davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1901-04-24
A NEW HOMESTEAD PLAN.
Preparations Made for the Opening
of the oklahoma Reservations

While if is not expected that the Secre-
tary of the Interior will be ready TO
make any official announcement of the
plans for the opening Of the kiowa and
Comanche reservations before he starts
West with the President it is understood
that the scheme for settlement is prac-
tically completed.
AS now arranged, the department off,
cials think the plan will do away en-
tireIy with all the disagreeable features
which have in the past accompanied the
openings of public reservations. The as
sumption of homesteads by persons not
entitled to hold them, and the double and
sometimes sextupIe entry, and conse-
quent contests for ownership. it is eX-
pected will be entirely avoided.
The chief feature of the method pro-
posed is a drawing. somewhat as in a
lottery. All those who desire 10 hold
lands will be required first to make the
proper afidavits of their right to hold
homesteads. After the applicant is regis
tered in the books of the Land Office he
win be allowed to draw ticket from a
machine which will contain the number
of a section OF land. This number indi-
Gates the place he viii occupy when the
| allotment of the lands commences. The
hope of the Interior Department now is
to have this first drawing begin about
June 10, and at least before July l.
! JTpon the date set for the beginning Of
| the registry the reservation Will be
! thrown open TO all prospective settlers.
/ and they will he allowed the utmost free
/ dom In roaming over the reservation in
! order to enable them TO obtain an idea
of the quality Of the land in the different
1 sections, to aid them when the time al
! lowed for selection arrives. If present
I expectations are realized, this will be
about August l. At that time the man who
/ has drawn No. ! will be allowed to make
his choice of location, and other settlers
/ will follow in order The Land Office is
| expected to know about how many loca-
! tions can be made in a day. and it VIII
/ arrange to handle them easily.
The date to be set by the President s
| proclamation is said 20 depend upon the
| work now being done by surveyors on the
| reservation, who are plotting counties
/ ana county seat locations.
The times., 1901-04-24

American expansion in Asia does not
furnish a normal excuse for European
expansion in South America. The
Times is not defending the foreign
view, but is simply stating the case as
it is presented almost daily in the col
umns of the transatlantic press. Ger
many has a large population of its sub
iects in Brazil. and unquestonably
would like and some day will try, to
absorb that South American state,
which is one of untold and undeveloped
resources Of the most attractive char
acter. France longs for the Guiana him
terland. also of great richness. As the
pressure o. American competition IS
felt with constantly growing force by
Germany. France. and other States, Is
il not a proposition amounting to an
axiom that, by and by, they VIII break
bounds and endeavor TO secure I'M
munity from the effects of our present
ly irresistible commercial and financial
movement. by attempting to seize the
few remaining chances for national eX-
pansion and colonization presented in
the conditions and defective develop
ment and civilization of the Latin
American countries?
What was the reason why England
was permitted TO develop her vast
colonial empire and commerce? 1t was
that England had the sense to provide
herself with a navy capable of coping
with the united navies of Europe. What
will be the reason if any, why we SHAH
be allowed, without molestation, to
warn Europe off from this side of the
water. and. at the same time, to carry
out our expansion policy in the Pacific
1t will be only because we, too, have
if we should have-a navy strong
enough TO forcibly prevent European
aggressions against the nations under
our umpireship to the south Of us, and
to guard our Philippine dominion
against naval attack.
If the United States is to be "a world
Power. and is to maintain the positions
it has taken antagonistically TO its sis
ters in the family of nations, no time
should be lost by it's rulers and legis-
lators ia arming for the conflict which
our commercial and industrial wal
against the rest of mankind, and our
Monroe Doctrine attitude, will as GER
tainly bring upon US as the sun is sure
n rise tomorrow
The times., 1901-04-24
our Confidence in China.

It was stated in press despatch
Yesterday that Ii Hung Chang and
Prince Ching had offered the most
| solemn assurances that order had now
been restored in the Empire, that the
! Boxer naoy en1ent is dead. and that the
Chinese Government has complete con
! troll Of the population. That being the
case. the Chinese ENJOYS urged that
/ the foreign troops be Withdrawn, guar
antceing complete protection TO al! for
| eieners afterward. The same story con
tained the statement that the proposed
evacuation by the French troops next
month was a result Of these assur-
ances.
As we understand it the Administra-
ton is heartily in favor Of accepting the
| Chinese promises, and Mr.. Rockhill.
| our Commissioner, is under instruc-
tions to back the proposition to rid the
| country Of the allied forces. There can
be no doubt that it is pleasant 10 be
able To place confidence in a late ad
yersary. IT is also the part of wisdom
not 10 be too sure or too precipitate
about IT, we ought TO remember, for
/ instance. that when the foreign troops
leave they will leave the control If
! Chinese amairs in the hands Of the En-
press DoWager. Prince Tuan, and Gen
! eraI Tune Flu Sian. the same people
| who ordered the destruction Of IN, ie-
cations. the massacre Of the Ministers
and other of their inmates, and the hor
ribIe tortures and butchery of Amer
ican and other women and children at
Paoting-fu.
When these atrocities were planned
and executed. or attempted to be, China
was at peace with the nations whose
representatis the Chinese Govern
ment tried TO murder. Human history
does not afford another such instance
/ Of hellish official treachery Is ii well
| for us To trust the mscreants who
would have boiled the CoLger family
alive If they could, 60 entertain. re-
spect and protect future American
| families in China? Perhaps the ques-
| ton is not an important one in this
| country, since we have elected TO get
out Of the mess at any cos;, and TO let
! other Powers look cut for our citizens.
The times., 1901-04-24
The british bondage.

There is apparently some dissatisfac-
ton in London because the Morgan
syndicate has been allowed to take
fifty million dollars of the new British
loan. The reason for this feeling is
that at the subscription priee-ninety-
four and a fraction-the investment
would be sufficiently attractive TO Eng
Hshmen to guarantee the placing of the
whole issue at home.
No doubt that is true. but the British
Government is perhaps willing to stand
a little grumbling and criticism in
view Of its apparent determination to
take hostages Of fortune in the United
States whenever that is possible. In
short, if England can manage to owe
this country a few hundred million
dollars. il is perfectly obvious that
whatever thereafter shall happen dis
astrousIy TO the Kingdom viii TO some
extent threaten the solidity of British
securities. on the other hand, what
ever works to the advantage and pros
perity of the debtor nation must be
hailed with satisfaction by American
creditors.
So these British investments of our
trust magnates win bind the two coun-
tries more and more together in a Ger
tain sense. They will increase the sen
timent. already existent among our rul-
ing class. the trusts and monopolies,
favorable TO British interests in Central
America and Alaska, and viii no doubt
be strongly reflected in our foreign pol
lev and diplomatic action generally.
We should not mind this so much were
England fair dealer, but that Is
a consideration which is interesting
only the great mass of the American
people. The few pIutocrats who control
and operate their Government care foI
nothing beyond their own gain. TIC
them an exclusively American inter
oceanic canal is but a sentimental
dream. They would quite as willingly
see it British or Russian, if thereby
they could reap any financial advant-
age. As for the part of our Alaskan
territory stolen from US by Great Brit
ain. they would be much more ready t
90 into syndicate TO develop its min
eral wealth under the British flag than
/ To see it restored To its rightful owner
| Indeed. we may observe in the Ameri
/ can subscription 10 the new consols {
patent Of the nearby time when thi:
country will indeed be in effect an ac
! knowledged subdivision Of Greater Brit
The times., 1901-04-24
TO RETIRE WITH HIGHER RANK.
A Precedent Established in the Case
of Colonel Robert.

1t was officially stated at the War De-
partment yesterday afternoon that the
President win accept the resignation OF
Gen. John NJ Wilson. Chief of Engineers
of the Army. to take effect April 80, and
will then appoint Col. Henry Nj. Robert,
of the Engineer Corps, to be Chief OF En-
gineers, with the rank OF a brigadier gen
eral Colonel Robert Will then serve two
days and retire on account of age May :
and be followed by either Colonel Barlow
Colonel Hams, or Colonel Gillespie. IL
was also stated that the President mas
decided to appoint Col Thomas r Barr
to succeed Judge Advocate Genera! Lie
Der who retires May y. and that Colonei
Barr will then be retired and succeeded
by Col John w Clous. who will also re-
tire Immediately after appointed
Army officers are particularly well
pleased with this action Of the President
as it establishes a precedent as to the re-
tirement of officers at the next highest
grade. which they hope to have followed
in their own cases and which makes pro
motion more rapid.
Several weeks ago General Wilson, VINO
does not retire for age until next OCTOBER
applied for permission to retire Aprh oV
in order that Colonel Robert might sue
ceed him and be able to retire With liiS
rank of brigadier general. Both President
Mckinley and Secretary Root acted ao-
versely upon this application on the
ground that Congress had shown its dls-
approval of the retirement of officers WlliI
the increased rank. it was also polnteu
out that such action would estaolsh d
precedent which both Colonel Barr anu
Colonel Clous could avail themselves OF
and insist upon the same action 10 secuie
appointment to succeed General lleDeI.
Both Colonel Barr and Colonel Cl0us
waged an aggressive fight in thelr pc
half and number of prominent senators 9 ,
interested both in Colonel Robert anu
CoIoneIs Barr and Clous urged upon Ile I
President and Secretary Of W ar tlat lheS
reconsider their decision in the mater.
Secretary Root discussed 1t with Fresi-
dent Mckinley yesterday, with the result
that all three appointments nave peSn
decided upon. 1t is probable, hoWeEtL.
that other officers will now urge thdt tHcg
be given the same consideration, clalmlhs
that they have a perfect right 10 retire
with the advanced rank.
Friends of Colonel Barlow, OF the Ell Ell
gineer Corps, say that he should suCceeu
General Robert as Chief of Engineers 81 81
that he can be retired with the rank ol
brigadfer general, notwithstanding Ine W
fact that he will have but short time u
serve.
The times., 1901-04-24
THE CANALS ON MARS.
Dr. Brooks Believes the Markings
Indicate Vegetation on the Banks.

GENEVA. y. Y. April 2s.-Dr. William
u. Brooks. professor OF astronomy in
Hobart College. and director of Smith
Observatory in this city. intlmated IN "A
lecture last evening that he considered
Mars an inhabitabie planet He said that
what are commonly called Martian canals
are not the canals themselves but vegeta-
ton along the banks. In an interview to-
day he was asked whether the theory OF
Edward 5. Holden that Mars is unin-
habitable is general among progressive
astronomers. he said:
MIR. Holdens opinion is worth no more
than the opinion of any other one man.
Ehs experience as an astronomer has been
wide and his views are worthy OF atten-
ton. but the statement that astronomers
generally discount the canals OF Mars
theory is untrue. on the contrary. the
leading astronomers of the day are salts
fled that such canals exist. Air. Holden Is
one Of the rare exceptions.
1T is true. however. that not every
observer can see the canals. That is no
indication that they do not exist / have
seen them through the Smith telescope,
and they have been viewed times with
out number through other large telescopes
by men whose intelligence and veracity
cannot be questioned. I am one Of those
who believe that Mars is inhabitable. and
Izdo not think Mr.. HOIden's assumptions
to the contrary are warranted By the
facts.
''He asserts that If a man were to be
transported to the planet he would freeze
in an incalcuIable space of time. Now
that is pure guesswork. There is every
reason to believe that Mars is inhabitable,
just as the earth Is inhabitable"
The times., 1901-04-24
Girl sInyery in ,Frisco.

A few weeks ago The Times publish
ed and commented upon a very inter
esting account of a public auction of
Chinese girl slaves in Chinatown, san
Francisco. which, as alleged, was held
with the knowledge of the local author
tiles. who did not interfere, and was at
tended by many white people out OF
idle curiosity. Such an open outrage
upon American decency, not to mention
the impudent violation Of the Constitu-
tion and laws of the country involved
in the offence. could scarcely escape the
attention Of the Federal authorities,
and we are glad to see that it has not
A recent despatch from San Fran
cisco informs us that, under instruc-
tions from Washington, the United
States Marshal and a posse raided the
Chinese quarter of the city and cap
tured thirty-four girls. Sixteen Of these
produced certificates and were released,
the remaining eighteen being held for
examination If il can be proved that
these and unfortunate females like
them are in the country as chattels.
they can be deported: but proof, Of
course is difficult, and it is improbable
that the evil can be stamped out at
once. Local officials appear to have
grown Indifferent and callous to the
crime against our civilization which
this hideous system of Chinese girl
slavery represents. They incline to take
the position that Chinaman is an alto
gether hopeless barbarian and efforts
to civilize him even with club are
wasted; and that as the girls do not
seem TO mind. quid hades? But the
honor and dignity of the whole nation
is involved in putting an end to a
practice which is justly regarded in
this country as foul and abhorrent to
every instinct of humanity, and it must
be abolished if to accomplish that OBJ
ject it should become necessary to tear
down every house and deport every
Mongolian in Chinatown. 1t is not
pleasant to think that slave pens and
the public sale of human slaves flour
ish in the chief city of our Pacific
Coast
The times., 1901-04-24
PARDON FOR WoLFsoN.
soIdierIy Conduct in che Philippines
Secures Executive C1emcncy.

President Mckinley yesterday issued an
unconditional pardon in favor of Joseph
\. WoIfson. of New Orleans. Wo!fson
was formerly a lawyer in that city put
has for the last two years served as an
enlisted man in the Twelfth l mted
States Infantry in the Philippines. For
twelve years subsequent to 1884 he was
depositor in the Union National Bank OF
New Orleans In 1896 the bank failed and
the cashier committed suicide. Wolfson
and a bookkeeper in the bank named
I,eefe were arrested and charged with
completely in the~embezzlement OF $lS,u-V.
I.eefe gave evidence for the State, de-
cIaring that ne had falsif1ed the books
10 shield Wolfson, who overdrew his ac-
count to the amount of $l9.e0O- Ihe
United States District Court sentenced
both men TO eight years in prison Wolf
son took an appeal to the United States
Circuit Court of Appeals and the sentence
was affirmed, although the judges were
divided in opinion While the appeal was
pending Wolfson continued the practice
of law until July Il, 1885, when he was
permitted to enlist in the Third Mssis-
sippi Volunteers. His attorneys petit
toned the United States Supreme Court
for a writ of certiorari but the petition
was denied.
Meanwhile Wolfson had secured per
mission from the Attorney General and
the Secretary of War to enlist in the
Regular Army. and he was assigned on
February 49, 1899 to the Twelfth Infantry
and sent TO the Philippines. He was sent
home on sick leave at about the time the
Supreme Court denied the petition for 4
writ of certiorari and ne has since been
engaged in an effort to secure a pardon
from the President. Several officers
under whom he served testified to his ex-
ceptional service in the Philippines. His
company commander wrote:
He has done all that a good soldier
could do, constantly seeking all and
every danger. privation, and hardship
which the campaign in the Philippines
| made possible. / can cordially testify to
his honest, upright and soldierly char
acter
Attorney General Griggs reported adj
versely on WoIfsons S application for par
! don. His successor. Mr.. Knox, took up
! the case two weeks ago, however, and
made a favorable report on the soldier S
| petition.
Wolfson says that his sick leave will
/ not expire until May 13, but he proposes
| to leave Immediately and rejOin his regl-
ment in the Philippines.
The times., 1901-04-24
TO RECOVER PRIZE MONEY.
The Suit Of Admiral Dewey Heard
I'm the District Supreme Court.

Hearings in the suits against the Gov
ernment To recover prize money. result
ing from the capture of Spanish vessels
during the Spanish-American war. were
commenced yesterday before Justice
Bradley, presiding in the District branch
of the Supreme Court of the District The
litigation is the outcome of claims made
by Admiral George Dewey and his officers
and men for prize money for vessels cap
tured in the battle of Manila Bay. and by
Admiral Sampson and his officers for the
capture Of the Spanish feet off Santiago
July 3. 1898.
The suit of Admiral Dewey. ct al,
against the Spanish vessels Don Juan de
Austria, Isla de Cuba. Isla de Luzon,
Leyte, Mindano and others, was the first
to be considered. The Government was
represented by Assistant Attorney Cen
eral Charles c. Binney and the libeiants
by Messrs. H. A Herbert ex-Secretary
Of the Navy; benjamin Micou, and VII
liam B. King The proceedings were open
ed by Mr. King, who made the first argu-
ment on behalf of Admiral Dewey and
his officers and men, who were engaged
in the battle of Manila Bay. He was fol-
lowed by MIR. Herbert. VINO concluded his
argument about 3:30 p. m, at which hour
the court adjourned until this morning
Mr. Binney will begin his argument
when the court convenes this morning at
10 clock 1t is expected that his argu-
ment will occupy the attention of the
court during the greater part of the day.
According to the present arrangement,
the hearing in the suit of Admiral Samp-
son against the Spanish vessel infanta
Maria Theresa ana stores and supplies
captured at the battle of Santiago Bay
will be commenced tomorrow morning
before Justice Bradley.
The proceedings in these cases are for
the purpose of having the court condemn
the vessels named and the other property
referred to as liable for prize money.
| The Government, in its answer to the
suits. made a general admission of the
claims, but demands particular proof of
the details The litigations involve many
issues of fact and of law, because of the
fact that prize property is divided into
three separate classes, as follows
Vessels and their equipment and the
goods upon them captured afoat and TAX
en- into the United States service and ap-
praised These include both public yes
seIs and private-the cascos.
Vessels grounded in the battle and af-
! terward raised. the Don Juan de Austria,
the Isla de Cuba, and the Isla de Lu-
zon.
Naval stores captured ashore at the
navy yard. These are subject to di-
! vision into stores actually consumed in
the United States service. and stores re-
! Gently returned to Spain. Part of those
! consumed were appraised and part were
J used without appraisal.
The question of the value of the prop
! erty in these three different classes has
! been already partly determined and it was
agreed that the matter be referred 10 the
/ auditor of the court for his report. The
/ court at the hearing now in progress VIII
/ pass upon the questions involved and a
decree will be drawn, leaving blank space
/ for the filing in of the valuation OF the
/ property in question.
The times., 1901-04-24
THE CHARLESTON EXPOSITION.
Members of the Cabinet Greatly In
terested in the Display.

The Cabinet. at it's meeting yesterday,
discussed the request OF the managers of
the proposed Charleston Exposition. made
through Senator McLaurin. for the loan
of a portion Of the Government exhibit
now at the Pdn-American Exposition in
Buffalo. The Charleston show Will be
gin on December l. one month after the
close of the Pan-American Exposition
and will continue until the following May
There is not sufficient room TO accommo-
date the entire exhibit. but a considera-
BILE portion of it can be displayed. The
expression of the members of the Cabinet
was favorable to granting the request.
request has also been made by the
Exposition managers for the privilege of
allowing exhibits from the West Indies
10 be imported in bond to obviate the ne
cessity Of paying heavy duties. This mat
ter was left in the hands of Secretary
Gage and it Is thought that favorable ac-
ton will be taken upon the proposition.
The members of the Cabinet expressed
themselves as being especially desirous
10 favor Charleston in this manner. as
the exposition failed to secure Con-
crassional appropriation.
The times., 1901-04-24

if they have a mind. or allow Amer
leans in China to shift for themselves.
We can understand why the Admin
istration desires to shirk further re
sponsibility. but not why European
Governments should. Their statesmen,
diplomatists. and commanders know
quite as well as we do that the Dow
ager would order a general massacre
of foreigners today if she dared, ana
that to turn them over TO her tender
mercies would be like hiring tiger
as wet nurse to a lamb. AS a self-evi-
dent proposition we insist that the al
lied forces in China never should Rave
been diminished or have ceased active
operations until the she-fend Isl Hsl
had been killed, or carried into exile.