davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16
New National Theatre Which viii
Cost Millions

from all over Europe, Germans, French
men, Englishmen and Spaniards, and
also many Americans. We see our
goods in the stores and hear the Eng
lish language often spoken as we walk
through the streets. There are many
rich Mcxicans, and some of them come
in from the country with the costume
of the old haciendado, consisting of
an immense sombrero loaded with sill
Yer and suit of rich cloth decorated
with numerous buttons and braid.
There are many peon men wearing
blankets over their shoulders and In
dian women with black rebosss
wrapped round their heads. There ars
also girls of the well to do classes,
clad in black with black shawls round
their heads, and others wearing high
heeled shoes and Paris hats like those
of our ladies at home. Most of the
women have powder and paint upon
their dark faces, but not more, 1 ven
ture. than you can see any day on tho
girls who walk up and down the great
white way in New York.
Built by Americans
When / was in Mexico City 20 years
ago the new part of the capital lying
on both sides of the Paseo de la Re-
forma had just begun to be. The city
then was only half the size it is now,
and the greater part of this region was
81
We're seen by American capitalists and
they organized a syndicate named the
American Colony company and bought
large tracts of land, which they laid
out in lots. They drained off the water
and put in pavements and sewers. They
also built modern houses costing all
the way from $4,000 to 100000 apiece
and sold them on time. The investment
was exceedingly profitable and I am
told that they made something like
100 per cent dividends on about $6,-
100000.
The first district was known as the
colonial and now we have a half dozen
different colonials which have sprung
up in that region. One is the Colonia
Roma, which named its streets after
the cities Of Mexico, and which repre-
sented a capital of about $4,000, 900.
furnished by Americans. Another CO.
lonia was laid out by Kansas City
man. and others by Mexican capitalists.
All of these enterprises paid well.
and today these colonias form the
finest parts of the Mexican capital.
They extend all the way from the Ala
media or a little beyond il to Chapul-
tepec and they have covered largo
part of the ground to the north and
south of the Paseo de la Reforma.
The streets of one colony are named
after foreign cities, and you can walk
through Vienna, Liverpool, Berlin or
London. Another has streets named af-
ter famous Mexican statesmen, and an
other, near the Plaza de 1oros, mighr
be called the colony of doctors, for
every street bears a name with a DR..
before it.
It is here In this colony section that
our ambassador lives. the American
flag flying over his mansion of stone.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16
Mexico's Famous Cathedral

The Mexico of today is founded on the
site of the ancient capital of the Mon
tezumas and | am told that there has
been city right here since hundred
years before Columbus discovered Ameri-
ca. The capital Of Montezuma was a
town Of islands and mainland cut up by
canals. 1t had hundreds of bridges. and
its 10000 houses, made of red porous
stone, skirted the canals and had cement
sidewalks, lining the waterways, just
as has the Venice of today.
After the conquest. when the Spaniards
built their capital, they did not go to the
highlands but chose the same site that
formed the Aztec metropolis. The only
difference is that they have filed up the
canals and drained large part of the
lakes, and they have now buildings COW
ering a space which is many times larger
than that OF the ancient city. The Mexico
City of the present covers about %
square miles 1t has a population of
more than half million. and including
its outskirts. or the federal district, it is
more than twice the size of the city of
Washington.
1t is well lighted city, having 2500 arc
lamps, and so many car lines that " put
end to end they would reach all the way
from New York to Boston.
Owing to the swampy foundation there
are no skyscrapers, and the main busi-
ness blocks are Of three and four stories.
There is not the broken sky line of our
American cities, and the town looks more
like one of the old world than of the new
Mexico From the Cathedral Tower
But suppose we take a birds eye view
of Mexico City. We can get 1t from one
of the twin towers Of the great cathedral
which forms the pivot around which the
whole city moves. This is the highest
capital north of the Panama canal. 1t Is
a mile and a half above the other great
capitals of the world, and the cathedral
towers are 200 feet higher.
The cathedral stands on the spot which
ferns the center OF the great city OF the
Nontezumas. 1t is just above the site of
the pyramid upon which lay the saeri-
fetal stone where the Aztecs sacrificed
their victims and upon which 10000 slaves
were slain every year. That pyramid
rose within so feet of the top of the tower,
and it was there that Montezuma stood
beside Cortez when HE took him I'D to
show him the city.
We take taxi and are soon at the
cathedral. We choose the southern tower
and enter the little door at it's foot We
wind our way round and round through
the darkness UP steps worn hollow by the
feet of thousands, and at last come out
high above the Mexican capital.
What a magnificent site for a cityl We
are in the heart of the valley of Mexico
and surrounded by mountains which make
a series of fortifications created by ma
ture, beyond which as / write the rebels
are fighting. The mountains reach to
the skies and those two great peaks
off there at the south are covered with
snow. They are Popocatapetl and Ixtac-
cihuatl. Old Popo is considered the hus-
band of the latter and she is everywhere
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

it if 1t could be broken up and loaded
on wagons. The clapper of that bell
is two feet taller than President Taft
and 1t weighs 200 pounds more. on
clear days it can be heard six miles
away. The church has altogether 40
bells, and when they ring at midday the
poems who hear them take off their
hats. The sound is also the call to
lunch, and the clerks then drop their
work and rush for the street cars to
go home TO eat and to rest.
This cathedral is not only the biggest
church on the continent, but 1t is also
the oldest. The corner stone was laid
in 1878, upon the site of the great
Aztec temple which Cortez destroyed.
A small church was erected there two
years later, and then so years after
ward came the foundations of this
mighty building, whose walls We're
completed five years before our puri-
tan fathers first came to America.
The walls of the cathedral are said to
have cost more than million dollars.
and when the church was opened the
richest of the Spaniards gave up their
jewels to decorate IL. Something like
two million dollars worth of ornaments
were presented and among them cha1-
ice covered with gems valued at $780,
600. This was given by a rich miner
begged that his gift be returned. 1t
is said that lhe got back 100000, but I
doubt it.
But let us go down from the tower
and take walk through the streets,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

copyrighted, 1918, by Curtis Brown)
% ERLIN, February 15.--(special.)-
Events of the past few weeks have
reminded official circles here of
the continued existence of Prince vladi-
mir Orloff, one of this most picturesque
characters in present day Russia. Bluff,
strong, fearless and INSCRIPTIONS, in the
past he exerted an all powerful influence
over Nicholas the Weak. OF late his in
fuence has waned, but recent events have
demonstrated to those who have been
behind the scenes. so to speak, that he is
once more pulling the strings.
1t was Prince Orloff who dictated the
recent royal ulSase that banished Grand
Duke Michael AleXandrovitch from his
country, at the same time relieving him
of certain rights as regent in the event
OF the young Czarovitch succeeding 10
the throne during his infancy. 1t is Or
lofts way of dealing with the plotting Of
the Cars brother and the Dowager En-
press Marie TO oust the young Czarovitch
from the succession to the throne To
casual observers this strong action on
the part of Nicholas was surprise, but
to those who know the man who stands
behind him the explanation is simple.
For Orloff is one of those masterful men
to be found at most of the European
courts. and who, holding small official no.
sitions or none at all, yet by sheer force
of personality direct the affairs of their
countries. Russia has seen many such
England boasts one at the present mo-
nlent whose name is hardly known even
10 the public in the country on whose
affairs he exerts q preponderating influ-
ence, and even Germany, proud of the
headstrong Wilhelm, yields TO the strong
hand and masterful brain of a billetless
prince
OF all the numerous courtiers who ha se
disputed with priests and spiritualists for
influence over Czar Nicholas H., by Tar
the strongest and most dangerous l.
Prince vladimir Orloff Orloff has bea'
en- down half i dozen rivals. and even dis
lodged Prince Putiatin, the Cars secre-
tary, who. during the days OF the first
duma dictated Russia court policy.
Orion is q worthy sprig of a courageous
talented and INSCRIPTIONS line lie is tie
SON of Prince Nicholas Orloff. who lost an
eve and an arm at the siege of Silistria in
f1S54 This Nicholas was son of another
distinguished Orlon. Alexei. who forced
Turkey TO sign the humilisting Treaty OF
Enkiar Skelessi; and Alexe in turn was
the i1legitimate progeny of Feodor Or
lon, and his uncle also Alexei, throttled
Peter III with his own hands. Another
uncle. Grigori. was the handsome. gigan-
tic and notorious lover of Empress CATH
crime III.
Most OF the orloffs have been diplomatic
and literary, ~ well as headstrong and
adventurous. The present. Vladimir. is
merely strong, courageous animal, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

for the empress was made much of by
these who accept the proverb History
repeats itself" The founder of the Orr
lofts family fortunes was lover of Cath
crime ii, and those who look for omens
remembered that Nicholas III resembles
in character and tastes GATHERINGS mis-
cradle husband Peter III. The so-called
"Orloff romance was. therefore, regard-'
ed as a black omen for the future.
Recently Vladimir has been under
cloud at court, but has re-established
himself bv his latest project to construct
great automobile road to Moscow.
Nicholas is an impassioned motorist and
feels safer in his ear than in a railroad
train. Advantage is taken of this circum-
stance by Orloff in order to bring the
czar on solitary expeditions, where he is
removed from the influence of ministers
or of rival courtiers In fact. by becom-
ing skillful and daring chauffeur Or
loff has done more to qualify himself for
ruling Russia than he could have done by
serving term in every ministry of the
empire.
England's "Bunty' is viscount Esher.
He first came into the public eye when
the kaiser referred to him in the now fa-
nous Tweedmouth letter, which created
sensation because of the German rulers
discussion of British naval policy Lord
Esher is constable of Windsor Castle and
in referring with some feeling to his mys-
terious influence on English policy, the
Kaiser said:
Il do wish Usher would stick to those
drains OF his
Probably the Kaiser Is not the first nor
the last man TO wish Esher into the ob-
scurity of Windsor Castle. His lordship
was King Edwards chief political adviser
and holds the same position at the court
of King George. He is frequently con-
suited by the leaders of both parties. The
best proof of his power is to be found
in the circumstance that. being appointed
head Of the all powerful council of ir,-
perial defence by Balfour he has bee>
continued in office By Asuuith and the
liberals. This council Is absolutely inde-
pendent of parliament and the cabinet.
yet i determines tie most vital questions
of foreign policy and practically rules tho
army and navy of Grcat Britain. indeed.
Is was Lord Esher who. through Lord
Iialdane. lately minister of war in the
Asquith cabinet, and now Lord Chaneel-
Tor, brought the present territorial army
into existence.
It is hard to imagine Wilhelm OF Ger
many yielding TO the influence of any
man. however powerful. Yet there IS one
unofficial German who winds him around
his finger with ridiculous ease. He IS
Prince Emil Won Fuerstenberg. the kais-
er's closet friend and adviser. Several
times Prince Emil has been urged by his
royal pay 10 assume the robes of chan
cel,or but he prefers TO remain In the
background, where he can wield his Inn
mense Influence unseen and unsuspected
by the great majority of the German peo-
o1aA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

The cathedral faces the Plaza Major or
the Plaza de la Constitution upon
which faces the National Palace, the
new city hall, the Monte de Piedad or
government pawnbroking shop and
other great buildings. 1t is just 5
o'clock as we come out of the church
and as we stroll along by the palace
we see that soldiers are massed at one
of the entrances whore a great crowd
has gathered. We are told that the
president is coming. We wait mo-
ment and soon see an automobile fly up.
The soldiers present arms and the
bugler gives a blast in way of salute.
At the same time the people raise their
hats and cry viva! Vivai Maderoi'
The automobile opens and a little man
with a fat face covered with a brown
beard takes off his hat and salutes as
he goes into the building.
A Walk Through the Business Section
We cross the Plaza and go up the
Ayenida de San Francisco. The sun
has now set and the electric lights
have sprung out The street blazes with
the arc lamps, which, fastened to posts
about Is feet high, run through it
from one end to tho other. The lights
are so arranged that each cluster of
five is not more than % feet distant
from that on the opposite side of the
way The windows of the shops are
also illuminated and the asphalt shines
like polished glass under the electric
rays.
Now stop a moment and notice the
people. There are representatives here
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

Copyright 191S by Frank G. Carpenter)
Mexico City.
W/HEN 7 started across the boun-
M dary was warned that I took
w my life in my hands, and
that would always be in danger
of the Mexican bullets. l replied that
I would at any rate escape the Amer
lean automobile and that all the bullets
of Mexico could not equal the danger Of
crossing the street in New York or Chi
cago. | find that have jumped out of
The frying pan into the fire. Mexico City
swarms with automobiles, and they go at
such speed that they would be held up on
any country road in the United States.
Here no speed limit whatever is observed,
and even the taxicabs race each other on
the chief business streets. Limousines go
at 90 miles an hour over the asphalt of the
Paseo de la Reforma, and in the Aveni-
da de San Francisco, the Broadway and
Fifth avenue of this town. the motor cars
fairly bump each other as they nv this
way and that. The same is true of all
kinds of traffic. The motor drays make
30 miles an hour and there are hundreds
of motor cycles which go so fast that
their wheels seem solid disks | have
never seen anything like it, and my heart
beats, as l have tried to keep out of
their way, have worn my throat TO
FRAGILE.
Not Dead Yet
/ had expected to find Mexico CITY a
'deader" | thought the revolution would
have squeezed the life out of business,
and that the people and prices would be
on the down grade l find it quite the re-
verse. The troubles which have been GO
ing on over the country have scared the
rich haciendados into renting or buying
property in the capital, and they have
come here until conditions are stable.
They are good money spenders, and the
opera house is now filled every night. I
lind the streets thronged with people and
the stores filed with goods bearing cost
marks as high or higher than those of the
states ! find new buildings going up on
the outskirts and construction of one kind
on other on the chief business streets.
lust below the Alameda national thea
tre which is 10 cost high into the millions
is almost completed, and on the Plaza de
la Republica stands the great steel slele-
ton of the legislative palace, which, if it
IS ever completed, will cost something like
SG000,0O0
Built on Swamp
say, II 1t is ever completed The
building promises to be too heavy for its
foundation, and it is slowly sinking into
the great bed of ooze upon which this
city stands. The same is true of the Ma
uonal theatre, the new postoffce, and of
otner great buildings which are slowly
ana gradually going down into the ooze
Within the past few years a drainage sys-
tenn has been introduced, but this has
taken off the subsoil water which aided
~ upholdlng the principal buildings, and
ihey are now said to be more stable dur
ing the rainy season when the ground is
well soaked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

no official post worth mentioning. AS cour-
tier he has the rank of wing aide de
camp as officer the rank of colonel.
and he also holds the easy position OF
chief of the military field chancellory
of his imperial liighness." This last
means that when Nicholas goes on ma
neuvres it Is Oroff's duty to look after
the imperial camp. The work takes only
few days In the year. and it is done by
the favorite's lmderlings. Being up to his
neck in political intrigue, Orloff has no
time fer official work. This fact is we'll
known to his enemies. who made use OF
1t In 1908 to damage his position and, in
fact, nearly brought him to a fall.
The krasnoe Selo annual maneuvers
and army inspection are always run on
lines of domesticity, which amaze the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

ried to General Whitter's daughter.
Princess Olga Orloff is the best dressed
woman in st. Petersburg, and she has
been painted by every famous portrait
painter in Russia. She is ON bad terms
with the Czarina Alexandria. who detests
the whole Orloff tribe and would like TO
see Prince Vladimir driven from power.
This antagonism is supposed TO he some
how connected with the affair of Orloff' 5
brother who died mysteriously "of con-
SUMPTION in Cairo some years ago. Ru-
NOR declared that this Orloff was pas
sionately in love with the empress, and
that he died because of her. vladimir
Orloff and his brother made this the sub
ject of a deadly quarrel. and the eni-
press took the younger Orloff's part.
Since then she has attempted, but in
vain. to break the dominion which vladi-
mir Orloff holds over Nicholas H.
The story of young Orloff's dying love
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

to this he owes his influence over Nicho-
las H., who is weak and small. In per-
son he is big and stout and likes to think
he resembles an old Russian boyard: III
earlier days he had great reputation for
feats of skill. Intellectually, he stands
far below his rival. Putatin But as body
guard and swashDuclller. Orloff keeps
control over Nicholas, whom he accom-
panies everywhere always insisting upon
driving the imperial automobile himself.
Despite his lack of genuine qualifca-
tions, Orloff has great influence in poll
fics His only political principle Is .
When you see an enemy's head. hit ii.
That Is, he has enough intelligence to dis
tinguish between reactionaries and re-
formers, and knows that the only counsel
Nicholas will take is to support the reac-
tionaries. The late Peter Stolypin. Count
Witte, and the present premier, Kokovt-
self, have all had cause to complain of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16
By RUDOLPH Won ELPHBERG

Nicholas subserviency to Orloff. 1t was
his intermeddling in 1903 which decided
Whites dismissal from the post of min
lister of finance. Orion TOOK it upon hin-
sell to decide upon complicated ques-
uon of the state drink monopoly upon
Which Witte had quarreled with the iiu-
perlal comptroller Orloffs enemies de-
clared ironically that he was qualified
TO judge this question, only because he
himself was given to excessive drinking.
This accusation has never been proved:
but II is certain that Nicholas III is fond
of the bottle, and that court intriguers
persstently exploit this fact in order to
force him to vicious decisions ON matters
of high politics.
Orloffs position as all powerful unoffi-
cial adviser is stranger because he holds
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

foreign military attaches. The imperial
table is served in precisely the same ex-
travagant style as when Nicholas is at
home. The tents resemble palaces, and
ballet girls or French actresses from the
Michael theatre are brought down to keep
Nicholas in good humor. In 1908, every
thing went wrong. Wrong wines We're
sent down; one of the czar's tents col
lapsed In a-slight wind, and the Michael
theatre. artists had to sleep in dirty
peasant huts. The anti-Orloff faction so
exploited this disaster that Orloff himself
accused them of engineering all the
blunders. BY bluff, threats and even vio-
lence he re-established his position.
Orloff's wife is Princess Olga Constanti-
nova Bieloselsky- -Bielozersky, a sister of
the Prince Serge Bieloselsky, who is mar
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16

Each house has hole in its center. That
rooms run. This often constitutes the
garden of the family and we can see
trees rising here and there over the roofs.
The tops of the buildings are almost
level, save where a public office here and
there arises higher or where the many
churches with their spires and towers
stand In evidence of the days when this
land was ruled by priests. Their roofs.
Ike those of all of the buildings, are COW
cred with bricks laid in lime mortar, and
there is almost as much masonry on the
top of a house as there is i'm its walls.
Mexico's Big Cathedral
Take this mighty cathedral on which
we are standing. 1t is the largest on
the North American continent, and its
roof covers acres. 1t is paved with
BRICKS. containing enough, / venture.
to form the roadways for town of
10000 people. This building cost mil
lions, and the tower upon wich we
are standing alone cost 100000 or
more. Its choir has balustrade
formed of an alloy of silver copper and
gold, which weighs almost three tons
and is worth more than that weight
in solid silver. Inside the cathedral
was once single statue of gold set
with diamonds, valued at a million dol
lars, and the affairs contained precious
stones before they were plundered in
some of the revolutions of the past
The cathedral has one bell so heavy
that 1t would take 40 horses to haul