davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03

hang the first Yankee who appeared at
their capital. but his fairness. his prac-
teal way of treating every subject. tho
impression he gives people of honesty and
fairness were as potent in inspiring the
good viii OF the people OF Colombia as
they had been elsewhere, and Mr.. Barrett
succeeded in making friends for US Of
those who had been our enemies.
Head of New Bureau.
When Mr.. Root made his historic trip
to South America. John Barrett was sum-
m0ned from Bogota 10 accompany him
on this mission. and to its successful
outcome he contributed in every way
So impressed. indeed. was Mr.. Root with
Mr.. Barretts knowledge of the various
countries they visited and his tact in
meeting situations. that he persuaded him
10 accept the position he now holds,
which, looked at from some points Of
view. was a sacrifice, for he had been
offered the Brazilian mission, but his trip
through South America had revealed 10
him the possibilities in connection with
the Bureau Of American Republics, and
he relinQuished. therefore, what would
seem a much more distinguished posi-
ton TO accept his present post, for which
his training, experience, and sympathies
so eminently NJ him.
II Is beyond the scope of this article
20 discuss what Mr.. Barrett has accom-
plished since he was elected director Of
the bureau in 1906 suffice It that the fu-
ture outlook for the bureau has never
been so hopeful as now, and what its
director has done has been done con
amore. for he knows the people he rep
resents from every side, and knowing them
thoroughly and intimately he respects.
admires, and likes them. Mr.. Barrett
is signaily fortunate In having as aids men
who are as enthusiastic IN the work he
directs, as he is himself The secretary
Of the bureau is Francisco Javier Yanes
a native OF Venezuela, and a man OF
broad education and experience. who Is
as ambitious for the closer union OF the
republics and their commonwealth and
prosperity as his chief. Mr.. Yanes serv-
ice in the bureau antcdates that of Mr.
Barrett by a year, and previous to his
acceptance of this billet he had held va
rious other offices in this country, whittier
he came in 1892 as vice consul OF Venezu-
Ella; subsequent 70 this. he was Spanish
secretary and chief Of the transiating
division OF the Philippine commission. and
he has represented his country at several
Of the International congresses. Mr..
Ysnes is a man Of fine presence and
polished manners. and has the faculty OF
making visitors TO his department feel
perfectly at home; but then. this is a
characteristic of the entire personnel of
tire bureau from the messengers TO the
director.
Edits Monthly Bulletin.
The most important connection between
the bureau and the commercial interests
Of pan-America is its Monthly Bulletin,
which is edited by Franklin Adams, who
was born in California. but has been an
assiduous globe trOtter and knows Cen
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03
WHAT "SILENCE" AT ANNAPOLIS MEANS

Eight hundred midshipmen at the Naval
Academy-the countrys future admirals-
engaging in such games Of boyhood as
tops, marbles. hoop-rolling, and leap-frog
was the sight which visitors to the gov
eminent institution in Annapolis wit
messed last week.
The sudden return to youthful games
by these young men, whose ages range
from eighteen TO twenty-four years, was
not the result of a temporary mental
alteration. as the casual visitor might
suppose. II was only a playful attempt
on the part of the middies to show the
authorities how they really could EN-
joy themselves despite the fact that a
recent order of the superintendent has
deprived them of all liberties and spe-
clal privileges.
Following the silence" which was re-
Gently administered, Lieut. Bertholf, of the
discipline department. the entire brigade
has been restricted to the academic lin
its. On their first liberty day they had
a taste of the wholesale restriction, and
they resolved to make the best Of It.
Word was passed among the different
classes to prepare for the athletic car
nival," and everybody. from the hum
blest "plebe" to the dignifed first-class-
men. armed themselves with the neces-
sary toys Immediately after dinner they
gathered on the terrace in front of Ban
croft Hall and the fun began.
FiTst-classmen Wed with each other in
their skill in spinning tops; seeond-class-
men struggled for honors in spirited
games of marbles; the youngsters"
showed some skill, but lack of practice
at hoOp-rolling. and the ''plebes," the
youngest class at the Academy, Joined
in leap-frog with an abandon and zest
that bespoke the youthful memories for
gotten when they entered the academic
gates last June.
Everything went well until the bolster
Gus shouts attracted the attention of the
officer-in-charge. Before any one was
ragged" (''ceught." in miadies llnso).
the middies dispersed as soon as it was
noised about that the officers were going
TO stop the games.
According to reports from the Acad-
envy. an Investigation as to the cause of
making playground out OF the terrace
was taken up blythe commandant. Thea
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03
BOY TO THE

of poverty and of struggle" And there
Foelker's appreciation.
Yes he continued, II pumped the
organ on Sundays and lived in lodging
house with the aid OF a friend for a
time) at 10 cents a night. l worked at
my trade part time. Finally I got steady
employment In the German Legal Aid
Society in the early part of 1886. and
that is what led me into the law, into
the legislature and into public life
"A pretty poor building they had in
those days, Mr.. Foelker?" 1 ventured,
What was it that attracted that held
you. as a member of the Young Mems
Christian Association there?'
1T was the secretary's glad hand and
warm heart, and the friendly atmosphere
of home away from home which the old
building of Eastern district offered in the
days of Cooper. Of course, there were
advantages and privileges there. start
ed TO study stenography and typewriting.
bat I soon found that because of the
German accent in my speech it was i'm
possible for me sufficiently to command
English to become a good shorthand
writer. So I gave it up on stenography
but I stuck TO it on English!
i spent my evenings at the associa-
ton, made my friends there, and my
friends have made me. And / know it
is by reason Of such friends that many
young men have been able to find them
selves, TO get grip on things, and are
given the encouragement which after
ward has made for them careers. Next
to your own home. your whole future Is
in the hands OF the kind of friends you
surround yourself with. 4 useful career
may well be begun in the Young Mems
Christian Association.
Eyes, those were hard days" continued
the Representative, in reminiscent mood.
Five dollars week did not mean much
for a boy who was anxious to get more
schooling. Many is the day I have gone
on scent breakfast, and, conhdentialIy,
let me tell you that felt better on the
scent breakfast then than l do now on
my dollar breakfast sometimesi 1t was
the social atmosphere of the Young
Mems Christian Association that gave
me the bringing out 1 needed. There I
came in contact with people-good peo-
ple-who spoke good Engllsh-and it was
the atmosphere Of the Christian homes
to which I was introduced through the
church and the association that gave
me some of the polish I coveted"
You are a member of the bar in New
Yesk. Mr.. Foelker? Where did you
study lave"
I studied law at nights in a law office
and got my first start In the German
Legal Aid Society. I had one year in
Troy business school, but It was only
small part OF my real training. After
making I'd all of the elementary training
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03

methods on the part Of the disciplin-
arians.
An attempt was made a few months
ago TO administer the silence" 10 Lieut..
Berthoif. but was broken up by the eff
forts OF the frst-classmen in charge Of
the tables. II was thought that the par
tial silence would serve to show the mid
dies disapproval of the methods of the
officer, but they say there was no change
in his attitude toward the brigade.
When the silence" was attempted the
second time, II was carried out perfect
~. say the mddies. Throughout the en-
tire mealtime there was not sound
at was so quiet that you could hear the
Stiffness" is the way one MILDLY de-
scrtbed the situation.
Having provided themselves with a
stock Of edibles Al the canteen located
in Bancroft Hall, even the pangs OF
hunger could not induce the middies to
indulge in the meal provided. Not a plate
or knife or fork was disturbed lest the
silence be broken, and the walters were
ordered 10 move with absolute quietude
Lieut. Bertholf, realizing the intent Of
the brigade. settled back in his chair at
the staff table with the purpose Of sit
ting the middIes out" For more than
half an hour after the expiration of the
regular meal hour. the brigade was de-
tanned in the mess hall before the signal
10 rise was given. With absolute quiet
the middies marched out and went 10
their rooms The next day they heard
the order of the superintendent restrict
ing them indefinitely TO the academic
limits
When the silence" was given Lieut..
Commander MacVeigh. some years ago.
the midshipmen of all classes were re-
strIcted the academic limits for three
months. The midshipmen believe that
their present restriction and punishment
will continue longer than then, and may
even effect the June week festivities
As A result Of the order of Supt. Bow
yer, the First Class Club. the organiza-
ton of which was planned for this year.
Is yet thing of the future. This Is a
big disappointment to all the middies, as
plans had been completed for the club.
which would be similar to the one at
West Point. Following Capt. Bowers
order. consignment Of 5000 worth of
furniture for the club was returned to a,
Washington frm.
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03

is the audaclous Yankee His acceptance
of the Siamese mission and his prompt
settlement or the Cheek claim illustrates
this point
The pTocrastination shown by foreign
governments in adjusting the claims Of
American citizens has ever been a scandal
The Mora claim against Mexico lasted
for more than a generation, the McCord
claim almost as long, the Emery claim
in Nicaragua for something like fifteen
years. while the settlement of the Ober-
lander claim hung fire for decade. The
circumstances surrounding the Cheek
claim against the Siamese government
were particularly aggravating and
worked great hardship TO the Creek
heirs. Mr. Cleveland. who was then Pres.
ident. was on the lookout for a man to
accept the mission to Slam possessed
Of force. ability and knowledge to settle
ii with dispatch, when a young editor
from the West called upon him In regard
10 some appointments about TO be made
in which he was interested. This young
EDITORS name had always been preached
to him in connection with the consular
ship to Yokohama, but after seeing him
the President was so impressed with his
strong personality that he promptly Of
fered him the Slamese billet.
Quickly Gets Results.
This young journalist was Mr.. Barrett,
who frankly confessed that about all he
knew regarding the land OF the white
elephant was that the Siamese Twins.
celebrated all over the world, were won
derfully and happily originated there.
This was enough, however. for an in
genious Yankee 20 go on, as the sequel
proved, for he settled the Cheek claim
with a CELEBRITY that amazed old and ex-
perienced diplomatists. willy and saga
cious men whose lives had been devoted
to the study OF Oriental character and
methods.
This was the brilliant beginning Of Mr..
Barretts diplomatic career. Since then
he has been in constant demand for diff
cult missions He was sent as a special
envoy 10 japan. China. sKorea. Siberia.
and India. and. in the interest of the St.
Louis Exposition, visited every sovereign
in Asia and Europe. He had a tete-a-tete
with the Dowager Empress of China, an
interview with the Emperor OF Japan. and
was everywhere received with the good
win and cordially that his personality
invokes. As minister TO Argentina, Mr..
Barrett accomplished in six months what
the Department Of State had decided IL
would require ct least two years 10 eff
feet; transferred 10 Panama, he was so
successful in pleasantly disposing the
Panamanians that he was sent TO sooth
the hurt pride and wounded feelings OF
the people Of Colombia. stll suffering
from the revolution and the loss Of terri
tory. which resulted in the establishment
Of the Canal Zone. This was without
doubt the most difficult mission Mr.. Bar
rett had so far undertaken. for the Co
lOmbians were thoroughly incensed
against the Yankee Colossus especially
in Bogota. where the women had pledged
their hair TO make ropes with which to
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03

trail and South America as well as Il Is
possible for any outsider TO know those
countries. He did not touch merely at this
port and that. but Travelled extensively
in the interior and made a deep study
of the countries he visited. from a social.
historical and commercial standpoint.
His work in this connection won for him
wide recognition and the election as a
fellow Of the Royal Geographical Society.
IN one Of the recent Bulletins. which, by
the way. is issued monthly in magaz!ns
form. and is one Of the most entertain
ing and Illuminating periodicals publish
ed. Mr. Barrett pays the following we'll
deserved tribute TO its editors;
1.-THE director Of the international
Bureau takes advantage Of this oppor-
tunity to commend the assistance he has
received during the last two years from
Mr. Franklin Adams In evolving the Bull
etin into publication Of such charac-
ter and appearance that It is being gem
orally appreciated in a practical way BY
the press of both North and South Amer
ica and by all persons interested in Pan
American affairs. Before Mr.. Adams be-
came associated with the bureau he had
Travelled much in Latin American coun-
tries and acquired that familiarity with
their resources and acquaintance with
their peoples which have enabled him 10
bring to the Bulletin a knowledge which
is essential for its usefulness and fnf1u-
ence as Pan-American publication Il
is fitting that this reference TO Mr..
Adams services should be made az q
time when the Bulletin has made an-
other progressive change, not only IN its
appearance, but in the quality OF its cons
tents
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03

needs of the Latin Americans, and the
agents sent to force things upon those
people unsuited TO their requirements
We're ignorant of their language and GUS
toms, their social standards, ana Ell
quette, their ancient culture and civiliza-
ton. These professional drummer"
were naturally unwelcome to the South
Americans. They preferred to trade with
the Germans and English who study the
needs and fancies of every nation with
which they have commercial relations,
and the French. who are nation of
diplomatlsts, quick 70 understand char
acter and to adapt themselves to new
social conditions. hence, finding the cir
cumstanees of trade with the South
Americans difficult. the merchants of the
United States turned their attention to
the Orient. and while they were knock
ing at the doors OF China and Japan.
England, France, and Germany exploited
the rich territory that would seem 10 be-
long to them geographically.
But mouse avons changer tout celia"
at least the Bureau of the American Re-
publics has changed IL, for. through its
wise diplomacy, which has Informed and
directed them, the people Of the northern
and the southern continent have come
TO a better understanding and a closer
relationship. This better understanding
has come about gradually. but IL received
a mighty impetus from Mr. Roots visit
to South America in 1905. There has
never been a more hearty welcome ac-
corded, never more generous hospitality
offered than Mr.. Root received on that
historic trip, and the director OF the
bureau, Mr. Barrett. never tires OF
declaring that the speeches. manner, and
personality Of President ROosevelt's Sec
rotary of State accomplished more in
the three months he spent in encircling
South America to bring about new era
of American confidence and good will
than all the diplomatic correspondence
and all the promoters and exploiters In
a century.
Given Proper Publicity.
Until Mr.. Roots famous trip to South
America the real standing. scope, and
object Of the Bureau OF American Repub-
lies was no better understood in this
country than In South America. for II IS
not. as was generally assumed by the
uniformed at the time OF the establish
cent, an annex of the Department OF
State. a fifth wheel to the government
coach. but an international organization
whose functions are to cultivate closer
relations and a better acquaintance be-
tween the countries interested. 10 develop
commerce. TO act as the agents of the
Pan-American congresses. and 10 pre-
serve their archives. It's affairs are d.
rected by board of governors, composed
of the diplomatic representatives Of the
Latin-American republics resident at this
Capital and presided over by the Secre-
tary Of State. ex officio The executive
officer of the bureau is its director, who
is elected by the governing board.
The present director is John Barrett.
who has been much in the public eye
since he was sent as a yOungster TO rep
resent this government in Siam. and incl
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03

the word was whispered that any further
demonstrations of the kind would be
treated as disrespect. and the players
would be severely punished.
This unofficial rumor seemed to dampen
the middies' arder for the sports, and a
big revival of youthful games. scheduled
for the next liberty day. was called off
According to whispered reports, the brig
ade had planned to turn out practically
to man. and parade to the athletic
field. where different games would be in
dulged in by the different classes. The
fear OF losing more privileges, and addl-
tional punishments asserted itself over
the boyish instinct, and the games were
called on.
Since the order of supt. Bowyer went
into effect two weeks ago. not a midship-
man has ventured beyond the Academy
gates, except when the restrictions were
lifted for Holy Saturday and Easter Sun
day. From the present outlook. the en-
bryo admirals will not visit the city of
Annapolis or have the pleasure of drag
ging'' young ladies to the hops until
June week.
But the ever-galant MILDLY is not what
you might cali down-hearted. Every We'd
nesday and Saturday afternoon, their
former liberty days, middies by the score
may be seen lowering about the Mary
land avenue gate waiting and watching
for ''her" When "she" learned that
her" MILDLY could not come 10 her"
She with gsllantry worthy of her
beau. went to the MILDLY At the gate
the middies wait anxiously, and their
thoughtful faces light up with pleasure
as She greets him from afar.
Seats at the ball games and quiet hooks
about the grounds and in Lovers Lane
are at a premium. Everywhere can he
seen middies and their faithful friends
talking in whispers over the prospects OF
a change OF heart by the superintendent
and the restoration to the brigade of their
lost liberties
The silence" which has resulted in the
middies' sorrow is a custom as old as the
Academy itself It has only been admin
istered twice to officers at the Academy,
both of whom were ecy aeeted with the
department of discipline. It constitutes
the most singing rebuke that can be
given an officer, and forms the only
means the midshipmen have for retaii-
sting against what they deem unjust
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03

dentalIy to settle the Cheek claim Mr..
Barrett is native of the Green Noun
tain State. the son of a Congregational
minister. and an alumnus of Dartmouth,
who started his career as a cub reporter
on 6 hustling Western newspaper, all OF
which tended to make him the strong.
earnest capable man who has indelibly
written his name on the history of the
present time
He is proud of his New England origin.
and still retains the accent of that part OF
the country. He retains. too. his respect
for the cloth which his father wore worth
ily he still revers his alma mater, which
has graduated so many great men. and he
continues 10 hustle. when occasion requires,
just as he did when he went in search OF
copy for his paper in the early days OF his
career As director Of the Bureau Of
American Republics. he is no conventional
bureaucrat, content to sit pompously at
The Washington herald., 1910-04-03

concerned, to have his way. He was
equally determined TO leave the legisla-
ture in absolute freedom Yet he was de-
termined TO omit no effort on his own
part that what was proper under the
constitution should be done to insure the
success of reform. He had made a sec
ond effort to have the State superintend-
ent Of insurance removed. He did this in
spite Of the fact that he knew it would
again anger some of the most powerful
men in the senate. He would not bar
gain for his measures. They must pass
upon their own merit or be defeated.
The governor had called a special ses-
sion of the legislature he had also or
dered special election TO I'll the one
vacancy in the senate. and the Repub-
lican nominee pledged to this reform had
been elected, although It was said that
both party machines were against him.
This had been regarded as a personal
victory for the governor who had
stumped the district If no vote in the
affirmative was changed the two meas.
ures had now just the necessary twenty
six votes required by the constitution.
But mine was one of those twenty-Sfx.
If did not recover early enough to re-
turn TO the special session the two bills
would be lost, and their friends would
point again to my sickness at the end
of the regular session and would hold
me responsible
While l lay at stsatsburg trying TO
regain my strength. these thoughts were
going through my head daily. Newspa-
per correspondents were continually COM
ing to the cottage to see me. At first
they were turned away. Some Of them
showed that they were suspicious and
doubted the accounts of my illness. 7
received an enormous mail, which
could not begin to answer. Clergymen
interested in the reforms called upon
me. I had several communications with
the governors secretary, Mr.. Robert Full
Ter.
1t was in this atmosphere that was
fighting for strength. II was with this
stain upon my mind that / tried to get
upon my feet. So the days went by IN
til the day Of the special session arrived
upon which that vote of mine was need
ed-June II.
I had made up my mind to go to Al
bany If IL killed me. had promised the
governor that 1 would be there An ex-
press train stopped at Staatsburg ana
| was put aboard. I cannot recollect
much of what happened that day: but
the victory was won"