davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
MUSIC.
METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE.

The audience az the Metropolitan Opera Eo1ss
last night, when the short supplemental season q
opera began. gathered in a most unm,stakahs
festival mood. The season IS 10 be devoted 70 d
single serial performance OF the dramas cousarur
ing Wagner's Ring Of the Nibelungen." and ths
prologue. which had no place in the list Of ths
regular season. made ausptcous beginning
Popular Indifference 10 "Das Rhei1god" has been
subject OF comment for years among locs
chroniclers Of operate matters in New York LaZ
night it seemed as II there had been reversal G,
the old charm. There was a fine audience in boxes
and stalls. and among the seatless behind the al
were scores OF women who. as in "Parsital days
when WEAKNESS Overcame them, found rest Uqol
doorsteps and the floor. The Performaace E-
heard with interest and attention that were VN
found and deserved the tribute which u received
1t far and away better than any represent
ton of recent years, especially in the music of ne
Rhine daughters CImes- Alien. Weed and kiTA0I-
Lunn), and the handling OF the scenic effects
the first scene. Here there was nothing 10 nai
the beautiful picture. and the movements o. u
mikes was controlled by intelligent forces NJ
all Of Wagners wishes were realized. oIt a.
Rhine daughters did not dangle and swing -4'
Hfeless pendulums as has been their wont since u
new machinery was introduced from Bayrelta
1t was in this glimmer of intelligence on the P-'
of the stage management and in the parJlcipa-'-
of Mr. Burrian Lcge that the represenis--4
differed from that of last season Nine FreuisI--
as Fricka, Miss Weed as FreiJ. Van Rooy
WOtan. Goritz as Alberich, Reiss as Mime "a M
terpiece OF Characterization, DiPQel as -
Muhlmann as Fasolt and Blass as Fatner-al- aA'
been seen and heard so often in the suoiin-''
fairy tale that there is nothing new % oe Sa--
them. The significance Of the performance lay
the fact that it had enough of excellence I'M
the direction OF Mr. Hertz. 20 SET the pess -
for the representations which are to follow -
evening and on Thursday and Saturday. Cui'e =
expeCredly the cycle has aroused an eNtraoFa---.
interest. and the capacity OF the theatre VII .
tested at the remaining performances
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

CONGRESS.-A message was received from
the President vetoing a bill extending the time
for building a dam across the Rainy River and
denouncing the practice of giving away valuable
natural resources. - Senate: Only routine
business was transacted. - House: Consid-
cradle progress was made in consideration of
the naval bill; the provision for increased pay
was stricken out.
FOREIGN-Mr. Asquith completed his reor-
ganizaton of the ministry by the appointment
of a number Of Parliamentary secretaries; the
Marquis of Ripon remains Lord Privy Seal but
the Earl of Crewe will be the government leader
in the House of Lords. - The State Depart
ment has made representations to Great Britain
regarding the seizure by Newfoundland of fish
ing vessels. - E. D Morel, secretary of the
Congo Reform Association, said that England
and America would intervene to force observ-
ance Of treaty rights if Belgium failed by June
- o4CA IIo H1o0 oil 'C @ M
- Floods at Hankow are reported TO have
caused the loss OF two thousand lives; seven
hundred junks were wrecked. = The Amer
lean Asiatic squadron is assembling at Subig
the principal ports of China and Japan. -
Hartwig Devenburg, the Oriental scholar and
member of the Institute, died at Paris. -
The. prefect of Moscow will soon begin proSecu-
tions against high police officials, charging them
with corruption and collusion with criminals.
DOMESTIC.-Many bankers spoke against the
Aldrich bill at the hearing given by the House
Committee on Banking and Currency. -
Revised figures on the Chelsea fire showed that
the loss exceeded $5,500000, and that the in
sUrance amounted to about $3,500,000 three
persons were killed and fifty injured; prompt
relief measures by state and city reduced suffer
ing 10 minimum. == The New England
Methodist Episcopal conference voted in favor
of removing the Church ban from dancing, card
playing and theatre going. == 1t was reported
at Albany that some of the Republican Senators
who voted against the racing bills would change
their votes if the occasion arose. == Gov
ernor Hughes signed the Page bill providing for
an investigation Of the New York City govern
ment -= The Wainwright amendments to
the Public Service Commissions law were prac-
tically killed by resubmission to committee at
Albany -= Ambassador Bryce was the prin-
cipal speaker at the Jefferson Day celebration
at Charlottesville, Va.
CITY--Stocks were dull and irregular. --
Senator McCarren got injunction preventing
the ousting of his delegates at the state con-
Venton to-day. - Woodrow Wilson, Sena tor
Simmons and Senator Owens spoke at the JEFF
ferson Day dinner of the National Democratic
club == The mayoralty recount case was be-
gun in the Supreme Court Arguments
were heard on a demurrer by Borough President
Ahearn In the custer suit against him. == The
investigation Of the office of Borough President
Haften OF The Bronx practically ended.
THE WEATHER-Indications for to-day:
Showers. The temperature yesterday: Highest
50 degrees; lowest, 43.
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
AN ALLRUSSIAN RAILROAD.

The pending proposition before the Russian
government for the construction % the So
called Amoor Railroad is interesting both as
Il revarsion to an old plan and as a practical
recognition of the accomplished results of the
recent war with Japan. When the railroad
across Siberia was originally projected it was
intended to keep it all on Russian soil and to
run the trans Bakal portion of it along the
Shilka River to the Amoor and then along the
north side of the latter stream to Khabarovsk.
where it would cross the AmOOr and run south
ward near the Corean border TO NIadvOstOk
In accordance with this plan the road was
bullt from Lake Baikal as far NertChinsk on
the Shilka River, and also from Vladivostok
northWard to Usurri, on the river of ts1 same
name, which forms part of the boundary be-
tween the Maritime Province of Siberia and
Corea. But then it was found practicable to
build road across Manchuria-a much shorter
and easier route and one promising much more
local patronage for the road under conditions
which would make Manchurla in effect n Rus
sian province. So the Amoor route was aban-
doned and the line was built from near Chita.
in Siberia. across Manchuria by way of Tsitsi-
har and Harbin. The present proposal is to re-
vive and complete the original scheme
1t is obviously a recognition of the results
of the war; and demonstration of the fact
that Russia in good faith regards Manchuria
as fully and permanently restored to Chinese
sovereignty. The route across Manchura is
lhcomparably preferable to that by way of the
Amoor, but II thousand miles of il are on
chinese soil. and although that part of it is
under Russian control and is policed by Rus
sian soldiers it is not purely Russian line
The Russian theory is that railroad across
the Russian empire and connecting the Baltic
with the Pacific coast should be all Russian
every inch Of It apon undisputably Russian soil
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
Il 4ntnsenlents.


ACADEMY OF MUSIC-s:15-Grsnd Opera
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
2sToR-s s.2o-Paid in Fail.
EFI,hSCO-S: S:15-The Wsrrens OF virginia
Ia I5-TTncle Tens Cabin
BROADWAY S:15--A Waltz Dream
CaSINo-s:l5-Nearly Hero.
COIoNJAI-2-S-Nsudeville
nAI,Y-S-S.15-CSirls.
IrMEY-2-s-Naudeviile.
EYOf,N NUSEE-The World in Wax
FAfpiRE-s .2o-Father and the Boys
6saRRICK-s. .l5-The Royal Mounted
GERMANS .2o-Im Weissen Roessl
FIACKETT-s15-The Witching Hour
F5EMNF-RSTEIN'S-2 :15-Naudeville. -.u-
HER AID SOTARE-SI5-The Girl Behind the Te Gouh
ffPPoDRoNE-2 Of Port Arthur ssilel anu
Circus
HUpsoN-s s:2o-The Honor of the Family vi,
CKFRROCKFR-S:I5-The Talk OF New Aoth
TTRFRTY-s 20-Pollv of the Circus
T,yCEJM-s3n-T Thief
r.yRIC-S-Don CuiXote. r-,--,.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: l9-o.lo Ni'N@N'
MAJEsTIC-s: -s:I5-Bandanna Land
MFSOp-I SSOFIN Halls 15-Concert ~, r1-.,,,.v,
rr-Eor1TITAN OPERA HOISE-S:5o-Ihe " ~.
"a TI0eSAII- ACADEMY OF DESIGN-lO a. n-falA'-
,-rz1yee .srSTFRDAM- .l5-The Merry WIDOW
S-t-Tv yORK-s:20-The Soul Kiss.
SITOY-S 2o-The Servant in the House
S-T~YTrrsANT-s -15-The Music Master
T tTr f~T<'s-e 2o-A Knight for a Day w. ,r,--,,
u,FBFR MUSIC HALLS .l5-Burlesoue OF Inc 'i'14'
WIDOW
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
from The Tribune Buresu.I


Washington April Ia President to-day seh'
a message of condplence to the Mayor OF Nhe
Mass. and placed at his disposal the use - % -,
military equpment or supplies as may be neeueu %
the fire sufferers. Senators Lodge ana crane C"iis
TO give the President personal messages froh '"e
scene of the fire.
Representative Watson. who came 70 lhtIouuc7
Charles Hernley former chairman OF the Hepuo
lican state Committee OF Indiana. made an appoint
ment to call at the White House to-morro" even
ing for conference about the Legislative pro-
gramme and adjournment
Secretary Garfield after talk with the Fresf
dent about coal lands in Alaska and the western
States announced that he would on Tuesday sehu
to the Public Lands Committee OF the House an
urgent recommendation for legislation TO save the
mineral deposits from falling into the hands OF un
desirable corporations
Other callers at the White House included Sen
ators Warner. Flint and Dolliver. Representatives
Perkins Porter DENLY, Calder. Hobson. Burton. or
Ohio Cochran, Currier Knowland and Lilley, sec
retaries Root and Cortelyou, Postmaster General
Meyer Lieutenant General H C. Coroin. retired
and Indian Commissioner Leupp-
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
BRYCE AT JEFFERSON CELEBRATION
Ambassador Says Popularity of Democracy Is
Waning in Europe.

charlottesville Va, April lS.-The 16Sth ami
versary of the birthday OF Thomas jefferson and
the eighty ninth anniversary OF the foundation Of
the University of Virginia were celebrated at that
institution to-day. the chief address being deliv-
cred by James Bryce. the British Ambassador. who
was introduced by President Alderman. lie said
in part:
Fifty years ago I'm Continental Europe the great
majority of superior minds strongly liberal
They saw the evils of the existing system more
clearly than other men In their rank OF life
and whether or they suffered personally from
misEovernmcnt they Disguised by il and
anxious To overthrow IL.
To-day in Continental Europe the position is
quite different | will attempt To decide la
which side the prepOnderance of men distinguished
In literature and science belong. but such men
in temper and less heartily democratic In opfnion
than men of the same type were In laAa
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
FONENTING CONTESTS,

The Republican National Convention is
usually called on to settle a large number of
frivolous factonal contests from the states of
the lower South. In some conventions the ac-
cumulation of such contests has assumed the
proportions of a party scandal. 1t will prob
ably be possible 10 suppress this quadrennial
outbreak of irresponsible factonalism only
when steps are taken to make the representa-
ton of the Gulf states in national gatherings
commensurate with the voting strength of the
party il that section. An irrational situation
is created when district in which from two
hundred 10 i've hundred votes are cast once in
four years for a Republican electoral ticket
or Republican nominee for Representative in
Congress can send as many delegates 10 a ma
uonal convention as a district elsewhere in
which az every election from twenty thousand
10 thirty five thousand Republican votes are
CAST. The present grotesquely unequal system
Of representation unfortunately puts premium
on factionalsm and trumped:up contests IN
oVerrepresented districts with handful of legal
Republic" voters
With such a situation 10 deal with it is all
the more regrettable 70 find some Republican
leaders fomentng similarly baseless contests in
Southern states not in the Gulf section. in
which fair measure of responsible Republican
organization exists. II is said that certain poU-
ncians in Washington are assisting in promot-
ins ue Gaming OF irregular district conventions
and an irregular state convention in Virginia
for the purpose OF sending contesting delegates
10 Chicgo. This undertaking is wholly in
ezcusable- There is regularly organized Re
publican party in Virginia, which has held dis
ulct conventions and state convention in the
authorized way Those conventions were
proper in form, were well attended and exc
cuted the business which they We're charged
10 transact without friction or disturbances
There was no secession from any of the various
nominating bodies, and each body expressed
It's opinions freely and deliberately. Five of
the ten district conventions elected delegates in
structed 10 support Mr. Taft and the state COLI
vention instructed the four deegates-at large
to vote for him. The other five district conven-
tons chose uninstructed delegates. 1t cannot
be said that this division does not suggest en-
tire frer'tom of action and does not reflect
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
THE ANTI-G4uBLJyG SENTIMENT.

If doubt existed in the mind of any RepuD
lican Senator who voted against the anti-gam-
bling bills regarding the temper of the Repub-
licans in the upper part Cf the state. that doubt
must have been removed by the Governors re
ception at Buffalo and Utica and by the action
of various communities in meeting and roundly
condemning their representatives who opposed
the bills. The upstate public is keenly aroused
and its present condition of mind is not likely
to relax, for the Governor is apparently going
to fight as never before and he will talk to the
constituents of every Senator who, in his OpiI-
ion, has misrepresented public feeling in his dis
trct Unless these Senators can say something
better in defence of their attitude than they
have said hitherto, it is probable that they will
soon find public sentiment running even more
strongly against them than now. When they go
home for the time between the regular and the
special legislative session they will probably
have an interesting personal session with their
constituents.
The Governor never appeared to better ad-
vantage than in the fight that he is now con-
ductng. He does not believe in controlling
votes through the use of patronage or the veto
power, but he does believe that the voters have
right, if they wish to exercise it, to demand
that their representatives shall fairly represent
them. He sticks close to an impregnabe posi-
ton. In response to the Governor it is no ar
gument for an obJector to say that he does not
believe gambling be stopped or that he does
not think the present bill is the best means Of
stopping it. Those considerations are beside
the question. The Governor calls attention to
the fact that the constitution prohibits gambling
everywhere, while the law to favor the book
makers puts q severe penalty on gambling out
side the betting ring and an unenforceable pen
atty on gambling within it. Such discrmina
tion in favor of what a large majority of the
people, certainly In the country districts regard
as a corrupting influence will be very hard for
it's supporters to defend against the Governors
keen attacks.
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14

ceIlor of the Exchequer is well deserved rec
ognition of the remarkable administrative abil-
ity which that representative of gallant little
Wales has shown and perhaps also of the meas
urabIe abatement of the Radicalism which ne
formerly cherished The replacing of Lord Eli
gin by Lord Crewe in the Colonial Office VIII
meet with cordial approval on all hands rs
filling one of the most important places with
man of assured and exceptional promise. Mr..
McKenna at the Admiralty is unknown
quantity though in other departments of gov
ernment he has displayed high ability Mr.
Runcman has amply earned the Presidency OF
the Board of Education. The Board of Trade
may not be congenial a place for Mr.. WIN
ston Churchill as the Colonial Of1ce would
have been, but at least it gives him full Cabinet
rank-and incidentally it gives him the fighting
chance of his life to retain his seat in MancheS-
ter, which used to be a Conservative stronghold
and which the Conservatives have for weeks
been making elaborate preparations TO regain
The governments policy has been and Will con-
tinue to be attacked by the Opposition. but it
appears to command the continued confidence of
the majority of the Liberal party. The losses
which that party is suffering in by-electons are
heavy. but they do not surely indicate anything
more than the movement of the independent and
floating vote Whether that movement could be
checked now by any change of policy is exceed
ingy doubtful Whether it can be gradually
checked and so reversed as to bring about some
thing like party equilibrium before the end Of
the present administration is a question which
Mr.. Asquith's Cabinet has to answer not in its
composition, but in the work which it will do III
the next two three years
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14

That is an eminently sound principle, prac-
tically identical with the American idea that the
Isthmian Canal, which is to form a waterway
betveen orr Atlantic and Pacific coasts, must
he under American control. we must, there-
fore commend the sound sense ana lndomltapie
enterprise OF Russia in proposing to undertake
this colossal work, as much we must also
admire the good faith in which at so great Il
cost the results of the contest over Manchurla
are accepted If there were any serious pros
meet of her acquiring Manchuria or the north
ern part of it. Russia would scarcely spend
500 OOOO 600 on a new railroad To NladivOstok
With Manchuria surrendered completely TO
China it is necessary to build the new roau at
whatever cost to escape the intOerable alterna-
tive of having communication with her Pacific
port only by way of alien territory.
The building of the new railroad VIII ne
difficult task, since it is to run through one OF
the most inhOsptable lands of the world Ihe
distance from Kbabarovsk to Nertchinsk is
about fourteen hundred miles. Most OF the
country is mountainous and sparsely populated
The mean yearly temperature of much of 1t IS
below the freezing point perhaps as low as ~
degrees Fahrenheit and at depth OF three
feet the ground is perpetually frozen. In the
three feet of surface soil which become free
from frost in the short summer wheat and rye
are grown. but in small quantities, and IT seems
doubtful whether any considerable population
could he maintained there. or whether agrl-
culture could be made to pay on any large scale
There may, of course, be mineral resources sur
icient to make the opening of the country by
n railroad profitable, but that is by no means
certain The only assured reason for the new
line is that it is necessary for the integrity OF
the empire and for the maintenance of Russian
interests in the Pacific. That reason Will prob
ably be regarded as sufficient for assuming the
enormous cost and for pushing the great work
to completion at the earliest possible date.
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
CANALS OLD AND NEW.
From The Chicago News

Canals more wonderful than those OF Panama
and Suez are already in prospect. The early sum
mer Is TO see the commencement of an inland
waterway that will dwarf them both into com
paiatlVe insgnitcance. This is the long projected
Baltic and Black Sea canal which will intersert
Russia from north TO south. distance of 1850
officially at $500 900 600 although IT will nrobahI,
largely exceed even this sum
Another wonderful canal scheme which is heinp
enthusiastically taken up in Italy contemplat tes
nothing less than the joining by this means OF
Genoa and Lake Constance. To dc this il will be
necessary, ~ course, 10 cross not only the Apen-
nine Mountains, but also the Aims
This II Is proposed 10 do by means of a now in
ventlon In locks involving the construction of a
series OF inclined tubular water lifts. 1t may yet
mountain range in Europe
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
ITALIAN OPERA AT THE AcAOENS

New York has been dealing in its Own Wy
three generations past with nearly every co---
able sort Of Italian opera. but there are stI H.
ayers left who are persuaded that their qiF-'
brand of this commodity IS deserving - q '-'' =,
test Of public favor. The latest adventure "-
field is Mr. Ivan Abramsoc, who has chosen
week as the time and the Academy OF Nus
the place 10 gauge the appeal Of his en-
company 20 New York auditors ar popular s'
The weeks engagement began last n'Sh'
'Rigoletto" and this evening there VII -
TrOvatore." while Verdi Will divide the rs'-'
performances with DonjzsJyi Nj Aorsn-SoA - i.
Q repertory of twenty-four works ard aS
record for continuous run OF serious oee,-
ChiCago. where his company this winter - -
ten prosperous weeks, giving old and e" ,s
Italian operas including fourteen repEes<", e
of Verdi's "Otello." Philadelphia. - LOUIS,
city. 81 Paul and other cities have sAa.,-
activities Of Mr. Abrausou's Organization a"~
the metropolis gets its turn .,,-,
II may as well be said az once that If F''sO,rrss
he fair example Of the new company = -
there is little 70 difrereuti4te this attsnlpt -
dollar opera from its numerous PfeI " 5
Mr.. Abramson's tenor, Nj Russo. proved !"
singer Of excellent vocal endowment ,.s.l
Nine. NorelH made a pleasant but roy ~ 20.
impression as Gilda. Her voice Is hSht ~ ~ d.
sonahIy agile, aud she sang caro- Nome W -
dcient charm 10 bviuE upon herself AN unlucN -
etiton OF the aria. iu which her nnSi + = uas :
leaped at but not attained MI AeSStrdi'l" ~
conventional Rigolettc. hard and assured = ,ss
and action. but not without certain s,st5
made its effect. Mr.. Bozzauo was "a cry l's,,sns
Sparafucuc and Mime BossS was the N"~s 10
The chorus and ballet were preSeniao'' 1,r,srs
orchestra was unexpectedly Efficient MI = NJ
the conductor. had his way when he wah'su -, ar
Abramson staged the opera acceptaoS.
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY,".
IFrom The Tribune Bureau

IFrom The Tribune Bureau.I
washington April 13.-Associate Justice Moody
Of the Supreme Court entertained the President
and Mrs Roosevelt at dinner tonight in his apart
ments in the Connecticut. Senator and Mrs. Lodge
and Representative Gillett also guests
All of the dinner parties with two ex-
ceptions, arranged for this week. quits small
and informal Senator and Mrs. Wetmore enter
tained few guests tonight. as did Mr.. and Mrs
Hennen Jennings.
Miss Helen Cannon. daughter of the Speaker
has returned from the Virginia Hot Springs. where
she spent the last four
Members OF the Metropolitan Club will play a
nine OF Chevy Chase Club at the National
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
About People and Social lncsdenfs

League Park Wednesday. April o. for TIA
Of the free ward CT the Providence Hospitaf al -
Marine Band will furnish the music Wor,.- s
society rapidly securing boxes.
Major General and Mrs Joseph p sa17s-
nounce the wedding of their daughter. Miss rS' -
Sanger and Mandevl'le Carlisle. for Nay 2. n,
bridesmaids will be Miss Polly RandoIns ~, as
Grace Jarvis and MISS Croker the aa7.s. sDs'
Prentice Sanger. an3 Reginald Huidekopsr D p
tice Sanger and r Igor. Of New York vrs
ushers Walter Howe win act as best No., s
Mr. Carlisle. y
New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
SOCIAL NOTES FROM NEWPORT.
TBy Telegraph % The T-i5uae-I

TBy TeIeg-aph o The TrI5l-e
Newport r. l.. April 13-NIrs. Alfred G. Varts,
bilt arrived in Newport this evening and is regis.
tered at the NIuenchinger King Cottage.
Oliver H. P. Belmont arrived il Newport to-5a7
TO look over Belcourt his summer estate
1t was learned here to-day that J. ]. Van Az,
would come 10 Newport in July, after an abseue. o.
several years He is 10 remain for the greater PAT
OF the summer season
Mr.. and Mrs. Gibson Fahuestock are expected Il
Newport very soon for the season Their cotzss
is now being prepared
Mrs David King. Of New York. viii be among as
early arrivals
Mrs William Grosvenor is expected to-no-uz
for the summer
Mr. and Mrs John P. Drexel and " Euts Ne.
son, who have been in Newport for few days. se
here to-day for New York.