships the flag lieutenant has charge
of this service, but as he is generally
chosen for reasons personal to the admiral,
his acquaintance with signaling Is second
airy.
In peace times it may be fairly pardon
able to slip and call dead emperor cold
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

Writing Poetry ON an Omn. . M.
From the New York Tribune.
Mr.. Joaquin Miller. in one of the foot
notes to the new complete edition of his
poems. mentions the different methods Of
authors and says Of Bret Harte: HE
once told me that his first line was always
q cigar. and sometimes two cigars. / reck-
ON Walt Whitman could write anywhere
once was with him on top Of q 9Th avenue
omnibus. above sea Of people, when he
began writing on the edge OF Newspaper.
and he kept Il mp for half an hour, al
though his elbow was almost continucualy
tangled up with that az TIA driver
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

ENATOR FORA
ker has just about
completed building
one of the finest
houses in Washing
ton. 1t is situated
on the corner of 10th
and p streets. about
a mile north of the
White House. in the
heart of the mos.
fashionable part OF
the city. 1t is a
cream-colored man.
-snN Ii.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26
How Ship Commanders Send Secrets
Across the Water.
IT is NOW A MATTER OF SCIENCE
Messages Can Best Be Sent at
Night.
ELECT RIG LIGHT TAI Z

+ A l. L 7 H E
Things that went
' down in The Maine,
nothing Is more vital
to the navy than the
safe recovery of the
signal books from the
c a p [ a l ms cabin.
Should they fall into
the hands of tn.
Spaniards, four Sc
cret codes would be
common property and
"a whole corps of
Spanish spies, right
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26


ton Of the battleship
Maine the St. James
Gazette, a publica-
ton issued in Lon
don, deprecated all
speculation whatso-
ever as to the cause
of the disaster with
the off-hand asser-
ton that it was I'M
questionably due to
an accident of some
sort or a not h q r
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

ing less that arbitrary difference, thus COM
pletely puzzling foe and multiplying the
keys" In his possession. In all probability
the admiral of fleet would take this pre-
cautionary measure IL he were at all in
doubt as to the fate of a captured ships
signal books.
Wig-WaG Signaling.
With the senaphore the position Of each
arm, either singly or in combinations of
two. three or four. means something to the
signalman. and when not spelling the words
designates numbers having reference to
the same code books.
The wig-wag or single-fag system Is the
general conversational medium between
vessels lying anchored fairly near one an
other. It Is a very rapid means OF signal
ing. and during the war and In the hands
Of army signalmen on our naval vessels
was OF fnestimable value on many occa-
sions- Farrasut found II more than help
ful 1t the battle Of Mobile bay. 1t has the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26
Gossip About Statesmen Who Have
Homes in Washington.
SENATOR FORAKER'S new RESIDENCE
Noted Men Born in Cabins Who
Now Live in Palaces.
UNIMPRONED REAL ESTATE

Copyright, 1895. by Frank C. Carpenter)
Written for The Evening Star
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

"Ah. my friend. rum brought you here, OF
coursei !, too. used to drink. but for ten
years not drop Of liquor has passed my
ltp1-
I" 'scuse me- pard. bat I don't want to
hear no hard-luck story now. I've got trour
b3eD Of NE own."-xAfe.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26
Malicious.

From London Judy.
"A girl who sings so early In the morn
ing must have sweet disposition"
mot necessarily. She may have grudee
against somebody in the neighborhood."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26
EQUAL TO THE BEST
81 u
Standard Of Discipline Maintained in
the Navy
G. n
COMPARISON WITH OTHER NATIONS
Far Ahead of Anything the Spanish
Ever Attempt.
VIEWS OF AN OLD SAILOR
COMPARISON WITH OTHER NATIONS
VIEWS OF AN OLD SAILOR

Written for The Evening Star.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

carried young princeiing of the royal
house of Italy around the world couple
of years ago. The writer saw the officers
and crew Of the Cristoforo Colombo re-
ceiving Mr.. Dole. the PRESIDENT of the Ha-
waiian Islands, aboard the ship at Homo
lulu. The men Of the deck force were
partly in white and party in blue uniforms,
and some of them added to the pictur-
sequences Of the occasion by showing up at
muster on the quarterback Ia mixed uni
forms Of blue and white. Some Of them
stood in line and answered to their names
on this formal occasion of internati onal
courtesy in their bare feet. A mob of the
men belonging to the black gang-the crew
members of the engineers department,
that is-slouched up on deck in their
greasy dungareeS. The commanding officer
of an American war vessel who would per-
NIT the men of his ships company to make
any such showing as this, not, indeed, on
the occasion of a reception to high Off
cial of a foreign country, but even at ordi-
nary. everyday quarters at anchor in a
home port or navy yard. would be court
martialed and summartly dismissed the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26

~ N THE DAY FOL-
Z D, t3on sf thu the ,s asssrss,
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-11-08

isSs. but not within tho last month has
any active work been done by It's ofi-
GERS. Now thoro IL n great hustllng at
the headquarters. ~ Mott street. and ex-
pert Chinese Bcrivcners arc now busy
every day placing the names Of new mcm-
bers IN % large book.
Last month the price 6f washing and
ironing shirt WIS raised by every mem
ber Of tho trust 10 ten cents, and fees
for polishing collars ana curs were ike
wise increased.
Strenuous efforts wero made 10 increase
tho membership of the trust. and tho
bop Song Kong How 1ourlsbed exceed
ingiy. Then tho Hebrew LauDdrymen's
Association started laundry war, but
Low Sing. president Of tho Dop Bong
Kong Bow. has arranged Tor conference
Nth tho Hebrew Laundry Association
for Tuesday night ana hopes to come
TO an agreement
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-11-08
President McKinIey's Message to
Congress VIII Urge Imme-
date Action.
DELAY WILL ENDANGER 1T
Message VIII Recommend Leglsla-
tive Action Looking to COnstrue-
tIOn of the Greet Waterway.

NEW YORK. Nov Ia dispatch 70
tho Herald from Washington says:
In President McKlnley5 message 20
congress will be a very strong and ur-
sent appeal for immediate legislative ac-
ton for the construction Of the Nlcara-
gua canal under government direction.
The president will point out that IN our
new connections In the Pacific and In the
West Indies make II imperative for the
United States 10 build and control tho
great international waterway. and that
delay beyond the present congress in
authorizing It's construction will jeopar-
die the chances for American control IN
the future.
President Mckinley fully appreciates
the difficulties In the way OF securing
prompt action. but he and otner canal
advocates also appreciate that failure
this year may mean permanent failure.
Hence preparations are going forward
fUr one Of the most bitter fights ever
waged In the interest Of the canal.
Action Of the Nicaraguan government
In VrantiDg new concession for the con-
struction OF the canal condition Of the
forfeiture Of the contract with the Mar
ltime Canal Company in October next
has added new complications 70 the dlf-
ficultles In the way OF legislation. The
authorities consider that II adds another
element Of opposition 20 prompt action
on the pending Morgan bill which con-
templates the construction Of the canal
under government direction on the basis
OF the concession granted TO the Maritime
Canal Company. The Morgan bill in all
O. IS essential features Is understood 10
have the endorsement Of the admlnistra-
ton
II is supposed that the new company
will be inimical to the Maritime Canal
Company. II is assumed that n Il does
not succeed in selling out to the con-
cessionaries. It will exert It's Influence
TO prevent action by congress this win
ter In order that It's own contract may
10 into effect next october.
Besides opposition from this new com
pany. friends OF the Morgan bin will
have the powerful Huntington and Pan
ANA interests arrayed against them.
Friends OF the latter party are already in
Washington. prepr.ng for a campaign
against the Nicaragua canal.
j. l.. Morgan II TO be a factor In the
coming legislative war. II is stated that
while In Nicaragua last winter he made
an arrangement with President Zelaya
20 look after the interests OF Nicaragua
IN this country
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-11-08
NO FAITH CURE.
About Stuart'S Dyspepsia Tab
let's.
They Cure StOm'eh Troubles and lnti-
gestion Anyway. Whether You
Have Faith In Them
or Not.

Mere faith will not digest your food for
you will not give an appetite, VIII not In
crease your flesh and strengthen your
nerves and heart. but Stuart's Dyspepsia
Tablets will do these things, because they
are composed OF the elements OF diges-
tlon tnoy contain the juices. acids and
pepstones necessary to tho digestion and
assimilation OF all wholesome food
Stuart's Dyspepsia Tablets win digest
food II placed In Jar or bottle In water
heated to 9S degrees. and they Will do 1t
much more effectively when taken into
the stomach after meals, whether you
have faith that they will or not,
They lnvlgorate the stomach make
pure blood and strong nerves, In the only
way that nature can do It, and that Is,
plenty OF wholesome food well dlgested.
1t is not what we eat, but what We digest
that does us good.
Stuarts Dyspepsia Tablets are sold by
nearly all druggists at 80 cents for full
sized package, or by mail from the stuart
Co., Marshall Mich.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-11-08
THE WEALTH OF CUBA.

II Uncle Sam should. In the interest OF
humanity. add Cuba to his domains. II
would almost double his wealth. With
Cuba under a stable government and
fully cultivated. Uncle Sam would soon
control the worlds markets for four
great staples-tobaeco. sugar. coffee and
rice. 1t seems a shame to abandon this
rich island TO an allen race. 1t Is a
greater shame for man to abandon his
stor1ach to the ravages OF disease. To
strengthen the stomach take Hostetters
Stomach Bitters. II is just the
thing to stimulate the appetite. 1t will
overcome dyspepsia II there is consti-
patton II will establish regularity OF the
bowels. 1t makes the nerves strong and
steady. and gives restful slumber. There
is no substitute for It.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-11-08
CHINESE LAUNDRYMEN
HAVE FORMED A TRUST,
Combination Organized In New York
with a Membership OF lOJJ-Prlce
OF Washing Goes Up.

NEW YORK, Nov IA trust of Chi
nese laundrymen Is the latest, II is called
the Dbp Song Kong Sow and It has its
tentacles wrapped around more than
1000 Chinese laundrymen In Greater New
York.
Gradually the movement to amalgamate
the Chinese laundrymen is spreading
and the organization In this city Is prac-
tlcallv the home organization of a com
blnation that will have branches in every
large city in the country,
On the books of New York, the Dop
Song Kong Sow is called the Greater
New York American Laundry Associa-
tion, It was Incorporated in January