davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30
4 Startling RETROSPECT

There is meat for Congressional and ma
tional thought in the disclosures made
by Gen. Stewart l.. Woodford at the Army
and Navy Club in New York the other
| night People who, a year ago had been
keeping track more or less of such things,
knew in a general way that the country
was anything rather than in condition
for war. PrOyincialism in Congress and
public disbelief in the efficiency or in
tegrity of dry-rotted staff bureaus in
the military departments had combined TO
emasculate the fighting ability of our
army and navy. but few, if any, realized
how utterly powerless the American land
or sea forces were for offence or defence
and the secret has been well kept almost
to the present time. 1t remained for
the former minister to Spain to lift the
veil and to show us our true position
at the beginning of the war year Of 1898,
and even up to the week in which hos
| tilities actually began.
As related by General Woodford, three
| days after the Maine was blown up in Ha-
yana Harbor, he received Geographic
advice that there was not on American
ships or IN the ordnance depots in the
United States two rounds of powder per
gun, and he was urged to exhaust the
arts Of peace" until the fifteenth OF
! April at least the earliest date at which
ammunition and other military supplies
possibly could be acquired and made avail
able. II appears that it was a difficult
task TO maintain appearances of amity
between the two countries during the in
terval, and that it would probably hav.
been impossible, but for the loyal friend
ship and support at Madrid of the British
government and its representative. The
situation had been for weeks strained TO
the breaking point
In the previous year General Woodford
ish foreign office that Weyler must be re-
called from Cuba by the end of October,
falling which he should demand his pass
ports. The minister of foreign affairs, the
Duke of Tetuan, peremptorily refused to
concede this demand. and rupture would
surely have occurred but for the assassi-
nation of Canovas and the accession to
power of Sagasta. who ended Weylers
career in the Antilles two days in advance
of the time set.
1t must have been patent to Mr.. Mex n
ley and to those in his confidence long be-
fore the catastrophe in Havana Harhor
that war was inevitable. That one of his
advisers, his Secretary of War. had no
idea of such a thing and did not attempt
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30

From the Hartford Courant)
Mr.. Agoncilo should be either run in or rim
out forthwith. He is not the sort OF alien who
should be permitted to remain at large in This
country. The treaty OF Peace has not been r.ti
fed. The state Of war still exists. In the con.
temptation OF international law and OF our own
law, the Philippines are still Sapni,h posses
SON. the filipinos are still Spanish subjects: As
such they are alien enemies.
Sections 1853 and 1910 OF the Revised Statutes
prescribe the course to he pursued when. in time
OF war, alien enemies at large in Til, country
become danger to the public peace or safety
say by playing the spy. Agoncillo fashion. We
quote from the second OF these sections: ..When
an alien enemy is required by the President. mr.
Nv order OF any court, Judge, or justice, to de
part and 10 he removed, it shall he the duty pf
the marshal OF the district in which he shall he
apprehehded TO provide therefor. and To execute.
such order in person. by his deputy. or ntI.r
discreet person to be employed by him. by caus-
ing removal OF such alien out OF the territory
vi the United states"
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30
HARVESTING THE NILE.
The Great Project for RcdeeminG
Egypt by Irrigation.

\ tremendous task is to be undertaken
by the English in Experimenting less
than the creation, for purposes of irriga-
ton, of a reservoir having two or three
times the superficial area of Lake Geneva
Former Consul General F. c. Penfield de-
scribes the proposed undertaking in the
February Century" in an illustrated ar
ticle appropriately entitled "Harnessing
the Nile He says:
Engineering skill is to rearrange ma
lures surface on the Egyptian frontier and
pond back into Nubia a body of water a
hundred and forty miles long crossing the
tropic of Cancer and extending southwark
nearly to Korosko-a goodly step on the
jurney TO Abu-Simbei and Wady- Halfa-by
means of great dam across the Me at
Assuan. The Pyramids and the Sphinx
have borne testimony through the centuri IS
to the grandeur and power of execution
which dwelt within the Nile valley, and
what more fitting now than that the same
valley be the theatre of a gigantic engi-
neering exploit, audacious perhaps. but
certain of success, and minstering to
mans necessities, rather than to his van
ity?
AS building achievement the scheme is
on a scale worthy of Rameses or a Pha-
raoh. To create in the heart of the African
desert lake having from two to three
times the superficial area of Lake Geneva,
in Switzerland, and control it with sci
entifc precision, so that the impounded
flood may be turned into distant channels
at viii, is a stupendous undertaking. But
the engineers claim that their plans can
be carried out to the letter: they have
estimated the exact cost of the dam. com
puted almost to the gallon the volume OF
water that will be imprisoned. and fig
ured the necessary resistance to be pro-
vided at every point of the masonry. In
cairo the experts OF the ministries of pub
lie works and finance, likewise, have cal
culated 10 nicely the sum from taxation
that will come into the public treasury
through the cCuntry's augmented produc-
tiveness.
Subordinate to the great dam, a smaller
one, not unlike the barrage at the apex
Of the delta, ten miles to the north of
Cairo. is to be made at Assault Its func-
lion will be to give a sufficient head to
the river TO force the water into the svs-
ten OF irrigation canals that vein hun
dreds OF thousands of acres between As
SUIT and Cairo. The completion of the
cairo barrage Gt was begun by Mehemet
All fasha, from the plans of Il French
engineer. but not made effective until Eng
land took the country in handD so dayeI
oped cotton culture us to add to the pubiir
revenue OF the country at least SO, OOO 900
annually. II may safely be concluded that
the Assuan reservoir is but one of a So
ries which will in time be constructed
southwark to the Victoria Nyanza. The
establishment of khedival authority at
khartoum will determine this
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30

| to prepare for it until Congress passed the
declaration is perhaps proof that he was
not numbered among those in whom the
President implicitly trusted. But the lat
ter appears to have realized the dangers
and the duties of the day and to have
worked with patriotic zeal to meet the
coming emergency. General Woodford's
description of the sealed wild" express
| train that rushed across the continent
laden with ammunition which, at San
Francisco, was transferred to a steamer,
at Honolulu to the cruiser Baltimore, and
at Hongkong was distributed among
Dewey's ships presents stirring picture
of the means used to an end, the accom-
plishment of which has changed the map
of the world, and changed it forever"
Upon this point our former minister at
Madrid is in no doubt. He said with
sturdy American confidence:
You and l may differ as to politics, hut upon
one thing cannot differ. We tore down the
sovereignty of Spain in the Philippines. We must
either establish there form Of government as
we know government must guarantee the
protection OF life and property there until the
peoples of those islands show that they govern
themselves. We must do of these two things.
1t is duty, and we cannot shirk ii.
We are heartily glad that General Wood
ford has been pleased to tell these secrets
of time of intense national suspense and,
as it then seemed, of danger. His revela-
tons should suffice to warn the country of
the perils involved in a state of idiotic I'M
preparedness. They should admonish the
American people to visit political death
and burial upon the false public servants
who, if they could, would relegate us to
the condition of paralysis that obtained
when our navy and ordnance stores had
not two rounds of powder per gun.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30

(From the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune,
The numerous eases which have come 10 the
public notice during recent months where un-
scrupulOu7 impnsteTs have been caught masquerade
ing in the uniform of officers Of the army and
navy, call attention to the fact that there is ur-
gent need of i national act covering this species
OF deception. II i man who i not an officer in
any city oi tins country wears the uniform Of
the police that OF fireman he is subject to ar
rest and punishment. but it seems that any in
divdull disposed can don the uniform OF the
army or the navy without fear Of imprisonment
or fine. unless he breaks some law under cover
OF this disguise.
Private soldiers have right to wear out the
parts Of uniforms paid for hy them during service
and there is no harm in it: but one outside
the services should be permitted to any
portion OF the uniform OF the army or the navy
whatever. any imitation oi the devices pertain
ing to it, without being subject to a heavy pen
atty. II ought to be required also by the regull-
tons that all officers OF the army under whose
notice such offences brought must secure the
arrest Of the guilty parties and see that they
properly imprisoned. Nc such insults to the
uniform OF the national military forces are per
mitcd 10y any other nation in the world and
il is due the dignity OF own that Cunsrcs-
siOnIl action be taken in the matter
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30

that they would vote for ratification If all
efforts to amend the Treaty failed. The
estimate of thirty -four votes against the
Treaty represents the high water mark Of
the opposition. 1t is not even an approx
imately correct estimate as the situation
stands today. When a vote is taken on
the Treaty. as per agreement, week from
today. the chances are more than even
that not over twenty-five Senators will be
found recorded in the negative. At any
rate, the most conservative observers are
satisfied that the Treaty will be ratified
on Monday. February 9. beyond the least
shadow Of doubt.
Standardized W. A. CIark.-The
selection of Millionaire William A. Clark
as Senator Nantes successor on Saturday
was quite a surprise to the Montana con-
tingent in Washington. Mr.. Clark owes
his election to Republican votes. Eleven
members of that party voted for him on
the decisive ballot, giving him seven more
than was required to elect. The fight be-
tween Clark and Marcus Daily in Mon
tana has been an extremely bitter one,
and there have been frequent charges of
bribery from both sides. Mr.. Days
newspaper asserts that Clark's election
cost him 100000. His seat may be con-
tested, but it is not likely that he will be
unseated. The United States Senate in
the past has shown a reluctance to pay
any serious attention to bribery charges
when they affected the seats of sitting
members.
This is not the first time that a Senator
has been elected by the votes of members
of the opposite party to himself. Rufus
Blodgett was elected Senator in New Jer-
sey several years ago by the assistance of
the Republicans and three or four bolt
ing Democrats. Gov. Leon Albeit was
the regular Democratic caucus nominee.
Simon Cameron, the father of Don Cam
eron, owed his first election to the Senate
to the votes of two Democrats who refused
to vote for John w. Forney. 1t was openly
that time that they received a price for
their votes. but Mr. Cameron took his seat
just the same and held it.
The politicians are wondering whether
the Montana example will become conta-
gious or not. There are several senate
rial deadlocks throughout the country
where this matter will be canvassed with
interest. Senator Quay's friends were say
ing last night that the election of Mr..
Clark in Montana by Republican votes
would indirectly help their man in his
fight at Harrisburg. The Republicans,
they argue. having helped to elect a Dem
ocrat in Montana, the Democrats in Penn
sylvania have now good excuse to vote
for Quay. II would even up the score so
to speak
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30
A GODLIKE MAN.
Alexander the Great After His First
Victory in Asia Minor.

Professor Wheeler, in the February in
stallment of his life of Alexander the
Great in the Century Magazine, presents
striking portrait of the young conqueror
after the battle at the Granicus:
ITO say that Alexander had now the
absolute confidence of the army would be
too little; men trusted him, loved him,
adored him. And no wonder Men of any
time would. He emerged from the battle
dust OF Gran!cus a personality in which
all was combined that inspires mems en-
thuslasm and commands their allegiance
In his twenty-second year, the flush and
vigor of splendid youth upon him. no one
called him STRIPPING; he wore the crown
Oh successes that genius, and not luck. had
won him, and that age might envy. His
character was as frank and open as the
sky indirection of every sort he alb
horred- He could plan, organize, think:
10 VIII and to do he was quick and strong:
IN business affairs he was definite and or
Derby but he had heart, was loyal To
friends, loved much, and was much be-
loved Generous to fault, and uncon-
scious OF self. meanness and fear were IN
known to him. His respect for woman
and his moral cleanliness made him an
exception to his times. Practical minded
as ne was, he was swayed by ideals. He
ioVed music and song, and the conyersa-
tlon ana association of men: knew the
charm or letters, and gave to the gods
their due. Whatever his faiIings. these
were his virtues
of the physical man Alexander bioora-
Pnefs ana artists haze left us reasonably
distinct picture. Lysippus portrayed him
IN bronze. the painter ApelIes in color
the engraver Pyrgoteles on gems. buf
the portraits made by Lysippus men said
were the most lifeIike
alexander was of good stature and mus
GUAR, well-proportioned figure. He had
.he oiond type OF the old Northman
Aryans. blue eyes and golden hair, which
survived latest in Greece with the old
aristocrattc families. His skin. "a PIu-
tarch particularly emphasizes, was clear
ana white. with rudy hue on cheek and
breast y characteristic feature were the
massy locks that rose up mane-like from
ABOVE the centre of his forehead. and
coupled with deep-seJ eyes and heavy
brows, gave his face the leonine look 10
which Piutarch refers. The upward glance
OF the eyes, which had the soft, melting
or, as the Greeks called it. moist ex-
preston, that artists gave 10 the eyes OF
Venus and Bacchus. the strong. finely
shaped, almost aquiline nose Joined high
TO the forehead. the sensitive, passionate
lips, the prominent chin-these complete
the picture that pen and chsel have Iefr
That he was beautiful to look upon ali
accounts agree.
All TIE portraits represent him as
smooth-shaven, except the PomDefian mo
sac where a light growth on the cheeks
perhaps serves to indicate youth"
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30
The Nirginius sffnir.

Senator Lodge, in IInrper's Mlgazinc)
The Nnginius, ship OF American register.
was captured, taken 10 Cuban port, and
fifty OF her officers and crew, Americans for the
most part, summarily shot The wrath Of the
American people famed ont: President Grant
could have had war and ended everything in a
moment; but the forces which cared nothing
Tor humanity and great deal for an undis-
turbed money market prevailed. The register
OF the Nirginius opportunely proved TO
lie fraudulent, we took money for our dead,
and peace was preserved. The unsettled qucs-
ton had come very near solution, and had
shown. to all who cared to think that Spanish
tyranny was capable of dangerous crimes against
Others than its own subjects.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30
The P.uI Jones Tragedy,

lFIUm the New Orleans Times Democrltl
And. from this complete disappearance of The
yacht and the party. the meTciful hope at least
is open to those who are near and dear 10 the
lost that death came to them in one supreme
moment Of explosion; that there was no CON
scluus mangling su. Hyring 60 any one Of The
party; that they passed hence without main and
probably without much Is q slimmer of re,pe-
milton at the fate which overwhelmed them.
They pray in the liturgy TO be delivered from
hattie and murder and from sudden DEATH" hut
IN a ease like the present, where death has to he
the instantaneous suddenutss OF the death is the
one mercy that all-wisc Providence provides
Tor the doomed, the one consolation that h.
prufters to the survivors. And Instantaneous
death was almost certainly the lot Of the Paul
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30
\ Quarter of IA Century in Bed.



Mitchell, Ind, Jan. 273Twenty-tivc years in
bed is the record Of John Bond. u most eccentric
colOrei man living at this place. About Il quar-
ter OF century ago his mother, then living in
the country. decided to sell the farm and move
10 town. This greatly incrnscd her son John.
WIN declared that il the farm was sold he would
20 to bed and never get up again, Is lie had such
i diStlStc Tor town life. The farm was sold. and
the family moved to town Amid the prntcsta-
tons of his mother and family, John immediately
went Ia bed, and all inducements 10 get up were
unavniliuG. The only time he has been known to
mother died. lie was To get up about mid
night and walk to his mothers coffin. For Il
number ct years it was familiar sight on cleo
tun day To four enthusiastic voters slowly
vending their way through the streets. CARRYING
Young Bond On a strctchrr To the polls. that he
might east lis vote for their iavnrite>. He has
lost all use Of his lower limbs. due To lack Of
exercise lie cunycrses freely with all callers. but
will not allow his face TO be seen. lie resides
with his sister since his mothers death
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30

1t is easy for light weight trivial mind
ed Senators like Mr.. Mason to bubble and
be smart about that part of the Peace
Treaty which gives twenty million dol
lars to Spain. 1t may be impossible. for
his mind TO understand why the Commits
sioners should have decided in favor of
TINS payment, but the American people
find no difficulty about it, and they applaud
the wisdom of the arrangement 1t is not
necessary that Senator Frye should be
able TO say that the money is for the pay
ment of this or that specific thing or that
1t does not prove that we had no claim to
the Philippines and give this as sop to
conscience, and the like. The common
Intelligence is quite able to appreciate the
spirit OF the proposition and TO fully en-
dorse it. 1t is only the light minded
among the Senators-men who lack solid
reasons for obstructng the clear course
of the Treaty-who could descend to the
petty quibbling of Mr.. Mason at SO serious
a moment.
The Republicans especially, who oppose
immediate and unconditional ratification
have cause TO be grave in discussing This
subject. 1t is apparent that Mr.. Mason
does not make proper estimate of the
depth of public feeling against perfidious
Republicans, but his natural lightness
Will not serve to excuse him. No Republi-
can Administration ever had stronger
claim TO the unwavering support of its
BY making wise and patriotic use of
the opportunities of a successful war; he
is doing more for his country than any
of his predecessors since Lincoln. He has
not only his own party back of him. but
the great body OF the Democracy which is
wholly misrepresented by the minority
Senators. Any Republican who refuses to
support the Administration with zeal
must offer a better reason for it than
Senators Hoar and Mason have given to
escape popular execration. There Is less
shadow of excuse for an Illinois than a
massachusetts Republican. though in either
case no possible defence will be copsjd-
cred adequate. The latter recognizes the
gravity of the business, but he enjoys
playing the martyr.
Men OF good understanding do not make
light of the complications that may fol-
low delay, that must follow rejection. and
we may regard it as a cause of an enor-
nous feeling of relief that Senator Davis
is confident of the early success of the
Treaty. Every intelligent Republican
newspaper and most of the patriotic Demo-
cratic journals have dwelt on the fact that
Aguinaldo's strength among his followers
depends entirely on the mistaken idea
they have acquired from the failure of
the Senate TO ratify the Peace Treaty:
and they are united in holding the minority
to blame for whatever difficulties the
Administration may have in establishing
the authority of this Government in the
Philippines. Nothing these Senators can
say will mitigate the severity of the popu-
lar verdict against them. \ man needs
strong case to justify opposition to his
party, and when it involves the very peace
of the nation justification is wholly i'm
possible
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30

The statement of Senator Frye detracts
somewhat from that OF Judge Day as to
the exclusive responsibility of the Presi
dent for the features of the Peace Treaty.
Judge Day implied that the Commissioners
were hardly more than agents for the en-
forcement OF the Presidents specific de-
mands. Senator Frye's statement is more
reasonable. While the President was in
full accord with the opinions and course
OF the Commissioners the latter We're in
structed 10 exercise their own discretion
as to the conditions that should be
imposed on Spain. The Treaty. then, stands
for the views of the men who had perfect
knowledge OF all the details of the discus
sion and were best qualified to determine
the terms of the Treaty
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30
The Philosophy of Happiness

ttrom the New York Commercial Advertiser
The philosopher alone can I've happy" said 4
man VIII" wasn't philosopher. for he can n,ycr
be disappointed. In disappointment he finds as
niuth 10 thihk about as IN anything else. Happ-
ness Is in inverse proportion 10 hun.nr,,s.
-. Bcuvc was tender and senSuous. and was
always Jealous and depressed. He was not a NH
i"S"pIcr for he cared for the little things that
II" 'ouhh get more than for what lie WIS cap
AhIe "i getting lie was unuckv in love and
lucNy IN literature. What he wanted he wanted
for itself. not for what it taught him. There is
nobody 80 robust as philosopher II is only th,.
line person who is unhappy. The men who are
most elective in the practical work OF the world
are =" sealed and armored with robustness that
they throw oft the rhythmcal happines, and mis-
cry of life and merely do"
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30

lfrom the New York Commercial Adyertiser)
There Is no politics in the demand for the I'M
seating of Roberts. the tab polvglrist, who I,1s
been elected t" the next House OF Representa-
tives Roberts Is ! Tree silver man. bur the f-ea
silver Assemblies Of Missouri Texas and Ar.
kansas are - emphatic in insisting that
he Should not be permitted To take his seat As
Legislative bodies that controlled hy Eep,,b-
licInS Everywhere decent sentiment is demand
ing that Utah shall observe the spirit and intent
Of the EdmlIn,S act
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30

war with Germany, which these Senators
and many other people would oppose on the
ground that. having no direct authority
there, it would be insane to go to war with
a first class power on the Filipinos' &C
count, or else it would mean that we should
abandon them to their fate.