davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

would simply laugh at any attempt
Of any warship to pass them.
Then we have monitors and
mines and torpedoes, and tugs
that could carry guns, and we
have enough material ready at
hand to line every inch Of our
shores with Zalinski guns capable
OF throwing from 2 90 to I,ooo o
pounds of dynamite distance Of
two miles or more.
In brief, New York is as impreg-
nable as Gibraltar itself. No fleet
in the world could ever get near
enough to throw single shell to
the Barge Office or the Produce
Exchange. AS for a landing and
land approach, million volun-
tiers would take good care of that.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
PERSIA.
English Consular Journal

!
In Persia, Russia is not only working
against us politically, but also CONNER
ciallY. There is nothing strange in this,
but as we are more at home perhaps in
Persia tnan IN other quarters Of the
world where we are exposed to the same
hostile action, we should be better able,
cher efore, to look after our interests.
Our influence in Persia is great, and we
have always been on the best Of terms
with the ShAhs. But even these advan-
tages do not seem to secure US in the
possession of trade. The British consul
at Meshed writes: There has been a
hard struggle in Meshed. during the past
ten years, between British and Russian
cotton prints, the chief articles Of foreign
piece goods largely consumed and in
great demand throughout Persia, and it
is beyond doubt that the Russians have
cot the best Of it. Though large guam
titles OF English cotton prints were inn
ported to Meshed from India via Bandar
Abbas, and from England via Turkey,
Tabris and Teheran during the past
three years, still they were less than
those imported in recent years, and the
imports OF Russian cotton prints in
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
National ZlikzNg

Contrary to expectation, the news OF
The Russian demands on China is causing
some excitement in England. The
papers think they involve so essential a
shifting of the balance of power in
Eastern Asia that England cannot allow
il, and must either demand concessions
elsewhere or secure the refusal Of Rus.
sla's demands at all costs. These voices
have been heard so often during the last
six months that people are not likely t ,
be shaken in their belief IN the preser-
walton Of peace, not to mention that the
demands in question have refersHce to
Northern China, Russia's recognized
sphere Of interest. Meanwhile, the
British Government is silent, tor, as was
stated in the Commons yesterday, it has
received no Confirmation of the news.
The likelihood that Russia is co-operat-
ing in Northern China with France IN
Southern China and West Africa seems
to IrTitste the British Press.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
spain,s Grow ming Crime.

II cannot be forgotten that the
terrible starvation and death in
Cuba are neither an unavoidable
consequence of war nor the result
Of an inability Of the inhabitants
to feed themselves,
The dreadful scenes depicted
and verified by Senator Proctor
are due directly to a deliberate
policy adopted by Weyler and
sanctioned by Spain.
"Exterminate the breedl" was
the watchword of that remorseless
butcher.
And so the inhabitants OF the
productive fields and plantations,
who not only supported them
selves, but contributed the greater
part OF the food supplies to the
cities and towns ofthe island, we're,
in Senator Proctor's words, driven
into the fortified towns and held
there to subsist as they can"-in
other words, TO starve.
"All the country people in the
four western provinces" says the
Senator, ,"about 400, 900 in number,
were driven into these fortified
towns" And he says Of their
condition:
Torn from their homes, with foul
earth, foul water and foul food or none,
what wonder that one-hali have died
and that one-quarter OF the living are
so diseased that they cannot be saved
Deaths in the streets have not been
uncommon. / was told by one Of our
consuls that people have been found
dead about the markets in the morning,
where they had crawled hoping to get
some stray bits Of food from the early
hucksters, and that there had been
cases where they had dropped dead
inside the market, surrounded by food.
The Senator adds that his in
| quiries were made Of our medical
officers, our consuls, Of the mayors
and relief committees ofthe towns,
OF leading citizens, often Spanish
born" and that "every time came
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
Notes of Interest. .

SOFT SOAP FOR HEAVY SRAs.-The
steamship Gera, recently arrived from
Bremen, had a rather novel experience
in calming a storm while in midocean.
Head winds and high seas caused con-
siderable damage on shipDOard and
finally rendered her almost completely
unmanageable. Then Captain Meissel
decided to resort to oil to calm the
troubled waters It was allowed to flow
out through a drain pipe on the side
about 90 feet sbait the bow. No imme-
diate effect was noticed. Then the
captain bethought him OF a quantity Of
soft soap which, he reasoned, would
answer the same purpose as the oil.
Four gallons Of il were brought into
requisition, and this, with two gallons
Of lubricating oil, was allowed to per,
colate into the sea. After three or four
hours the waters became less boisterous
in the vicinity Of the vessel. This
was continued till the wind and sea
moderated.
Phil May, the English artist, who has
succeeded Du Maurier on Punch, began
life by doing oddi jobs in a Leeds theatre,
at salary Of twelve shillings a week.
His income is now reckoued in the
| thousands.
Verdi, the Italian composer, charges
81 for an autograph or a signed photo
! graph; when the request comes from a
wealthy admirer he asks double that
sum. He does not keep the money, but
distributes it among the poor.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

the answer that the case had not
been overstated." In three prov
inces alone
Two hundred thousand had died
within these Spanish forts, practi-
callY prison walls, within a few
months past. from actual starvation
and disease caused by insufficient
and improper food.
The Senator summed up his on
clusion in the memorable words:
1T is neither peace nor war: it is
concentration and desolation and
death" "
And the crime Of it is that this
Wholesale slow murder Of the
Cubans is cold blooded and delib-
crate. Because Spain's greatest
generals and her 200, ,oco soldiers
could not subdue or kill 10000 or
40, 900 insurgents fighting for free
dom, this proud" this "chival
rous," this Sensitive" nation sane
toned the policy of starving to
death 4oo,o 900 non-combatants in
order to "exterminate the breed" !"
1t is this crime against civiliza-
ton, perpetrated within ninety
miles OF our shores, that will, in the
opinion OF even the most conser-
vative men at Washington, compel
and Justify Intervention in the IN
terest OF humanity, freedom and
peace.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

Pending the report of the Maine
Court OF Inquiry and the Presi
dents message, Congress and the
people are confronted with series
OF puzzling ifs.
1t can do no harm to consider
them. Difficulties recognized and
thought through are halt con-
quered.
Ifthe Court Of Inquiry reports,
as anticipated, that the Maine was
destroyed as the result OF an initial
outside explosion, what then1
If official Spanish completely
could be imagined or, more i'm
possible yet, proved, the case
would be clear. Such a destruc-
tion of the Maine would be an act
OF war, and would be met as such.
But
If, as is most likely, the verdict
shall be that the first explosion
was from a cause and source un-
known, the question thee becomes
one of Spain's accountability.
There is no precedent to guide US,
II the destruction OF the Maine
was a crime, it has no parallel. II
it was an accident. it has no com.
panion. Foreign authorities on in
ternational law, and some of the
highest in our own country-in-
cluding ex-Minister Phelps-hold
that neither a foreign Government
nor its local por authorities insure
the protection or are responsible
for the safety of war vessels in their
harbors.
The establishing and general
recognition OF such a rule might
lead to some strange results. Un-
der it the war vessel of any nation
England, France, Germany,
Russia, Spain-could be destroyed
with impunitY in any harbor of
the world if the ingenuity of the
assassins could circumvent the
watchfulness Of the crew. Are we
ready to ac=ept such law7 Are
the naval powers OF the world will
ing to set it up and stand by it2
If, on the contrary, we maintain
that the fact that the Maine was
moored under the direct orders of
the Spanish authorities and that
the existence of a mine or a tor
pedo OF sufficient force TO have
caused the destruction could not
have been beyond their knowledge,
must we not demand reparation
for the deed and security for the
future so far as Cuba is involved
If we make this demand, and
Spain shall refuse to acknowledge
any responsibility in the matter,
what them Shall we name an ul-
timatum, and after stipulated
time proceed to enforce ite In
other words, shall we make var,
or submit the question to arbitra-
tion7
Back Of and above the Name in
cident is the whole Cuban ques-
ton.
II we are to put stop to the
horrible barbarities in that un-
happy island, and are to admit that
we have as a nation a duty to
humanity and to freedom in that
connection, how are we to pro-
ceede Is recognition either Of
belligerency or Of independence
any longer adequate9 Shall We in
tervene9 II so, how and to what
extent2
This is the greatest if OF all.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
The spectacle IN cuba.


Within a few days, as iast as
railroads and steamships can carry
it, there will be American food in
Cuba for every destitute person.
A whole starving people will be
fed by another people. For the
frs time in history one nation will
be taking sole and complete care
of the charges of another.
Other famous relief movements
have succored many, but this leeds
all.
The very Spanish press admits
it and is bitter over the fact La
Lucia says:
"We have been unable to find in
history a case OF one State sustain
ing the necessities of another
State"
What the Spaniards hate in
tensely, and what the most brilliant
Havana daily is the FIRST paper to
confess, is, as La Lucia puts it,
mot that starving Cubans are
being made well, but that they are
being made into Americans"
That par er continued: "a stom-
achiul of corn meal is stronger
bid for allegiance than twenty
thousand hammered forts and two
hundred thousand soldiers. And
the fact that American bacon and
cornmeal are now as general over
Cuba as Spanish flags and bayonets
makes the Cuban feeling uniVer-
SAL"
The Spanish papers have been
virulentlv attacking American
charity tor some time. All have
repeatedly made the point that in
feeding all the hungry Cubans,
America is making permanent
and great pauper class.
This is the one great fact used
by all to force the liberal minded
Gen. Blanco to curtail the priVll-
eges already granted and to refuse
any new requests.
This clamor has caused the Cap
tain General to decide not to allow
the Americans to completely cure
the i'll. He now refuses to allow
the hungry to work, refuses to
permit Cubans to use Ameri an
tools and American bought seed
in raising their own food.
Cuban soil is not to be allowed
to support Cubans. Spain will
condemn every one ofthe destitute
to die unless she permits Ameri-
can charity to continue. Spain
forces the very thing she objects
to by refusing to allow Cubans to
support themselves.
Blanco seems to have been COM
PEELED to outdo Weyler. Weyler
established zones of cultivation
about the concentrated towns, but
Blanco so far has refused to let the
American Cuban Relief Commit
tee put tools and seeds in the re-
concentrates hands.
Were Weyler's zones of cultiva-
ton only cultivated, were the peo-
pie allowed to help themselves,
American charity would soon be-
come superflnous in Cuba. There
would be no pauper class, as in
{ ed there never was on the rich
Cuba soil in peace times, and the
Spaniards could then demand the
withdrawal of outside assistance
without insulting humanity.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

GLASS PLATES THAT BEND. In
that curious old depository Of
monkish lore, the "Gesta Roman
orum," Pliny tells a story about
glass plates so cunningly annealed
that they could be bent like tenn
pered copper. This has been put
down as myth for centuries, but
now it appears that Pliny was not
so far off after all. A scientific ex.
change says that to-day the Chin
ese have the art of making pliable
glass plates. They are not solid.
but plated from spun glass and
made gorgeous by brilliant Orien.
tai coloring. The strangest thing
about them is that although they
are made Of glass, one can bend
them backward and forward as if
they were putty or pliable clay.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
Our FOR EIeN NEWS
TpaaSkatsd and .SskScksd from leading
ESr0SsGNbGpSyS[or t5s SENTINEL.
ENGLAND.
RUSSIAN DEMANDS IN CHINA

Russia has demanded that China shall
surrender to her all sovereign rights
over Port Arthur and Tia lien Wan for
the same term OF years and on the same
conditions as were granted to Germany
IN the case of Kiao Chou; also the right
to construct a railway, under the same
conditions as the Trans ManChurian
railway, from Petuna to Kwang chung
tzu, Mukden and Port Arthur, The
demands were presented Immediately
after the ratification of the loan, FIVE days
being granted for a reply. In the event
Of Noncompliance. Russia threatens to
move tro ops into Manchuria.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
Berlin Post.

Russia is evidently urging compensa
tory claims in order not to be outstripped
in the competition in the Far East among
the European Powers, which after the
conclusion of the Chinese Loan with the
Rnglo-German Banks. the Russian
Government, perhaps, felt constrained
to fear. The above news, however.
affords no ground Tor uneasiness. In
view Of Russia friendly attitude towards
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

China, an amicable agreement between
them is probable. Germany's action,
moreover, does not deviate from the
line marked out by the entente with
Russia. AS, moreover. differences be-
tween England and Germany in Eastern
Asia have hitherto been avoided, inter-
national complications are not to be
expected now.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

E. Heron Allen. who is just now at
tracing attention in England through
his tTanslatlons Of Omar Khayyam, is
well remembered in New York. He
came to this country from England
twelve or thirteen years ago and lectured
on palmlstry, attempting tor the first
time to make the diversion popular iB
New York.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
Daily Mews-London, March o.


The presentation of the bill led TO
remarkable scene of enthusiasm in the
House, at which we need not wonder.
There are modern tendencies in Amer
lean politics to a rather reckless sort of
spread-eagleism, which we do not
profess to admire, and which Mr.. McKin.
ley admires no more than we do. But
to strengthen the navy is legitimate
patriotism, and will command the
popular sympathy of the British public
For our part we find it impossible not
to sYmpathize with American feeling on
the subject of Cuba. The crueltles
committed in that unfortunate island
and the misery inflicted upon its inhabi
tants, would move a heart OF stone.
They have resulted not so much from
deliberate intention as from hopeless
incompetence. General Weyler was,
no doubt, guilty OF brutal and pitiless
severity. Rut General Weyler has
been recalled, and we fully believe that
anxious to avoid the needless destruc-
ton OF property or lie. The PLAIN fact
is that Spain cannot manage Cuba, and
that her failure, which may be no fault
of hers, infiicts apparently endless
suffering upon the native population
Americans would be more than human
or less If they could look with equani-
nifty upon such a mass OF constant
wretchedness within so short a distance
Of their own Southern States. This is
no case of indefinitely extending the
Monroe Doctrine, with which Mr.. Can
ming had quite as much to 90 as Presi-
dent Monroe. 1t is question of com.
mon humanity. The unanimity
ofCongress. combined with the moder.
ate language employed in debate, will
haYe a wholesome and pacific effect
upon enlightened and intelligent
opinion.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
lie Tenps.

lie Temps.
The British Cabinet is called upon to
do its duty. and is adjured to oppose an
absolute veto t" overhasty ambitions.
What will 1T dor That is a secret OF the
gods. Will Lord Salisbury let his hand
be torced2 Will the influence OF Mr..
Chamberlain bring about the triumph of
Imperialism, and let loose the danger Of
a general confaR ration2 No one knows.
but 1t behoves everyone to realize all
the gravity of the situation
AMERICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE.
Morning PoSt--London, March 9,
The House Of Representatives m
Washington promptly followed up the
resolution of the preceding day. The
Committee of Ways and Means at once
reported unanimously in laVor of the
proposal to place $4,000, 90 at the
orders of the President for the purpose
OF national defence. Mr.. Cannon, in
supporting The resolution, was careful
to dlsclaim anything in the nature OF a
declared, and his language has every
claim to unprejudlced consideration
Whatever opinion Europe may entertain
as to the origin OF the present compli-
cations between Spain and the United
States, the resolution was natural one
in present circumstances. A consider
able section ofthe American public has
been for some years clamoring tor the
policy OF coercing Spain. Two success
sivs Presidents, in one degree or an
other, have countenarc ced the public
demand, and all this time a large and,
it IS believed, predominant. portion OF
the Spanish nation has hurled defiance
at their American critics. The disaster
to the Maine has assuredly inhamed the
passions Of the anti-Spanish party in
the Union, while the readiness with
which the supposition OF foul play has
been accepted has increased the Indig-
nation of Spain It IS admitted that
that country has Deen for some time
improving her naval resources, Under
these conditions the party of aggression
at Washington naturally challenged the
Government to say what It was doing
in view OF the possibility OF war. These
attacks have been turned by the busi
ness-like proceedings of the last two
days. The De LONE letter
and the Maine explosion have excited
the susceptible American public, and
their statesmen are determined to show
that they are still on the crest
Of the wave, though they do not
wish to force Spain into war. Much
will depend on the way in which this
resolution is received in Madrid. There
are some indications that the many
mlsfortunes which have attended
Spanish policy have produced reflection,
and Of this declenslon from martial
ardor General Woodiord has probably
kept his chiefs at Washington well in
formed,
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
QQasbinoton sentinel,
TERMS

400 per year for single copy sent by
ali TO subscribers, payable in advance
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
Daily Nszgs-London. March Q.

There is no objection either to Russia's
occupation of Port Arthur in itself, or to
the railway facilities she demands. But
II that be so, what is the real nature of
the crisls2 The really vital points are
two, one commercial the other political.
The commercial point is security for
rights at Port Arthur not less than we
enjoy at other ports under existing
treaties with China. If Russia we're to
show anv ih and unyielding attitude
on this point, then the situation would
become critical at once, and it must be
confessed that such assurances as have
already been given are lacking in pre-
cisIon But the British Government has
pledged itself before the world to use its
full strength to secure this vital object
and in so doing 1t has received not only
the strongest possible support from the
opposition, but also the warm approval
of public opinion in some other coun-
tries.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26
7fmeS-London, March 7.

The local question of our trade inter-
ests in the northern provinces Of China,
serious though it is, is not the main
problem raised by the action oil Russia.
The practical transfer OF Manchuria and
ShingSing to Russia must upset the
existing balance OF power in the Far
East The French, it would seem, have
not been slow to perceive this fact, for
on the day after the Russian demands
we're delivered the French representa-.
tive is said to have made corresponding
claims for compensation" in the south
The acquisition OF the northern prov
inces with Mukden, the cradle of the
reigning Chinese dynasty. must immeas-
urably increase the influence OF Russia
at Peking. Ever since 1895 that influence
has been employed in a spirit of persist
ent hostility to the interests OF England.
Is this to be so in the future2 Our policy
in China has been emphatically pro-
claimed, and 1t has been warmly well
coined both by Japan and in the United
States, while Germany processes to
regard it with approval, Does Russia
intend Loyalty to accept it, or is the step
she has ust taken an intimation that she
means to repudiate and thwart it2 We
cannOtallow our rights to be undermined
or whitfield away by any arrang ements
between China and other States.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

Advertisements to insure insertion
should be handed in not later than IA
O'Clock noon on Thursday.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

E1rst insertion. .one inch, 81. 5oi second
sertion, IS cents Liberal deductions
ade for annual advertisements. Special
n )tices as cents a line.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

Office: No. so4 E Street, N w
Washington, d. c.
Sample copies mailed upon applica-
ton Address LOUIS ScHADE, Wash
ington. ID. C.
Washington sentinel., 1898-03-26

RArEs OF ADvER rIsINe;
The sun., 1898-10-01
TRIAL OF CORDELIA BOTKIN
Chief of Police Lees Says, Guilty or
Innocent, it Should be Held in
Delaware.

DOVER, Del, Sept. 3O.-In advices re.
ceiyed here from San Francisco, Chief Of
Police Lees, of that city, stated: ut is
my intention to do everything that may
help send Mrs. Botkin to Delaware. The
crime was committee In that state and
there she ought to be tried. If she is in
nocent she may not fear; if guilty she
must be punished. She is not triable in
California for murder. The crime was
wholly committee in Delaware.
"After the box was mailed the person
who sent it had five days in which to re-
pent. A telegram sent at any time dur
ing those five days to Mrs. Dunning
could have warned her of the poisoned
box and saved their lives"
In an interview with Governor Tun-
nell this morning he said he firmly be-
lieved that Governor Budd Of California
would eventually have to release Mrs.
Botkin for his own credits sake. The
papers having been sent by express last
Monday answers are looked for by the
authorities either this evening or tomor-
row. If they have been found satisfac-
tory in every respect then it can only be
a question OF a few days before Mrs. Bot
kin will be on her way east with Detec-
tive McVey.