davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
Difficult Problems in Cuba.

lHuldudUOllS JOuIllui'
There is reason to fear that the disband-
ing of the Cuban army will not bring to tho
island the good results which many hoped,
since every man will have certificate that
he is entitled to $40 month for three years
whenever the island has an independent gov
ernment and can negotiate bonds to pay the
claim, while every general has certificate
that $500 month is due him. The Cuban
army, so invncible since the United States
brought peace to Cuba and so invisible when
our army went to the island to drive off the
Spaniards, seems now the element which will
retard the progress and prosperity of the
island. Americans have hoped that the pa
triots would rise to the occasion, but as
months pass hope has vanished. 1t may yet
be easier to establish good government in
Luzon than in Cuba, with 10000 or 10000
men holding the promise of reward to resist
efforts to build up a stable government.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
Personal AND OTHERWISE.

Rear Admiral Kautz is almost as great a
smoker as was General Grant and Is rarely
seen without pipe in his mouth.
Secretary Long expects to see the Philip
nine question settle itself, but it will prob
ahlv have some assistance from Dewey and
Otis.
Some idea of the extent of the chewing
gum habit is afforded in the statement that
the Capitalization of the chewing gum COM
bine is s9,0O0,000.
General John B. Gordon has made con-
siderable money as a lecturer in the last
wear or So He intends to invest good
share of it in a sheep raising venture on his
Georgia plantation.
Mark Twain's lawyers have bought for
their client the old frame house in which he
was horn at Florida, Mo- 1t is said that the
new owner will renovate the place and re-
store 1t to the condition it was in during his
boyhood.
Both the United States senators from Ala
hanna have reached a ripe old age. Morgan
Ia IL wears and Pettus rs. The former, 1t
SCENE will succeed himself and Pettus Is
likely to do likewise If he lives his present
term out.
CONGRESSMAN Sherman of New York is only
"A years old and If elected speaker will be
one of the youngest men ever chosen to
preside over the house. Reed was 80 and
Carlisle 49, but Galusha A. Grow was only
38 and Blaine 80 when elected
NJ. B. Earnhart, new police magistrate OF
Columbus o., requires that all prisoners
must submit to bath before being arraigned
before him. He also believes that landlords
of disorderly women should be punished as
severely as the women themselves.
General Felix Agnus, the editor of the
Baltimore American, has been appointed by
President Mckinley member of the board
of visitors to the military academy at West
Point, this being the second time that he has
been 80 honored. He was chairman of the
board of visitors appointed by President
Harrison in 1892.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
CONTRACT LABOR IN HAWAII.
California Protest Against Slavery in
the Annex.
San Francisco Call.

san francisco Call.
Thousands of coolies have entered Hawaii
under contract since annexation, and thou
sands more will follow before congress
passes any restrictive measure, If, indeed,
it will consider such action necessary at ALL
What is of especial interest in the situation
just now is the renewal of the same Old
ambush behind which the designs of Dole
were hidden before annexation This now
takes the form of a declaration that the
proprietors on the islands have a policy for
the future which means "a gradual re-
duction of contract Asiatic labor and cor
responding introduction of free American
labor into the cane fields. The delay in the
application of American laws will enable
the planters to adopt American labor rules
by degrees. Colonel Whyte's project of
bringing in American labor will receive early
attention. There probably will be a COM
pany known as the American Labor Supply
company backed by the plantations
agencies"
1t will be seen that the old lure is set
and the old trap is baited. When congress
meets tho argument will be plausbly made
that the application of our labor laws should
be delayed to give the gradual assimilation a
chance, and Colonel Whyte's company will
play It's part in the scheme.
Meantime more coolies than ever are in
the islands and the number will be in
creased until there is a supply on hand to
last for term of years. Congress will be
well lobbied on the matter and the present
situation will continue indefinitely
White men from this country cannot labor
in the cane fields of Hawaii. Cane sugar Is
not raised anywhere in the tropics by white
labor. Beet sugar, the sugar OF the tenn
perate zone, is raised everywhere by white
labor. The issue Is between free and seryile
labor, and Hawaii has so far won against
free white labor and the American wage
scale.
The same flag floats over California and
Hawaii. Californans have paid their share
OF Dole's debts out of the United States
treasury The Hawaiian sugar planter Is
| permitted to have all the Asiatic coolie
! labor he wants, at 80 cents a day, held TO
Involuntary servitude under a penal con-
| tract. The California sugar planter is for
hidden by law to employ contract labor and
pays three times as much wages as the
Hawaiian planter The issue is with our
people. How long will they maintain them
selves under such a system of unequal gov
ernment?
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
OUR HUMANE INTENTIONS.

Hon. John d. Long secretary Of the
navy, must be presumed to speak with
authority in regard to the sentiments
and intentions of the administration
In his address before the Essex club
of Boston a few days ago the secre-
tary said: you certainly may be sure
of one thing, that the administration
is just as humane and just as eager
to do right as any man or woman in
Massachusetts. You may be sure that
it has not the least idea of putting any
shackle or fetter on any Filipino, not
so much as cotton twine string around
his ankles. You may be sure that it is
more eager to stop bloodshed and Sc
cure peace than you are, because it has
to bear the responsibility. You may be
sure that it will do everything it can to
carry the blessings of our own civiliza-
ton to those islands of the sea-"
We suppose that fair-minded men Will
accept this rs an accurate and sincere
statement of the sentiments of the pres
ident and his advisers in the admlnistra-
ton. The country knows Mr.. Mckinley
rs man of humane feeling, man of
peace 1t does not forget that he sought
to avert war with Spain, eXhausting
every resource of diplomacy to that end.
There can be no reasonable doubt that
he deplores the condition of affairs in
the Philippines and would welcome as
gladly as any American citizen termi-
nation of the conflict Unquestionably
every member of the administration is
in full sympathy with the executive.
Nor is there any doubt of the intention
to treat the Filipinos, when peace shall
be established, justly and kindly. The
| assurances of this that have been given
by proclamation and otherwise Ameri-
cans, at least, should accept with conf
dence.
But when all this is conceded there
| still remains the question as to what
right we have, save that of might, to
| force our rule upon these alien peoples
and compel them to accept such govern
ment as we shall be pleased to give
| them. Admit that the civilization we
should carry to those islands would
greatly benefit their people, where is the
justification for this republic forcing
civilization, at the cannon's mouth, upon
alien races in another hemisphere
Wherever we can introduce or promote
civilization through peaceful methods
1t is our duty to do so, but we do VIC
lence to the fundamental principles OF
our own institutions when we employ
force to bring distant peoples under oui
authority and subject them TO our po
litical ideas and methods. Governing
people without their consent is unameri
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEST.
Investment in the "ImperiaI Domain
the Foundation of Fortune.
Denver hepuDllCan,


Growth is the peculiar attribute of invest
ments in the west A man starts to build up
a business in the midst of a community of
a million people. After few years his
possible patronage has increased by the in
fuX Of population and an Improvement of
transportation facilities to 100000 of peo-
pe A lot bought in the center of a town
of coo population may become In few
years business property in city of $4,000.
Many mortgage, which was given for one
half the value Of a western farm was paid
when it represented tenth or less OF the
improved value, These instances might be
multiplied indefinitely. The essential thing
about the advances is that they are not
speculative, but intrinsic
We believe that the next few years will
see an immense amount of money invested
in the west. Communities will be built up
where now there are deserts. Mines will be
opened, and there will be cities in mountain
valleys which are now solitudes. New lines
of industry will be developed. The actual
value Of property in the country west OF the
Mississippi will be far greater than the sum
of its present value, with the sums OF in
vestments added. A new value will have
been created, and 1t will be solid and
lasting value
The opportunities of the west are vast
enough to absorb more money than can be
coaxed from the capitalists by the promises
OF the trust promoters. The possible profit
from inyes tments in western projects Is
enough TO make up the losses Of stock specu-
lators, 90 that more fortunate investors will
not be moved TO panic In other words
actual values can be constructed TO offset
the load OF fictitious values which is accu-
mulating on the money markets. This ia
| the opportunity Of the west.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05

The big lumber mills at Clinton, Ia,
have resumed operations for the season
and presented Il forcible reminder Of
For several years past it has been the
rule when these mills started up for a
great crowd to assemble, each man
anXlously hoping to secure work. The
disappointment which was the fate of
many was really pitiful. This year the
story was different. The owners of the
mills had to do the hustling in order
to secure men to operate them. Is
there no prosperity in the land?
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
AMERICAN INTERESTS SECURE.

The agreement reached by Great Brit
viewed by our government as being fa-
vorable to American interests. 1T Is said
that in official circles at Washington the
feeling produced by the recent speech of
Lord Salisbury in which reference was
made to the agreement is one of relief,
since the understanding between Russia
and England has removed an element
that threatened to involve the two ma
tions in hostilities.
A London paper expressed the opinion,
which has been concurred in by n few
American newspapers that by this
agreement the United States has lost its
chance in China and that the door will
be shut against us. This view is not
accepted at Washington. On the con-
trary, it is said that so far as the
English sphere in China is concerned
the United States will continue to enjoy
the same commercial privileges as at
present, while assurances have been re-
ceived from Russia that United States
commerce will be treated on terms of
equality with Russian commerce in any
portion of China that may come under
her influence.
There can be no sort of doubt as to
the purpose of the British government
in this matter. There will be no de-
parture, at least in the near future, from
the policy that country has long main
tanned in China. AS to Russia, it is
easy to understand that she is disposed
to treat the United States in way that
will maintain and strengthen the
friendly relations between the two coun-
tries. We can see no reason for any
other conclusion than that American in
terests in China are made more secure
by the Anglo Russian agreement.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
Twenty MILLIONS ron WHAT,


Now York World; Spain has got the Szo'-
600. 900 which we paid for the Philippine IN
surrection and President Mckinley Is now
trying 90 let 20 the tail OF the wild bear
with as much dignity and grace as are COM
patibe with safety.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: The important
point to us is that we have bought ana pald
cash for the Philippine war NO one now
can question our title to the war. The tue
TO the ownership Of the Islands may be as
puted. but whatever right Spain had TO nght
the Filpinos has passed to us, we nave
paid $40, 600, 900 for the right to thrash the
natives into subjection II we can, and we
hold the receipt for the money.
Philadelphia Ledger: The first anniyer-
sary OF the battle of Manila, which opened
the war with Spain, finds that war closed
up even to the extent OF paying the $2O,OOO,-
600 allowed for the Philippines and 1t mas
also the warfare against insurgents appa-
rently on the verge OF conclusion. Porto
Rico and Cuba have settled down TO peace
full conditions and in very short time the
only problems before the American people
will relate to the permanent government OF
the several islands.
Baltimore American: In the light OF what
is the usual course OF action when nations
II was an unusual transaction. When the
matter was under discussion in Paris for
eign nations were slow to believe at first
that the proposition was a serious one on
the part of the United States IL was not
the European nor the Oriental way for a
nation that had beaten another In war 10
offer to pay the vanqushed S2O,00o'ooo 10
soothe the pains of defeat.
Philadelphia Times: Tho money thus paid
for the command of the Philippines is but
small part of the outlay involved in the
transfer. Having paid for the sovereignty
of the islands, which Spain possessed in
name but not in fact we have still to secure
what we have paid for--to gain for ourselves
what Spain was unable to deliver In fact,
that the Americans in Luzon have succeeded
to the claims of the Spaniards Is one great
reason for the difficulty in enforcing these
claims since they have succeeded also 10
the hostility and distrust which the
Standards had excited among the natives.
Chicago Chronicle: The short of 1t is that
we nav $500. .OO0, 900 for lot Of things which
so far from being a source OF income, VIII
he a perpetual charge upon the treasury.
Let no imperialist imagine that alleged
commercial advantages are overlooked. we
will not get commerce to the amount OF
dollar that we could not have got by peace
ful means Even if we should the pront
would all go to the few engaged in commerce
and not to the taxpayers, who have TO pay
not only the cost of the war with Spain, put
the after-war of conquest in the Phinp-
mines. and Of a military occupation the dura-
tion of which no one can foresee. TO the
taxnayers of America the case is this:
Outgo, $500. 900 900 plus X; income, NIL
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05

AS was to have been expected the
Lincoln Journal, as the annex of the
Omaha popOcratic organ, comes to the
front with boost for the popocratic
lawyers who are trying to re-seat ex-
Mayor Broatch in the interest of the
gang Of hold-ups and blackmailers who
operated so successfully under the Herd
man police commission. But why a
paper pretending to be a republican or
gan should lend aid and comfort 20 the
Omaha popocratc Tammany must pass
comprehension.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
TRUSTS AND THE FARMER.
Spread of Monopoly In Mining, Manu-
featuring and transportation.

SuTlHSlle-u NNldSS.J INtpuplltdii'
Sauerbeck's index numbers of commodity
prices are based upon London quotations.
They show n course of prices upward from
an average Of 59.2 in July, 1896, to 66,4 in
May of last year, and down again tn 63.s
in December last. There was a rise to 65. A
in January, to 65. s. in February and to 60. 6
in March. The decline during last year was
due almost entirely to a fall in the prices
of food-stuffs. The rise since then has been
due chiefly to advances in manufactured
commodities.
Bradstreets tables Of American prices
show that most of the commodities which
have lately fallen in price are farm products,
while we find that more than ope-half Of
| these commodities which have increased in
price are controlled by, or have been passing
| into, the control of trusts. Both the London
and the New York tables show that while
agricultural prices are tending downward,
| the prices of manufactured products are
| tending upward. The farmers cannot or
ganize a trust. There are too many Of them.
| They hold the hot end of the poker in this
business. The trusts are calculated to catch
| them both a-coming and a-going, like the
darkey's coon trap. The Touring mill trust,
| for example, so far as it provides only a
single market for the farmers wheat, will
compel him to sell at lower price and buy
| his -four at higher price. The farmers will
| buy of the combination of agricultural ma
| chinery manufacturers at prices named by a
monopoly and will sell their own products
| at prices fixed by the competition of million
| or more of producers in that particular line,
and in a market where the buyers are often
banded together and able to dictate terms.
| Monopoly finds double advantage when
dealing with a competitive market. Open
| oil l,n
| sugar producer. But the effect upon him
! Of combination of refiners has been abso-
lutely crushing. 1t indirectly brought on the
| Cuban war.
The agricultural classes cannot but view
the spread of monopoly in mining and manu-
| featuring and transportation with the gray
| est apprehensions. 1t seems to he impossible
that they can effectively organize by way OF
protection or retaliation. The trust issue
| is certain to stir American politics to the
| depths, and a tariff which protects trusts
but cannot possibly protect the farmer in his
staple lines of production, will not pass with
| out question.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.


Cleveland Plain Dealer.
We We're wheeling, slowly wheeling by the
meadows sweet with hay,
When we came upon an orchard, set to
tempt us, by the way.
And we did not care to alter Adams time
worn precedent,
For the ruddy, bursting apples told a tale
more eloquent.
Now a common, uncouth farmer, who was
lettering around,
Spied our cool commune with Nature and
approached without a sound,
Then i rose and. begged his pardon for our
bold, intrusive act,
But the rotting, wasted apples still remained
a glarng fact.
And, l urged, 1t were better to consume
them In this way
Than to have their glory useless as they
rotted day by day.
"Oh," 'he said, in backwoods fashion, as he
whistlsd to his dogs,
"Yew kin jes' hev all yew want tew fer we
feed 'em tew the hogs"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05

Those BARLEY bondsmen should have
taken out blanket injunction restrain
ing the state authorities from prose-
prohibiting the jury from bringing in Il
verdict of guilty. 1t might also have
been supplemented with an order com
manding the supreme court not to
affirm the sentence and n writ of pro-
hibition on the sheriff and warden
against incarcerating the convicted
prisoner in the penitentiary. While
going into the injunction business why
not carry through the whole distance
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05

How much longer is Omaha to suffer
because of the stubbornness of its bank
ers in refusing to arrange for restoring
the clearing house figures to Il basis of
actual business? The pretense that this
is family quarrel in which the outside
public has no right to interfere will not
be accepted. When family quarrel at
tains such proportions that it threatens
the good name of the entire community
it is time for others to step in and force
the warning factions to settle their diff
fnrenceS
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
NO FAMINE, IN PORTO RICO
More Work for People Than Ever
Nomenclature Too Bouni-
full for starvation.
WASHINGTON, May 4.-Acting Secretary
Meiklejohn has received the following:

WASHINGTON, May 4.--Acting Secretary
Meiklejohn has received the following:
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, May S.-Secre-
tary of War, Washington: Reported con-
dition OF people Of island starving is exag-
gerated; over 100000 month is spent on
roads; over 1900 men employed; more
money is distributed direct to people now
every month than they have had for years
Large number who cannot work are fed and
no suffering; nature here is too bountiful
for that HENRY.
The cable dispatch from General Henry,
commanding the Department OF Porto Rico,
was in response to one sent by Acting Sec
retary Meiklejohn asking for information as
to conditions in the island. Some time ago
General Roy Stone of New York, formerly
brigader general OF volunteers, returned
from Porto Rico and reported very dismal
condition there, saying that there were 1O0,-
600 people in starving condition. lie Wis
itcd the War department and gave the same
information. He was told that the depart
ment had no Information such as he pos
sessed, but would at once seek It,
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
Medals for Gallant sailors.

LONDON. May 4.-Lloyd's agency has con-
ferred medals for meritorlous services upon
Captain Schmidt and the first officer and
first engineer OF the Hamburg American
officer and six members of the crew of the
British tank steamer Weehawken. These
honors were bestowed In consideration of
the skill and bravery shown in February
last when the Bulgaria became disabled 500
miles OFF the AzOTe islands, and in reeogni-
tion of the assistance given in rescuing the
Bulgaria's passengers by the people on board
the WeehaWken.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
American Methods.

WASHINGTON, May 4.-Acting Secretary
of War Meiklejohn has received letter from
Philip C. Hanna, consul at San Juan, Porto
Rico, in which that official speaks of the
satisfactory condition of things in the
island under American rule. Mr.. Hanna
says: 81 hear many compliments from local
merchants concerning the American system
of the collection of customs. Everything
seems to be moving smoothly, and to the
satisfaction of the parties concerned. Other
army people are to be congratulated upon
their successful efforts to Amercanize the
island hy the adoption Of American methods
and regulations, all Of which appears to be
very acceptable to the business men of Porto
Rico"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
Beer Inspection Bill a Law.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo, May 4.-Gov-
ernor stephens signed the Farris beer in
speetion bir today, 1t provides for the in
spection of all be,r sold in the state An
inspection fee of 1 cent on each gallon and
cents for labelling each package Will be
charged. No fee is charged for inspecting
beer shipped out of the state The bill is
expected to produce $1,000 revenue for the
state annually. Great pressure has been
brought on the governor to veto the bin ON
constitutional grounds, but he decided 10
let the supreme court decide that question.
1t will go into effect ninety days after ad-
journment OF the legislature.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05

Ex-senator Allen intimates that he
may adjudge an army officer guilty of
contempt of his court for quoting the
federal statute relating to the delivery
of prisoners to military authorities.
The mistake of the army officer seems
to have been in not having the statute
inserted by leave in the Congressional
Record and circulating it as a public
document
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05

OTICdLU ITIUUIVs
The east has picked out its man. Western
congressman do not think much of him, not
because he comes from the east nor entirely
because OF his lack of qualifications, but
principally on account OF the character of his
backing. The northwestern members will
agree on some western man. not because he
comes from Illinois, Iowa or Wisconsin, but
because he is in their opinion the best
equipped man in the house. That is the
kind of man the house needs and the people
want
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05
People without a Country.

A curious condition of affairs has arisen
in Porto Rico. A resident of the island, de-
string to go to Europe. asked the State de-
partment at Washington for a passport and
was informed that the request could not be
granted, because, until congress takes action
in reference to the annexation of Porto Rico.
the inhabitants of that island cannot be re-
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05

by the way County Attorney Shields
still retains as his principal deputy n
man who refuses to testify in Il
gambling case on the ground that he
might incrlminate himself, And still
the county attorney pretends TO be on
the square in prosecuting gamblers.