The Washington times., 1905-03-19
CHAPTER 1.
Introducing Senator Langhorne.


TO make people, common usage
to the contrary notwithstanding, and tho
people of the United States is no excep-
ton to the rule Also there are many
kinds of persons, each with its own par
ticular interests and its own particular
hobbies. Therefore to pick common
ground on which the people could unite
is more difficult than picking the win
ner Of an American Derby Only the
gambler knows how hard that is
Far out in the East-it is a strange !
anomaly that Americans travel west
ward to get to the East-American trade
had been BROUGHT to standstill. Imag-
Inc American trade at a standstill any
where. But the impossible had been ac-
conplished. Raw materials valued at
hundreds of thousands of dollars, ready
to ship to American factories, lay in
boxes and bales in the warehouses and
on the wharves of the Far Eastern ports
with good chance of continuing raw
for IN indefinite period. Many vessels
laden with American manufactures and
food stuffs were lying in Philippine har-
bors, whittier they had come after met
fectuai efforts TO discharge their cargos
IN the ports OF China. Manchuria, ano
Korea
This state of affairs was not the re-
suit of boycott of American goods and
trade by the willy Celestials. In fact
they were as much worried and har-
assed BY the course things had taken
as the Yankees themselves But there
We're certain japanese and British war
ships cruising in the waters of the Yal-
low sea which disCoura ged all attempts
at trade with China. For at last China
had been drawn into the struggle be-
tween Russia and Japan. In spite of
the American note, subscribed to by all
the foreign powers, declaring that the
neutrality of China must be preserved.
Russian diplomacy had forced the hand
oil the yellow empire. China had ranged
Itself on the side Of the White Bear
against its old enemy. Immediately
Japan had called upon her ally, England.
And England had responded
AT the word of the Car thousands OF
yellow troops hurried from China TO the
seat of war in Manchuria TO relieve as
far as possible the hard pressed Russian
armies. Nor had these yellow troops
proved poor foemen in spite of the pre-
dictions of foreigners. The Chinaman is
naturally brave With discipline and
modern arms recently acquired he gave
a good account of himself in the wilds
of Manchuria. The combined forces
made the Japanese pause in their march
to victory. For the first time since the
beginning of the war months before the
little brown men were on the defensive
While the goddess of fortune smiled
On Russian arms at last ashore, on the
water matters were far different True
to her old idea that in war d waste of
time is waste Of money England hur-
ried her fleets 10 the Baltic and to the
Far East. Joining with the japanese the
first step OF the British men-of-war had
been to blockade the principal ports of
China and tie up, all trade.
American trade at a standstill. No
wonder the country was in an uproar
Uncle Sam lets his pocketbook hang
loose, but let him who presses it be-
ware. When the blockade was an
nounced Wall Street was in a whirl
The pulse of the stock market huctu-
ated like that of an old maid receiving
her first proposal Of marriage Yellow
Journals predicted war, and specula-
ton was rife on every hand as to
which side the United States would
throw its weight.
The United States must interfere in
10 II 4 -
In the country. On no condition must
the United States interfere, declared
another equally large number of loyal
citizens. To become involved might
mean a war costing the country mil
lions Through the long months Of
the fall the wires 70 Washington were
kept hot with messages from the East
and from all parts of the country call
praciJa.If fo P,,f n
wise Administration. whine keeping a
close watch on the situation. had re-
fused to take a step which might
plunge The country into war.
Wait till Congress assemblies, had
threatened the indignant merchants
whose trade had been ruined by the
course of events In the Far East. And
wisely the country waited-th.re was
rcthing else to do, and it was very hot
anyway. Expectantly, like a dog on his
launches waiting for his master to
fling him morsel of meat, not knowing
which way to turn, the country had
waited. and at last Congress had as
seInbled.
To the establishment of the people at
sarge. who, after all, resemble largely a
flock Of sheep in spite of self-govern-
rneut. still nothing was done. week
had passed since the two legislative bod
les had taken their seats In the great
house on the hill Several fiery speeches
had been made on the floor Of the
House, and even the Senate had been
electrified by the words of Junior Sen
ator on the rack and ruin 80 which
American commerce was being brought
by the pusilIanimous-that is the word
he psed-conduct of the administration
sone of the older Senator'S had smiled
at this part of the address, and Senator
James 3. Langhorne had frowned and
then laughed outright. Already floods
Of petitions had been received by Con-
Rress. signed by thousands OF men who
wanted something, they were not quite
sure what Others came from the great
wonen's organizations OF the country.
pleading that the United States inter
fere to prevent further bloodshed. A
woman is never happier than when she
In engaged IN : crusade. II II be against
drink. gambling. or Nightingale vices Of
men-so much the better.
This was the condition Of affairs when
Senator Langhorne. the senior Senator
Prom New York entered his Office q the