davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1922-03-19
Politics at Home
Harding and Mckinley.

Mr.. Harding in his personal address
and popularity is often likened to Mr..
Mckinley. He is very approachable,
and has the knack Of putting at ease
everybody who approaches him. At
the Florida resorts he has just ex-
hibited his cordial qualities, and re.
celved in return every evidence of ap-
probation from those. wherever placed
in the social scale, high or low. fortu.
nate in coming within the range of his
recognition. He left for home with
the increased good will Of all who had
met him.
His warm social nature sometimes
caused a misjudgment of Mr.. Mckin-
ley. In his early days in the White
House he was regarded by superficial
observers as a pliable man. too peace.
loving for his own good. But as time
passed and things began to tighten"
he showed that under calm and
pleasant exterior dwelt resolution suf-
ficient for all practical purposes.
He seemed slow in calling Spain to
account about Cuba, and some of his
political friends and all Of his political
foes thought him incapable Of meeting
the emergency. But in good time and
his own way he met it, and in ninety
days under his leadership Spain con-
fessed defeat.
Some of the republican leaders and
nearly all Of the democratic leaders
hesitated about taking over the Philip
pines. But Mr.. Mckinley was prompt
with his decision. He saw the Amer
ican duty, and imposed it.
He was a high protectionist and for
years had led his party on that issue.
But in what proved to be his last
speech-delivered at Buffalo-he de-
manded a substantial downward re-
vision Of very successful protective
tariff law.
Things have begun to tighten"
now-this thing, that thing, and still
another thing. But the friends Of Mr..
Harding-those who stand closest to
kim-are we'll persuaded that he will
meet every emergency as it arises and
when it presses.
Evening star., 1922-03-19
Conventions.

Washington is already 4 convention
city. but destiny points it out as a
superconvention city. or the conven-
ton capital. Washington has become
q convention center Notwithstanding
certain well known deficiencies, and
as these deficiencies are made up the
current OF conventions will flow
stronger and more freely toward US.
1t Is Washington's prestige as the Ma
tional Capital and the News Capital
Of the United States which attracts
many representative meetings of
Americans. The exhibits, the opera.
tions of the government and the chiefs
and operatives of the vast govern.
ment plant are drawing cards. and
they are very interesting. inspiring te
the Intelligence and broadening to the
understanding Of Americans who look
them over. The country about Wash.
ington is dotted with historic shrines
and much of it still shows a picture
Of colonial civilization. 1t is uplift-
ing to ones patriotism and educa-
tional in divers ways.
The people of Washington, gener-
ally speaking. do not want conven-
tions for the reason that the conven-
tioneers bring money" to Washing
ton and spend it in hotels and shops.
That is a reason which appeals to a
good many persons, OF course. The
hotels and shops are quite prosperous
on normal trade and do not depend on
conventions and crowds from out of
town, as Is the case with number
Of the so-called "show cities" of the
country. The great body Of people in
Washington desire conventions be.
cause they want conventions. because
they like to meet the men or to read
about them and to read the discussion.
CT the variety of questions with which
these conventions deal. They desire
conventions because they want all
other Americans to know Washington
and to carry back to their homes
pleasant memories of the old town
and to spread the news among their
friends that Washington, not long ago
a struggling village, is still struggling.
and that it has already become "some'
Capital.
Evening star., 1922-03-19
I'VE Can't Understand America.

PARIS.-Most Of the French press
frankly declares itself puzzled by
Americas attitude toward France. A
paper that gives especially clear ex-
preston to this is the Victoire
whose editor. Gustave Herve, says;
AFTER having advised us to modify
our reparation demands to the real
capacities Of Germany. and having
thus encouraged her to pay as little
az possible. our American friends ask
us to decrease our armaments.
Here again their intentions are e1-
cellent and perfectly friendly. 1t is sure
that ho should recover more quickly
in Europe if we had not such heavy
burdens.
"But our American friends imagine
that it is for our pleasure, for the
pleasure Of playing soldiers, that we
shoulder such heavy burdens. or for
lconquering German territory? The
Russian bolshevists tell this tale
not got over their defeat use it as
propaganda, and our French COM
munists and a certain number Of op-
ponents, in order TO play a trick on
the government which is not to their
taste, chime in, out Of pure contrari-
ness.
But without waiting for our
American friends demands. it hap
pens that we have decided to shorten
the length Of military service, which
before the war was three years. and
now Is only two, to eighteen months
and If possible to twelve months.
1--WE understand very well,'' con-
tfnues M. Herve, "that French army
Of 100000 men seems exaggerated to
our American friends. But they don't
seem to know that we have more than
200, 900 in Syria, m Morocco and in
the rest Of our African possessions,
in Madagascar and in farther India,
and that we are only able now to re-
duce our army in Syria to any ex-
tent and hope soon to be able to do
the same in Morocco.
"Our number of soldiers in Europe
seems to them excessive compared to
the German army, reduced to 100000
Painful as it is for US not to agree
with our American friends on this
point, we feel obliged to tell them
that we consider ourselves better
Judges of what is really necessary
for our security and for the execu-
tion Of the treaty. :
There are many Frenchmen among
the least chauvinistic and the less
pessimistic patriots. who consider
that unless we have a large army on
the Rhine, not only we shall never
get a pfennig Of what Germany owes
us, in spite Of all the beautiful words
of Herr Wirth, but that the military
party and the great industrial would
soon rekestablish the Hohenzollern-
or rather that they would have re-
established them at the time of the
Kapp affair-and that the first thing
these reactionaries would do would
be to Immediately invade Poland.S
"our American friends" says NJ
Herve, allow themselves navy
equal to that Of England. because OF
their anxiety with regard to Japan,
which is separated from them by the
wide expanse of the Pacific. When
they feel they are threatened, rightly
or wrongly. they don't hesitate to be
sure of a numerical superiority OF
battleships. How can they find II
wrong, then, II we make sure Of hav-
Ing a great military superiority over
the Germans, as long as the demo-
cratic republic. does not seem abso-
luteiy arm beyond the Rhine, and -
long as the sGermang have not been
Evening star., 1922-03-19
A New Era Of Mergers.

The mania for mergers has again
seized hold of American business, and
there are indications that the country
is entering upon an era of consolida-
tions comparable to the "trust-form-
ing" years from 1898 to 1909. Whether
this phenomenon will be followed by
another "trust-busting'' period re-
pie are not nearly so. afraid Of trusts
as they were a few years ago, and. be-
sides, some Of the elements which were
most bitter in their opposition to the
combining Of little businesses into big
business" are now engaged in doing
that very thing themselves. The farm.
ers, with their nationwide plans for
cooperative marketing, are a case in
point.
The merger period which gave us
the United States Steel Corporation
and other Industrial giants was the
outcome Of the period OF industrial de-
preston which set in toward the end
Of the second Cleveland administra-
ton. 1t was found that scattered in
dependent industrial units lacked the
strength and the operating efficiency
to endure prolonged depression. Con-
solidation made for greater efficiency
and operating economy. but the flood
of "watered' stock which attended
these consultations aroused public ap-
prehension and alarm. The cry OF
monopoly" was raised and became d
POLITICAL issue which survived for
many years.
The present tendency toward
mergers is the direct result of the
period of depression following the
world war. The large industries re-
sulting from the mergers Of a quarter
Of a century ago having demonstrated
their superior efficiency during and
since the war. the owners OF small
businesses today show natural desire
to strengthen and insure themselves
by the same process. II they will
profit by the mistakes made in mergers
of the past it is probable they will be
permitted to carry through their pro-
grams without serious public opposl-
ton or governmental interference.
The American people no longer are
afraid of a business merely because 1t
is big, but the federal suits against
Standard Oil. American Tobacco, In
ternational. Harvester and other so
called trusts laid the possibilities OF
abuses so bare that it would not again
require years Of education and agita-
ton to determine where private rights
ended and public rights began.
Most Of the mergers projected today
are of small independent concerns
competing with strongly intrenched
big concerns, and if there is no at
tempt in these mergers to circumvent
The law they ought to result in large
public benefits. The people have come
to a realization that business, big and
little, is entitled to opportunity and
announcement, but the days OF the
public be damned" have gone, never to
return.
Evening star., 1922-03-19
Prohibition and immigration.

Numerous reports and complaints
60 to show that the government Is
underserved both as to prohibition and
immigration. Not that those charged
with executing the laws are not
vigilant. but that the force provided
Is too small for the tasks d.
Rum-running has become an organ
lied and very profitable industry
Great numbers are engaged In 1t
Enormous profits are flowing from it
1t Is so open it has become a boast
and even a popular jest. "Hootch.'
and its price, and how to obtain it, are
capital mirth-provokers. -.
Sneaking into the country at un'
guarded points in violation Of law is
likewise much practiced. America
never looked better. never more tempt
ing, to the migratory outsider than to-
day. He compares conditions here with
conditions prevailing elsewhere. and
his impulse is to enter the country by
any means available. If the law bars
him he studies how to evade the law
and secures help to that end.
The government ought to be ade
quately served In both of these par
ticulars. It cannot afford this mockine
of its laws. AS larger administrative
force is necessary it ought to be pro
yided. Let the hootchers be chased
untiringly. Let the frontiers be guard
ed against undesirables at all points
The multiplication of minor officials
even at this time Of economy is a
small price to pay for asserting the
national authority and carrying out
the popular will expressed in due form
as to matters Of vital moment to all
sections and classes.
Evening star., 1922-03-19
American Gold at Genoa.

PARIS-The Genoa conference must
occupy itself with the economic re-
construction of Europe. Will it be
problem in the absence of the United
States and the republics Of South
America? This seems very difficult
But the United States seems to be
little disposed to come to the confer
ence and the South American repub-
lies have not been invited.
Why has no invitation been sent
to the South American states? 1t is
not without reason. The supreme
council has not told us what these
serious and decisive. The mystery
surrounding them is all the more irri-
tating, Meanwhile we must agree
that new diplomacy is not so ad-
verse to secrecy as 1T pretends and
that it borrows those methods which
1t protested most loudly against.
However that may be, America will
be absent from the conference. And
vet it is in America that a part Of the
Indispensable means of economic re-
construction are to be found. And If
these means are not put at the serv-
ice of those who want to reconstruct
it will be very difficult for the plans
to be realized.
In order to carry out these plans
whatever they may be, Europe must
possess a large quantity of gold. The
penury Of gold from WHICH she is
suffering is one OF the most certain
causes Of the economic crisis. 1t is
ali very well to say that gold only
serves to measure the value Of things;
IT is.all very well to say that a we'll
arranged exchange of goods and
services might make gold superf1uous;
In practice these theories are contra
dicted by facts. Gold Is indispensable
for commerce, for producing and
carrying on economic activity. Eu-
rome will not resume her activity
until q part OF the gold which has
been drained from her and sent to
the United States has been restored
1he United States has too much
gold, says nj. Doumergue. Europe has
not as much as she needs. An ex-
cess of gold and a want of gold both
engender the same crisis. The United
States: industries are seriously suf-
fering. from a superabundance of this
metal; Europe is struggling with eco
nomic difficulties which seem to be
insurmountable because Of the want
OF this metal. It is impossible 20 SUBJ
stitute Il. at least for a long time.
\
Evening star., 1922-03-19
Italy and Fiume.

Dtscord in Fiume will not down. The
beautiful city at the head Of the Quar-
nero has continued as a hotbed for
International friction despite the with
drawal Of Austria from a titular role
in the play; despite the treaty Of Ra-
palio whereby Fiume was made q free
city; despite repeated protestations of
acceptance Of the status quo on the
part Of the responsible governments
affected. The latest news dispatches
announce the military occupation Of
the city by an italian army corps.
The movement Of Gen. Sanna in
command Of 30 impressive an armed
force to Fiume Is explained by the
Italian government on the ground Of
the necessity for maintaining order
arising out Of the recent overthrow of
the Zanella government Assurance is
given that Italy aims only to insure
the election Of q legal government for
the city which will be capable OF main
tanning order and promoting industry.
The italian foreign minister holds that
Italy, charged with the policing Of
Fiume under the Rapallo pact. must
play her part in maintaining the in
dependence and liberty Of the free city,
or lose her place in the ranks Of the
great powers
The impressive scale Of the troop
movement whereby Italy proposes to
discharge the obligations which For.
eign Minister schanzer has accurately
outlined cannot fail to stimulate anx-
iety - to tho scope of the disorders
he anticipates. Students Of the intri.
Evening star., 1922-03-19
DIGEST OF FOREIGN PRESS

reconstructing our devastated re-
gions?
And how can they be surprised if
Poland, situated as she is between
Germany, which hates her. and soviet
Russia, which is hungry, looks twice
before she follows the advice about
disarming. which distant friends may
give her, when she has already been
disarmed by her near neighbors?
I'VE should be only too glad in
France to bring about. general dis
armament in the whole world; we
even tried, with this intention. in
agreement with a certain Wilson. OF
doubtless heard speak. to establish
a certain league Of nations. But our
American friends refused absolutely
to join this league. because they did
not want to be mixed up in European
affairs. And yet now they do med
die in them. by asking US in a friend
ly way to disarm!
I'VE don't cease loving our Amer
lean friends" concludes NJ. Herve.
''but we do cease to understand
them"
Evening star., 1922-03-19
The Press and Politics.

The Star referred recently to the
establishment at Jackson. Miss, Of a
weekly republican Newspaper, as a
sign that the republicans Of the lower
south were getting a move on.
The republicans of Florida have
gone their brethren Of the Bayou state
one better and established daily pa
per. They are supporting the Harding
administration, and have taken a
practical way of showing their faith.
We shall not soon see either the
Bayou state or the Peninsula state
transferred to the republican column.
nationally or locally. The democracy,
as the result Of years Of rule and laws
to suit, is strongly intrenched in both
states.
Still, good should come Of these two
ventures. They will make for discus.
cussion, and discussion, intelligently
conducted, makes for better govern.
ment. Where there is a medium of
criticism there is necessity for mini
MIXING criticism-provoking as little
Of it as possible.
New England has been republican
for a long time. Nevertheless. the
democrats Of that section have been
well organized, and some Of the best
local newspapers have been of the
democratic persuasion.
This has had effect on local affairs.
It has forced the republicans to toe
the mark with their best men for lead
ers, and to bid for continued control
with carefully prepared platforms and
redemptions Of platform promises.
The Yankee democrats. in this way,
have impressed themselves on their To-
calities by that vigilance which is the
price Of good government.
Evening star., 1922-03-19
"Back Home" :"

Men we'll qualified from experience
in politics and from travel through the
country to speak. advise against trips
home by senators and representatives
for the purpose Of sounding sentiment
at this time about pressing public is.
sues.
According to these men, there is no
sentiment worth while to sound. Only
village wiseacres and professional aEi
tators perennialIy uniformed are
vocal. The people of weight are. as a
rule. silent and thoughtful in the pres
ence of conditions so unusual.
They seem overawed. The question
by congressional visitor, How are
things out here?" is answered, Yankee
fashion. with the question, ''How are
things in Washington"
1t seems a good time. therefore. for
the men who have been elected to
legislate TO act on their own judgment;
to make up their minds from informa-
ton gathered from sources specialize
ing in facts; to show their quality as
advisers as we'll as representatives of
the people: to take their ears from the
ground, and stand upright.
Conditions arc unusual FOR every
body Representatives and represented
alike are bit overawed. We have
not seen such times before. We may
not see them again. But while we are
seeing them we must deal with them.
There is no escape. They can neither
be postponed nor evaded. So the thing
to do is to tackle them with sobriety
and deliberation. and have it out with
fortune in the best way and with the
best results possible. We shall make
some mistakes. but mistakes inhere in
all human activity.
Evening star., 1922-03-19
Snapshots in Export Markets

are eagerly sought and are frequently
used by those who are studying English.
X X X <
Mexico needs soap from this country
That great unwashed' country is
eagerly watching for carload shipments
Of soap from the United States. This
is not due so much to sudden sani-
tation reform as TO the failure OF the
Laeuna cotton crop for the last TWO
years. which has caused a shortage OF
cottonseed oil. AS a consequence, tne
local Mexican soap manufacturers nave
been unable to compete with American
SOAPS. Large sales of white Laundry
soap have been reported by American
firms.
Milady's lipstick and powder puff
and other toilet accessories have
found amazing favor in China. Con
sui General Edwin S. Cunningham
finds that American cosmetics are
exceedingly popular and that ship
-ments are not sufficient to meet the
requirements of the Shanghai market.
The increasing demand for cheap
grade cosmetics in China has been
stimulated by well designed advertis
ing campaigns which took careful
note of the peculiar requirements OF
that country and played up features
which could not fail to appeal to the
people. Care of the hair complexion.
teeth and finger nails Is given care
full attention almost universally
among Chinese women, and native
preparations are, gradually giving
way, to imported goods from the
United States, of better QuaDb',
Highly perfumed toilet waters for the
Oh To- 1o~
titles. as large part of the populace
prefer them to the local connections.
Similarly inferior face cream and
powder are giving way to fmporta-
tions from America. Tooth pastes are
gaining in popularity. although the
use of toothbrushes has long been
established. Ordinary preparations
for the finger nails are also in de
mand. Imported soaps in increasing
quantities are rapidly replacing ma
tive brands.
Chile needs woods for making shoe
heels and American woods are believ-
ed to be most suitable. The manufac-
ture of wooden heels is an industry
that is coming strong. in Chile. In
1919 there were 1870 shoe factories in
Chile with an annual capacity Of TO-
500. 900 pairs of shoes. There were be-
sides three wooden heel factories.
turning out 5000 dozen pairs per
month. The demand for these heels Is
far greater than the capacity of these
factories. and consequently, large
numbers are imported-mostIy from
the United States. The development
of this industry is dependent. upon
ability to obtain suitable wood, prop
erly dried. When native wood is used
the heel shows a tendency to split and
warp. Chilean manufacturers, after
trying woods from several countries
are agreed that American woods, such
as maple or beech. would he the most
suitable, providing the cost of ship
ment is not prohibitive. Chile does
not put any tarif ON wood for s1ch
Evening star., 1922-03-19

That the American motor car is oc-
cupying a position Of increasing i'm
portance in the import trade OF the
east fs shown in the first automobile
show Of importance ever held In that
section of the world. according to
report. on the Calcutta exhibition
from Consul H R Foss. American
makes were widely represented by
their local agents, and it was shown
that, while in the year before the war
1850 motor cars were imported into
India. 1869 of which came from Great
Britain and SSs from the United
States, in the fiscal year ended March
81. 1921, there were 15.432 cars i'm
ported, of which 2,541 were from
Great Britain and 1920 from the
United States.
These fairs in foreign markets
are proving to be of great value IN
focusing attention on the superior
quality of United States production.
For example. exhibits of agricultural
implements of American manufacture
were, easily conspicuous at the asri-
cultural implement and seed sho"
which closed in Paris last month, ac-
cording to Assistant Trade Commis-
sioner F. G. Singer. Most Of the large
firms of the United States. France.
England: Belgium, Gzeenos,oNah,a nsassn,ed
American manufacturers again con-
firmed their leadership as to quality
and design, 1t was shown that the
large French firms have a decided
tendency to copy American designs.
but they are not able 70 c9mpese e.iop t0p
emonr American representatives was
that the show was q big success and
that a fair market for American agri-
cultural implements may be expected
for the current year.
There is a good market for American
hooks in Brazil which was noticeabiy
neglected during the past holiday sea-
son. While most Of the standard Ameri-
can periodicals can be purchased regu-
Iarly at book stores and news stands IN
Rio de Janeiro, practically all OF the
books in English sold there are Of Eng
lish origin. DR.. Hubert Work, the new
Postmaster General, will have to improve
this situation, because it Is largely due
to unsatisfactory parcel post service.
which discourages the buying OF books
direct from the United States. The
knowledge Of English is spreading
rapidly in Brazil, with consequently
steady increase in the demand for books
in that language. The present demand
is largely for scientific books. on medi-
cine, engineering. Industrial processes
and technical subjects. The few books
Of American fiction that are OCCASION
aIIy found In the Rio de Janeiro book
stalls are for the most part British re-
uIints, Tho more serious current pub
iications In the held Of general utere-
ture Of American houses never And t1eir
way 10 HsaziL Amsrtcan tuvsaiie books