davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE,

The Literary Digest reports, after can
vassing the press of the country, that the
United States shows no preponderance of
sympathy either way in the South African
war.
Judge ]. c. Long, the newly appointed
consul general of the United States at
Cairo, Egypt, was formerly republican COM
mitteeman from Florida. He lived in Egypt
for several years and knows like a native
the language and customs OF the country.
Lieutenant Commander T. B. NJ Mason
of the navy, who died few days ago, was
baptized as Theodorus Bailey Myers, but
he took the name of his mothers family.
Mason, to become heir to the fortune left
by the family the income Of which was
between $4,000 and $4,000 year.
Colonel w. S. Metcalf OF the Twentieth
Kansas volunteers who has just been COM
missioned a brigadier general by brevet
for meritorious service in action at Guigento
river, near Luzon, is said to be the best
pistol shot in the volunteer army. He has
practced with revolver for over twenty
years
The suit for damages for libel brought
by James ]. Phelan against the New York
World for certain charges made by that
paper against the plaintiff as a dock COM
missioner of New York has resulted in
verdict for the plaintiff. The jury awards
him damages to the amount of cents. He
asked for $4,000.
Charles Grant Bairfnde Allen, better
known as Grant Allen, who died few days
ago in London, was a prolific author. Twice
a year during his adult life he produced
book OF some sort. His novels were written
as money makers merely to enable him to
prosecute scientific study, particularly in the
field Of natural history.
The New York Evening Post printed the
following last Saturday: 1--WE regret to
announce that Mr.. E. l.. Godkin has severed
his active connection with the Evening
Post. 1t was his intention to do so In
any case on the first OF January next. but
the step has been hastened by impaired
health. He will continue to be an oc-
casional editorial contributor"
The London Chronicle says that President
Kruger's wife Is of the same family as Car
dinal Richelieu. He has been welded twice
and both his wives were chosen from the Du
Piessis family, which is not only one of the
Oldest families in South Africa, its founder
having gone to the Cape in the seventeenth
century, but the family to which Richelieu
belonged. Mr.. Kruger by his first marriage
had one child, who died young. BY his sec
ond wife he has had sixteen children, His
grandchildren number 104.
Harry j. Macdonald. who died in hos
pital in New York few days ago,
was the son of a native king on the African
gold coast. He was taken from his country
by slave TRADERS, was rescued by a British
ship became a servant in the English army,
where he was given the name of MacDon-
aid and later came to the United States.
The Galveston (Tex) News says that
while Judge John II. Reagan Is an expan-
sionist "of the old Jackson and Jefferson
kind" and thinks the democratic party is
making a great mistake in opposing ex-
pansion, he will content himself with warn
ing his fellows and then follow his party
wherever It leads.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08

The military operations In progress
in Buzon give promise of decisive re-
suits. The movements of the several
forces, with a view to bringing on a
general engagement with the lnsur-
gents, show n change in the plan of
campaign hitherto pursued, and If what
is now being projected shall be success
full the enemy will receive the heaviest
and most discouragng blow since the
war commenced. The conditions are
not vet entirely favorable to vigorous
operations. General Lawton's move
ments were checked by heavy rains
and the country generally in which
military operations are being conducted
is not in condition to admit of rapid
marching. 1t is quite possible that
the insurgents will take advantage of
this to escape into territory not occu'
pied by our troops, though it would ap'
pear that the American forces have
enemy cannot get away.
The plan, according to the advices,
contemplates securing possession of the
country southeast of the insurgent cap
ital, which is the stronghold of the in
surrection, and If this shall BE- ac-
complished and the territory held by
our troops, the insurgents will be very
much crippled. 1t is Il populous re-
gion from which the insurgents have
derived large part of their subsist-
ence and support and its loss would
be serious TO them. Meanwhile Gen
eral Otis is receiving reinforcements
and will soon be able to extend the
campaign over a broader field, while
occupying all important territory from
which the enemy is driven. 1t thus
appears probable that within a short
time there will be some decisive results
from our operations in Luzon and that
the progress made by our forces will
be permanent, to be followed as rapidly
as possible by the establishment of
local civil government, as has been
done in the places now under American
authOrity
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
---------------------
INCREASING IMPORTS.

The official trade statistics show that
imports are increasing, n condition to
be expected from improving prices, but
it does not appear that thus far impor-
tations have had any effect upon home
industries. So great has been the
growth of the purchasing power Of the
home market during the past two
years that it is able to absorb the pres
ent rate of imports without detriment
to the domestic industries with which
such imports compete. The purchase
and consumption of products of home
industry have increased far beyond
the highest record in the most prosper
Gus of all past years and there is every
reason to expect that this will be
maintained for several years to come
and probably enlarged
There is, therefore, in the larger i'm
portations nothing to alarm the home
industries. Besides, the increase is al
most wholly in crude materials for
manufacture, which is evidence of the
healthy activity of our industries 1t
appears from the statistics that among
the manufactured only about eight
items, some of which belong to
the class of luxuries, have increased to
any considerable extent and the imports
of these are much below the imports
of the same articles in 1895, under the
Wilson tariff. AS to food products
practically the whole gain, as compared
with four years ago, is in sugar and
coffee.
With the high degree of prosperity
which this country is enjoying and the
consequent Improvement in prices,
some increase in imports was inevita
BILE, but the present tariff is proving
an adequate defense to American ill.,
dustries and at the same time salts
factory revenue mcasure-in both of
which respects the preceding tariff law
was an utter failure.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
The past year has witnessed a cles

The past year has witnessed clear
ing up of great many prejudices
against this country in continental Du,
rope and the opinion is growing that
both the trade and the good will of the
United States are worth cultivating No
country in the world has at times been
so hostile, in commercial way, as Ger
many, but the latest information is to
the effect that Germany realizes more
and more every day the advantages of
n close commercial compact with the
United States. The people of the United
States have much to sell, but they are
also the best purchasers in the world
They want the best and are willing to
pay for it, and Germany is waking up
to the realization of the fact that it
will be well to maintain friendly COM
mercial attitude.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
EDITORIAL TIPS ON WAR.

Chicago Tribune: Missouri learns with
chastened sorrow OF the British disasters in
South Africa and is ready to furnish more
mules at previous figures.
Buffalo Express Englands ultimate VIC
tory is certain, predicts the secretary oil
state for India. But 1t begins to look as IL
there would be truth too, in Kruger's pre-
diction that the price would stagger civiliza-
ton.
st. Louis Republic: Heaven used to be
credited with being on the side OF the heav-
lest cannon. Hereafter 1t is expected TO be
on the side that understands Row to keep
the mules from running away with the guns
and ammunition.
Brooklyn Eagle: England is courting an
other disagreement by patrolling Delagoa
bay with It's war ships to keep out supplies
for the Beers. Delagoa belongs to Portugal
and English ships have no more right there
than they have in New York harbor.
Springfield Republican: 1t is figured that
the British have lest in twenty days OF war
in South Africa total OF 1,gl6 officers and
men, killed, wounded and missing. The off,
cial record OF American losses during the
entire Spanish war shows a total loss OF but
1,S47 men.
San Francisco CALI General Joubert has
very kindly invited the British to send
physicians to lock after their wounded who
are prisoners in his hands, and If he con-
tinues TO bag a regiment or so every other
day he will have to ask them before long
to send a commissary with wagon train
of provisions to feed them.
Globe Democrat The British troops are
to be inocuated for typhoid fever. Besides
carrying jag OF the attenuated fever bacilli
around in their persons, they have vaccine
thrust into them and diphtheria remedy, to
say nothing OF having their appendices cut
out What is left the Beers show signs oil
vaccinating with MIR. Mauser's lead pillues
for pale patriots.
Boston Transcript: The mind inevitably
roverts to Artemus Wards Mormon Story
as one reads about tho important and dis
astrous part that the army mule took in the
British discontinue at Ladysmith. In Arte-
mus thrilling tale 1t will be remembered
that tho young muledrive was fearfully
kicked by his team before the animals ran
away. He managed to reach his home and
when he informed his poor, heart-stricken
mother that he had come home to die, she
replied: 80 l perceive, my son. but where
are the mules?" Just at the present mo-
ment the British public appears to be more
concerned about. them mules" than about
the men who suffered by their erratic per-
formance.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08

1873 to 1894, products have fallen all th
way from one-fo fourth to as much as two
thirds. While crops have been abundant
they have put but little money in the purse
Meanwhile. living expenses have not fallen
correspondingly Clothes are 20 per cent
cheaper but the rising standard OF living
makes a greater outlay imperative. Answers
gathered from farmers generally show thai
the decrease In the price OF what farmers
had to buy ala not offset the fall In prices
OF what they sold. As a rule, farmers do
not work so hard as of old, This Is partly
due to a recognition of new ways as better
than old ways. In line with this is the
work OF agricultural colleges and expert
n. entail stations AS to farm mortgages, they
are held to represent a great Improvement
and wise outlay on the farm, making our
farmers the best housed OF any on earth, and
In spite OF mortgages the condition is gen.
eially one OF prosperity. The indebtedness
is not so great as is apparent, because, when
money is borrowed and n deed OF trust h
made, IL is not satisfied until the whole
amount Is paid. and thus no account is taken
OF partial payments, so that the mortgage
Indebtedness appears to be greater than II
is. In the matter OF land values and huctua-
tlons there have been notable differences.
Western lands, on the whole seem to be ris-
ing. while eastern lands seem to be sta
tionary or falling. In the middle west lands
are steady at a high price, and lands In the
south are stationary or rising slowly. But
local causes more than geographical ones de-
termine values
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
TRADE WITH GERMANY.

A dispatch from Berlin few days
ago stated that there is a growing Opin-
ion in Germany in favor of CONNER
cial treaty with the United States
which will be fair for both sides and
enable the merchants Of both nations
to make calculations regarding trade
between the two countries for Il num-
ber of years ahead. 1t was stated that
everybody, except the agrarians, recog-
nizes the growing Importance of the
United States as market for German
goods and the hope is entertained that
the long-pending negotiations will be
brought to a successful issue. The am
bassador and the consul general of the
United States at Berlin are working
assiduOusly to promote closer CONNER
cial relations between the two coun-
tries
German trade with the United States
has for some years been declining, while
the exports from this country to Ger
many have been steadily increasing
until now they stand at the head of the
list. The official German statistics for
1898 show that the imports from the
United States for that year We're larger
than those from Great Britain, while
the exports to the United States We're
considerably less than those to Great
Britain. This has quite naturally i'm
pressed the Industrial and commercial
interests of Germany with the necessity
of cutivating the American market A
Berlin correspondent says that during
the last two years, but above all the
last six months American competition
in several lines has become so power
full as to shut up and drive out of ex-
jstence numbers of German factories.
Nearly every week the agrarian press
chronicles cases of that kind. Conse-
quently German firms which formerly
did thriving export business to Amer
lea have been deprived of it. "All Of
which," says the correspondent, 'is
reason enough for Germany to com
plain of unfair dealings and all of it
is set forth with considerable vigor by
the German press and pamphleteers.
But in addition to the legitimate and
reasonable causes of complaint there Is
much advanced that is illegitimate and
unreasonable, in many cases based oil
no facts at all, but the result of willfully
distorting and misrepresenting the
facts"
The reciprocity arrangement between
France and the United States appears
to have produced some anxiety among
| German merchants and II Is suggested
| that unless Germany gets the same tariff
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
Cost of the TransynaI War.
Leslle's Weekly.


England's Parliament will have to increase
it, appropriation far beyond the s50,OOOOOO
mark, even though tho war is likely TO be
much shorter than anybody a short time ago
thought it would be. The transportation Of
between 10000 and $4,000 solders for dis
tanca OF over GOOO miles, aud their support
for several montho in a region where, even
under tho most comfortable conditions, the
cost OF living for soldiers would be high, will
entail an outlay far beyond the original esti-
mates. Tho present debt OF the United
Kingdom, deducting the sinking fund, is in
tho neighborhood OF SO, 400. .0O0,OO0 which is
greater than that OF any other nation except
Russia, which is $500, 900, 900, and France,
81, 500, ,00c ,O0c. 1t is altogether probable that
the war with the South African republic and
the Orange Free State will run up Britain's
debt at least 5000, 900 beyond its present
line.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08

The Real Estate exchange has always
been willing to embark in any under
taking which promised to be OF benefit
TO the city. One of It's first secretaries
is now tax commissioner of the city.
He has pointed out some remedies for
unjust and inequitable tax assess
mcnts. The Real Estate exchange
might lead off in movement which
if pushed with vigor must result in
muchnceded reform. one thing is
certain, tax burdens in Omaha must he
reduced If we hope to attract investors
and the sooner a majority of citizens
realize this fact the better.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
Coinage of silver Dollars.


The number OF standard silver dollars in
existence at tho beginning Of this month is
reported by the Treasury department at 4S3,-
12s,370. On the lst of June, 1898, the num-
ber was 46l, $50. 422 go that 21,941 ,054 of them
have beer coined since June /, 1898, pur-
suant to tho provisions OF the war revenue
act of June 49, 1895 At the minimum al
lowed by the act OF 100000 per month, the
number will, in the course OF the next twelve
months be augmented by 1s,O0O,O00, bringing
tho total up to 5O1,122,276 This. 1t will be
observes, II under an administration and a
secretary Of the treasury opposed to free
silver coinage, and it eXcites no alarm for
thf safety G. tho gold standard. A silverite
administration could do but little more with
out new legislation, and fear OF its being
abls to overthrow the gold standard is a
deluslon.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
CURIOUS CUBAN PROBLEM.
Influx of Spaniards Alarms the Ma
tive Population.

Buffalo Express.
A new problem confronts the authorities
in Cuba. 1t is reported that so many Span
ards are arriving at Havana that 1t has be-
come a question what shall be done with
them. During the last three months 5000
OF them have landed. Most of these are
very poor, having practically no means of
support. They are anxious to get work at
anything, but it is extremely difficult to
find them employment. 1t has been sus-
geeted that they be sent into the interior,
with the expectation that they Will be able
to find work on the plantations. These
men are not cordially received by the ma
tive Cubans, who profess to fear that IL
the present influx keeps up they will soon
be swamped in number. They want i'm
migration of some kind to offset the large
black population. but they don't want the
Spaniards.
Another reason why the Spaniards are
objected to is said to be that these men
are willing to work harder than the ma
tive Cubans. That ought to be one point
in their favor. Lazfness is not virtue
that should be- encouraged. Still. If so
many pauper Spaniards are arriving in Cuba
it might be we'll to institute an Inquiry
as to whether pauper emigration is not be-
ing encouraged by the Spanish govern
ment.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08

1t will take three days to get com
plete returns of the election i'm Ne.
braska because many precincts, cs-
pecially in the western part of the
state, have no telegraphtc communiCa-
ton. IL the election should be close
patience until the last figures are in.
In this respect, however Nebraska is
not different from many other states.
Some of the mountainous parts of Ten.
ncssee do not report for II week after
the polls have been closed. and the
same is true of the mountain states to
the west of us.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
LAY OF LADYsMITH;s MULES.

Chicago Chronicle ;O6 7a,H2n1
with apologies to Lord Macaulay) 'a~
They turned them as not deigning
In British camps to stay:
Naught cared they for their riders,
For gunners naught, cared they. .s
But they saw upon the hillside
The white tent of the Boer.
And they thought: "Those be our masters
For these Wen toll no more
Soft was the ground and yielding,
Heavy the load they drew;
Yet, like some Arab courser,
Over the ground they flew. .'..
And now they've reached the mountain,
Mid freedoms tents they stand.
Welcomed by Boer captains.
Caressed by Joubert's hand.
Now amid shouts and clapping
And noise OF laughter loud,
They trot off to the stable
Cheered by the joyous crowd.
They gave them of the sweetest oats
Oats in which mules delight
AS much as ten stout horses
Could eat from morn to night
And they made molten image
And set IT UP high
And there 1t stands unto this day
To witness II l lie.
1t stands there in Pretoria,
Plain for all folk to see.
Those stout mules in the harness
OF '"rhe Royl Artillerie.'
And underneath is written
A tale ne'er told before
How gallantly they hauled the guns .,
or Britain to the Boer.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
FARM CONDITIONS.
Significant Facts Brought to Light
by an InvestiEntiOn.


indianapolis News
There are about 5000, 900 American farm
ers. The most OF them dwell in the Mis-
sissippi valley. No longer a pioneer but
rapidly developing extensive farming, the
American farmers condition and ideas are
Of much Importance Some time ago Ed
ward Atkinson set out to make inquiries
about them by letters. lie sent out 1000
circular letters From the mass OF replies
he culls a few OF particular interest They
represent farms ranging from ninety acres
to 10000 and geographically extend from
Vermont to Texas and Montana. The largest
farm represented-10,0 900 acres-s In Sanga-
mon county, Illinois. There are some points
OF likeness. Every farmer either went into
debt for his farm or when he inherited 1t
inherited a debt with II. About half the
debts are secured by mortgage, the rate OF
interest ranging from to "a per cent the
lowest being more exceptional than the
highest A small percentage OF farmers
cling to the one-crop system Tools and
machinery are said to cost from one-half
to one.third less than years ago, and by
their Improvement to have decreased the
labor cost by nearly one-half. Farm wages
have fallen very little; in many cases not
at all. In a few cases they have risen
slightly, The fair average is $40 a month
house fuel garden ground and cowpastur-
age. Or s13 month with everything found.
Day hands in harvest time get as high as
s. day
While farm labor has held its own from
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
ABUSING THE FREEDOM or THE PRESS

ABUSING THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
An untrammeled press is the palla-
dium of the republic and the safeguard
icise the conduct of public men and TO
discuss the qualifications of candidates
for Office is the prerogative of every
American newspaper.
The privilege of the press to throw
the searchlight of publicity upon Office
holders and officeseekers does not how
ever, Justify the libellous vilitication of
public men, much less of private citi-
zens. The privilege of the press is not
to be construed as a license to drag into
the mire of politics the names of men
and women not seeking political prefer
ment or public favor. Here is where
the line should be drawn and where the
law steps in to protect the regulations
of individuals.
The campaign just closed affords a
striking example of the abuse of the
freedom of the press and the intolera-
bic outrage to which men and women
are subjected by constituencies and
characterless mcrcenaries who for the
time being happen to have control of
irresponsible newspapers. Day in and
day out for the last sixty days the
Omaha World Herald, owned by no.
of wreckers and holdups, has filed
columns and pages with the vilest
ISLANDERS and unprovoked abuse di-
rected not merely at candidates or
officeholders, but at private citizens
whose only offense is their political al
legiance to party in opposition to
sham reform.
In this unbridled license no disposi-
ton has been shown to observe even
the common decencies of journalism or
the ordinary respect due to the reading
public. Such a course naturally tends
to discredit the whole press and to de-
stroy it's influence for either good or
harm. When public opinion looks upon
n newspaper as nothing more than a
medium for wholesale fakes and indis-
criminate falsehOod and SANDER to be
leveled at political opponents and pri
vate citizens unable or unwilling to
submit to blackmail the press loses it's
standing with self-respecting and repu-
table people and sinks to the level of
the common prostitute.
No one can run over the. back num-
bers of the World Herald for the past
two weeks without blushing for Omaha
and Nebraska and without feeling
resentment over the shameless men,
dacity that has indelibly branded that
sheet as an example of newspaper de-
pravity unparalleled anywhere among
the yellowest of yellow journals.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08

Two Catholic priests who have been
recent Omaha visitors denounce the
charge that American soldiers have des-
ecrated Catholic churches in Luzon
The specific charge against General
Funston is also refuted. Such stories
are the inevitable consequence of an
American war in a country where there
are none other than Catholic churches.
War is hell and history gives countless
instances wherein armies showed utter
disregard for sacred edifices, despoiIing
them at will, as they did any other
structure, the destruction of which
would in some measure weaken the
enemy. There has been no wanton des-
ecration of church property in the Phil
ippines.