davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
The Starvation Policy.

Accurate advices from the Spanish DOT tion of Cuba-practicaly the western half of the island-are not readily obtained. but enough is known to justify the state ment that the Spaniards on the island know that they are besieged. The soldiers and the people as well, are now concen- trated at Havana, Matanzas, cienfuegos and about half dozen other seaports, and they are daily and steadily drawing upon stores accumulated before war was de- clared.
 No vessels can enter the five blockaded ports, and these ports are the terminals of the railroad system of the western half of the island. A few small vessels may enter the lesser ports that are not under blockade. but they run the risks of cap ture and it is not believed they carry in farms are abandoned. so that the home supply is reduced to a minimum. In the : course of another month this condition of affairs will be severely felt, unless, indeed, Spaln can raise the Dlockdut. II dcheiai Blanco had only his army to feed he could go along several months. but he has also to feed a large number of non-combatants. He is compelled to issue rations to them in order to keep down insurrection and disease
 The rainy season has set in. and the in- surgents are moving. It seems to inspire them to activity; at any rate. it has no terrors for these fully acclimated people. They are pressing the enemy at new points, driving them out of the interior and away from even the limited local food supplies. All the food of native production goes to the insurgents. The siege is thus seen to be two-sided-the insurgents ap- bearing on the land side, and the Ameri- can fleets off shore. There will soon be severe privation. if not starvation, in the seaports thus hemmed in.
 And this starvation will extend to a host of non-combatants gathered in the sea- Should country depend upon starva- ton policy that started out to wage war in the sacred name of humanity? It is not only a barbarous policy but it is a dilatory policy, and therefore an expen- sive policy on the part of this country. There is but one way to bring the war to an early ending. Havana, a town almost within sight of American camps, must be taken, and Blanco's army defeated On to Havana!
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
Bombardments of Notifications.

There is an impression that Admiral Sampson could silence the ports of Hav- ana. and compel the surrender of the city. This. however, Is popular error that is not sustained by the facts of recent lombard ments. Modern rified guns were used at Alexandria, where powerful British fleet Of ironclads exhausted it's magazines, and yet only ten out of forty-four guns in the forts were dismounted. The clumsy Egyp- tian guners disabled the rest, and rendered victory possible Nor is the record of the shelling of Paris in 1871 any more satisfac- tory. The Germans threw 10000 shells in- to the city, but only 107 persons were kill ed and 2o9 wounded. Starvation compelled the surrender of the city-not the German guns. At Belfort the Germans killed only sixty men, although they threw into the town 3o0,000 shells In crowded Strasburg HOO persons were killed by 2O2,O0O shells the highest record that shells in a town have to their credit.
 The bombardment of Charleston is anoth- CT case of prolonged but intellectual bonn bardment The record is as follows:
 Shots fired at city from November 16,
 1863, to March 4, 1864 97S Shots struck the city from November
 16, 1863. to March 4. 1864 .............2, 2,55O Shots fell short of city from November
 16, 1863, to March 4. 1864 .............1 42S
 The record shows that although the aver age number of shots per day that struck the city was twenty-three during a period of 10S days. yet only five were killed and six were wounded. Including kitchens 125 bu d. ings were struck but three-fourths of this number were repaired without pulling down a wall. The bombardment itself had no effect upon military operations.
 Fleets have their uses, but as a rule they are ineffective against well-equipped and well-handled shore defenses They are need ed to fight other fleets. to conduct block ades, and to cover and assist landing forces, but mere bombardments, even by modern guns, do not. as a rule, accomplish advantages equivalent to the cost of the effort There is scarcely any effort that is more expensive, and there is scarcely one that is less effective.
 The exception to the rule is of course the brilliant work of Admiral Dewey in Manila bay but that chiefly related to the desruc- tion of the enemy's fleet, and its success in senc:ng shore batteries must in part be attributed to the poor gunnery and gen. eral unpreparedness of the enemy. It was a daring exploit that stands by itself.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

From the Augusta (Ga-) Herald.
 The action of an Augusta man in giving up a civil office to accept military service is receiving high commendatlon everywhere The Chattanooga News says that in &C., cepting a commission as major general of volunteers in the United States Army, Gen. eral Joe Wheeler imperils his seat in con- gress. It is contended on one hand that no man can hold two such positions under the government at once, but on the other hand 1t is insisted that military positions are exceptional It seems to be a matter of discretion with congress. The precedents vary. In some cases congressman accept ing military positions have been allowed to retain their seats, and in others they have lost their civil position in entering upon their military duty. In the case of General Wheeler it will not perhaps make any ma terial change. The war will probably be over before the elections next fall, and he will be invincible at the polls. There ought to be no question about the reelection of a man who would risk so much in his coun- try's behalf.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

blsies bushels. as compared with 2,43o .a97 900 bushels in 1896. 2.54s s,49lOOO bushels in 1895. and 2e7s. .65i 900 bushels in 1894. The crop of 1897 in the world was the smallest since 1890. although the crop in this country was the largest since 1883.
 Tn other words. the world. lacking wheat. was willing to buy at high prices, and this country had wheat which it was willing to export at high prices. Conditions will soon be reversed. There will soon be plenty of wheat; the worlds crop of 1898 will proba- ply equal that of 1894, and prices must fall.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
ooU.EGE TN TIME OF BATTLE.

An English war correspondent says that as to the courage of the American sol dier there can be no doubt. Of course there were some towards. General Sherman says somewhere that 25 per cent. of men have not the necessary nerve for battle. If this % per cent. is damned into line it will run unless there are men behind it ready to shoot the fugitives. For this reason the rear of the armies was sometimes picketed during the war. The sentries allowed only the. wounded to pass. But this does not impugn the valor of the American private. There are towards in every army. One man was drummed out of the ranks, though he was of good family, and bitterly felt his disgrace. He contended, and it was true, that under fire he was seized with paralysis and could not move forward; therefore he used to lie down. Such things happened in the Franco-Prussian war.
 A Cincinnati bank president says that during the rebellion he was in command of a picket squad at midnight when there suddenly came to us evidence that the ene- my was upon us, and about to attack. There was a discharge of musketry. And I want to say that the first thing that struck me was the fact that my legs were trembling very much, especially about the knees; in truth, so violently that I began to be rather leary about standing. Then the thought struck me, Thank Heaven it
 is midnight. and nobody can see my legs acting as they are.' Through all the nu- merous engagements that my regiment was in it is a strange thing, but I had the same trembling and my face would turn ashen pale. I never lost control of my voice, however, peculiar as it was, and could deliver oaths as plainly as at any other time."
 General Andrew Hickenlooper recently told this story to an interviewer: "On one occasion, after we had chased the enemy for some distance, we caught up to them That night at the council of the officers it was decided to move upon the enemy's camp at daybreak. AS chief of the artil- lery, I went over to the headquarters of the branch to notify them of the line of action. In my tent found the command CT of my old forces, who had always been brave soldier and had ever shown him. self in front of his artillery. He was very visiby affected and his face as pale as death. General said he. I have favor to ask of you. I know that you will con- slider it strange and peculiar, but please let it pass and grant it. feel that tomor- row I will be killed, as I understand that we are to move upon the enemy. You know my family and situation. Don't think me a coward, but please hold my command back to the third line.' I replied T will do better. I will hold your company in re- serve. In the morning when daylight came the soldiers advanced upon the enemys position, only to find that they had fled during the night. Never did a change come over a man such as struck my visitor of the night before. Where he had al- ways greeted me enthusiastically, he now passed me by and became morose and des- pendent. In less than three months he re- signed. Now, as to what had affected him nobody will ever know, but that he was afraid I have not the slightest doubt"
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
The Wheat Supp.y.

The usual surpluJ of wheat in California; Oregon and Washington, about 5o,ooO,Oo0 bushels will not be forthcoming this year. A drought has reduced the crops in those states to the home demand; but this de- ficiency is the only deficiency at present observable in the states of this coun- try, and in other wheat-growing countries as we'll
 In Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas the crop is heading out. and the yield in that dis trict is put at 11o, 900 900 bushels, gain of twenty per cent over any previous crop. The Texas crop will reach, it is estimated, %, 900 bushels, thus making the state a factor in the bread supply. This addition to the customary supply will come chiefly from the Panhandle country, and will soon be harvested.
 In Nebraska and the Dakotas great areas were put in spring wheat. after the advance fin price of the present season had been inaugurated. and at present the crop in ising Especially is this the case in Nebras- ka. If present indications are maintained, Nebraska's crop will outrun any previous yield
 Barring the Pacific coast deficiency. the crop of 1898 is full of promise. As whole 1t looks at this writing as If it would ex- ceed the crop of 1897. Unless weather con- dtions are suddenly and unfayorably changed there will be no scarcity of bread in this country during another year. There will be an abundance of the great food crop, and that abundance will be established in the course of another two months. The price. as well as the size of the loaf, should not be changed. The present furry is tenn porary only.
 The wheat crop In European countries also gives signs of heavy yields. In Rus sia late reports from all districts show that the crop is satisfactory. No European country sends discouraging report, and the worlds crop promises to be restored to normal figures. The bureau of statistics puts the crop of the world in lss7 at 2.l3s.-
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

From the Chicago News.
 Uncle Sams blister will no doubt mako the Spanish iy
 Some orators are given to natural-gas balloon ascensions.
 The shower that spells woman's new bonnet is a rain of terror.
 True friendship between women is mat ter of doubt to most men.
 The happiest days of mans life seem to be in the near future,
 A nutmeg may be great, but sooner or later it will meet a grater.
 Some people are so awfully exclusive tEeir teeth won't move in the same set.
 A small boy says the proper time to gtaher fruit Is when the dog is chained
 Men are usually embarrassed when they proposs-either financially or otherwise
 It keeps some women so busy trying to preserve their charms that they haven't time for anything else.
 When the pot calls the kettle black It Is time for the kettle to demand an investiga- ton as to the color of the pot.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
The Makinq of a FIaq.

The flag factories are overworked, and the south has more patriotism than flags, The south is short on flags. There is dearth of the emblem of liberty in all parts of the country, but particularly in the south, and unless southern women relieve the lack many a town will go unlocked with the country's colors even when Havana falls and the Alabama soldiers come march, ing home For the benefit of the patriotic women of Alabama The Age-Herald has procured the correct method for the mak- ing of flag.
 The width of an American flag is ten- nineteenths of its length. The blue part covers four-tenths of the entire length and to the bottom of the fourth red stripe in width. There are, as all know, thirteen stripes, and the two outside stripes are red. The forty-fve stars are arranged in six alternating rows of eight and seven stars respectively. Many small flags sold In the shops are incorrectly fashioned, but if the directions herein given are followed, the d less proportions and makeup. The amount of material depends. of course. upon the size of the flag. Any dry goods store keeps bunting, light woolen weave, es- peclally designed for flags. It floats read fly on the breeze, and will outlast good deal of weather.
 The school houses, the court houses, the public squares-any building, for that mat ter-should bear flags in these days of war and patriotism. and this Is in many cases impossible, unless the mothers and sisters and swetehearts of the soldiers at the front will get together and make flags where flags do not exist and cannot be purchased.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

career. says the New York Ledger. After leaving the Niagara he was promptly pro- noted to a Heutenantcy and assigned as executive officer of one of the 9o-day gun- boats, the owasco of the Gulf squadron. Her commanding oflicer-his name Is of no consequence and he Is dead now--was a devotee of John Barleycorn, and perlodi- cally had to retire to his cabin for repairs, where he usually stayed week. The owasco was stationed off Mobile and was one of small squadron of which Captain James Alden of the Richmond was senior officer.
 One day quartermaster of the Richmond reported to Captain Alden that the cap tain's gig of the Owasco was approaching, the captains pennant flying. Supposing his visitor to be the captain of the Owaseo. Alden put on his uniform coat, the side boys were ordered and the boatswain's mate made ready for his three pipes at the gangway. When the Owasco's gig came alongside, the man who sprang up the lad der was Lieutenant Schley.
 .I expected to see Captain - of the owasco," said Alden. with slight sar- casm.
 q am commander of the owasco. sir" said Schley.
 "Since when?" said Alden.
 "An hour ago, sir" said Schley.
 Where is Captain -?"
 "Loclxed up In his cabin. sir. drunk"
 "Who locked him in ?' asked Alden.
 'I did. first put him under arrest and then shut him up in his cabin. Then took command of the ship, and here am to report for orders"
 Alden was fond of a joke, and he was at first disposed to laugh at the young mans summary action, but he said:
 ''Well, the first order I'll give you is Tor you to lower that pennant in the gig, go back to your ship. sir. unlock that cabin door and restore Captain - to dtuy. Then report to me in writing if the cap tain's illness will incapacftate him and will know what to do. Don't be in too great hurry to get command of ship, MT Schleyl
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
SHORT STORIES
 OF THE DAY.

The Gallant Phil sheridan's Opinion of the
 N. c. F.
 Pennsylvania National Guard has long been considered model in organization and discipline. A little story that is re- called by the Philadelphia Record bears witness to the correctness of this idea. It relates to an occurrence at the time of President Cievelands first inauguration. while he and General Phil Sheridan were on the reviewing stand. As the head of the Pennsylvania troops reached the presi- dents stand that official, turning to Gen. eral Sheridan, then the head of the army. asked:
 Are these the regu1ars7"
 'No, MT. President" answered little Phil, that's the First Brigade. National Guard of Pennsylvania
 Well, are these the regulars?s again asked the president. as the brigade ap peared.
 NO. Mir President" was the reply. "that's the Second Brigade. National Guard of Pennsylvania.'
 As the next body of troops reached the stand the president remarked: .aThese surely are the regulars"
 ''No, Mir President" again came the an- swer, that's the Third Brigade. National Guard of Pennsylvania"
 ''well, general" asked the president in surprise. 'are there any troops here from any other state than Pennsylvania"
 None that are worth a --!'' was the prompt answer of the famous fighting gen. eral.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
THE MEN BEHIND THE GINS. ohm James Rooney in the New York Sum-

 A cheer and salute for the admiral and here's to the captain bold, And never forgot the commodore's debt when the deeds of might are told! They stand to the deck thro' the battle wreck when the great shells roar and screech- And never they fear when the foe is near to practice what they preach: But off with your hat and three times three for Columbia's true-bue sons, The men below who batter the foe-the men behind the guns! Oh, light and merry of heart are they when they swing into port once more. When, with more than enough of the 'green-baclsed stuff," they start for their leave-o'-shore: And you'd think, perhaps. that the blue- bloused chaps who loi1 along the street Are a tender bit, with salt on it, for some fierce '.mustache" to eat Some warrior bold, straps of gold, who daz- zles and fairly stuns The modest worth of the sailor boys-the lads who serve the guns. But say not a word till the shot is heard that tells the fight is on, Till the long deep roar grows more and more from the ships of 'Yank" and Don,'
 fire and bursting shell, And the very air is mad Despair in the throes of a living hell: Then down, down, in the mighty ship, un- seen by the midday sun, You'n find the chaps who are giving the raps-the men behind the guns!
 W. Oh. well they know how the cyclones blow that they loose from tleir cloud of death,
 And they know is heard the thunder-word their fierce ten-incher saith! The steel decks rock with the lightning shock. and shake with the great recoil, And the sea grows red with the blood of the dead and reaches for it's spoil But not till the foe has gone below or turns his brow and runs, Shall the voice of peace bring sweet re- lease to the men behind the gunsl
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
UNFIT APPOINTMENTS.

From the New York Journal.
 What possible consideration of good for the military service of the nation could have induced the president to select Rus sell B. Harrison, James G. Blanc. Jr., or John A. Logan, Jr., for position in the army with rank which should be conferred only after years of hard and active service. Why should a boy be made an officer be- cause he is the son of ex-Mayor Strong of New York or of Senator Foraker? Such ap- pointments are dangerous to the army and to the nation, for the elevation of in competents to office can but destroy the discipline and the espirt de crops which the United States army must foster.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
ITALY's TROUBLE.

From the Cleveland Leader.
 The truth is that Italy shows what over taxation can do to curse and crush peo- pie. The government Is not at all oppres- sive or unpopular, in the ordinary sense. King Humbert is both democratic and pa triotic The representation of the people in legislation is fair, and the whole spirit of the government is liberal and as pro- gressive as it could be, probably, with safe ty. But all ministries grind the faces of the poor and overburden industry. They have to do 1t or let the world see that Italy, united and free, is not able to keep pace with the nations among which she has been given a place.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
OTHERWISE EXPRESSED.
Inc rb;ca po Pecord.

From the Chicago Recoru.
 ''We are all prestn," writes Admiral Dewey, in effect, from his station at Ma nila'' "There is nothing the matter with my men, except their appetites, which are unusually large. We own everything in sight, except a few Notifications which we don't care to fire at. because we are certain to hurt somebody if we do. When we want them we'll take them If they don't surren- der meanwhile We had a battle the other day and a lot of the Spaniards got hurt. We sunk their ships, too, which required some exertion. but our men were needing exercise so nobody found fault"
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
Partly Cleared up

Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the brilliant orator and dramatist and audaclous man. ager, was what the beaks of Scotland Yard would call a downy cove, says an exchange. He was dining at a friends house one evening and found himself much beset by one of his fellow-diners of the giddy old maid brand.
 "Ah my dear MT. Sheridan" she sim- pered. q should so love to take walk out with you this evening""
 The willy Sheridan was startled at the prospect. "Oh. dear.' he replied, In tone of well-felgned regret "my dear Lady Blank, it's raining cats and dogs I am afraid shall have to forego the pleasure until 1t clears off"
 Fifteen minutes later the alert spinster. who did not repose entire trust in Sherl- dans sincerity, detected him in the act of sneaking out through side door.
 "Oh, MT. Sheridan!' she exclaimed, "has it really cleared up?'
 "Y-y-yes-n-no-tha is-it has cleared up enough for one, but not enough for two"
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

The N Y Times has ascertained from in- quiries among various New Workers, that there is strong sentiment ''against con- verting the Philippine islands into an American dependency" The question is not ripe, and when it is 1t will not be de- cided "by various New Workers"
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

The theory that Spanish cruisers are real ly conveys for some ships filled with sup plies, which they are trying to run into Cienfuegos or some other Cuban port lends an air of sense to the presence of the cruisers in American waters that it did not before possess.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
TT IS KOOBA, NOT KEwBA.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 A woman who speaks Spanish tells me that we don't even pronounce the name of the island we're fighting about correctly. She confesses that she has heard 'Junta" pronounced "hooata" frequently, but she declares that even those among us who say "hoonta" call Cuba "Kewba." It isn't ''Kewba' at all, she says It's ''Kooba-"
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

The republican millionaire combination
 headed by Senator MoMllen, to prevent Gov. Pingree's renomination. has broken down. The potatoe raiser will have walk over, so far as republicans are concerned.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20
Al NAVAL FAMILY.
From the Chattanooga Times.

From the Chattanooga Times.
 Mrs. Robley D. Evans has large per- sonal interest in the navy Her husband commands the Iowa, her brother com mands the Indiana, her son is on the Mas- sachusetts, her son-in-law is on the New York and her two daughters and her niece have volunteered as nurses and are now taking instruction at a hospital.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

The German emperor has concluded not to dispose of the Philippines at once and in an off-handed manner. He is very con slderate, when he must be.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

If Mir. Polo is running Pinkerton estab- iishment up in Canada. he should be re- ported to MT. John Bull, of London, who will attend to his case.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

The speech of the Hon. Joe Chamberlain in favor of Anglo-American unity is easily accounted for-he has an American wife.
The age-herald., 1898-05-20

MT. Gladstone in one of his leisure periods turned the Rock of Ages" into Italian, and it has become favorite hymn in the ancient land.