davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-05-07
EDITORIAL DIGEST

be feared by the south. as u would
lead to "a better understanding of the
rae" problem in other sections of the
country. There also il little doubt
in the mind Of tn" Mohil" Register
that the negro migration is unqueS-
tionably due to the economic pressure
more than to any other cause, hut
critics OF the south will not over
look the opportunity 10 point out that
Georgia. which IS notorious for it's
lEnChing record. has Il much higher
percentage of migration than any
other southern state" Tn" moVemc Mt
ais" is ''probably temporary" as the
Dallas Journal sees il. because that
type Of laborer is at home in the cot
ton patch and not in the sugar-beet
field. When the wage schedules
slump in the north. as wage schedules
have a habit of doing. there will be
some tall backtracking TO Georgy and
Alabam'
The Petersburg Progress and Index
Appeal insists northern men do not
understand negroes and negroes who
go north from the south never come
20 understand northern people
southern people are inclined to feel
that the negroes who are leaving will
come back. just as they have done in
years past. But meanwhile the emi-
grants are leaving this section with
out an adequate labor supply. to say
nothing Of the evils they are bring
llC upon themselves.
South Carolina seems to find il
rather comforting to know that the
negro population is being reduced -
che"rfuily opincS the Savannah Press
in a careful analysis of the situation
there. The south apparently has a
great number of negroes that could
be spared to other sections if they
were really needed. and when the
negro is gone there will probably he
other labor to take their place If
may require some adjustment and re-
arrangement. but the south is not
gong to starve To death or go back
ward because 'cuffee' gets out of
Dixie. Suggestions which are made
that in certain sections the local au-
tHorltieS have prevented negroes
leaving brings the Pittsburgh Chron-
icle Telegraph the declaration that ..If
TINS right is denied him, as so many
others have been. ii is time the federal
authorities were looking into this mat
ter. Under normal conditions the negro
Is happier and more contented in the
south, especially the typical southern
negro. If he is given a square deal
he is not inclined to leave his old
home. While this, of course, adj
mittedly is true. the PITTSBURGH Press
holds higher wages in northern in
duatrfeS are doubtless the chief mag
net, although Jim Crow cars and the
numerous other anti-negro djscrin-
nations in the south may. also be a
factor. If Judge Gary cannot secure
looSer immigration laws to aid the
steel mills in getting labor from Eu-
rope the immigration Of the southern
blacks into northern cities will likely
be encouraged" The result must
prove serious to the negroes them
selves. the Grand Rapids Press points
out, because vital statistics show
there are twelve negro deaths TO
every ten negro births in the north
whide in the southern districts, three
negroes are born to every two that die. -
Evening star., 1923-05-07
Banditry in China.

Twenty three years ago in the
course of the Boxer rebellion i'll China,
which was marked by serious out
break of antiforeigner sentiment, a
Lumber of Americans and other
westerners were taken prisoner by
the rebels. The foreign legations at
feking were besieged. The German
diplomatic representative was MUIR
dered. 1t became necessary To or
Sailize an international expedition.
which, after sharp lighting, reached
the capital and released the besieged
and rescued the prisoners. This was
the beginning of new development
in China.
Now comes another outbreak of
banditry with foreigners aS victims.
A railroad train has been captured by
a force of Il thousand irregular troops
and many Of the travellers taken pris-
oner, including some Americans of
high station. Ii is evident that the
attack was deliberately planned to
secure these people as hostages. An
precipitated.
Conditions i'll China have been
chaotic for many months. Several
armies" have been engaged in COM
bat with varying success. The gov
ernment at Peking is not recognized
as reported by certain of the prov
lnces. Canton. the capital of south
ern China has been passing back and
forth from hand TO hand. Banditry
has fiourished in the absence of stable
administration.
In these conditions the case re-
sembleS i'll some respects that of
1900, when it was impossible TO deal
with responsible government and il
became necessary for the foreign pow
ers to intervene directly with an
army Of rescue and temporary occu-
patton.
Late dispatches state that the ban
dts have threatened to kill all the
man prisoners if the troops are not
recalled. At the same time it is stated
That the troops are pursuing the
brigands. If the threat is carried
into effect and the captives are slain
those governments whose nationals
have been murdered must adopt
measures Of punishment if the Chinese
government. Of whatever it may con-
Sist at this time, cannot effect re-
prisals and recompense.
Suspicion Immediately arises that
this act of the bandits is a move to
force foreign intervention in the tan
slcd affairs of China. 1t is impossi-
BILE to understand the motives Of these
people. II may be that this crime
is recurrence of the savage anti
foreigner feeling that manifested so
tragically twenty-three years ago.
Whatever the cause or the purpose, it
Is necessary to use the utmost means
to rescue these unfortunate victims
of the brigand force and to insure
against repetition.
Evening star., 1923-05-07

effected they have not gone to the
point of Gripping the federal admins
tration or throwing out Of employ
ment great numbers simultaneously
to add to the problem of tdleness
which was necessarily acute In the
first few months Of peace.
The latest move in the process of
ufter-war financing is an announce
ment Of a new issue Of 100000. 900 of
Treasury notes at AZ per cent, to
complete the refunding and retiring of
the victory notes. at the same rate
Of interest. This issue will complete
the first phase Of the war-debt refund
ing. 1t is expected that the issue will
be Immediately absorbed without any
disturbance.
In this connection it is important to
note that since April 80. 1921, a re-
tirement of $500, 100000 in federal
securities will have been effected by
the close of the current fiscal year. at
which time the gross public debt, it is
estimated. will have been reduced to
about 22,4O0, 100000.
1t is further to be noted as a feature
Of this extraordinarily successful ham,
ding of the war-debt problem that as
result of economies in current ex-
penditures there will be in the Treas
ury on June 3O it is estimated, a sur
plus of $125.0OO,00O, or more than
twice as much as was figured few
days ago by the director of the budget.
Ten years ago the prospect of a
public debt of over twenty-five billion
dollars would have been viewed by
the country as appalling, as a sure
sign of national bankruptcy. Today
that debt is not regarded with the
least alarm. 1t has been financed ably
and without disturbance, the govern
ment has continued in its procedure
unchecked, industry has thrived and
progressed. The country is hard at
work making money. spending it and
meeting its obligations.
Evening star., 1923-05-07
Wants Law to Curb
Flower Destruction

To the Editor Of The Star:
All those who are Interested In the
preservation of wild flowers and other
objects of natural beauty in the Dis
trict should thank The Star for the
consistent interest it has shown In
such things, and especially for the
cartoon in last Sundays Star showing
the Scenery Sovietists." Probably
there were some who saw that draw
ing who saw the lesson and refrained
from indulging their natural desire
to pluck armfuls of wild flowers, but
many of the motorists on the Conduit
road that Sunday afternoon were ap-
parently not affected by It Automo-
biles were piled high with dogwood.
1t is no wonder that so little Of that
beautiful tree is now to be seen along
that road, for dogwood is fast going
the way of rhododendron. laurel, pink
azalea and redbud to determination.
What people do not gather for them
selves children along the way gather
and sell to passersby for a small price.
One car that was seen on Sunday was
decorated with a whole small dog
wood tree, fastened erect In front or
it's engine, much to the admiration, no
doubt, of the young people in the
tonneau. One cannot help hoping that
next Sunday will be rainy. SO that
there will be less destruction.
Why will people seek to express
their pleasure in natural beauty by
tearing up as much of it as possible
to carry home for their own private
enjoyment? If no appeals will cause
the motorist to restrain his desire
for flowers nothing short of law to
prevent selling of certain kinds of
plants will stop the street venders.
who scour the woods for the finest
specimens, that they may sell them.
Can we get such law in the District?
E L. STONE.
Evening star., 1923-05-07
Potomac Park Barracks.

Everybody in Washington will con-
slider it good news that the wooden
barrack buildings in East Potomac
Park are to be torn down. The eSti-
mate has been made that it will re-
quire about three months to remove
and store elsewhere the government
material now stored in these worn and
when this is done the old structures
will be razed and the camp site cleared.
These structures. hastily put up for
the shelter Of infantry troops on guard
duty at Washington during the war,
have stood too long. That may be said
Of a number Of other war emergency
structures. 1t is not always easy to
get rid of a building erected to meet
an emergency. for when the first
emergency is passed another is apt
to arise calling for the retention of
the structure. A temporary building
may have a long life The business of
the government grows fast, and 1t is
often necessary to make use OF any
kind of building at hand. 1t was
feared by some persons that these
temporary buildings in East Potomac
Park might stand for an indefinite
term Of years. Happily this is not to
be the case. They are to go. 1t is said
that space is being found in other of
the governments temporary buildings
in Washington for storing the supplies
now in the park barracks, and that
old barracks Of further use to the gov
ernment. Their removal will effect a
marked Improvement in East Potomac
Park.
Evening star., 1923-05-07
Let Uncle Sam Do It.

According TO the latest Paris note
on reparations. i'll which Belgium
joins, the French idea seems to be
that the full claim for war damages
against Germany must be collected;
that Germany shall be required TO pay
all ii can. and the United States the
rest There is nothing particularly
new in this proposal, but now it is ad-
vanced in an official document ad-
dressed To the German government
and becomes d part of the French and
Belgian reparations program.
1t is true that the French foreign
office is not so blunt and undiplomatic
as to ask the United States 10 help
pay the German war debt. but it
amounts TO that when it is declared
that France and Belgium cannot ac-
cept a reduction in their shares of the
claim against Germany. except that
they are ready TO offset them with
interallied debts" The logic of this sug-
gestion Is difficult TO follow. II IS
agreed by the allies and subscribed to
y
be required to pay to the limit of her
abilities toward repairing the damage
she wantonly inflicted. That is just
and right. But after Germany has
paid TO the limit of her abilities. if
there still is damage unrepaired. why
should the United States, one Of the
victor nations. and which contributed
so largely to the winning Of the war.
be called upon to make up the deficit?
If France is TO be consistent, after
Germany has paid to the limit of her
abilities and the United States has
Cancelled the French debt, the neu-
trails ought to be asked to chip in and
make up any balance remaining un-
paid. If it could be so arranged that
France was the only nation which did
not suffer financial losses as a result
of the war it would leave that country
in happy position to pursue its pro
gram of dominance on the continent of
Europe.
Aside from the direct bid for can
collation. of interallied debts. there is
nothing specially notable in the latest
French note. The proposal Of Ger
many to pay 10000, 200. 900 gold marks
in full settlement of all reparationa
claims is categorically refused. as ~
also the demand Of Berlin for evacua-
ton of the Ruhr in advance OF pay
ments. There is no indication of will
lingness to compromise in any respect
for the sake of solution of the ,prob-
lem. The idea of an international
commission to determine Germany's
paying capacity is rejected, and notice
is practically served upon Germany
that it will not be worth while to sub
nit any further proposals so long as
her passive" resistance in the Ruhr
continues.
However disappointing the French
note may be in it's lack of any disposi-
ton to compromise, there is a chance
of its serving a useful purpose by
bringing Germany to a realization that
artful lodging will not avail, and that
she must talk turkey" if she ever is
to be relieved of the burden Of Ruhr
occupation. That this may be accom-
plished seems more hopeful in view of
the fact that the British government
also has declared the Cuno proposal
unsatisfactory, and has urged Ger
many to make more practical offer.
Evening star., 1923-05-07
CAPITAL KEYNOTES
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

The weekly report on business con-
ditions- by the Department of Com
merce indicates that building ac-
tivities continued brisk throughout
April. Exports of wheat and corn
during the last week of April were
the highest since early March, and
the number of unused freight cars
was reduced from 66,041 of the last
week of February to only 34,343 for
the middle of April. The cost of food
dropped to the lowest index since last
October.
All this shows prosperity for every
body except the farmer-the food
producer.
While the United States is thus pros
pering, it seems that Central and South
America are finding dull business, but
conditions are gradually improving
No country in the world shows the
active prosperity Of the United States.
Even sugar refiners are managing to
eke out fair living. While the index
cost of food shows lowering of
prices generally. it should not be
construed that that Is working seri-
Gus hardship upon the sugar reflnerS.
These refined gentlemen are not even
scared by the boycott
How the joy-killers do like TO scare
US. Lumber is to disappear within
fifteen years. oysters are going, and
bass in the Potomac and other
streams within reach will soon be
gone. If fishers are not restricted
and the law enforced against the use
of seines and the sale of baby bass,
there won't be any use having week
ends any more. Nothing to do but
work and golf.
X
There has been another shot that
is heard around the world. 1t is the
four-inch shot fired last Thursday
by the United States revenue cutter
Seneca across the bows of rum
runners in New York harbor 1t
routed EN-, it secuted 'em and put
them all to flight This is the open
earnest upon the pirates, following
the recent decision Of the Supreme
Court. 1t is stated emphatically at
headquarters, In Washington, that the
laws VIII be enforced with all the
means in the power of the govern
ment. The time for temporizfng has
passed
Since the Supreme Court has ruled
that the Constitution does not fol-
low the flag" so far as to make the
deck of even a government-owned
steamer American territory, subject to
the land laws. it would be possible
for President Harding to restore the
sale OF intoxicants to American ves-
sells outside of the three mile limit.
There is no Likelihood of his doing
so, however, because he feels that
that would be only temporary, and in
violation Of the spirit, if not the let
ter. of the law.
X X X
1t is reported that sugar sells at
retail in England for cents a pound.
In view Of Americas international
generosity in supplying coal for Eng
lands province-Canada- our
nationals were freezing, il is sug-
gested that a few shiploads of Accent
sugar. right now. would help some.
The District of Columbia Fedora
tion of Women's Clubs has resolved
to support the boycott of sugar. and
appeals to all the 100000 members
Of women's clubs, all over America,
TO do likewise. What is that quota
Evening star., 1923-05-07

John Sherman'S native town of
Mansfield, Ohio, will celebrate with
pomp on May 10 the one-hundredth
anniversary Of his birth. Postmaster
General Harry S. New and Senators
Willis and Fess of Ohio, will deliver
commemorative addresses. President
ring message. John Sherman was
United States senator from Ohio from
1881 to 1897. Just previous to enter
ing the Senate, he was Secretary of
the Treasury in President Hayes
cabinet. He left the Senate on March
4, 1897. with two more years to serve.
in order to become Secretary of State
in the first Mckinley cabinet Thus
his entire political life was associated
with Ohio and Ohioans, who honor
sons. Sherman peered sagaciously
into the future of the republic. In
the earliest hours of the civil war, he
said: Let me record a prediction.
The government will arise from this
strife greater. stronger and more
prosperous than ever"
X X
President Harding's famous dictum
More business in government, and
less government in business
ises to become a European slogan,
too. 1t was quoted at the recent con-
gress of the International Chamber
Of Commerce in Rome, by Fred l.
Kent, New York banker, as prn-
ciple which European states in the
throeS of reconstruction might we'll
adopt. Authorship of the phrase, ii
is not generally known. is in dispute.
Mr.. Harding is said to claim patentee
rights. Senator Walter l.. Edge of
New Jersey is understood to acknowl-
edge it's parentage, while Albert d.
Laskers friends aver it was, in fact,
the child Of his fertile brain.
Senator Smith w Brookhart of
Iowa has gone abroad. presumably
to study cooperative marketing and
to obtain closeup Of world court
wick edness. But his friends affirm
his principal purpose is to drum up
European interest in the forthcoming
shoot" of the International Rifle AS
sociation in the United States. Col.
Brook hart not only is president of
the National Rifle Association, but
captained the American Palma rifle
team which has held the world cham
pionShip since 1912. To the foreign
ambassadors and ministers in Wash
ington to whom the Hawkeye radical
disclosed his European plans. he con-
veyed the definite Impression that
the rifle range, not international
politics, is the thing nearest 10 his
heart.
x * x X
CZechslovakia's able young minister
to the United States. DR.. Bedrich
Stepanek, will retire from the diplo-
matte service and leave Washington
Evening star., 1923-05-07
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHII.ANDER JOHNSON

Questions of TerminOlOgy.
OF spot that was dear to my child
hood I'd sing
In the vein reminiscent SO often en-
ployed;
OF the trees and the blossoms, the cool
crystal spring,
The moss underfoot and the vines that
would cling.
To shelter the day-dreams which
there I enjoyed.
But 1 shudder and vainly endeavor to
write.
Some rough pioneer caused this ter
rible plight.
Both meter and rhyme in astonish-
ment stick
It is known to the public as "Gander-
foot Crick.''
I'd fain write some lines to lady so
fair,
A lady so graceful and gentle of
voice,
A ripple of song that would sweetly
declare
That she is being whose charms are
so rare
AS to render her worthy a poten-
tate's choice.
But my efforts poetic to lift her to
fame
Are checked when find must men
ton her name.
My prospects poetic have gone to the
dogs
Because she was christened "Mehita-
bel Boggs!''
Evening star., 1923-05-07
Should Bar Carnivals
Writer Says D. c. Should Keep
Out Itinerant Side Shows.

To the Editor Of The Star:
From time to time protests are
made against the permission that is
given by the District Commissioners
to so many carnivals and tent shows
TO set up their packs in various parts
Of the city. They are now coming
here in such numbers, because they
are being driven from various cities
in the east and west, that it is time
for Washington TO follow the pro-
gressive cities and stop them from
putting up their side shows in this
city.
Unlike respectable circuses like
Barnum and Bailey. which charge a
fixed sum for admission and give the
people their moneys worth, these
shows charge no fixed sum for ad-
mission. but a certain amount to see
each side show. Then there are
numerous chance games which mulct
innocent victims Of their money and
before a person is through he may
have paid as high as $1,000 to see
the show.
These shows do not attract a very
desirable element, They stay for
" eekS 11 II llfue IeS lTOin the
city thousands of dollars and do no
good for the community.
Under an old regulation adopted in
1902, they pay the ridiculous fee of
$500 a day-thnk of it, show using
ten acres of land--while a neighhor
ing business pays large taxes and
rents.
1t is hoped that our commercial
bodies like the Chamber of Commerce.
Board of Trade. Merchants and Manu-
facturers' Association, our churches
and our numerous welfare and
woman's organizations Will protest
to the District Commissioners to pre-
vent the indiscriminate granting of
license to itinerant side shows and
carnivals. and it is certain that If the
facts are called to their attention
they will stop them from coming to
Washington.
Respectfully yours,
Evening star., 1923-05-07
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE

on May 20. He will continue to reside
in America in a SEM official capacity,
mainly as student AMI chronicler
of economic Developments. DR.. Step
anek's last official duties will be con-
cerned with the Czechoslovakian
debt-funding mission which is due in
Washington in a few days The
study young Czech republic owes
Uncle Sam. with accumulated interest,
S106, 100000. DIR. Stepanek has been
accredited to this country since Jan
uary, 1921. and rendered yeoman serv-
cause. He is a prime favorite of
President Masaryk, and is marked for
high political honors in his country
in days to come.
Col. Edward VI. House, who will
shortly leave for his annual visit to
Europe, is credited with the com
mandership-in-ch Of the John w.
idential nomination. AS becomes the
taciturn Texan whom Col. Harvey
nicknamed "President Wilson's
C-boat,' the House maneuvers, if
such there be, are being conducted
with a high degree of invisibility.
Davis himself also is enacting the
role of a shrinking violet. No man
in America is in greater demand for
public speeches. and he can seldom be
introduced without subtle references
to what 1924 may hold in store for
him. Speaking before the editors so
ciety in Washington recently at the
same table with President Harding,
Davis diveSted himself of d pictures
que bit of English. He described a
democratic campaign tour in Maine
year or two ago as "a futile raid
on the embattled Businesses of the
Pine Tree state"
x x
Foreign diplomatists and states
men in Washington have a tcrse and
alliterative description for the ad
ministration's project to lake the
United States into the world court.
They call it the "H-H-H" scheme, a
reference to its warm support by
Harding, Hughes and Hoover
George Horton. the American con-
sui general. who was literally burned
out of house and home by the Turks
at Smyrna in September. 1929. has
been promoted 10 he consul general
at Budapest. His friends are hopeful
the next Congress will repair the
omission Of it's predecessor 10 COM
penSate Horton 70 the extent of $l2,-
600 for his personal losses at Smyrna.
Secretary Hughes warmly rrCOm-
meuded IL deficiency appropriation TO
that end. The Smyrna Christian mis-
sionaricS. while refugees in Athens
last winter passed some striking
resolutions Of commendation and
gratitude for Horizons courageous
hi ..,.t.
ing and looting Smyrna.
Copyright 1I-I1I
Evening star., 1923-05-07
Before and After.

Whene'er the home club loses out
Remarks are charged with gloom and
doubt.
1.-The pitcher has putty arm.
The fielders should be on a farm.
But what could you expect from
skates,
From those predestined second-rates?"
And then the wise ones in a row
Stand up and shout, ''I told you So"
But when the home club wins a game
The place resounds with glad acclaim,
Somebody says: IT had a hunch,
Those people were a winning bunch.
/ sized 'em up the very day
When first they brought 'em out to
play"
And then the wise ones In q row
Stand up and shout, "1 told you so!"