davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

the transportation of raw material to
our factories by shortening the dis
lance over which these products must
travel and by the saving of the cost
OF double handling. Where once tho
distance by water between New York
and San Francisco, our two great sea-
ports, was thirteen thousand miles.
it is now only about five thousand
miles. 1t will thus reduce the cost of
transportation between these two sea-
ports fully one-third. Added to this
is the ability to send traffic through
from coast to coast without unloading
and reloading and will eliminate the
loss of time which formerly was oc-
casioned by the irregular steamship
connections as well as avoiding the
damage to goods which sometimes oc-
ours in double handling.
An Act of Congress of August oath,
1912, insofar as it dealt with coast
wise trade was supposed to be benefi-
cial to our merchant marine in that
it exempted from the levy Of tolls
vessels engaged in the coastwise trade
of the United States. But this legis-
lation was thought by many to be in
violation of some of our treaties Wit
foreign countries. and on June 18th,
1914, this particular provision of the
Act of 1912 was repealed and ships
of all nations, whether engaged in
coastwse or international trade. pay
the same tolls under like conditions.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

several years later devolved scheme
by which submarine mines might be
exploded by electricity-a forerunner
OF our present coast defense.
During the Crimean War the Eng
lish forgot their scruples and tried the
mine but with little success. Russia
had better luck and did explode n
mine under the British ship Merlin"
but owing to the small charge there
was not much damage done. During
the Civil War mines again came into
the warfare and several Federal gum
boats were destroyed by the Confed-
crates by the means Of beer barrels
filled with powder.
About this time the European coun-
tries begansto study the submarine
question. and soon started manu-
featuring them for themselves. Next
came the Spanish American war.
Mines were laid in the various Span
ish harbors, but they seem to have
been valueless, as Dewey's ships passed
directly over their largest mine field
in going into Manila Bay
Japanese Russian War.
The real value of the submarine
mine as destroyer was shown in
the Japanese Russian war when by
the use of torpedoes and floating
mines Japan practically aNnihilated
the Russian fleet in the Far East
England up to that time seems tc
have had very little faith In mines
for in 1903 that country decided to
cut them out of her defense equip
ment. The results in Japan. how
ever. changed her mind and she be-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

gan the manufacture Of the latest
types and sent her experts to various
places to learn how to make them
perts We're ION the fob" as we'll. and
they soon came to the conclusion that
floating submarine mines on the high
seas We're a necessary part Of war
fare.
After the torpedo attack on Port
Arthur by the Japanese the Russians
realized that something must be done
and done quickly, or the Japanese
troops might land (Which they did
later on) and in order to protect the
port a mine layer ship was sent out
to place mechanical mines in Talien
Bay Two or three days later it was
discovered that one of the mines had
broken loose from its moorings and
ship was sent out to destroy it, but
the vessel accidentally struck the mine
and was blown up. A cruiser was sent
to investigate and was also badly dam
aged. Later moro mines were laid
but they were not at proper depth
and did not prevent the Japanese
from landing.
The Japanese were more successful,
as the Russian flagship "Petropav-
lorsk," with Admiral Makaroff and a
crew OF seven hundred men went
down few minutes after the ship
struck mine. This caused a panic
in the entire Russian fleet. the Off
GERS declaring there had been a sub
marine attack. After this both ma
lions strewed the sea with mines out
side Of territorial waters with the re-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

$4,000 for its twelve-hour trip
through the Canal, the ship owner is
saving money on the maintenance of
his ship as we'll as in the time he
gains. He can also fill the space he
was compelled to use for coal and
food with cargo by recoaling and buy
ing supplies at Panama
The west coast of South America
Is cleaning up, especially Guayaquil,
which was regarded as such pest
hole of disease that shippers passed
Il by. But now all is changed, and
in a short time the fevers prevalent
there will be a thing of the past, and
that port expects to reap increased
trade from the Canal. Chile, too, IS
getting ready for a larger business
along that route.
On the Atlantic side as we'll all
sorts of improvements are going on.
At Jamaica the British Government
is planning great coaling station.
Denmark is making extensive plans in
the way OF shipping facilities at the
Island of st. Thomas. All along the
east coast Of South America there is
regeneration in commercial affairs
Much to Learn.
The American business man must
learn that catalogues printed in Eng
lish sent to the majority of these
countries are about as useful as a
poem written in Chinese would be &c
the average American. Doing bust.
ness through native interpreter
usually ends in delay and annoyance
one is surprised to find that the trav-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

The law at present affords ample pro-
lection to the shipper for the Canal
toll law forbids any railroad to be
directly interested in any ship passing
through the Canal carrying freight in
competition with that railroad. This
provision was put in to prevent rail-
roads from controlling steamships
using the Canal and by this control
fixing rates which would prevent COM
petition with the railroads themselves
Ships Can Save Money.
The average cost of transferring
cargo across Panama, including the
loading and unloading charges at the
terminals, was about three dollars per
cargo ton. The toll charges are from
rs cents to 1925 per net vessel ton.
I. must be understood that the tolls
are based upon the vessels tonnage
and not upon the cargo carried. A
vessels ton is one hundred cubic feet
6f space, while a cargo ton is two
thousand pounds or forty cubic feet
From this it will be seen that vessels
can carry between two and three tons
of cargo for each Let vessel ton. In
actual service vessels average nearly
two tons of freight per net vessel ton
mage. Thus the toll fixed is from
forty to sixty cents, according to the
kind of cargo carried. for each ton
of freight. While this may seem q
high rate when paid in bulk, for the
average ship will pay from $4,000 t.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

cling salesman sent to these countries
by England and Germany are men OF
splendid education who are able to
speak several different languages with
fluency. The United States must meet
this competition as well. A vigorous
attack on the markets Of the Pacifc
countries with the Panama Canal as
an aid is sure to change the CONNER
cial map of the world during the next
two or three decades.
The United States Is entering upon
a new era in foreign trade. The trans
| ition in our commercial developm ent
of the past twenty-five years, which
| has transformed us from a foodstuff
and raw material exporter into a
manufacture exporter is forcing upon
us the need of other markets where
we hope to place millions Of dollars
worth of MADE in America" during
the next few years. The great engi-
neering feat at Panama Is opening the
gate to this great commercial garden
now within our reach.
First Use of Canal.
The first use of the Canal for COM
mercial purposes was made several
months before the Panama Railroad
ships had gone through the locks
Owing to the troubles in Mexico the
Mexican National Railway stopped
running and it was impossible to get
the sugar which had come up from
Hawaii across the Isthmus Of Tehaun-
tepec, so it was brought to Panama
and sent through the Canal on barges
The Canal was opened for CONNER.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

suit that long after the war was over
one occasionally heard Of ship be-
ing blown up by one Of these floating
mines. The Chinese were the greatest
sufferers for they lost a large num-
Der of small craft.
Hague Laws Broken.
1t was this danger to shipping even
after the war was over which led the
Hague to take up the mine question
and to pass articles prohibiting the
mining Of the high seas. Article H..
which reads as follows:
ut Is forbidden to lay auto
matte contact mines along the en-
emy's coasts or ports with the
sole object Of intercepting COM
mercial navigation"
1t has been violated with impunity.
It seems that in the present war each
nation is a law unto itself and the
rights of neutrals have been entirely
overlooked.
Types of Mines.
The mines used at present are OF
three types-first. ground mines. which
are usually of large dimensions and
laid directly on the bottom; second
anchored mines. which are attached
by a cable to a weight on the bottom
and are designed to float at prede-
termned depth so that they can be
touched and exploded by passing
ships. The third type are the ones
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

success. The next mention made o.
the mine in history was its use in
1928 by the English at the siege of
La Rochelle. This time the mine did
little damage and top sea" fighting
was moro successful.
"BushnclFs Turtle"
1t was during the American Revo-
luton that the real ancestor of this
diabolical destroyer made its debut.
About this time David Bushnell.
graduate Of Yale College, constructed
what was known as "Bushnelrs Tur-
tle." The affair was shaped like a
round clam" and was large enough
for a man to sit inside and work ped
ais like those of Il sewing machine.
This kept the paddle wheels working
and served as the motive power of the
boat. A key filled with gunpowder
was held in place at the exterior walls
and was ignited with u fuse at the
psychological moment. The man then
padded away to save himself. The
experiment was tried several times
and one night came near being sue
cessful. A British cruiser was anch-
ored off Staten Island and the
turtle" started on a night raid. The
keg of gunpowder went of with a
great noise. but owing to mlscalcu-
lation Of distance 1t did not hit the
cruiser but threw up great mass OF
water and gave the British scare.
Robert Fulton Inventor.
Robert Fulton was the next man
to take up mines and after he had
destroyed a number of derelict YES
sells in the French harbor he tried to
sell his invention to the French but
they had conscientious scruples
about such terrible contraption" an6
refused to use it. England likewise
declared that they would not have
such a terrible machine in their mill
tary equipment. Fulton then gave VI
the invention and. returning to Amer
lea, devoted his time to steamboats,.
! Samuel Colt another American
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

which are dropped on the surface Of
the water. The majority of the mines
planted during this war are of the
second type and are SO arranged as
to be discharged automatically when
struck by a passing ship. Sometimes
ings and are cast upon some coast.
The type of mine now so popular
in coast defense is what is known as
the fixed mine, and whole channels
nected with a secret station on shore
and the operator may blow up a hos
tile ship by simply pressing a button
This mode of coast defense has been
accepted by all nations
AudaciOus Sunk
Many ships have been sunk by the
floating mines. but the greatest loss
was the British dreadnought "Auda-
cious," which struck mine off the
north coast Of Ireland and was sunk,
This great vessel was one of England s
newest ships and was of the four OF
the King George " class, and was
built at the cost of $4,000, 900 90.
She was among the fleet which was
lying off Great Britain ready to make
dash should the German feet at
tempt to come into the open sea. The
mine has taken It's toll from the Ger
man ships as well, while few neu-
trail vessels have paid the penalty for
venturing into the hornets nest.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29

Mines have not been confined to the
waters of the North Sea, for they are
to be found in the Baltic, Adriasic
and Black Seas as well. In the Far
East at Kiao Chow they have been
mono the less deadly in theh action.
Land Mines.
The land mine Is still another type
which is being used in Europe. The
first one dated back to 1903, during
the siege of Castillo del 'Uoro in the
Bay of Naples. which French gsirrt-
son had succeeded in holding for three
wears against the combined Spanish
and Napoeonlc forces. At last the
Spanish captain, Pedro Navarro. made
gallery into the rocks which ne
slowed with powder. 1t was exploded
and many of the besiegers were hurled
into the sea, and there was an tmme-
diate capture Of the place.
/ From time to time this mining UNI
der the enemy's camps or fortress
| continued. Engineers of all ages have
worked and planned this tunnelling
until today it is well nigh perfect, and
the tunnelling under each others
trenches and blowing them up has be-
| come common in Europe ana ire
quently whole companies are buried
beneath tons of earth as the result.
So. it seems that one of the aims
Of mans progress in the arts and
sciences is to discover some subtle,
unseen and tremendous force for the
destruction of his fellow man, and
side by side humanity works and tolls
one element to provide the means
of alternating pain and suffering. to
prolong human life and to uplift with
increased comforts and broadening
views of each others rights and du~
ties, while another element Is invent
ing the quickest and most powerful
instruments to destroy human life. to
incapacitate in greater numbers and
to cause increased havoc and loss I'd
millions of helpless and innocent per-
sons, Surely, this is one OF the strange
contrasts of the so-called civilized hui
manitarian age in which We live,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29
e5YeIz725z1Lo Cr2uTIobgZl2 Ae0reo [ZIS0eLL0CH%

cial traffic on August 18th, 1914, when
two Of the big steamers operated by
the Panama Railroad were sent
through as a test. Both OF these, the
Ancon and the Cristobal are large ce-
ment carrying steamers and their pas
sage through Culebra Cut was looked
forward to with no little interest
owing to the troublesome Cucaracha
slide. However, they passed through
without a hitch. The "Kroonlands," a
10, 075-ton vessel was locked through
the Canal on February End and she
was carrying party of American
business men to South America.
During a period of six months four
hundred and nnety-six vessels other
than canal vessels, launches, etc,
which are not counted, passed over
the bridge of water carrying a total
of 2,367,244 tons Of cargo. It is in
teresting to note the route of these
vessels. Those going from the Pacific
coast to Europe numbered sixty-six,
while only sixteen came from Europe
to the Pacific coast. Sixty-nine were
bound from South America to Europe,
while thirty-one were on their way
from Europe TO south America. Two
came from the Far East. bound for
the Atlantic coast. OF the United
States coastwise steamers ninety-seven
were east bound, and one hundred
and nine were west bound.
The tolls levied for that period
amount to s2.126,S32. Adding this tc
the toll collected on barges prior tc
August 18th, 1914, the total levy vi
to February 18th, 1915. brings the
| Canal earnings up to S2.13S.442.92
| 1t Is estimated that it will require a
least $4,000, 100000 per annum t
make the Canal commercially self
supporting. This total is made up O.
| s3,500,000 for operating and mainte
nance expenses; $3.50, 100000 for Zon,
sanitation and government: $3.50.
| 900. 90 to meet the annuity payable t
Panama beginning with 1913: Sill.
ESQ. 100000 to pay three per cent. in
terest on the 1915. 600, 100000 invested
in the Canal. and $3.50. 10000 for al
amortization fund OF one per cent
per annum upon the cost Of tn
Canal. This amount does not includ
the cost of maintaining troops on tn
Zone, which will probably cost anothe
$40. 900, 100000. From this it will b
seen that some years must elapse be
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29
fore the Canal will be a paying propo-
sition as a Canal.
Uncle sam Shop Keeper.

sition as a Canal.
Uncle sam Shop Keeper.
The providing of coal for passing
ships is one Of the problems which
the Canal authorities must solve, and
in order to meet this the United States
Government has authorized canal col
licrs with a capacity of twelve thou
sand tons. They can deliver five hum
bred thousand tons per year at the
Isthmus. The Navy Department de-
clares that there must never be less
than one hundred thousand tons at
the Atlantic terminus and fifty thou
sand tons at the Pacific terminus The
Government will purchase the coal for
this purpose and keep 1t in concrete
storage basins. Half of the coal can
be kept under water (for use in case
of war; while the other half can be
used for commercial and Government
vessels. The Atlantic storage basin
has capacity Of two hundred and
ninety thousand tons, while the Pa
cific plant has a capacity of one hun
dred and sixty thousand tons.
Similar facilities will be provided
for furnishing vessels with fuel oil.
Two large tanks are to be installed at
/ each END OF the CANAL, dlSo d pAQ0
line across the Isthmus.
The Government will keep control
| OF the terminals water frontage and
transportation by land and water
! across the Canal. There will be dry
docks, repair shops, two powerful
floating cranes with a capacity Of
two hundred and fifty gross tons, and
even stores where Uncle Sam will be
the shop-keeper. Vessels may obtain
cold storage and general articles of
food at reasonable prices-cheaper
than they can be purchased of private
concerns on tho Isthmus, due to the
fact that all goods imported for use
in the canal workings come in duty
free, while a merchant must pay the
regular duty. The ships can have their
laundry done while they are passing
through the Canal. BY going into this
wholesale supply business the Gov
eminent hopes to make the new
waterway popular. Ship owners will
soon understand that they will be free
from eXtortion.
The Panama Canal was constructed
. to further the cause of "Made in
America"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29
.ow theCanalIs Ex-
pected To Further
the Interests of
M AIDE in America"

VNER since the days of Balboa
- the traders Of the world have
been anxious to have the mar
- row strip of land which divided
Atlantic from the Pacific at the
linus Of Panama removed. For
re than three centuries men have
AIMED and planned for this great
/, and now that it has been accom-
shed our country may look forward
an increasing business with the
|in- Am ericas. Heretofore the COM
rec of these countries has been
|inly with Europe-only one out of
~ eight dollars spent by them in
|eign countries coming to the United
|tes-the other seven goes to
rope. The American exporter by
aid of the canal will be placed in
POSITION to change the course of at
st great part of this trade to his
|antage. But even with the cheaper
quicker transportation via the
hal the manufacturer must not eX-
{ this result to follow in a day.
lfany of the industries of the South
erican countries We're developed by
hey from Europe. Nearly every
|ge firm on the Continent has a
/ nch office at the Pacific ports, and
SC who have no branches send spe-
! ~ trained travelling statesmen who
| ry a line of goods which caters to
local taste. Furthermore, these
b understand the system of credits
Ich prevail in Latin America and
authorized 10 comply with these
uirements--a system entirely diff
rnt from that of the United States
Europe.
Eot only will the Canal enlarge our
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-29
he Evolution Of the Mine From 'Bush-
nell's Turtle To the Present
Day Destroyer.

HE present titanic struggle in
volving nearly the whole of
Europe has brought to light the
= use of powerful destructive i'm
nents showing that the art of Of
five and defensive warfare has
/ pace with the advance of the
ons in other things which contrib
in time of peace to. their increased
piness, wealth and comfort. These
Fnes of devastation are in a meas
no respecters of persons or prop
and hew out their pathways of
Zoe, misery and death in defiance
the teachings Of civilization and
mandates of international law.
|he mine, the hidden instrument of
|ruction, is demonstrating It's power
| it's presence is difficult to locate
its deadly work almost impossi-
to prevent. especially upon the
h seas.
| ese waters beyond the three mile
| are the common heritage of The
nan race, and to plant mines be-
d the territorial jurisdiction of a
htry should be regarded as an act
hostility toward the commerce of
trail nations.
owever, in the present conflict in
ch the laws made at the Hague
been disreSarded over and over,
GEMS that the combatants on both
IS have treated the high seas ada
to their respective seacoasts as
lin the Zone of War" and have
wn in the waters of the open sea
@ unseen, deadly weapons which
with thorough impartiality upon
innocent as well as the guilty a
len and unwarned ushering Into
nifty through watery grave.
First Used in 1885.
he mine is by no means new
rivance for it dates back to the
reHth century. History records ar
punt of its use in naval warfare
ng the siege of Antwerp in 1885
n floating mines were set of
INST the Spaniards with no little
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-04
WHITE soX ALMOST READY.
Manager Rowland to Give His Team
Strenuous Campaign.
.ial Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO Ice Siat.
FORT WORTH, Tex, April with
ten days remaining to put his charges
through 4 strenuous campaign Tor the
American League pennant battle. Man
ager Rowland intends to have his hope
fuls ready for the opening gong when
they tackle the Browns a week from
Wednesday in St. Louis. With only one
exception the team is ready to do bat
tie for the flag.
The exception is Weaver and il is ex
pected that when he reports for duty
in about five days the shortstop will be
az able as ever. Schalk. the other all
ing player. returned to the harness at
Abilene yesterday and went through
the game just as if nothing ever hap
pened to him.
According to the schedule. Weaver IL
expected to leave Los Angeles tomo.-
row night bound for Fort Smith. Ark
When the SoN left the coast early ia
the week Buck appeared Q. IA, but con
sent uas given to have him remain in
the west for another week to play 1t
safe.
With Weaver back the SoS vii! lave
five days to put on the maj toucaea
Two eugagemeEtS arc scheduled WIKI
the Kansas City American Association
team and two more with the ST. Josept
Western LeagUers. The Following daA
will be passed in 81. Louis to get the
Sox accustomed to the scenery OF the
American League Park.
AS Manager Rowland has doped con
dirions these five scrimmages shou.c
just about put his men on edge. Weave.
although he has been out of the 500
lineup, has found time to practice
daily with the Los Angeles club.
The release of Sammy Cohen, who has
hobnobbed with the Sol Sammy
Bohn. TO the Lincoln club of the West
ern League, leaves Lena Blackhurne, Al
RromwIch and Howard Baker in the
race for utility infield duty. OF this trio
Blackburne seems to have the insiCG
track. Rowland has announced. how
ever. that he will carry along the
thirty players now on his roster at
least until the team reaches the Mound
city.