davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29
SCIENTIFIC NOTES.

To plants nitrogen in the soil is some
thing like oxygen in the air to animals.
The fertility of the soil depends upon the
nitrogen in it. All growing plants use up
great quantities of nitrogen, and to keep
up the fertility it must be constantly re-
placed. Most all manures depend for their
value upon the amount of nitrogen they
contain, and this is what makes ammonia
so valuable. The leguminosae, the plants
which have pods, have the quality of tax
ing the most nitrogen from the air and
converting it into a shape where it is
readily assimilable by plants. The legu-
minosae among trees are the locust, Ken
lucky coffee tree, and SOphora Japonica !;
among plants, the clovers, of which there
are nearly 100 defined species, and the
beans, peas, etc. All farmers know from
practical experience that it makes the land
richer to grow these, but recently science
has found out the reason.
The English claim that brown-colored
egg is necessarily superior to a white one,
and the English grocers are dyeing the
shells with decoction of coffee or aniline.
The graphite industry has become very
important one in the United States. La
1903 the United States consumed 37,75S
tons, valued at 81 ,508,5S9, of which only
$225, 554 worth was produced in this coun-
try. This was, however, an increase over
crystalline, and it is used for lead pen
ellis, lubricating, etc. In the United States
this comes mostly from Essex and Wash
ington and Counties Of New York, and
Chester Co., Pa. Most of the worlds sup
ply comes from Ceylon.
The consumption Of borax is increasing
in the United States, in response to a de-
mand by glass and tile makers, painters,
hat makers, calico makers, and beef pack
ers. The domestic production is increasing
rapidly, and a great deal comes from the
desert dry-lake region of California, though
considerable is found in Nevada and
Oregon.
One of the inventions which makes one
wonder why it was not thought of before
is a continuous sounding device. At pres
ent the only way to survey the bottom of
body of water is by "heaving the lead"
This is slow and tiresome work, and only
gives the depth at the points at which the
lead was heaved, and can not indicate any
thing between them. There may be great
rock or a piece of a sunken wreck which
would do much damage. A device has
been patented by which graduated rod
runs freely up and down the side of a
boat and terminates in wheel running
along the bottom of the river. The rod is
about 80 feet long and as the boat moves
it indicates every uneayenness on the floor
Of the stream.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

The japanese are forcing their way
Arthur. and each day brings hopes Of Sc
curing the keypoint, which must compel
the surrender Of the fortress. Even il this
is not done, the suffering of the beleaguer-
ed town must soon compel the white flag.
Coal and provisions are undoubtedly very
scarce, and there il daily apprehension of
an outbreak Of cholera which must be ter
ribly fatal. 1t is hardly possible that the
advent of some awful plague can be stayed
many days.
The japanese are now said to be in a
position to command the city's water sup
ply, which alone may force the speedy sur
render.
The forces Of Marshal Oyama are slow
~ moving northward, and have been for
some days within % miles of Mukden, at
various points, southwest, south, southeast
and east. The evident intention is to
flank the Russians out the city, and if pos
sibIe out Of Tie Pass. The Russians are
ready to abandon Mukden upon the ap-
plication Of any considerable pressure, but
announce that they will offer stubborn bat
tie at Tie Pass. This. again, will depend
upon the success and strength Of the Jap
anese flank movements.
The japanese are planning to flank the
Russians, before Winter, not only out Of
Tie Pass, but out Of all the places in the
rear, through the mountain ranges, clear
back to Chang Wung-Fin, the gateway to
the valley Of the Sungari River. Unless
Kuropatkin resists these more successful
~ than he has previous incursions upon the
railroad in his rear. his retreat will have
to be continuous to Hardin.
The Gar expresses the determination to
continue the war on q much larger scale.
and has issued orders which will increase
the army to 100000 or 10000 men. Gen.
Kuropatkin's command has been reduced
and another army will be formed with Gen.
Grippenberg ~ commander. 1t may be
that Viceroy Alexien will command the
whole, or that the Grand Duke Nicholas
Michaelovitch, at present Inspector Gen
eral of Cavalry. will be appointed to the
command.
The Emperor Is personally convinced
that the political, as well a. the military,
prestige Of the Empire il at stake, and
that every other consideration must give
way before the exisencies Of var. The
resources Of the Empire in mon and money
must be drained, II necessary, in order to
turn the scale and vindicate the power OF
Russia. The reorganization amounts to
formal notice to the world, as the Emperor
frankly explains In his rescript, that he IN.
tends to vastly increase the number Of
troops at the theatsr Of war In order to
force the struggle to . successful issue In
the shortest possible time It = intended
to silence definitely all talk Of foreign In
tervsntion By the announcement that Rus
| sia means to fight out the issue with
Japan on the hsld Of battle. Probably
SO0.0 addioeaal men viii b placed IN
the field.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

The japanese Nfe immense advantages
over the RussianS'in their knowledge Of
the country and the languages. The Jap
anese have been studying Manchuria for
years, in their msthSaical. thorough way.
entirely reckless Of time and labor. They
have known that this war had to come. and
have gotten ready, for it to the last detail.
The Russians have OILY acquainted them
selves with 50. much 0E the country - they
had to know. They have gone into it
like the Spaniards ipto South America,
relying upon the strong arm to compel the
natives to find out sferi them whatever they
desired. Naturally, the Chinese have de-
ceived them wherever they could. and the
Russians knew too little Of the Chinese
and their language to know when they
were being deceived.
Like all the East, Manchuria has in
Vulnerable dialects and tongues. There is
the written or Mandarin" language. the
speech Of the ruling caste, and which all
the educated Chinese can read. but only
a limited number speak. Much the most
of them give to the written characters the
words of the language of their own
province. so that the written language Is
spoken differently in every village and
community. 1t is as il all Europe had
the same workshops. but French, Dutch.
English and German, Italian, ETC., each
pronounced the sign according to his own
speech. The English would read GER
tain word-sign "man." while the French
would pronounce it ''homme," the Spanish
"hombre," etc. Our Arabic numerals are
a good comparison.
To the educated Japanese the Mandarin
language is is familiar as the French and
German a . our educated men, and, be-
sides, they have been industriously study
ing all the different dialects in Manchuria
They are in constant trade communication
with those peoples, and it is very easy
for japanese scout or spy to 60 any
where, and find out what he wants to-
When a japanese officer goes out for in
formation, he gets it at first hand, and can
question and croSs-question those from
whom he obtains it. The Russians can
do nothing of the kind. They began a
school at Vladivostok for instructing young
Russians in the Manchurian dialects, but
the war came on before it had more than
got into operation. When their Cossacks
go out on a scout they get little more in
formation from the people than from the
birds, the cattle and pigs.
From the very first, therefore, the jap
anese have had at once the most accurate
information as to the Russian positions,
numbers and movements, while the Rus
slams have had to guess at those Of their
enemies
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29
POLITICAL NOTES.

There was strong contest in the New
York Convention between Edward NJ.
Grout, of Brooklyn, Comptroller Of
Greater New York, and Edward NJ.
Sheppard, Of Brooklyn. Mr.. Sheppard
finally withdrew. because of the opposition
Of the Kings County delegation, and Mr.
Grout because of the hostility of Tam
many Hall. Then Ex-senator D. B. Hill
nominated Supreme Court Judge Daniel
Cady Herrick, of Albany. for Governor,
and he was nominated by acclama ton
The platform is generally devoted to State
issues, and severely arraigns the Odell
Administration for extravaganza, waste,
and for the Governor combining in him
self the function of Governor and the
Chairman of a political machine. David
B. Hill spoke for the ticket. and it seems
to meet with general satisfaction among
the Democrats.
mated Ex-Governor Alva Adams, of
Pueblo, for Governor. The platform ac-
cuses the Republican State Administra-
ton of violating every safeguard of the
individual by the bill of rights, and de-
mands an eight-hour law and a Bureau
of Forestry, and for an initiative and ref
erendum.
The Republicans Of New Jersey held an
enthusiastic and harmonious convention at
Trenton, Sept. 20, at which Ex-senator
Edward G. Stokes was nominated for Gov
ernor by reclamation. The platform asks
among other things for the taxation of all
second class railroad property at local
rates, which would add about 500, 900 to
the taxes paid by the railroads to the State,
of which Jersey City would receive $275,-
600.
The New Hampshire Republicans in con-
vention at Concord nominated John Nc
Lane for Governor by reclamation. The
platform confines itself to a laudation Of
the career of the Republican Party.
The Police census of the voters of Balti-
more shows a total of 1871 ,215, which is an
increase over 1903 of 1896. Of these
voters 1865 are white, and 81 ,66O are
colored
Gov. Montague, of Virginia, has higher
political aspirations. He wants to come
to the United States Senate next year in
the place Of Senator Martin.
The Reform Club has Intercepted 80
Democratic editors i'm Northern and West
ern States as to their views on the tariff,
and the result of the inquiry is of con-
siderable significance. Seven hundred and
twenty-six editors favor revision; 522
thorough revision" 500 believe that all
raw materials should be free; 713 believe
that the tariff on trust-produced goods
should be greatly reduced" and % be-
lieve that it should be abolished entirely
519 editors believe it Is wise to make
tarif-reform an issue in this campaign. To
each question 10 or IL per cent of the edi-
tors returned doubtful" answer; that
is, 1874 could not say to what extent re-
vision should go; 70 were doubtful of the
expediency of making the tariff a leading
issue this year. In all probability these
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29
Captured Spanish Fort.

C0mrade D. r. Sanders. First Lieuten-
ant, Go. E, 61st H., writes: I'm your is
sue Of March 8, under title Occupation Of
Spanish Fort Comrade Jowett tells as
that about 2 o'clock ~ m, April 8. 1855,
his company made. g. gallant charge and
entered the fort aDdto their surprise found
no enemy to oppose them, the rebels hay
ing gone by boats across the bay. II Com
rade Jewett had belonged to either the 9Th
Iowa or 81st Ill. heewould have known that
those rebels did ndt al cross the bay; but
that about 40 of them were under guard
at Gen. Cars headquarters, having been
captured between s8 and o'clock the
evening before. The fact 10 that about
shutdown, April 8. Col. Giddis, our bril-
Iowa, followed byothe.S1st Ill.,, made an
assault on the. extreme left OF the fort,
carried 1t at the, point Of the bayonet,
sent into the fortita heavy line Of Skin
mishers, picked up, all the rebels left, and,
being joined by fhs, other regiments Of
his brigade. marched down to the water
S %s e. and d,, had ss1oa
cured 4 splendid pair Of shoes made Of
home-tanned leather.
Marching back to camp, we were quiet
H. sleeping wn c p 10 N = The next
Ordnance Omcsr on the star Of Gen.
Carr, went into the fort to examine the
captured artillery he did find some one on
guard at some Of the guns, but he marked
them Captursd by Third Brigade, Third
Division, Sixteenth Corps
snow, Comrade Jewstt, IL You had
known that Smiths Guerrillas were On
the line ron would npt have made the
mistake OF thinking that you were the
first inside Of the fort-for L was well
known In the Western Army that they
always got there hrsti If yea dad start
d shout eight hours sooner on that
charge you might have haA the pleasure
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29
A WRITER in Scribner's Magazine say:

A WRITER in Scribner's Magazine says !:
'aThe japanese used both shrapnel and
impact shells, and both were terribly efec,
tive"
What he was probably trying to say
was. both fuse and percussion shells" As
everybody knows, except writer's on the
Eastern war, shrapnel means q shell filled
with small balls, which are scattered. at
ter the shell strikes, by bursting charge,
and this may be fred either by a fuse or
by percussion.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29
SCIENCE AND INVENTION.
Work Of the Worlds Busy Brains in Discovering venting and
Creating.

which are located in the revolving struc.
ture Of the derrick. The inner and lower
end of the jib has q pin connection to the
revolving structure, so that, by winding
up to the drum, the outer end il raised
and Is brought in toward the center, while
unwinding the drum lowers the outer end
and moves it out from the center. The
hosting blocks are carried. al before men.
toned, from the outer end OF the jib
and the leads from these blocks run down
the jib to drums, which, like the others,
are operated by electric motors.
HOUSEHOLD HELP.
There is big pail which is to be mum.
bered among the latest household helps,
something which looks to be q cross be.
tween a milk pail and q churn. 1t is
neither, but a breadmaker, and you can
knead four loaves of bread, or eight if de-
sired, in three minutes, and the bread is
warranted to be the kind that the modern
mother learns to make at a scientific cook.
ing school. The pail is of heavy tin and
sheet steel, with two handles at the top
There is clamp, by means of which the
pail is fastened firmly to the table. The
crank is attached to heavy wire with a
deep curve at the lower end, on the inside
The materials for the bread are put into
the pail, the liquids first and the -four last
and with few turns Of the crank the bread
is mixed, kneaded, and set to rise, well
covered. In the morning the dough is
loosened from the sides Of the pail with
a knife. the crank is turned for the second
kneading, the dough is lifted from the
pail on the big hook, and cut OF for the
pans. There is no unpleasant working
with the hands, and while the good, ordi-
nary breadmaker does not have the trou.
BILE Of the woman pictured on the circu.
lar. who is making her bread In the old.
fashioned way. there are many reasons
for preferring this more modern one. A
breadmaking pail which will accommodate
four loaves of bread will cost 50, and one
for double that quantity $3.50
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

Three dollars q week seems very mod
est recognition BY the wealthiest Nation
in the world to the men who saved it from
destruction.
1t is a very meager allowance to furnish
a man. who is past the age of labor, and
his wife with food. FIRE, shelter, clothes
and medicine.
Certainly this great Government owes
that much to the men who sacrificed every
thing that it might be what it now is.
No man who reads and understands the
history of the great war Of the rebellion
will hesitate for an instant to assert that
every man who helped maintain the in
tegrity of the Nation through that awful
struggle, richly earned q comfortable sup
port in his old age from the Government.
To deny this would be rank ingratitude
and injustice. 1t would be such heartless-
ness as in private life would expose the
doer of it to the deserved contempt of the
community.
The Government has always provided in
their old age for the men who fought its
battles in their youth. This principle is
as well established as any other National
policy. 1t is even older than the, Nation,
and was the fixed policy of each of the
States when they were colonies. 1t has
received the warm approval of every states
man whose name adorns our annals. Ev-
cry one supported such a policy by his
vote. his voice, his pen, and his action,
when he was where he had an opportunity
to pass upon the matter.
The pension was given for far less serv-
ice than is required to qualify the veter-
ans of to-day for a pension.
While the rate for previous wars was
less than So week, yet that was when
money was worth far more than it is to-
day.
Eight dollars month meant much more
to the veterans of the Revolution, the
War of 1872 and the Indian wars than
$12 month does to-day. The soldiers in
the early history of the country were paid
as low as So a month, where they get $13
and upward to-day.
IL VIII IcqulIc NCly SiOSo uidndSCmCAI
for the veteran Of to-day to get along as
well on s. Q week as the Revolutionary
veteran did on 81 week.
The strongest argument against the
Service Pension Bill is the amount that it
will cost. 1t is not the fault of the vet
Grams that they are so many. 1t was the
fault of the great war. They were not to
blame that it took so many of them to do
the work. The bigness Of the work was
for that They did more than
any other soldiers in all the worlds his
tory were required to do and wore them
selves out in doing it. This is the more
reason why their pension should not be de-
layed.
Large as the number may be, the wealth
Of the country makes the burden of pen
sion payments much less proportionately
than was incurred when q pension Of 50
a month was granted to the veterans Of the
and the War Of 1912.
Compared with the wealth and resources
of the country, $3,2OS,373 paid for pen
sions in 1920 was far heavier bun.len
than $13S, 49,, GAG in 1903.
Above all, it is right. 1t il just. It is
grateful. 1t is in keeping with the grand
ly right-loying, justice-doing character Of
the people Of the Unitsd States.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29
PICKING UP THE SOUND OF BELLS.

BY agreement with the Canadian Gov
eminent, 80 bells are to be installed in the
st. Lawrence River and off the coast of
the maritime provinces. Twenty-six Of the
stations will be worked from shore and
four from lightships. In order to use the
system ships are equipped with telephone
receivers, which pick up the sounds of the
bells at a distance Of four to 10 miles. 1t
is claimed that a vessel thus equipped can
easily pick it's way through a difficult pas
sage, even in fog or storm. The system
has been we'll tested, and has been pro-
nounced a most important invention for
the safety of ships at sea. 1t is expected
that all ships making Canadian ports will
be equipped with telephone apparatus for
picking up the sounds of the bells. Already
provisional arrangements have been made
with the principal steamship companies of
the Dominion for the installation of the
apparatus.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29
More or Less ola invention.

More or Less Odd Inventions.
o. p. HalIop, Of Mattituck, N. T., has
invented . potato sorter to separate the
large potatoes from the small ones and
from the dirt.
f. G. Mudd has patented device by
which an animal stepping upon q platform
pumps the water it is to drink, and an
other by which the waste water il emptied,
SO that each animal has fresh water.
w. #. Clark, of North Adams, Mass, has
patented a device for q coaster which en-
ables the rider to sit upright and prevents
the wear and tear on clothes and shoes Gus
tomary in this sport.
G. G. King, Of Little Rock, Ark, has
patented q device for bit for kicking,
baking or runaway horses, which will
pinch and close the nostrils of the horse,
shutting out the air, and thus reducing him
to control.
Oliver L. Mayes, of Evanston, Wyo., has
patented an invention for filling out the
hollows in ones cheeks, and which can be
comfortably worn.
Lillian Swain, of New York, has pat
ented device Of non-corrosive material to
put around a woman's neck to spread her
hair out after washing, 50 that it will dry
quickly and uniformly.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

THE scare over torpedoes and torpedo
boats subsidized almost as quickly as it
raised and now we are going on conf
IDENTIFY talking about a 10000 ton battle
ship Naval people are now repeating
Admiral Farragut's famous remark about
torpedoes
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

AFTER the condition in which the Lena
arrived at San Francisco there would ap-
pear to be as much buncom about the Rus
slams as the Spanish. She had only made
what would be very short voyage, for
q cruiser. yet she was so dilapidated that
It will take weeks if not months to put
her into repair TO 60 to sea again.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

by being passed through rollers, which arr
mounted upon pair Of handles like tongs
This can be done while the garment is or
the wearer and will greatly cheaper the
cost Of the work.
GREATEST LIFTING MACHINE.
What is believed to be the most power.
full lifting machine in the United States
is located at Newport News, Va, in the
great shipyard at that point. It is utilized
tor transferring heavy portions of q vessel
such as armor-plates, engines. guns, etc.
from the wharf to their positions in the
lar derrick, and it operated entirely by
electric power. It has actually raised q
weight Of over $50 tons, swinging II
around q circle lat feet in diameter.
Loads weighing 20 tons have been lifted
and swung in circle Of POT feet. The
derrick will lift the heaviest cannon to q
height Of 100 feet above the surface of the
water, and yet it's machinery is 50 sim
pie that but two men are required to
operate it.
This derrick Is composed Of a steel tower
or framework carried on pile foundations
This tower, which is circular, is fitted with
q track for the rollers that carry the nova
BILE or revolving portions Of the derrick
The revolving portion consists of heavi-
" framed structure, circular in general
form, and carrying a movable jib from
the outer end of which the several hosting
blocks descend vertically. The revolving
portion Of the derrick carries all the mo-
tors and machinery required for the va
rious movements, a. well al the balancing
weights required to offset the fitting ten
dency Of the jib The revolution OF the
derrick b effected BY means Of two pin
ions, which engage with q circular rack
Fixed to the stationary tower or frame
work. Each Of these pinions is driven by
q general electric motor. capable Of de-
vsioping 70 horsepower. The racking
movement OF the jfb b effected by means
Of wire ropes leading over sheayes at the
top Of the jib, and wound on large drums,
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

+ Russia. $3.50, 401: Austria Hungary,
R,O71254: United States, 1,127 ,26S; Ger
many, 5S6.94S; Turkey, 100000; British
Empire. 276,614; Abyssinia, 10000 !;
France. $4,000; and Algiers and Tunis,
a02, 49,
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

GEN. KURoKI FASTENED to report the cap
lure of four miles of railroad rails, and
200 tons of coal, which Gen. Kuropatkin
carelessly left behind when he evacuated
Liao- Yang. Gen. Kuroki always seems sur
prised that Gen. Kuropatkin would leave
anything.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-29

THE statistics given by the American
Jewish year book places the Jewish popu-
lation of the world at 1861 1892, with the
United States taking third place as to the
number of its citizens of that race. 1t
gives the following statistics of the Jewish
population in the different countries: