davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25
d I ] i /
BY j. J. T0BIN.

BY j. J. TOBIN.
NHE enormous gains of the Liberal
party at the polls In the late cleo
tion in Great Britain were not
Il so much of a surprise as the sue
cess OF the labor party. Between
the two great historic parties-Lib-
eral and Tory-the pendulum has swung
often with cataclysmal results, over
whelming now one. then the other. Six
years ago when the Boer war convulsed
all England, the Tories, with lingo war
cry, swept the Liberals of their feet
and renewed their power in Parliament by
an overwhelming majority. Now the
tables are turned and on the war cry Of
free trade" the Liberals are restored to
power with a majority over all other
parties combined.
The labor party, which had heretofore
not cut much OF a figure in British poll
tics, now comes to the front with solid
body of fifty representatives pledged to
stand shoulder to shoulder In the fight
for labor's rights against the entrenched
forces of Britain's aristocracy with long
established power and prerogative.
ParnelPs rise to power in Ireland twen-
ty-fve years ago, when from mere
handful his strength suddenly increased
to more than eighty supporters in the
House Of Commons. was OF similar signi-
ficance to the present laborite increase Of
Parliamentary strength.
Thirty-two years ago. February, 1874.
two workingmen, Alexander Macdonald
and Thomas Burt, were elected to Parlia-
ment as the first lahorites. 1t was not.
however, until 1892 that labor candidates
put in an appearance as independents.
disavowing allegiance to either of the
old parties. In this course they took
leaf out Of Parnelrs plan Of campaign
which was to bind his party supporters
to sit on the opposition benches in the
House of Commons, no matter what party
held the reins Of power-in other words
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

or the life-saving station at Point Reyes
can easily telephone TO the Presidio. from
which a telegraphic message may be sent
to Washington. Thus. with hardly more
than a few minutes delay, the President
will be made aware, by q dispatch adj
dressed directly to the war room in the
White House, Of the danger threatening,
and inside of few minutes more he can
give directions through those in direct
control Of the naval and military forces
at San Francisco for meeting the emer-
gency.
This service will be Importantly supple
mented by vessels of an entirely new
type. equipped as sea scouts, the first
three of which will be finished and placed
in commission during the present year.
These ships are known as destroyer catch
ers, and they have a speed equal to that
Of an ordinary express train. approximat-
ing thirty miles an hour. They are swift
marine messengers. can keep the sea
when the weather would be too rough
for a destroyer, and can outsteam any
thing except destroyers, which would not
dare to tackle them. Each of them is
$50 feet long and carries four qulck-fring
guns of large caliber supplemented by
eight .three-pound quick-firers-
Meanwhile, the War Department is pro-
viding a very complete wireless system
for service in the field, the apparatus for
sending and receiving aerograms being
contained in wagons built especially for
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25
SrAokelesS Gunpowder
in fhe Forrn Of Thread
TwIne and Cloth

+he nurpose. Each of these vehicles has
a complete Marconi outfit, with a little
captiye balloon to carry the wire aloft. and
is so mobile as to be readily drawn by
horses at a gallop. Some experiments
also have been made with kites as sub
stitute for balloons, and certain OF these
are quite curious, being in pattern com
binations of the old fashioned type with
the cellular kind. the middle part being
occupied by box.
In the next war our. soldiers will be pro-
vided with cheap and portable ice max
ing machines in the summer time to Keep
meats and other perishable food supplies.
fresh. Already the War Department is
furnishing camp stoves of new and
interesting pattern, which are admirably
auapted for use in the field. being Of
skeleton construction and folding up like
dress suit cases, which they somewhat
resemble Each of them is three feet
square by eighteen inches thick, contains
thirty-five aluminium cooking utensile,
and will prepare eighty pounds of fried
food and eighty quarts of soup at one
time-enough for a company of seventy
five men.
In order that the soldier may fight we'll
he must be kept happy. 1t is principle
which military authorities recognize today
much better than ever before, and they
illustrate their appreciation of it by pro-
viding tobacco as 4 part the emergency
field ration.
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

always to be "forninst" the Government.
Formerly there was little or no chance
for workingman to sit in Parliament,
because a property qualification was re-
quired. A county representative had to
have landed estate of at least $4,000 per
annum, and a borough representative
$500. These were the palmy days for that
class of politicians who were called
honorable bilks'' by Denis Kearney,
when he held forth in the sand lots In
San Francisco twenty-five years ago. 1t
was not until 1858 that the property test
for members Of Parliament was abolished.
and the poor man given a chance to rep
august assembly. What contrast the
new House Of Commons will present to
that Of former years. 1t was the English
mans boast that the British House of
Commons was 1.-The first club of gentle
men in Europe" A considerable num-
Der of the present members elect are
wage earners who want to be, classed
as "men' not as gentlemen" who toll
not neither do they spin.' but gentlemen
of the school when Adam delved and
Eve span, who was then the gentleman"
1t has always been considered the prop
er thing for a member of Parliament to
appear in the House dressed in the latest
style of evening costume-Prince Albert
coat, silk hat, etc.
In the next Parliament one can look
down from the gallery upon many wear
ing tweed working suits and hats and
caps Of all descriptions, from the Jim
Crow to the derby. 1t is therefore not un-
likely Tin conforming with usage else
where) that rule will be adopted re-
quiring members to remove their head
gear. instead OF the old practice of sitting
with glossy tiles on their heads. Old Joe
Biggar, M. p, the faithful follower of
Parnell was one OF the first to violate
the custom of wearing a silk hat while
seated on bench in the House of Com
mons. When John Burns. the great Ia
Dor leader, now a member of the Cabinet,
was elected member Of Parliament he
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25
Tie New Smoke
Rocket, for DEytirne
Signalling ~

IL was easily taken to pieces or put "a
and could be supplIsS- In . tifry with IL
furniture, which included collapStols
rubber bathtUb.
The art OF war is undergoing q 70
markable rapid evolution In these dayA
and fresh improvements ara constantly
being made in our military OUTFIT. Ou1
old fashioned field guns are now beinA
replaced by weapons OF a newfangled
type, which are quiclk-hre cannon, deltv.
ering four shots a minute with a special
contrivance for taking up the recoil. 50
that there Is no 'kick." Another notable
departure Is the making OF cloth out OF
smokeless gunpowder for bags to hold
charges for guns. the sacks being tied
with twine likewise composed OF smoke
less powder-truly picturesque novelty.
In the meantime the navy Is spending
81 500. 600 a year on target practice In or
der that the men behind the guns on our
ships may know how to shoot straight
when next we are obliged to fight And
II Is q matter worth notice that the husEI
new cruisers OF the California and Wesf
Virginia type utilize to the utmost ad-
vantage the idea of interposing water
line belt Of corn pith between their inner
and outer skins. This belt. two and one
half inches thick. Is equal to three inches
of nickel steel armor, though weighins
almost nothing at all, and II projectils
does make hole through II the entering
water causes the pith to expand, chok-
ing up the opening and preventing fur
ther inflow.
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

cape blow out his braln&"
Don O handed the revolver % LAlor.
Then from q cornsr Of the room hs
brought out tive dueltng rEpiars. ana
choice Of one.
1--WE will fight. senor. you for youT Ma
for my name. Clear little space in tha
center or the room. my dear nephew. r
am about to honor this animal by run
ming him through thu body"
The swords crossed. and LIAlsr hAA o.
other Of his many surprises whsa hs saw
how Don Q handled his weapon Hs wa
as quick as a fencing master, ana his
style, though that Of q bygons dAy, IAfs
nothing to be desired.
For the QueenP' cried Don q. aa hs
pierced his antagonists arm.
Don Basilio, stung with the pain. uaAs
a fierce onslaught. and Don Q. haldtna
his sword straightly. passed 4 through
the fieshy body. which subsidsd wtth A
horrible leaning movement to the floor
Don Q cleaned both rapiers with soma
care on the sheets, then Looking down
upon the dead man he said. softly:
Through the heart That u tha anA
Of very dirty scoundrelr' a
Lalor stood silent. staring across 81
corpse. at the terrible chief
1--WE had better be going" said Dan n
after musing pause. 'but first I would
arrange that our friend shall be In a DO
sltion to greet her Majesty from nv baI-
cony when she passes In the morninx."
with a strength OF which the vounm
man would not have believed him capable.
Don y oent down. and raising the body,
placed II in chair. Then. helped bv
Lalor, ne bound 1t in sitting posture,
and carried the chair into the balconv
outside their window. which overlooked
q main street through which the process
sion was to pass
A few moments later thew had -a..h.a
the street, and hurried along il Refors
.ur1ins the corner Lalor stopped to look
PACK. over the edge OF the balcony with
Us - mapping draperies was visible the great
plank Iace OF the Carlist sustained ther.
on his high seat OF mockery to do honor
10 ner between whom and himself had
lain the sword Of Don O.
Lalor stopped at the door of the car
rage which was awaiting the brfgand in
a narrow old lane
How about our bargain now. senor?'
Don Q took his foot from the stem. bow-
ed punctiliously to the young fellow and
answered: @'i~
You are free. Senior Lalor. Your ran
som Is remitted for the good service vo,,
nave rendered to her Majesty-and to me
thank you in her name and nv ovrr,
what do you now desire to do?''
cannot return to England-very cas-
Ay. Laior said in a dubious tone.
NOT yet am afraid, senor"
And II l remain here I shall be nut
into prison. P1s
Then, obviously. you must return u,+t,
me to the mountains. / have conceIvs,s =
hklns TO you, senor, such as is rare Mir
me- Your companionshfp will be a boo~
70 lonely old man. Besides. I need =
lieutenant in my band
Inere was nothing for it but to arra.
20 go with Don Q. at least for the prs.
ent. Lalor thanked the CHIEF. and thsv
drove away together. sA"
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

and drastic labor legislation. The Tories
or Conservatives will number 160, but they
will be divided on the fiscal question. no
matter how Balfour and Chamberlain may
patch up their differences.
The Nationalist party, numbering
eighty-four, is not altogether har-
monious. Two of their strongest sup
porters have refused to take the party
pledge-William O'Brien, whose name
was one to conjUre with, who was firsr
in the hearts of his countrymen, and
Tim Healy, the irresponsible Tim, VINO,
like Lord Rosebery among the Liberals,
thinks he is too big man to work in
harness and will pillow his own soli-
tary furrow." The fifty Laborites are
not all bound by a party pledge, al
though the majority have been selected
by what is ,snown as the L. r. c.
labor's representative committee. Diff
ferences then ar likely to arise among
them as to policy and casting votes.
Under the British Parliamentary sys-
tenn, as the expenses OF the election
must be borne by the candidates and
the members elec3 receive no COM
pensation for their services, those
whom the Nationalists and Laborites
serve or represent in the House of Com
mons must provide all expenses. The
Nationalists, poor themselves and rep
resenting In most cases poor consti-
tuencies, are compelled to pass the hat
around for obvious reasons. The La
borites, chiefly wage earners. depend
upon the voluntary support of the trade
unions, which ara very strong in Great
Britain. Each affiliated society or
union contributes annually 80 shillings,
or s6, per 1000 members to meet work.
ing expenses and only 1 penny per
member per annum to the Parliament
ary fund Out of this $780, or $1,000. q
year is paid to each Labor member
elected AS there are 2250.000 trade
unionists in Great Britain and Ireland.
a levy of l shilling. 25 cents, each per
annum yields s562,500. It is evident
the Labor party is not likely to fail
from lack OF funds.
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25
~.
FThe New Field
Tele Phohe 81

This ration, which Is intended for oc-
casions when the lighting man finds him
self separated from his command, is con-
tanned in a cylindrical tin box only ten
inches long and comprising three little
packages, representing food for as many
days. The food Is extremely concentrated,
consisting most Importantly Of pea. veal
and chocolate, with some salt and pep
per.
Probably in the next war our troops
will have field bakeries such as are
now employed by the French and other
foreign armies, which will furnish fresh
bread every morning for the soldiers.
Meanwhile the War Department is rapidly
developing the so-called "fireless cooker.
Wagons are being built which are prac-
tically nothing more than huge boxes on
wheels. the boxes being lined with felt
and asbestos. so that no heat can escape
from them In the morning a quantity
of food. which has only begun to cook. is
put into the boxes. and in the evening,
perhaps a dozen hours later, 1t is taken
out, piping hot and ready to be eaten.
the stew, hominy, coffee or what not be-
ing distributed, savory and tempting,
among the men, who thus get an appe-
tizing meal Immediately on reaching
camp if on the march, instead of being
obliged to wait for it to be prepared.
1t is proposed, by the adoption of the
freless plan. even to convey hot meals to
the firing line, running small wo-wheeled
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

walked into the House of Commons wear
ing derby hat Keir Hardie, M. p, So
ciaiist leader, always wears cloth cap
within the sacred precincts of the House,
despite the sneers of drawing-room swells.
Although in outward appearance not
dressed in the latest Poole designs, the
representatives of labor in Parliament
have held their own in debate, argument
and eloquence with veterans of culture,
wealth and refinement. AS result. we
IND that leaders in every government
since the days of Peel, whether Tory or
Liberal. have proclaimed their interest in
the condition of the working classes, and,
TO cap the climax, the present Govern
ment has made John Burns president Of
the Local Government Board, where OPP
portunities will be given him to do effec-
i've work in the interest OF the working
classes.
Men Ike John Burns, Tom Mann, Thom-
as Burt. Henry Broadhurst and Keir
Hardie have convinced the English people
that their cherished historic institutions
are not In danger at the hands Of the
wage earners, who only demand fair play
and square deal
A labor party is the logical and inevi-
table outcome of popular or manhood suf-
lrage, such as they now enjoy in Great
Britain and her colonies. At the late
miners congress in Pennsylvania the
president, John Mitchell. dwelt with en-
phasis upon the success OF the labor party
IN Great Britain, and urged the members
to profit by the example.
In the new Parliament there will be
mucn OF resemblance to the representa-
i've chambers of several European coun:
tries In the number and character of COM
pinations of men or parties representing
confiicting opinions. Instead of two or
three parties, as formerly, there will be
Liberals. Conservatives, Nationalists. La
borites and Independents. or free lances
The Liberals 376 strong out Of total OF
go, VIII have majority over all Of
eighty-two votes. but they have in their
ranks many opposed to Irish home rule
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25
H74u TRIUMPH OF THE LABORTTES.
I

The necessity and justice OF paying
salaries to members of the House Of
Commons cannot be ignored by Lib
eraI Government, and 1t is expected q
bill to this effect is likely to pass
When the late Ministers resigned their
offices they assured their supporters that
the Liberals. II successful at the polls,
would have but small majority and a
short lease of power. They chuckled over
the hectoring their successors would be
forced to endure at the hands Of the Ma
tionalists and Laborites, who hold the
balance of power. The astounding sue
cess of the Liberals has changed their
sneers and grimaces, the Tories real
izing that they are destined to remain
in the cold shade of opposition for the
next six years at least.
The Labo1ites and Nationalists are like
ly to pool their issues because both are
striving to better the condition OF the
under dog in the fight The upper dog
has had his day-a long day, lasting
through the centuries.
LEGISLATION will be demanded to ameli
orate the condition OF the unemployed.
who are so enormously increasing IN num-
Der as to become a menace to the peace
of England
The laborers in every field of industry,
both in Great Britain and Ireland. have
been knocking in vain for relief at the
doors of previous Parliaments, and now
they are buoyed up with hope that relief
Is near.
AS a proof OF their sincerity in this d.
rection the present Ministry had scarcely
taken hold of their seals of office when
the Premier announced they had put a
stop to further Chinese immigration into
Southern Africa. much to the chagrin of
Chamberlain and the millionaires Of Park
Lane and stock jobbers OF Threadneedle
street, the money bag centers OF London
That clash with the House Of Lords is
likely to happen over the passage OF rad
fcal reform bills cannot be doubted, but
with such an unprecedented majority at
their back, the Liberal Ministry win be
sure to have their way In the end.
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

take automatically a series Of snapshot
photographs showing all the land and
water in detail for thirty miles in every
direction.
By such means the commander in the
events, to know exactly how and where
the troops of the enemy are located. In
the same way the garrison Of a seacoast
fort will find It easy to discover the ap-
proach OF hostile feet long before the
vessels appear above the hOrizon-a bat
ueship being invisible at a distance of
only seven miles, owing to the curva-
ture OF the earth-and ships at sea, in like
manner, VIII be able to watch each other
from far away when hostilities impend.
The business Of gathering and commu-
nicating intelligence IS assuming a stead
lily increasing Importance in modern war
fare Our own Government is doing its ut
most 70 augment the efficiency OF this
branch Of it's military and naval service,
and at the present time there is in con-
temptation a telephone system which,
when II is completed, viii literally girdle
the encre coast line OF the United States.
1t VIII soon supplement the telegraph line,
which IS being strung all along the Pa
ciac and Atlantic coasts, the life-saving
stations being commonly employed as re-
lay Offices along the route.
When this system is fully established il
will be practicable In case OF the ap-
preach Of hostile squadron at any point
on our coast TO give instant notice to
headquarters. For instance, the keeper
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

of Don Basilio's eyes as he lay on his
back. gagged and bound.
Lalor raised himself and looked down
at Don Q with a new admiration.
How in the world did you manage it?"
I'm the most simple manner. my son.
1 gave him the choice of coming quietly
with me and submitting to my wishes, or
having his brains blown out over his
breakfast table"
"And he came with your
Most certainly. He did not even hesi-
tate. ! had no time to spare, and told
him So"
But what in the world are you going
to do with him? We can't carry him away
in our waistcoat pockets! exclaimed La
lor, entering very much into the spirit OF
the adventure.
LET him remain where he is" said Don
Q. Tonight. when all Is quiet, we will
have a trial.
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

view I have been enjoying and the un-
usual effort Of walking have intensified
the action Of my heart-no more"
Il hope that brute, Basilio-" began
Lalor.
mo, no. On the contrary. am deeply
ing"
''Can you get at him, them"
"At any moment the chief assured
him, with peculiar urbanity.
But how and where? The royal party
has arrived, the streets are decorated,
and
my dear nephew. If you will trouble
yourself to go down upon your knees,
and look under my bed, think you will
find our excellent friend there"
Don Basilio?" exclaimed Lalor.
He noticed that the coverlet OF the bed
now swept the floor. STOPPING, he raised
II. to be confronted by the savage glare
The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25
@ HOW DON QS SWORD WAS DRAWN FOR HIS O.

.'I came to look upon ths man VINO mis-
took me for traitor.
But you are a."
.Sequestrador. True. OF the nobiest
rank of brigand. But 1t Is now your turn
to reply to questions.
And so the trial opened. Don Q proved
himself a past master In cross-examina-
ton. and in an hour the plot against the
throne of Spain was laid bare In all its
atrocity.
And, now, senor. have heard enough" !"
Don Q spoke slowly. 'I will not kill you
like a dog, although you have earned
such death. I will give you chance OF
life. 1 have told you my name You are
tbe only man living who knows 1t. Twice
before. since I took to the mountains,
have l revealed that old name Of mine.
ana in neither case did the hearer live an
hour after. Take this pistol nephew and
unIoose his bonds. II he attempts to es-