davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
LIZ LON'S 4PPOINTMENTS.

Several of the appointments yesterday an
nounced by Mr.. Low had been expected with
favor for several days. !. Hampden Dough
erty. of Brooklyn. who is 10 be Commissioner
of Water Supply. Gas and Electricity has given
a great deal of attention TO the water question,
and was suggested for the office by the Mer
chants Association. which has been active
in protecting the city from Ramapo. Mr..
Dougherty was extremely reluctant TO take the
office but consented 10 make the sacrifice sew
eral days ago. Mr.. Low says that he is glad TO
get Brooklyn man for Water Commissioner
al this time. for the needs of that borough for
an increase in supply are much more urgent
than those of Manhattan In this he is un-
doubtedly right. Tammany shamefully neg
lected the most vital wants of the outlying bor
oughs when there not Job to be put
through. Failing TO make Brooklyn's scarcity
an excuse for Ramapo. il became neglectful.
The selection of Gustav Lindenthal was also ex
pected. He is trained engineer of large ex
nerience. His connection with the North River
Bridge Company. which has proposed TO build a
bridge at Twenty-thiFd-st was by some urged
as an objection TO his appointment. but he seems
10 have no interests there in any way antago-
nistic 10 the public interests in the bridges he
will be called upon 10 manage. the most impor-
fant OF which is that to Brooklyn. which is
greatly in need of overhauling. Mr.. Lindenthal
will find field for his energies in forcing the
railroad company now using the bridge to give
travellers facilities equal TO those furnished by
the city five years ago, and the problem Of
larger terminal facilities will also confront him
when he has succeeded in forcing the use of the
present appliances TO their utmost capacity. not
only as regards carrying the public but also as
regards giving them comfort in the process
Not less important TO the welfare of the city
than these heads of departments are the Civil
Service Commissioners whose names are an
nounced Colonel Willis L. Ogden, the head of
the commission is conspicuously well fitted for
the place and especially deserving of public
honors The honors which come 20 him. how
erer. are those which involve a sacrifice and a
large amount of tnankless work without pay
or even the compensation OF political power
Colonel ogdens activity in bringing about fusion
and managing the campaign Of the Citizens
Union was entirely unselish. and though IL has
been believed that he might have had Office OF
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
4 PROMISE Of ECONOMY.

In connection with his announcement of sew
eraI selections for important places under his
administration, Mr.. Low yesterday made gen
eral statement of great interest and value con-
cerning the public service. He said:
There is nothing in the Civil Service law to
prevent the abolition of unnecessary positions
nor the dismissal of incompetent an un-
the present situation. the working force in al
most every department can be and should be
largely reduced Many positions likely to
be abolished, but that does not mean that there
will be many vacancies to be filled. speak of
this now for two reasons. / want the subordi-
mates in the city service especially those who
are conscious that their positions not likely
TO be retained TO have fair warning, that
they may find other employment when possible
And / equally want to those who
anxious to secure positions under the city gov
ernment that, in the presence of large reduc-
ton of the working forces. the chance of fresh
appointments, outside of the exempt class, is
small.
anxiety 10 know whether not the incoming
administration would deem il essential and
find II feasible to make Il large reduction in
the enormous force of municipal employees. Mr.
Lows utterance on that subject goes far to set
tie the question. 1t will disquiet many place
holders and doubtless disnay some who know
their own worthessness. but it will give deep
satisfaction 10 the great body of taxpayers,
whose burdens have grown heavier from year
to year. Every intelligent citizen has long been
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
NATIONAL PROGRESS.

Official returns of foreign commerce for the
month of November Indicate that this country is
steadily reducing its Indebtedness abroad by the
excess of merchandise shipments over receipts,
together with a net outgo of specie that brings
international supremacy nearer by gigantic
strides Even after making full allowance for
all the factors. including freight, insurance,
expenses of tourists. money sent home by immi-
grants and interest on American securities held
abroad. there is a constant reduction of the debt
contracted when the country was i'll IFS infancy
and needed money for development of its natu-
raj resources. Each month the interest due
abroad is smaller, and recent investments of
American capital in foreign undertakings now
bring n dividend movement this way.
Exports of merchandise last month, according
to government returns just issued. were valued
at S136. 81 1858 which is only $190,561 smaller
than in November. 1900 That there should be
practically no difference in comparison with Il
month which had been exceeded only once in
the nations history up 10 that time. and
twice since, alone iustifes patriotic pride and
feicitation. while the exhibit becomes still more
satisfactory when few special points are con
sidered. At the present time domestic require
ments are so exceptional that III the steel in
duStry particularly and also in many other
branches of manufacture, foreign orders are
given scant attention, and instead of sending
out large quantities of pig iron and bllets, for
instance, we have found il necessary to import
moderately of these products. Moreover, year
ago there was excessive activity in the copper
industry. which was overdone abroad, and there
is now a reaction. with practically no exports.
Shortage of made a difference of
17.267011 bushels in quantity exported and
S7.354 T57 in value of that cereal alone, which
was compensated for only in part by the gain
of g. 12S 019 bushels in quantity of wheat includ-
ing flour, and 81, 156,2S in value. The decline
of 50 bale in the average price of cotton
exported was calculated TO make negative
showing in shipments of this important product
but owing to an increase of 23I.6o4 bales in
quantity there was a small gain in value
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Washington Dec Is (SpeciaD.-Mrs. RooseVel'
held card reception at the White House TINS
afternoon which was we'll attended by the fasn-
ionabIe people of the District of Columbia Among
the members of the Diplomatic Corps present were
the Ambassador from Great Britain. the GERMAN
Ambassador, the French Ambassador the Italiah
Ambassador the Mexican Ambassador. the AUS
trian Minister, the japanese Minister. the Siamese
Minister the Minister from Venezuela and AnlDas-
sador Choate.
At dinner this evening the President and Mrs
Roosevelt entertained two guests. After dinner
Secretary Hay called to the President ana
they spent time together in the private pa
of the house At luncheon this afternoon tne
President had as his guest w. D. Scott Theodore
Roosevelt. jr.. the Presidents oldest SON WIlo y
away at boarding school, will come to washington
for few days holiday at Christmas time:
Among the callers at the White House TINS 1ore-
noon who had business with the Presldennt %ere
Senators James X Jones, of Arkansas; A1Tsd %
Kittredge of South Dakota: Robert j. Garnoie. ..
South Dakota; Samuel d. McEnery, of LOUISIANA
Murphy J. FCster, of Louisiana; Shelby NJ CuIlonl
of Illinois: Jeter c. Prtchard. of North CaroIlna
Edmfnd w. Pettus of Alabama, and Julius =
Bartholdi of Missouri; w. A. Smith, OF Michlsan'
William \ Calderhead of Kansas: DE AVA .:
Alexander. of New-York: Oscar w Underwood OF
Alabama; Chester l. Long of Kansas; William ri:
Iowa; Henry D. Clayton of Alabama; Edward w
Pou, Of North Carolina; James LLOYD OF MIS-
souri, and William Richardson, of Alabama; At
torney General Knox Secretary Long, Rear Ad-
n1iral Watson, Archbishop Chapele, Governor
Otero and delegation from New-Mexico. Fred
Commission, and G.. O. Shields, president OF the
American League of Sportsnen.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
GENERAL WOOD BACK IN HAVANA.
Havana. Dec 16-Governor General Wood arrive
here this morning from New-York-
personal NOTES.

a new story" says The Springfield Repuou-
can" lis being told Of ths days when Marx
Twain was hack writer in San Francisco on a
1r.eLIv salary represented by one hgure. Bret
tTsrte and Joaqufn Miller serving on the same
staff with like paw 4 woman OF means VINO
natronfzed Bohemia and gave the impecunious
s+r,,esIers r,any a good dinner saw Mark Twain
+bi,Iy clad and imperfectly shod, standing WIZ
cigar box ander his arm and looking huhsIlS
in at a confectoner'5 window The 2atro1nsSS -
letters asked what was IN tAe oqS- NJ clemens
has had his financial ups ana Gowns 81 @ Lii br
hut every one hopes that hereafter theie "-' "
only the ups
Dr Joseph Zemp. the newly elected PresloeH. u
the Swiss renubuc. is a leader in the Cohsel s@'i'
,,.-+,, although he is known to hold tolerant anu
a,,.r liberal views in matters OF great wels"l- t
- sixtv-seven years old and is a native o. ' I--'
h,cb Iucerne One year ago he was eIec'eC -
president and he comes into his present oHlo9 =
.,-+re of the unwritten law that the VICE. i -,
5nrt shall succeed TO the highest ONCE, pEoF@iu1u @
his services in the subordinate P1SgP gPrssidsnt he
Satisfactory to the people As sta+a railways
-~os head of the Department OF tA5.1S ;r fhs
and TelCgraphs where he was w. w. ovsr two op-
art of government lie WAS eiO
posing candidates
-r,. Czar,na Of Russia is said TO be exceeains.y
clever with the pencil and crayoH - - T,,s-
tbe craving Of caricatures. Her cartoons u A..
'ie | .s.asr,s, arrord great amusement 10 .N0
car who recently insisted that she - t,srs
-. - oF bir,seIf 70 her collection She ne -
- I,a+cbsd MIN. clad in robes OF s.at.. ..aoT
-, - 60 Of a child seated upon a a,nOSSessss nOsss
So,,-,d rim re several grand dukes a. atngy
Zach with a cup and spoon WLo .-t6e The little
offering the CZar some dalhtS tbsir offerings.
SsIIoyv however, desires none o. 'i
md poutIng. pushes them @"a'-
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17

;,ood +bot +be number of persons on the
IT, ,avro1I is far larger than the number re-
ouired 10 transact the public BUSINESS 'hat te
municipal treasury has been chargeu win LIZ
sunport of Il host Of indOlent faVofltes " ho nav
done scarcely anything to earn theI pay 'AiI
whose status and example. moreover nav N'-
Tho natural effect of demoraliznng better men
than themselves These DenehclafleS Vi INC
Tammanv system of government have Deeh
cheerfully assuming that the civil SefNi'e ieSU
Iations would operate to protect them. DuI tle!
u,i1I cain q different and gloomy view or the
situation from, Mr. Lows frank announcement,
which is made as he says, at this time Iof TWO
ressons-in order that men who are tlus Ill
formed that they are not likely to be retainer
NAV have fair warming of what is Impending
and bestir themselves to obtain other eLllioS
ment and in order that those VINO nave oeeH
planning to procure places III the nlulll'il'"i SCI
vice may dismiss hopes when are pIeuH sun
to be disappointed The Mayor-eiect' WHOSE III
f1uence with his own administration Is no"
clearly foreseen has taken cminenty proper
course in this matter, and it IS to De eApecleu
that all the heads of departments "Helhei 'p
nointed by him or elected to carry OUT Tue pom
cies to which all pledged, VIII enter "e"i
ousy upon the task of wedding out 'ile S"P'
numeraries who clog the WheeiS Oh So'Vi"ii
at heavy cost to the community
The dificultv is recognized of getting public
work done with anything like the economic
efficiency characteristic of private enterprises
in this period of industrial Developments out 1t
is nossible to make a long approach toward thdt
standard from the low plane purpoSelE lldlh-
tanned by Tammany Hall. Mr.. Low deelara-
ton will be heartily welcomed as a PROOF OF HIS
own discernment of one of the conditions eS-
sential to good government and as a sulae 10
those who will owe their authority to his conn-
dence in their integrity and capacity
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
semeuis.

AMERICAN -s:l5-A-istooracy.
SClpFNY OF NTsfC-s:f5-'Wsy Down East
tzrTryT TaFATRP-s .ca-The Auctioneer
PoGDVrhY THEATREE--The Sleeping Beauty AN
the
f-pTTFRION THEATRE-SI5--The Helmet OF ->a
-1a-Ths Messenger Boy
TrSFcS aISFE-pay Eveuing-Norld IN " sN-
T-NpTrF- CofnTenu
TSoT- RTFENTR STREET THEATRE ? 1oIh =
lspnFS :2o-Alice of OLD NinteuIf-s
,S.EPTcT< THE A Message from MAJ.
20 pT FH OPERA HS2T-SF;-s:15Neg England Folks
HFPkIn SQUARE THE4TRE-2--S;lo---f1 -f1eeaueaL-'
Erzteher.
1Tr1.K ERFsOC-KER THEATRE-s:3-oSaliy SIreer-
vr-FT-N NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Girl and the Juose 49,.
TsDIsoE SQUARE THEATRE-s3o-The LioeltE
asa,FHxT1Ar THEATRE-s:2o-The Unwecone Mrs
,r-PREY HILL. TfEEATRE-2-s-Tar1ing Of the shreV-
NEW SAVOY THEATRE-s:2D-Darc arcy OF the H"nio-
NFW-YoRK THEATRES: :I5-Fiorodora
PASTOR s-Contnuous Performance
PR0CTOF'S FIFTH ANENCE-l;5e 10 lo-s'V-Ai40 = -
Secretary and Varieties IN =. san
FROCTORS TWENTT-THIRD SiHk.E1I-I-oo To A0-'0
The Cycle Whirl and varieties m IN and
1YRoCToFs.s 125TH STREET-1:3o to lo;Se-i--e-s anu
PRocToRs FIFTT-EIGHTH sTREET-1:3o to i'''-
The StI Alarm and Varieties -, -,-,1z
THEATRE REPU PUBIIC'-s-l5-Unde southern >hieS'
NICToaIA-sen-The Marriage Game
wALI.ACK's THEATRE-s:e0-Coiorado
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17

,,ountine to Sa61 495. The outgo OF this staple
drrin, November was larger than in any month
for the last three years. with the exception OIL
October 1901 and October. 1900. In Hllherai
oils there was gain of over S1,ooo.oco' anu III
,,rovisons the increase was about SZ'ooo'oVV'
This pain was chiefly due to higher prices as
the quantity was little altered, except IN lara
and hams.
These figures show the error OF peSslm1stlc
claims that exports of manufactures have 1allen
off. Despite peculiar conditions arising from
the steel strike which made home CONSUMERS
too impOrtunate to permit much export ousl-
ness it is evident that shipments or manu-
fact1lred goods have been equal TO the enormous
movement a year ago. since the aggregate Is
practically unchanged, while the outgo OF agrl-
cultural products is almost Identical with last
wears in value, although somewhat altered III
ouantities owing to the larger yield of wheat
and scarcity of corn. Imports were larger oy
81 143 200 than in the same month last year, and
20O0OO00 more than in the corresponding
month of 1895, 1896 or 1897. This increase in
purchases abroad is a natural outgrowth OF
prosperous conditions in this country, as gains
are most noticeable in luxuries. NOtwithstand-
ing this large increase in imports, however,
there appears an excess of exports for the
month of S64,O14,514. while net shipments of
81 S94 sos silver and S1O635,559 gold make the
international trade balance all accounts
SIC. .5S1. against a balance of S60.961.331 in
November. 1900. 1t is obvious that these figures
contain no evidence of retrogreSsion.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
MIR. HAY TO SPEAK on M-KINLEY.

Washington. Dec. 15-The committee designated
bv the representatives Of the two houses Of Con-
gress 10 invite Secretary Hay TO deliver an ad-
dress in honor of President Mckinley called on the
Secretary to-day and secured his consent TO per-
form this service Mr. Hay said that while he
would have preferred that the invitation should oe
extended TO some one else. he would accept oe-
Cause of a sense Of duty and also because of the
high honor the selection implies. No time for the
.are has been HNed.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
THE yrBJ4,s MACHINERY BREAKS.

,,. .,or N-nhil Of the Baltic services
~, ~ 1Tst-~ AMERICAN line arrived here yes
OF ,he fiaiioui 80 bs, machinery disabled
tsruaS @ Wlln pas ~ pa,,r son,e part of the high
Piessu.e U.s. daIs,ed reaching this port
II was said last night thai the break could os r.
haired in tventy-four hous. and would NOV U
the sailing CT the steamer n the least
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
TO RE1PpOIyT GOTERN0R OThFo'

Washington. Dec 16A delegation Dame.
Colonel Iew ellyn Judge a b Fan t5nbbell,
charles Spies. Solomon Luna an" Ir.sI5snt in
OF NewMexsco called to-day on the = C.ovsrnor
the interest OF the reappoll'iiie- ..,to, that he
% oteT% raannant Ime the governor if certain ehars.
If minor character was answered THIS bIs G%s'I 10
cne Of the members of the delegaaon WaS ,,,h the
explain. and when they depated y 6tsro ST would be
practical assurance that Cove "0
nj ed
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
About People and Social Incidents.

Randolph. and Craig wadsworth with Mrs. Harrv
Payne Whitney for his partner.
Receptions will be given this afternoon bv NJ,
Frederick Goodridge and her daughter Mrs Jobn
Iselin at the formers home. in Fifth-ave. and by
Mrs H Duncan Wood. at her home. in West FTftys
first-st., for her daughter
There will also be the marriage Of Mrs John
Godfrey Moore and Warner Miffn Leeds at noon
in the chantry of All Souls Church. in Madison,
ave Miss Marion Houston will offciate as maid a,
honor to Mrs. Moore. while William R Leeds viii
act his brothers best man; After the ceremony
the brides sister, Mrs Arnold Wood. in East ThIr
ty-hfth-st.
Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke Jones are taking part~
of friends South this week, to their country piacs
in South Carolina. to spend the Christmas holidays
1t is Elisha Dyer. jr who will lead the cotllo,
both at the dance which Mrs. Iorillard gives To-
night at Sherrys for her niece. Miss Emily Taylor
and at the dinner dance tomorrow evening given
by Henry T. Sloane for the debut Of his daughter
Jessie.
There will he a meeting of the members OF the
Sim Son Club tonight. and after attending the
performance of Quality Street the club will ad-
journ to Delmonico's for supper. which will be fol-
Mrs John w Boothbee and Mrs. John BurinE
Lawrence acting as chaperons.
The Hon. Hugo Barring. who has been staying
with his brother at Tuxedo. has sailed for England
The Hon. Sybn Pauncefote, daughter OF the Brit
ish Ambassador at Washington. has arrived in
town from Washington. and is staying with Mrs
Herbert Robbins.
Miss Edith Van Cortlandt Jay is staying with Mr..
and Mrs Frederick Prime, in Philadelphia.
A number of people are going from here to Balt-
more to attend the dance which Mrs Alexander
Brown gives there on Friday.
The gagement Is announced of Miss Beatrice
Bogert daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs Eugene Bogert,
to William Blackwell
Another engag cement announced is that Of Miss
Ruth Cox. daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Finney
Cox. DR.. Edward Brown jerks
The wedding of Miss Bessie Wetmore Hunter and
". Rogers Morgan will take place at Newport on
New Years Eve.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
MIR. HACKETT TO RETIRE TO-DAY.

Washington. Dec 1e-The change in the Office Of
Assistant Secretary of the Navy will be made to-
morrow morning when Judge Darling. Of Vermont
will succeed Mr.. Hackett, OF New-Hampshtre. Mr.
Hackett has taken official leave Of his associates
and all the principal officers of the department.
have been presented to Judge Darling
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17

What local election since the time of Peter
Stuyvesant has been followed by many din
ners at which many admirable speeches full
of the finest Knickerbocker flavor have been
heard ard applarded with genuine enthusiasm?
This has been a season of high minded and
true hearted rejoicing since the balloting last
month And with coed reason. New-York is
rescued from the spoilers.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
NOTES OF SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON.

Washington, Dec. 16 (SpecaD.-The Secretary of
the Interior and Mrs Hitchcock will give dinners
on the 18th 18th and 9th of this month. On the
9th the dinner will be in honor Of Miss Alice
Roosevelt the Presidents daughter.
Mrs c. II. Thompson and Miss Edith May
Thomson are visiting the Secretary of the Treas
ury and will be joined by Colonel Thomp-
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
4R4B sTEED FOE ROOSEVELT.

Manchester. Vt. Dec. IA letter was received
here to-day from Captain John Cof, who is now in
Morocco saying that he expected a fine Arabian
saddle horse to reach him from the interior about
December 10. and that :he animal would be shipped
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
SENATOR SEWELL CHEERFUL.
HE is SAID TO HAVE PASSED A CoMFORTA-
BILE NIGHT.

Camden, N J., Dec. 16 (SpeciaD.-The condi-
tion of Senator SewelI reported as un-
changed tonight. 1t was said that he mad
spent a comfortable night last night. and was
bright and cheerful this morning. He also took
q little nourishment.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17

The prophets of evil who have been indulgtng
so freely in mournful predictions in recent years
that the coal mines and the forests of the world
will be exhausted in a few centuries more or
less should take heart of grace. Cassandra
died long ago. When there is no more coal 10
be mined, and when more wood can be
spared for fires, may not crude oil supply the
scarcity of both? With oil for the furnaces be-
hind the dynamos and for other uses, will there
be any lack of fuel for gas. for electricity and
the sources of motive power?
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
GOVERNOR QpELL IN ALBANY.
TBT TELEGRAPH TO THE

TRY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNEl
Albany Dec 16.-Governor and Mrs Odel ar
rived here from Newburg with their daughter this
afternoon and took possession OF the Executive
Mansion for the winter.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
NOTES OF THE STAGE.

opera season at the Metropolitan is announced as
follows: Monday. December %. Tristan and
Isolde" with Mime Ternina, NJ Van Dyck, Mr..
Bispham Edouard dc Reszke and Nine. Schu-
ruann-Heink; Wednesday. "Rcmeo and Juliet
with Nine Eames, NJ. Alvarez. Edouard de Reszke.
Miss Bridewe and Mile. Bauermeister: Friday.
..rhc Barber of Seville with Mime. Sembrich,
Mile Bauermeister and Messrs De Reszke Cam
panari Salignac. Vanni and Vivian The operas
for Saturday afternoon and evening have not yet
been announced
sydney Grundys "Frocks and Frilis will be per-
formed by the stock company at Daly's Theatre
on January Z. instead of 'Notre Dame which
was previously announced. "Notre Dame requires
longer preparation. and will be the second play
of the season
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17

IT is not the fault of dear old Santa Claus
that there many coppers in Christmas
stockings. The good saint would be glad if
every bit of copper in every chimney corner
were pure gold without alloy.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
nm ,,,-srI-,rs NEW Wing LIGHTED.

The new wing Of the Metropolitan VI NUS - arst
Art In Central Park was eliminated for ths i, o.
time last night The lights were tu[nsd tatsd sue
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17

When horsecars vanish from our streets. when
the trains in the Pennsylvania tunnel are moved
by electricity alone, when the Manhattan Ele-
waited cars shoot 80 and fro with electric i'm
pulse and no other when the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit lines abandon steam entirely. and when
the great system OF underground rapid transit,
exclusively electric. is under full headway may
we hope timdy that the tunnel above Forty
eecond-st Will at last be electric also?
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17

on either side of the Atlantic the widest and
most furious of storms have done much damage
over vast All the more reason. then, to
hope for placid and tranquil Christmas.
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17
sUG4R CONFERENCE OPENS
All. COUNTRIES OF EUROPE EXCEPT Rus
s1A REPRESENTED.

pu,-.o,w Dec 16-The international susss
cdn,orsacs nTosTs was opened here to-day All lns
omtia Comrere' Of Europe except Russia we're repre-
.s, outnd count de smet de Naeyer Began setsd Nsd
istar of Finance and Public WORKS "''0
nresident of the conference
New-York tribune., 1901-12-17

Carrollton. Mo. Dec 15--Mrs- Anna Ray Quesen-
berry. daughter of Robert d. Ray. formerly judgs
OF the State Supreme Court, and Dr. Oren Root
were married here to-day. DR.. Root is the only
brother of Elihu Root. Secretary Of War, and Is
professor OF mathematics in Hamilton College.
Clinton y Y. Mrs. Queseuberry was principal Of
the CarroIlton high school. The wedding was
Guiet one Mr. and Mrs Root started fer the East