davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
POLITICAL COMMENT.

Many exchanges continue to speak Of
the SchIey Court of Enquiry as a trial.
| This is grossly inaccurate. An investi-
cation. and not a trial, is to be conducted
and this investigation was ordered. at
the applicants request. to determine the
truth or falsity of certain accusations
made against him. To talk of the en-
uuiry as being a trial is quite as bad as
To speak of II as the Sampson Schley
Court OF Enquiry. Baltimore Herald.
In no part of the United States is the
sorrow deeper or more sincere than in
| the South, whose people had learned to
know and love the gracious and high
minded PreSident.-Chicago Tribune.
The faction of the G.. A r. which sought
to win power by attacking the admins
tration of the Pension Bureau found its
demagogic course less popular than it ex-
pected. That is a hopeful sign.-Buffalo
Express.
The American people are doing well in
their sorry task OF showing the world
nation that is magnificent even in dis
tress.-Boston Herald.
II Diver and Foley had each dealt the
other so deadly political upper cut that
neither would ever be heard of again in
municipal affairs. that knockout blow
would have been more useful than any
on record in the history of prizefights.-
New York Tribune.
The cost of the Schley Court of Enquiry
is estimated at 100000. but justice is worth
more than that much money. Indeed. it
may cost more than that to get it.-Cin-
cinnati Enquirer.
When Europeans learn that two former
justices of the Supreme Court of New
York State have been assigned to the de-
fence of the Presidents assassin, their
idea that this country is exclusively com
nnSa1 n nerhanS h.
fed somewhat.-Chicago Journal.
Western members of Congress should
get It well understood at the very begin
ming of the coming session that the ap-
preparation for irrigation storage reser-
voirs is to be good, round sum and that
1t is not to be cut down.-Omaha World
Herald.
The relieving of Rear Admiral Howson
from service on the Naval Board of En-
quiry goes far to reassure the people of
the country, and strengthen the belief
that Admiral Schley will have fair
trial.-Mobile Register.
As the steel strikers were not consulted
when the strike was ordered. so they were
not consulted when it was abandoned, nor
even informed of the terms of settlement
Yet these men fancy that in following
their leaders they are resisting tyranny
and Observation-Disclosures Ledger.
Free speech is not the same thlnS as
fool speech or foul speech. The latter two
kinds are not guaranteed by the Consti-
tution.-New York World.
Without need of subsidy, American
capital and enterprise are absorbing more
and more European steamship companies.
This is a species of commercial expansion
that requires no governmental aid, and
not dollar of money from American
taxpaye Record.
1t may be concluded that the greater
number of the representative Grand
Army men are still Independent of the
shark pension lawyers and agents. The
good old patriotism of forty-one years
ago has not been altogether cheapeaed'
Buffalo Courier.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22

adheriEs to their enemies. giving them aid and
comfort. No person shall be convicted Of treason
unless on the testimony of two witnesses TO the
same overt act or on confession in open court
The anarchists, as a moral PROPOSE
ton. do levy war against the United
States when they plot to kill. and Kill
its President; but no such possibility
occurred to the trainers of the Constitu-
ton. What they contemplated was not
the secret war against the State, socie-
ty. and all authority that anarchism
ceaselessly wages. but open war con-
Quoted in a military manner Perhaps
il might be well to make treason also
of the other kind. Be that as 1t may,
whether we must achieve the end by
Federal legislation, by constitutional
amendment, or by both, il is plain that
the murder of a President, if not OF
other highly placed national officers as
well, should be made a crime not local
but against the nation itself. And we
should not stop here. An attemptto as
sassinate the Chief of State also should
be made a national offence and pun
ished capitally, and, on the same rea-
soning. plotting to kill or do bodily
harm to the President should be pun
ishable with death.
There is little doubt that the first
message of President Roosevelt to Con-
gress viii present this question with his
customary directness and vigor. AS far
as he is personally concerned we al
ready have ample evidence of his indif-
ference TO any danger to which his
friends may think him exposed; but he
has duty to perform in recommending
measures for the determination of the
vipers whose fangs were fastened ia
tally in the heart of his lamented pre-
decessor. and we are satisfied that he is
not the man TO shirk it.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
A BRITISH Tribute.

President Mckinley has been more con-
spicuously identified with trade politics,
and more Immediately responsible Tor
memorable economic developments than
aIy prominent figure of his time This Is
precisely the reason which must ensure
Mr. McKinley's career place in history
to which il would otherwise have had no
claim. AS it is. there can be no doubt
that in connection with the progress OF
the United States during the lbs years
of its existence the three names of most
distinctive significance have been those
of Washington, Lincoln and William Nc
Kinley In personal greatness, indeed,
the last-named cannot compare with the
two most famous and powerful of his
predecessors, VINO were the Saviors of the
Republic in it's life and death crisis. But
he compares with them somewhat as Peel
may compare with Chatham and Pitt.
The expansion of the United States into
an imperialist power, acquiring oyer sea
possessions and raising issues Of foreign
trace and foreign policy into matters of
vita' concern, has assuredly formed a
pro s eequals9 In significance by the
Dec cation of Independence and the civil
war llone. For good or i'll, America Is
no lger the isolated and self-contained
Power, happy in its complete separation
from the International problems and
perils of the Old World. that the fathers
OF the Republic intended and all the oc-
cupants Of the White House before Mr.
Mckinley desired. The United States
has burst its continental limits. In the
sphere of world policy it is henceforth
Power to be reckoned with. Under ten
years of President Mckinley's influence.
first as framer of the protectionist tariff
associated with his name and next as
head of the State. elected twice in sue
cession. the Republic became the colonial
heir of Spain and the greatest producing
and exporting nation in the world.-Lon-
don TeleYranh.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
The schley Court Proceedings.

The proceedings at the Court Of En-
quiry yesterday were enlivened by a
slight but unsanguinary tilt between
Captain Harber formerly executive Of
ficer of the Texas, who was on the wit
ness stand, and the Hon. Isidor Rayner,
Attorney General of Maryland, one of
Rear Admiral Schley's counsel. Appar-
emily, Captain Harber did not approach
the tribunal on this occasion in the
most cool and benign mood.
The trouble appeared to consist of
Captain Harber's memory, and Mr..
Rayners finger The former did not
say: do you bite your thumb at me,
sir?" but the principle was the same.
The distinguished counsel for the appli-
cant pointed out to the witness certain
discrepancies in his testimony of the day
before concerning the blockade patrol
of the Flying Squadron in front of San
tiago Harbor, and then proceeded to
take up the question of the Brooklyn's
loop during the battle. In this connec-
ton Captain Harber had testified on the
previous day that the engines of the
Texas had been reversed to avoid col
lision with the flagship. Mr.. Rayner
enquired whether or not that fact
should appear upon the log. The wit
ness replied that ii should. Being
handed the log. he was unable to find
any such entry, but stated that other
items which ought TO be inscribed on 1t
were missing. In calling Captain Har-
ber's attention to the testimony of Rear
Admiral Higginson, which appeared to
contradict his own on certain points,
Mr.. Rayner imprudently pointed the
customary cross-examining finger at
the witness in blue. Now, the latter
ought 10 have known that legal regula-
tions and ethics no more permit a law
yer to ss-examine without that
finger than naval regulations and eth
les allow an officer to let the sun get
over the foretop without performing
the ceremony known as Splicing the
mainbrace" But Harber probably was
not aware of 1t. and so was excusable
in turning Iivid and then white, as the
news report has If.
The country will be grateful TO him
for putting little Of the ginger of naval
"kudos' into the proceedings Since
the public became convinced that Ad-
miral Dewey and his colleagues would
see exact justice done, interest in the
inquest had begun to flag a little. Fine,
touchy witnesses like Harber will serve
To tide us over until Sampson, the star
performer, can be called to do his turn.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
THE LOYAL SOUTH.

Nowhere in this broad land has there
been the manifestation of a more heart
felt grief in this time of national mourn
ing than in the Southern States. No
discordant note has been heard there to
mar the perfect expression of the general
loss The personality of William Nc
Kinley made deep impression upon the
Southern people, and they mourn the
man as much as the President. One
result of his untimely end will be to bring
the two sections more closely in accord
than ever to broaden and deepen the
consciousness of the oneness of the Re-
pubic. the perfected union of the Ameri-
car people. And the loyalty of the South
,o Che living head Of the nation is not less
ccItt:n than her loyalty to the dead
/ Il. land Argus.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
The French Army.

Referring to the maneuvres of the
French army for the edification and en-
tertainment of the Russian Gar. the
New York World' adverts to II as a re-
markatle circumstance that the forma-
ton and movements of the army were
Of character which, according to NJ.
de Bloch's recently expressed opinion,
has been rendered obsolete by the les
son of the Boer war. Under all the cir
cumstances the criticism seems Just
little strained. 1t may well be doubted
whether n. de Bloeh's dictum will be
universally accepted in all its length
and breadth. Changes in the art of war
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
A NEW TURBINE DESTROYER.
The British Admiralty to Replace
the Wrecked Cobru.

LONDON. Sept 2f.-The Westminster
Gazette states on authority that, de-
spite the recent disasters to the torpedo
boat destroyers Viper and Cobra, the Ad-
miralty will place another commission
with the Elswick Works to build a new
torpedo boat destroyer of the Parsons
turbine type ON similar lines as the Co.
bra and that she will be launched next
spring.
Naval constructors maintain that the
turbine engine torpedo boats are as safe
as others, but should not put to sea in
the worst weather, because, as they are
light, they are liable to be blown from
their course Moreover. they have not a
reversible motion and can only stop by
shutting off steam
The fate of the Cobra has revived rec
objections OF the ill luck of many vessels
in the British navy belonging to the rep
tile group. which would seem to justify
the superstitions of the Jack Tars Four
Vipers have been wrecked in home wa
ters. the most recent being this year.
-Four Serpents. three Lizards two Snakes.
two Dragons, and one Adder, one Alliga-
tor, and Crocodile, and Rattlesnake, and
one Basilisk have all come to grief
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
A WISE DECISION.

In ruling out opinions of witnesses as to
the propriety of action on the part Of
Admiral Schley during the events of the
Santiago naval campaign the Court of
Enquiry has again acted wisely and con-
firmed the faith of the public in the fair
ness of the tribunal that is to pass upon
the matters referred thereto by the Mary
land admiral. The members of the Court
of Enquiry are as capable OF forming
their own opinions from the facts that
are presented to the Court as any of the
witnesses. They are skilled in the affairs
which are under question and Will be able
to determine the points at issue far more
convincingly If they are freed from the
complication of a mass of views held by
others.
Not only wifi the decision to exclude
'upinion-evidence" tend to the secure
ment of verdict in which the public will
have confidence. but the exclusion of
opinions will in itself be great relief to
the public, which has already had an un-
comfortable deluge of them.-Baltimore
Herald
The Washington times., 1901-09-22

are constantly taking place. The in
vention of smokeless powder, ana the
longer range of firearms, are changes
which make strongly in favor OF those
on the defensive. and they have led to
some important notifications in the or
der of battle formation. These facts
have been recognized for some time
past irrespective of the happenings in
South Africa. 1t must be remembered
that the struggle of the Beers Is alto
gether a unique one. The burghers
have introduced very little that Is new
into the science of fighting. In the
main they have simply applied princi-
pies already known to the peculiar cir
cumstances in which they found them
selves placed. Their ability to continue
the war SO long in the face of over
whelming odds has been owing less to
their tactics in battle than to the avoid
ance of battle, except when they could
fight with advantages on their side.
This the nature of the country has en-
abled them to do. 1t would be utterly
impossible for an armed conflict be
tween two great European nations To
assume the character of the struggle In
South Africa Not one of the great
Powers has yet undertaken 10 reorgan-
iZe its army as a result or the Boer
war, and no sign has been given of any
purpose to do So Obviously. the tactics
which il is claimed have revolutloniZed
the art of war can only be pursued
where the conditions are somewhat
similar to those which prevail in the
Transvaal and the Orange Free State.
How the French army now compares
in effectiveness with those Of the other
great Powers, no one can undertake 10
say with certainty. But there can be
no question that il is organized with
reference to the kind Of fighting that
1t will probably have to do in the event
of war. The formation the movements,
the individual drill, and the equipment,
are all. doubtless. quite similar to those
of other great European armies. There
are points of difference, of course, but
they are not revolutionary in character.
If French army methods are obsolete,
so are the German and the Austrian
and the Russian. Upon that score
France is at no disadvantage, and is not
to be condemned because of anything
that has taken place in South Africa
Wars between the great Powers of Eu-
rope can never be fought by guerrilla
methods. The conditions do not admit
of II
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
Tn. Anarchist Problem.

Taking up the line of our previous
comments upon the national duty of
suppressing anarchism in the country
and either driving anarchists cut of it,
or shutting them up in strong quarters.
1t must be evident to every intelligent
and decent citizen that, whatever else
the country may decide to do, it is i'm
perative that the offence of assaulting
the President of the United States and
others in high authority. with intent to
kill or do them bodily harm, should be
made a crime of greater degree than
legally it is at present
The late President Mckinley was
killed not because of anything he had
done as an individual, and by no means
because he was obnoxious personally to
the anarchists. but simply and solely
because. more than any other living
American. he represented the dignity
and majesty of the Republic. its Con-
stitution, laws social organization, and
civilization. Under our old concepts it
was not dreamed that any man or or
ganization of men ever would attempt
TO strike at our country and its institu-
tions through the assassination of the
national Executive, or other high Gov
ernment official. Hence, as the law
stands. the murder of President Nc
Kinley was merely a crime against the
person. cognizable by the criminal code
of tfe State of New York, while. as a
terrible matter of fact. it was a crime
against the nation in its corporate ca
pacity, because it was directed against
the body polite and only incidentally
against The body of the great and good
victim.
IT Is unnecessary at this time to take
up the question whether or not an at
tempt upon the life of the President,
and perhaps OF the Vice President or a
Cabinet Minister. should be made trea-
son and punished as such. That is a
detail which can be safely left to the
legislative branch of the Government.
Amy new OF enlarged definition OF the
crime of treason would involve a con-
titutional amendment AS far as con-
Germs the present. the country is bound
by section 3. paragraph l. OF Article
III of the Constitution, which reads:
Treason against the United States shall con-
sist only in leving war against them, or in
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
THE CAPITOL CRUSH.

There would be general protest
against abolishing the custom of lying In
state. as there is against abolishing the
ancient custom of forcing the President to
shake hands with his constituents-the en-
tire American people-on reception days.
and ordinarily there is no reason to fear
for the conduct of a crowd when 1t gath
ers TO see the shrunken form that was
once its representative. its hero, its leader.
or its friend. The unfortunate crush at
the Mckinley funeral was due more to
to forbid in future. When the last rites
prescribed by love and honor are held
above relies of those who now hold
high pace among MS, and have deserved
their fame, there fnust be no discord in
.ne solemn harmon,es. Respect of self is
a due of the people no less than respect
of those who are best among them
RrookIyu Eagle
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
THE KINDLY CANADIANS.

Montreal's welcome TO its royal visitors
was shorn of all festive features. Here
and there" says a despatch from that
city. ''one sees lonely, deserted triumphal
arches that will never greet the person
ages they We're erected to honor" Our
neighbors must have imposed upon them
selves considerable self-sacrifice by the
suppression of their intended demonstra-
tions of loyalty; but the willingness with
which they accept their disappointment is
fully appreciated here. May their SYM
pathy inspire those among us who have
neighborly feelings for the Canadians;
and may the rivalry of our two peoples in
the work of subduing a continent hence
forward proceed in generous and frater-
nal spirit PHILADELPHIA Record.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22
HOWIsON's WITHDRAWAL.

The talking admiral has stepRd out of
the naval Court of Enquiry. and The vera
cious newspaper reporter who quoted him
is triumphant Admiral Howison did say
what Mr.. Frost, of the Boston Herald.
said he did in a famous interview pub
lished in that journal. Admiral Howl
sons denial before his compeers consu-
as to warrant them in excusing him from
the Court upon the challenge of Admiral
Schley. From the very outset it is evil
dent that Schley is in this to fight, and OF
his quality as fighter the world hSs al
ready abundant pToof.-Portiand Ore
gonian.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22

To some Southern Congressman who
called on him yesterday President Roose-
welt is said to have declared that he in
tended to be President of the United
States and not of any section. His pur-
pose does him credit; not the less because,
like other of his acts. it is carrying out
the policy of his predecessor.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22

By tomorrow it is expected that all Of
the steel plants affected by the late
strike. the tin plate mills excepted, will
be in full operation. The tin plate work
ers are still resisting, probably viii re-
main out for a time, and secede from the
Amalgamated Association. Consequently
it is anticipated that several weeks may
elapse before new men can be found to
completely operate the tin plate works.
The Washington times., 1901-09-22

Leopold ii of Belgium is known through
out Europe as the Commercial mon
arch from the fact that he Is more of
a man of business than any merchant in
Brussels. AS a speculator In land and
houses the King OF the Belgians has
proved himself an expert second to none.
1t is in this direction that his leanings
tend. Indeed, the throne apart Leopold
II may be legitimately styled a property
exploiter. He has bought up land here,
there. and everywhere and seen to its de-
velopment in person.
King Leopold's biggest venture was, of
course. the Congo Independent State.
which he practically founded. The Congo.
the sovereign rights of which his Ma ajesty
has bequeathed to Belgium. is the Kings
chief hobby. He does not make much out
of 1t, but he hands over about 5000. 900 n
year out of his own pocket to his black
empire. He knows that 1t will be a good
thing one day. When Leopold ii first
coveted the Congo slavery and cannibal-
ism Were carried on on a wholesale scale.
but today there is no cannibalism and
very little slavery.
The King governs the Congo from his
palace at Brussels, three of the princi-
pal officers of state assisting him And
well he does il, seeing that in the Congo
he has 30.009.000 ebony subjects and 500 900
square miles of territory.
The King enjoys a salary of $500 Gl1 n
year, which with his huge private for
tune. is, one may suppose. quite sufficient
for his purpose Among his many duties
are those of convoking, proroguing. and
dissoIving Parliament, and in this con-
nection il may be observed that from a
pecuniary point of view the legislator in
Belgium is far better off than in England
for he gets $500 a year for his services
and a free pass over the Government
railways between his home and the
houses of Parliament.
The country over which Leopold III rules
IL In one way the most peculiar In Eu-
rome The population is little over 6O0o.-
900. OF this number slightly over 100000
persons speak Flemish only, 2Ve.oo speak
French only. while 700. 900 are conversant
with no other language but German. The
King himself Is a clever linguist for he
has Travelled far and wide. but. 1t may be
asked. how do his subjects fare In this
land of Babel?
The Washington times., 1901-09-22

The recent exhaustive enquiry by a
commission appointed on the question OF
the total abolition OF black labor on the
sugar plantations in North Queensland
has resulted in the opinion that the total
abolition CT that labor means the extinc-
ton of the industry. The result of the
finding OF the Federal Parliament will be
interesting after the Governments recent
pronouncement against any further i'm
portation of Kanaka labor with the grad
uai extinction of the existing black en-
ployes.