Evening star., 1948-07-04
Fifty Years Ago

1.-THE National Capital" said The Star edi-
torially on June 80, 1898, "is about to enjoy the
benefits of free public
Free reading room and circulat-
Public librov ing library conducted under
municipal auspices. This
end has been attained only through arduous
local efforts, first to secure the creative legis
lation required and then to prevent an infrac-
ton of the fundamental law governing the
financial relations of the District to the general
Government in obtaining the maintenance ap-
preparations. The District appropriation bill
which became a law today contains provision
for maintaining the library which was created
two years ago by act of Congress and it is now
firmly established as part of the municipal
equipment The library and reading room
about to be opened will become, as provided by
the law, supplement Of the public education
system of the District"
Dispatches concerning the earliest service of
the Rough Riders 1st United States Cavalry
Volunteers) in Cuba appeared
kou9h kiders in The Star of June Is, 1898,
II A-.;o, wherein it was explained that
Capt. Allyn K. Capron, Sergt
Hamilton Fish, jr. and four privates had been
killed in the fighting near Santiago. Later
opinion judged the outfits operations to be
"unconventional" but conceded that they were
usually successful" At the moment, however
every Rough Rider was hero with no quail
fication Of that title whatever. Strangely, the
name of Theodore Roosevelt was missing from
the news from the fighting front. He subse-
quently proved that he had been ION the job"
by writing readable history of the lst Calvary
Volunteers from the inside"
+*
The Battle of Santiago "by land and sea"
prompted The Star to issue several extras"
on July 1, 1893. "A general
Sontiogo assault" had been ordered and
A...l.1 was in full operation. Harbor
forts were bombarded by the
American fleet. The vesuvius used her dyna-
mite guns with good effect" A telegram from
the signal station at Playa del Este announced
that "the fight was growing furious in all
directions" Eight Americans and nine Cubans
had been wounded. Admiral Sampson was
firing upon the forts and everything Spanish
in sight" Meanwhile, in Washington Cabinet
members pictured the battle . .. I would
like to be there said one Just think OF the
two fleets firing and the armies engaged In
combat. It must be a grand sight. OF course,
we are confident that the Americans will
win"
Under this headline The Star for July 2,
1885, published cable from Berlin reading:
"On the best authority the
Three correspondent here OF the As
xAcuu.:... sociated Press Is informed that
Germany, France and Russia
have reached an understanding to interfere In
the Philippines when hostilities cease to pre-
vent the United States or Great Britain gain
ing possession of the whole of the Islands"
Further. it was set forth: When the war Is
over an international congress win be proposed.
similar to the Berlin Congress OF 1878, to settle
all questions connected with the war. AL the
great powers will be invited to join, including
the United States and Spain. 1t appears GER
tain that Germany will then demand slice Of
the Philippine Islands or other compensations
Ia the Far East"