Evening Star Newspaper, April 27, 1897, Page 13

THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1897-16 PAGES. BRYAN FOR 1900 His Influence in Shaping Policies of His Party. RESULTS OF HIS PERSONAL CAMPAIGN os ~ His Individuality Impressed on Many Communities. iret * STILL SOWING SEED Correspondence of The EvenIng Star. CHICAGO, Ml, April 24, 1897. In Marion county, Dlincis, during the re- cent presidential campaign, a devout, sin- cere men prayerfully sought light to gov- ern his vote. He had been a neighbor and friend of the Bryan family. When young William Jennings began to give signs of a political future. the mother of the bud- ding statesman asked this friend if he would not vote for her son when William became a candidate for President. Though of the strictest sect of opposite politics, the friend said he would vote for William Jennings Bryan for President. No thought that he would ever be called on to make that word good came into his mind. After the Chicago convention nominated Mr. Bryan he went back to his native vil- lage of Salem. The Httle town was illumin- ated with tallow dips, and a public re- ception was held. The good brother who had promised to vote for Bryan was there with turmoil in his soul. His promise to vote for Bryan, in his eyes, was a sacred obligation, but he was abhorrent of Bryan's politics. A well-to-do man, with money loaned out, he was especially ab- horrent of free silver and the tendencies of the Chicago platform. Yet there was his promise, and his temperament was too ep for the nice distinctions of political easuistry. In July the struggle between conscientious regard for a promise and deep-seated political convictions was in- tense. In October, when Mr. Bryam passed through his native town, I heard: the per- plexed citizen had received light. It was a compromise with his conscience. He was koing to stand by his party. that election, but his vote should be given Bryan the next time the latter became @. presidential candidate. This is a literal history and not a fanciful sketch. The name of its principal is not given, in order that he may be saved a publicity that would be distressing to him. i Hill and Others. Recent events suggest the Inquiry wheth- er this old friend..and. neighbor of the Bryans ‘n Marion county, IIL, has not a goodly company.“Davie B. HIN is trying his favorite maxim of personal liberty as a magnet to draw together the shattered tragments of the democratic party in New York, and restore his leadership. Grover Cleveland is. giving utterance to weighty thougats on “Present Problems,” which will be sure to delight those who believe in acular politics. But the public is think- ing of Bryan, and its thieking seems to be more than the echo of the curlosity which bis remarkable campaign caused. Mr. Hill «an hardly hope that a squabble over a state liquor law will arouse the attention of the nation. Mr. Cleveland might gain a larger degree of popular interest if he put in the list of “Present Problems” the future nce of Bryan in shaping tssues and licies during the next three years. It is apparently Mr. Bryan's own opinion that his strength comes from “the cause,” of which he is the champion and represen- tative. ‘His public addresses renew the be- lief that the money question must be the Paramount issue of the next campaign. Political prophets who see the disappear- ance of this question, either through a gen- eral European war which will bring $1 wheat and 4#&cent ‘corn to the western farmers. or through the restoration of good times growing out of the policies of Presi- dent McKinley's administration, undertake to say that if the money question ceases to be paramount Mr. Bryan will cease to Le a potential factor in the next campaign. Per- haps he would agree with them. There are abundant reasons for disagrec- sing with this view. The play the fact that the people of United States who sympathize in more or less de- gree with the tendencies cepresentel by Mr. Bryan know him as they know no other public man. He got acqrainze] with them during his whiriwind campaign. It was the estimate of tnose who tra-eled with Mr. Bryan throughout the campaign that he was seen and heard not less than 4,500,000 people. Probably 3.:40,000 of these were voters, and whe-ier of the can- didate’s politics or not, every one of those voters has since watched Mr.Rryan’s move- ments with a certain amount of personal interest. John Smith likes-.o shake bands with the President for whom he voted if he ever gets the chan->. John Brown is just as eager to meet the man for whom he votes unavailingly, and if he had that opportunity before casting his vote a single defeat does not check his enthusiasm. This is independent of the issues involved. It represents the view taken of Mr. Bryan to- day by a very large number of citizens. Major WeKinley’s 1894 Campaign. In 1894 Maj. McKinley made a canvass, which probably eevered a larger geograph- ical area than that of Mr. Bryan. It car- ried him from*Matwe’ to Nebraska and as far south as New Orleans, while Memphis was the southern limit of Mr. Bryan's trip. At that time the wisest politicians in his party were sure the popular interest in Maj. McKinley would not-continue, and they thought his campaigning a mistake. It took eighteen months to-show that the Tistake was their own, and that Maj. Mc- Kinley’s strength was greatest in the lo- calities he had visited. When Bryan was Sweeping across the country it was again the opinion of political leaders ‘that the stir he was creating was simply the com- “s blaze, which would last for a moment and leave the political heavens clear and serene. Months have passed, and, instead f disappearing, the Bryan star ts about the only one seen above the hortzon. Mr. ryan, in his 18,000 miles of travel, visited scores of congressional districts. Sometimes he lost votes. It required the vlection returns to destroy his own delu- sion that enormous crowds could take the place of organization, or that the curiosity to see and hear him did not represent an overwhelming public sentiment, but in every congressional district he left a Bryan foliowing. He aiso left local candidates who felt under a sense of persopal obliga- tion to him. Ambitious politicians, looking to the future and judging by their tmme- diate surroundings, are pretty sure to ar- ray themselves with this Bryan following. While leaders in Washington may be quarreling among themselves about the democratic policy on the tariff or other subjects, whea they go back to their peo- ple they are likely to find that there is more thought of Bryan than of the tariff. it ts not unlikely that they will all be found treading the path which Mr. Bryan has marked out for them, or else many of them will stay at home. Private John Al- Jen's observations about leaders who are kept at home because they don’t lead are api to find verification. Mr. Bryan's Plans. A hint has already been given of Mr. Bryan's purposes in the future. It is un- derstood he will take part in the Ohio cam- paign this fall. One of the many things which was hard to understand during his last canvass was his anxiety to make bop amr id that Ld luced when it is essential to success that these majorities be entirely wiped out. But as Mr. Bryan had his own way in everything, he gave a portion of his time to Ohio. The night of the election, at his home in Lincoln, after his defeat was ap- jparent, he rhowed more interest in the re- . ‘turns from that state than from any other | part of the country. And they apparently Maj. McKinley's plu- — states. - advantage can be taken of the natural and inevitable reaction in Ohio this fall, it may be set down that Mr. Bryan will contribute his share toward rallying~ the opposition. His presence is salen’ S1¥e 80 added interest to the cam- paign. To Keep a Planting. Motwithstanding the dismal fatlure of the first invasion of the enemy's coun- | try, known otherwise as New York and New England, it was patent. to. those who were with Mr. Bryan in his incursion into that hostile land that’ he- did not look upon the fight as lost. White his hopes were Aisappointed he clearly had in view another invasion. Peter the hermit never entered on a@ crusade with more deter- mination, and the second Bryan crusade, it was known, would come with the con- gressicnal ‘elections of 1898 Boston com- mons fired Mr. Bryan's ambition to re- turn. Up in Maine, the home of Mr. Sew- all, he gave hints of a similar purpose. If the people of those sections gave a verdict which wes conclusively against him, he was ready te come forward smil- ingly with a motion for a new tria!. The soll might be barren for the cause which he was championing, but he thought a few sced dropped between the rocks might sprout and in time a full harvest be reap- ed. Anyhow, he proposed to’ keep on ienting, and in 1898 he evidently intends to fight for 1200. It fs possible that this fall in Ohio the pecple will not care for the “TI told you argument. It is even probable that by another year in New York and New Ergland thcy will be weary of it, Yet they will be found turning out to heat whatever Mr. Bryan has to say, and, his Personality will continue to interest them. Logically it ought to disappear if the tree silver issues disappear, but in polities ‘p: ple do not act in syllogisms. Mr. Bland was the logical candidate of the Chicago convention, which cast logic to the wind when the young Nebraska orator appeared before it. Logically the mistakes which Mr. Bryan has admittedly made since the election, as in his lectufé-experiments, ought to injure his political, prospects, but there is no ground for’ bul ing that it has done so. He will, probably make other mistakes, and yet the ‘tnterést'in what he says and does will not ceasc. If the drift- ing elements in his own party would only follow a logical channel, the current weuld surely sweep past him. There are the old leaders standing ~on the shore, all waving the danger signal. But so long as the people have ‘their minds set on Bryan It will do little good to keep talking logical politics to them. ‘The secret of his future influence Hes with those 4,500,000 people who looked into hts face and heard his voice during the last presidential cam- paign. The omen belfevers in North Caro- ira and elsewhere who presented him with rabbits’ feet have not lost faith in their signs. Each one knew it was a left hind foot. caught in a graveyard after midnight in the dark of the mcon. Most of them gave certificates to that effect. Their talisman did not fail. Only the time for it to bring good luck had not come. They will wait in patience for it to come in 1900. CHARLES PEPPER. LAUREL. Active work hes been again resumed on the sec- tion of the Maryland ‘and Columbta clectric rail- read running through Laurel. About twenty-five men are at work here putting the finishing touches on the roadbed. Between Highland and the District of Columbia line about seventy-five men are now employed ballasting and surfacing the track and roadbed. The power house at Lakeland is belng put in shape, and machinery for the same is now sidetracked at Lakeland. It 1s be- Heved from present Indications that the road shonld be in running order by fall. ‘The Lesiness of the Laurel cotton imilis ts plck- ing up. The number of orders illlet the past | jmonth, It is said, have been greater than for a year past. A number of improvements will short- ly be made to the mil, and new and improved tiodern machinery will be put In. The consnittee having charge of the soliciting of | contributions for the purchase of the necessary Epparatus to protect the town in the vent of | fire will make a report at a movting of citize which has been called to meet at the Acad Music on the might of May ‘Action will be taken at this ineeting as to what shall be pur- chased in the &e. ptor rs. Compton and Miss Mai ptou semovel (0 TROF home, “Thee Lawn, Meuday. pending the past nue cittter sere to SansFrancisem, fron h point he will sail for Alaska, where he bas becn assizned ie 2 arg ee: Sefion concert, “Yo bE RIAA hore on the f the interesting «vents Miss Edmonst on, sopeutos Mr. John KR. Shiebis, tenor; Mr. loegifionist: Miss Mine. demons, He. O'Commns, “voralist : Mr. ge er of the rs of soutes dem ate for je judge in this cireuit, entertalued the Va ville Farmers’ Club Saturday night at his home here. Mr. Stanley is a member of the owner of several {rms in this sei HERNDON. dub, and is ‘The usual fortnightly all day mecting of the La- dies’ Ald Society was held with Mrs. Yount ‘Those present were Mrs. Mason. Mrs. Iti out, Mrs. Burch, Mrs. Burtot, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. W. S. S. Grob, Mrs. Buell, Mrs. Sweetser, Mrs. L. D. Ballou, Mrs. ¥. “M. Ballou, Mrs. Mont- xomery, Mrs. Simonds, Mrs, Crounse, Mrs: Mc Neill, Mrs. Stephenson, Mrs. H. E. Hanes, Miss Amandy Bready, Miss Grace Stephenson, Miss Ttetle Simonds and Miss Maude Yount. The company as entertained during*the afternoon with « duet by Misses Stephen and Yount, with au companiment; songs by Mrs, Burch and M: M Ballou and a’ piano duet by Mrs. and Miss Yount. Mis. Chas. Jounvon, who left Herndon last. fall and took up her residence in Georgetown, is visit- Ing among her friends here. iss May Burton, who has spent the past winter with a Mrs. Hall in Columbia, S. C., has returned home. Mrs, B. H. Rideout, has returned from her visit fo her daughter, Mra.’ H."A. Barrows of Lakeland, Dr. E. L. Detwiler has mad> a b Rew house on Monroe street near M: LANGDON. ‘The German Catholle Club of Washington gave an entertainment and dance Friday evening at the residence of Mr. J. Auth, on the Bladensburg road near Langdon. The program was in charge of President H. G. Nalte, Vice President J. Mus- line; C. J. Mess, recording secretary; J. C. Auth, corresponding secretary; G. Casper, treasurer, and J. Door, sergeant-at-arms. The attendance was very large. The tool house belonging to the Baltimore and Obio Kailroad Company at Langdon was set on fire Friday by sparks from a passing engine, and but for the energy of Policeman Brown, Mr. Charles Adrians and a few other citizens would have been totally destroyed. ‘The Avajon Stars expect to play a game of base ball with a team from Pterce School, Washington, today at the Avalon Heights grounds. J. H. Williams, a carpenter living a short dis- tance above Langdon, was struck by a locomotive while walking on the B. and ©. tracks near his home Sundey and badly Injured about the head. He was picked up by the crew of the train and placed on board, and after reaching Washington inning on his i. E. Hanes’. was sent to the Emergency Hospital. His condition is regarded as serious, —<—.__. HYATTSVILLE. Mesars. R. Ieving Bowle, Robert V. Pumphrey and Frederick Birger, bridge commissioners of this county, have recently sold the contract for bulld- ing a bridge over the Charles branch on the public toad to Mr. F. ©. Padgett for $159. Mr. Eobert Bowle, former chief clerk in the state treasury office, Annapolis, has been appolnied as- sistant cashier and individual bookkeeper in the Annapolis Savinge Bank. ‘The Prince George's County Tobacco Growers’ Arsociation met. last week, with Mr. Wiillam B. Clagett in the chair aha Mr. A. G. Darcey as secretary. Quite a number of new members were enrolicd and paid ‘thétr*dues into the treasury. The constitution and by-laws were read, and after seme discussion, adopted. ‘The ident stated that the French coniract for 12, hogshend> of tobacco weuld be given qut,on the 1#th of May. ‘The meeting then adjourned subject to the call of the president. At a recent meeting of the Coloced I’mtective Association of Prince George’s county the following @ficers were elected: President, S. R. Jennirgs of Queen Anne; C. Smith, secretary, of Upper Marl- boro’; F. G. Hall of Biadonsburg,-sice president; Fr Bietener of, Collington. | recording | wecretary Natl ices of Nottingnam, sergext “ar™Ms; Peter Page of Glendals, treasurer. All the candi- dates for office in the coming elections witlnteet the Independent Club of Bladensburg at thelr hall on the evening of April 25. aire Miss Alitson of Washington is the guest of Miss Mr. and Mrs. Baxter Davidson of Washington have leased the bouse of Mrs. Prime on Locust avenue. Mrs. Bigelow of College Park, who has been vis- iting Mrs, Nesbit of this haa returned home. Mrs. Kexford M. Smith of Washinxtoa has been visiting “her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Charles A. Wells. Mr. Vrooman of Wi who lately par- 00, chased the place of Men tiene 0. Emmons, has taken up bis abode at his new home. State's Attorney Roger Bellis has rented, tem- porartly, Mrs. Elchart's place near this town. Mies Anna 2 for 2 weveral weiks" visit to Miss Caroline Fost, Philudelphia. ——>——_ * A Peace Measure. From the Chicago Record. “Won't you have a noisy time during tac children’s spring vacation?” “No. We have it arranged so that Bob- by’s vacation doesn’t ‘begin until the day that Tommy’s ends.” It_matters little what it want —whether a situation ‘or secs serene in The Star will reach the Person who can fill your heed: } roads. CROSS VS. CRESCENT The Respective Fighting Powers of Greece and Turkey, GREAT ODDS AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS Instructive Review of the Condi- tions by an Army Officer. —_+———_ INTERESTING COMPARISONS a The main topic of interest to military men just now is the unequal contest being waged in the Balkan peninsula between tho Moslems and Helleres. Most of the war students seen by The Star men today pre- dict the speedy success of the Turkish forces. Army officers agreed that tho Turkish army is superior to that of Greece in numbers es well as in organization and equipment. Naval officers were equally unanimous in the belief of the detided su- beriority of the Greek navy. They admit- ted, however, that the Grecian supremacy over the Turks on the sea was not likely to counterbslance theTurkish victories on land. So far the naval forces have taken only a subordinate part in the war,and, In fact, the Turkisn navy has not even gone into active service. The Greek navy has rendered good service In several instances, notably at Pre- veza, but has only offered a temporary check to successful advances of the Turkish army. It is stated at the Navy Department that the Turkish navy is twice as numerous #5 that of Greece, but that it is practically useless. The suitan’s fleet comprises 207 vessels of all kinds. Less than 10 per cent of the fleet, however, is in condition to put to set. Most of the vessels are of obsolete types and have been compictely neglected for years. Tarkish Impotence on the Sea. The deplorable condition of the fleet is shown by the following recent press ad- vices from Constantinople: “It must be admitted that in the issue between Greece and Turkey the outlook seems almost hopeless for the Hellenic cause. The only possible chance to retrieve the fortunes of Greece is some great vic- tory of the fleet. Turkish impotence on the sea is now confessed. Early 1ast week Admiral von Hoff, the German com- mandcr of the so-called fleet, went 1o Con- stantinople to beg the sultan not to com- mit wholesale murder by sending to sea ships which would be certain to sink. “The captains of the vessels comprising the Turkish fleet in the Dardanelles recent- ly presented to the navy department a round-robin declaring that they are con- vinced of the unfitness of all the ships for active service. In consequence the vessels were ordered to return to Constantinople singly, in order that their coming right not excite public attention. This order has been carried out. The ships were brought back without provoking any public com- ment.” The Grecian navy comprises 103 yessels of all classes, or about half as many as the sultan has. The Grecian vessels are ot lat@r design than those of Turkey, and, while smailer and less numerous, are much superior to the sultan’s in fighting capac- ities. The Grecks are a maritime people and make excellent sailors. They are of | good physique, and are constantly kept under good disciptine. A naval officer, comparing the fighting qualities of the two navies, said that a Greek captain in command of a vessel of 4,000 tons would easily overcome a Turkish ship of 6,000 tons, even allowing the Turk- ish ship heavier guns and thicker armor. ‘The conditions, he said, would be some- what similar to those which prevails] {a the war between China and Japan, with Greece playing the part of the Japanese navy, only, however, in a minor degree. The Opposing Armies. A German military officer near the scene of hostilities has made a report of the con- dition of the opposing armies, which is not very flattering to either. According to his view the Greek officers are too old and the Turkish officers too ignorant. The age limit in the Grecian army 1s seventy years for coloneis, sixty-five for captains and fifty- two for lieutenants. Even at these ages, he says, the officers may not be forced to re- tire unless they are completely broken down physically or are guilty of crimes. In regard to the lack of cdusation among the Turkish officers, the German critic says that there are generals who can ueither read nor write, ani that among the com- missioned officers in all branches of the service there are 2,000 illiterates. “To be sure,” he says, “many Turkish officers have been sent to foreign lands, notably Ge: many, to study tactics and strategy in ihe best armics of the worid, and upon their ri turn have been made instructors or as signed to staff duty, but in the generar shiftlessness much of the usefulness cf this system has been lost to the troops.” The offic-r reports the transportation fa- cilities of the Turkish army to be deplors ble, with a total absence of system in the distribution of ammunition and commis- sary supplies. Nevertheless, in ais sum- mary of the situation he says that Turkey is much superior to Greece as a fighting power. Views of American Officers. The views of the majority of the officers staticned at the War Department as to the relative merits of the Turkish and Grecian armies are embodied in a statement made to a Star reporter by one of the best in- formed of their number, whose name is purposely withheld. “The Turkish army,” said he, “has a peace fcoting of 220,000 men, and in time of war this is increased to an army of 800,- 000 men. They are well armed, there be- ing on hand nearly enough Mauser repeat- ing rifles of the most approved modern pattern for the entire strength. They have also a reserve of Peabody-Martini rifles in fairly good condition, which were uscd in the war of 1877. The cavalry is armed with carbines, mostly of the Peabody-Mar- tin! pattern, with a fair share of Winches- ters. The Turkish artillery is in good shape, with steel breech-loading guns of approved system, and the artillery troops are said to be exceedingly well trained. “The strength of the Greek army is by no means so great. Its total war strength is a little over 200,000 men. The troops are mainly armed with the Gras rifle, the re- mairder being supplied with the old Chas- sepot rifle. The Gras rifle is a very good weapon, but is not equal to the new Mau- ser in any respect. The Greek artillery is supplied with Krupp guns of the most ap- proved pattern, but in quantity it is rather deficient. Infantry Doing the Fighting. “In the recent theater of war, judging from the press reports, the principal fight- ing is being done by the infantry. This is due to the fact that the country is moun- tainous and difficult, without many good The Turks having succeeded in getting Into the plains of Thessaly, they will now have an opportunity of using their cavalry to a considerable extent. When they were in the mountsinous region the cavalry had to ‘be used on foot or not at all. Turks and Greeks Are Good Fighters. “The Turks are good fighters, and al- ways have been. In the Crimean war.they did splendid service, and in the war of 1877. they seemed, man for man, to have been superior to the Russians. Although a good fighting man, the Turk is not a good busi- ness man, and this fact is of great conse- quence in considering the military efi- ciency of the Turkish army. The. supply system has usually been inefficient and in- adequate, and the general staff service very rarely good. The Turkish generals of high rank are mostly well educated H~ tary men. Osman Pasha, the hero of Plev- na, is a graduate of the Turkish Military Schoo}. The'same is true of Bdhem Pasha, chief of staff, who was-a pupil of Von der Goldt. & “The modern Greeks-have always been good fighters, too, as is shown in their struggles for independence in the t of the present century. The Greek as always demonstrated his ability to hold his gpg the Turk when the num- bers and conditions were anything like equal. Nothing is known of the Greek generals in the present army, inasmuch as their nce in actual warfare has been extremely Umited, . 4 > Odds Too Great'for Greece. “As to the result of the’war now in pro- gress it would be idle to,attempt to make any forecast. There age;@o many contin- gencies to be taken intovonsideration. -If the two armies are allowed to fight it out without interference Hythe concert of Powers, there is (any doubt of the ultimate success of the., eer forces, for fighting single-handed | odds are too great against the Greeks. The Turkish army is said to be in “extellent condition, both as regards organjzgtion and equip- ment. although very littfe Is known of the condition of the supply department, The numerical superiority 6f' the Turks was brought to bear successfilly against the Hellenes in the hattles argund Larissa. “The urgent ni of keeping a watchful eye on Buiga: “Servia and Mon- tenegro is such under ting conditions that Turkey will scarcely dare to throw her whole military weight against Greece. If those three nations form an alliance with Greece, they would undoubtedly make It extremely interesting for Turkey. To sum it up, the condition of ‘affairs at present may be likened to a small fire breaking out in the vicinity of a great powder magazine. In case the fire is not suddenly smothered by the concerted action of the European Powers, it will undoubtedly expiode the European magazine. _ Greece Has No Generals. “As I have said, the’Greeks have no great generals, for they have had no wars in which to develop them. ‘The soldiers are rather small in stature, reminding one of the French, but there is no gainsaying their patriotism and valor. The Greeks have been rendered desperate by Turkish op- pression. Their heart is in the war and they will do good fighting, but I do not think it will make much of an impression. The continued success of the Turks is due to their superiority in numbers and leader- ship. Edhem Pasha has shown wonderful military genius. During the past week he has demonstrated all the qualities of a grea: general, and the belief is that he will speedily march his army to Athens, unless the concert of nations intervenes. The Greek commanders have:made several bad mistakes, and it is astonishing that the consequences have not wholly dampened the ardor of the Greek troops; but their conduct has been magnificent on every oc- casien. Some of the veteran war corre- spondents have telegraphed that they have never seen better fighting than was wit- nessed on the Turkish advance through Miloua Pass tc Larissa. The men ou both sides did not seem to know what fear was. Turkish fanatacism and Greek fury led the opposing forces several times to stand face to face with each other until both lines were mowed down by the merciless mutual slaughter. A hillside in Milouna Pass was literally covered with dead and dying Greeks before posression was finally yielded to the followers of Islam.” ———_+e+_. ELECTRICITY IN WAR. Scientific Interest Stimulated tn the Graeco-Turkish Straggte. Frem Electricity. The declaration of war between Turkey and Greece, which was announced last week, has put the army and navy author- ties throughout the civilized world on the qui vive because the probability that, espe- cislly in the case of a more general war, as some think likely, the many inventions | for offense and defense which have been perfected during the past years of peace will for the first time be.put to a practical test. nae. We remember with what interest naval authorities regarded thé‘late Brazilian civil war because of the eatipment of El Cid with the pneumatic dynamite gun, and the disappointment in those”tiiarters that the opportunity of practicaMly” testing its ca- pabilitles was not giver!’ Since the last uropedt be American war great strides have been thade in the ver- fecting of armor platé,@ud armor-plate- piercing projectiles, and°so evenly have the two progressed that itis’ difficult to de- termine whether either fa& made any rela- live progress. ace In the way of. torpeddls, dirigible and otherwise, considerable;"pfogress has been made, so that the torpeds'is now probably the most cffective instHiment of destruc- tion that can be emmloved tm offensive warfare. Against this"Wé@ayon no armor plating is effective’and ‘other means of defense. have been neceskarithy resorted to. Of these the searchligt ey foubtless the one most relied upon.” But this is by tio means the only role™in, which electricity will appear in the text great war. Trian- gulation by means of the Fiske electric Tange finder now enables a gunner to plant a missile with great accuracy upon an ene- my's fortress or his man-of-war, and other devices, notably of the type of Prof. Badt's electro-magnetic sentinel, will give warn- ing even in the darkest night or the dens- est fog of thé approach and exact position of any man-of-war. ~* During the past few years the United States engineer corps at Fort Wadsworth have been engaged in accurately plotting the approaches to New York harbor, so that the positions of all buoys and land- marks are accurately known. The eleva- tion of each gun required to drop a pro- jectile upon any one of the plotted points would, therefore, in the case of war be no longer a matter of experiment, and doubt- less the same is true of other harbors abroad. With electro-magnetic sentinels judicious- ly placed in the approaches to a harbor at @ distance too great for the invader to reach the city with shells, almost the exact position of an invading vessel, the direction of its course and its speed would be known during the darkest night as well as in the brightest day. With the increased means of intelligently following the movements of the enemy which electricity alone can afford, future warfare will be less a contest of brute force than one of brains. In such a con- test the United States has little to fear. In the next general war the most effec- tive forces will be brains and electricity. Armor plate and projectiles will’ be of secondary importanc: see ANACOSTIA. It is expected that four or five members of the Epworth League of Anacostia M. EB. Chureh will go to Toronto to attend the great international Epworth League convention, which is soon to mect in that city. It 1s understood that the present owners of Doug- less Hall, which was almost totally destroyed by the fire of a couple of weeks ago, have decided that they will not rebuild the structure in ita entirety, but have repaired that portion which was formerly used as a dwelling and for which At will be again used after it shall again be ready for occupancy. Of the other losers by the same fre Mr. John George has removed to Washington, and most of the others have secured residences tn varlous parts of Hillsdale. With the exception of Douglass Hall all the destroyed houses will, it is expected, eventually be rebuilt. ring the last few duys three new fire plugs have been placed in Anacostia and Hillsdale—one at the corner of Farnklin street and Nichols ave- hue, one at lass Hall and the third near the’ intersection of Howard ind Nichols avenues. The covstruction of the new power house for the Capital raflway has been . a lot having been sccured from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com- my in the northern part wf: Anacostia. All the flow’ trotiey” poles needed bepween the Navy Yard bridge and tue terminus cf the Anacostia and Po- tomac Company's line in Hiffsdile have been erect- ed and the work begun of pliethg the wooden poles on St. Elizabeth's hili. It is dw the generally ac- cepted belief among the people of the vicinity that the new Ine will be in opergtign by the time fixed by law, 2s. a Mr. Join Hedge has been grayjted a permit by the authorities to erect « dwelling 4n Hillsdale. Robert Greene, a young nise-living in Hillsdale, whose mind has been wardefing for some time, was Saturday taken to St. Bitzahethia asylum for treat- ment. Grecne has a disposi(jog-io wander over the country and recently returged from a tramp through Prince George's county, Md" A game of base hall waitiplayed a noon at Congress Heights from the beat players In th iy, tie Init by atoeae 2 31 to won by er by a score ‘A Jarge wlditional force of qin Was put to work on the Caj PP aateay Company's fine and’ it ‘ta expected thas iby the lowe ef the week the work between Heights and the oath aide of the Navy ‘Yara pidge be. nearly Monday’s list of applications for places under the Treasury Department was short. It included the following names: John E. Peterson of Washington, D. C, to be deputy. auditor for the Post OMmee iment. # ; : oe = = tt arn br rot! aso Onid, to be deputy ai itor » the: far] ment; J. W. Anderson ‘Of: urg, Pa., b be_assistant register of the treasury. Prof. Mendenhali,.. f dent of the coast and geode! now president of the Worcester Polytech- nic Institute, wishes: to havé.it -understood that he is entirely-satisfied with his pres- ent duties and has tio desire to be stated in his former place at the head ij How the Universal Postal System Was Extended. eee Tt WILL SOON COVER THE EARTH The Fifth Congress to Meet Here Next Week. AN AMERICAN PROJECT ee ALL NATIONS UNITED progress in the closer relationship of all the peoples of the world. At that meeting Corea, the Orange Free State and China will be brought into the union, and then, for the first time in the history of nations, every independent government on the globe Will be bound together for the enforce- ment of a single treaty. Men who are farsighted and who have studied the effect of one people upon anoth- er when brought into close contact, declare their belief that this movement, looking io the rapid and cheap transportation of the mails, will have a potent influence upon: the commercial, political and social history of the world. They say that increased mail facilities will encourage commerce; that they will tend to 1aake the people of var- fous nations better acquainted with the practical operation of other forms of gov- ernment, and so spread the desirable fea- tures of each, while it will be possible for families and friends widespread in the pur- suit of their business interests to continue a close intimacy by the frequent exchange of letters. Suggested by the United States, The United States inay well feel proud of the part it has played in making possible this universal treaty. The suggestion of such a treaty was made by an official of this government, and it-will be in its capi- tal that the idea will be fully realized. In talking to a Star reporter today, N. M. Brooks, superintendent of foreign’ mails, related the story of the growth of the pos- tal union, and spoke of some of the impor tant results that had thus far been accom- plished by it. “The history of the universal union,” he said, five years. At that ‘period eight ventions were in The meeting of the universal postal con- gress in this city May 5 will mark great postal extends over thirty- the commencement of separate postal con- re operation between the United States and as many separate foreign governments. In accordance with the pro- visions of those conventions, or treaties, the postal rates applicable in the United States to articles destined for foreign coun- tries were fixed, the accounts were kept and adjusted and all the postage collected upon articles between any two couniries in proportions fixed by the conventions. How Rates Were Fixed. “The postage rates chargeable in either country were, as a rule, fixed by adding to the domestic rate of the country in which an article was mailed the rate paid for its sea conveyance, the rate charged by each country through which the article passed in transit, and, finally, the domestic rate of the country in which the article was delivered. The rate charged for the sea conveyance, or ‘sea postage,’ as it was called, varied according to the route tra- versed and the nationality of the vessels performing the sea conveyance. Where Several routes were onen for the transmis- sion of the mails for the same country, the rate to be charged upon a letter for that country would depend upon the route it was to follow. If it were not properly rrepaid, to be forwarded by the first steam- er, it might be held until an opportunity oceurred for its dispatch by the route for which it was prepaid, or it might be dis- patched subject to an additional charge on delivery. A letter for Australia, for in- , could be sent by either of six routes and the postage per half ounc: 5, 33, 45 55 or 60 cents or $1. to the route traversed. routes were open. would be 2, according For Austria three There were five differ- ent routes for letters to reach Greece, ‘Turkey, Egypt and Hong Kong. Four routes were used for Germany and Switzerland. Denmark, Holland, Sweden and Norway were each reached by three different toutes, while Canada and Mexico each had two routes. A Troublesome System. “This system was a great annoyance to perscns having correspondence in foreign cougtries, and it required the keeping by each government of a system of very com- plicated accounts, especially so because the accounts were kept by the standard weight of the creditor country. This was the con- dition found by Postmaster General Blair, when on August 4, 1862, he addressed a letter to the Secretary of State requesting him to invite a conference of the postal au- thorities of Europ> and America to meet at a time and place to be selected by them to recommend to iheir governments the adoption in intcrnaticnal postal relations of a uniform standard of weight, uniform- ity of rates and conditions, a uniform basis for sea and land transit charges and, if practicable, uniform registration and mon- ed order systems. Accepted the Invitation. “This invitation was accepted by the gov- ernments addressed, and resulted in a con- ference, which met in Paris on May 11, 1663, and was attended by leading postal officials of Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Spain, the United States, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherland: Portugal, Prussia, the Sandwich Islands, Switzerland and the Hanseatic cities. The conference agreed to recommend a uniform system of weights (the metric system) and a large number of desirable features for a universal postal system, the commissioners not keing empowered to commit their gov- ernnents. During the year 1864 corre- spondence was commenced by the Post Of- fice Department with several of the coun- tries represented at the Paris conference, with a view of negotiating new postal con- vertions with those countries, with the re- sult of success in many instances. Practical Results. “Before the expiration of ten years from the Paris conference, thirty-four cents was the highest foreign letter rate charged in the United States, instead of $1.02 in 1862. In the place of three rates to Austria, the highest being forty-two cents, there were only two rates, of six and seven cents. Instead of six rates for Australia, the high- est being $1.02, there were only two rates, of sixteen and twenty-two cents, and a like improvement was shown in the rates to other countries. Universal Union Proposed. “With these improvements the idea of a universal postal union developed naturally. No one seemed surprised when Germany proposed, in 1869, the convening of a con- gtess for the purpose of negotiating a gen- eral postal treaty among the great powers. ‘The congress assembled in September, 1874, in Berne, Switzerland, with representatives from twenty-two countries and colonies, including the United States, whose repre- sentative, the late Joseph H. Blackfan, then superintendent of foreign mails of the Post Office Department, was wel- comed to the congress by its president with the statement that it was the United States which, in 1863, took the initiative in the postal reforms pointed out by the con- ference of Paris, and which the congress of Berne was about to attempt to put into practical operation by means of a general binding upon all participating na- r treaty, tions. The First General Treaty. “On October 9, 1874, the first ‘treaty con- years for the revision of the an international Switzerland, at an an- nual expense of .73,0U0 francs for the pur- Pose of collecting and distributing postal Statistics and information. It also pro- vided for arbitration in case any two or More adtninistrations could not agree upon an interpretation to be placed upon a pro- vision of the treaty. Growth of the \ “The number of countries in the union grew so that when the congress met in Paris in 1878, the. delgates represented a Population of 750,000,000 inhabitants. It was there that the treaty forming the ‘uni- versal postal union’ was signed. ‘The third meeting of the congress was at Lisbon, Portugal. The adhesion of Bo- livia to the convention at that time placed the whole of thé Ameri¢an continent with- in the postal unicn. Vienna, Austria, wes the place of the meeting of the fourth congress, at which the interval to elapse between the congresses was increased to five years. Among other things the fourth congress provided for the preparation of the “Dictionary of Post Offices of the Worit,” which has now been completed as the resu!t..of immense labor. When the Vienna tongress adjourned it represented 01,000. people, and, as I have said, it is expected this number will be added’ to at the congressoto meet in this city by the millions of China, Corea and the Orange Free State, when-the body will, in the full- est sense, be a world’s congress. “At every meeting of the congress ad- ditional facilities are provided for the handling of mat matter passing between the nations.” CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORY. neater Vice President, GARRET A. HOBART, the Arlington. Senators, ALDRICH, Nelson W., R. I. ALLEN. William V. ALLE Metropolitan 1404 Mass. ave. nw. 2110 O st. nw. 2148 Pa. ave. nw. 1432 Stoughton xt. AR. John H., Iowa. GEORGE, James S MAN, A. P. 1432 K st. nw. 1421 K st. nw. -1001 16th st. nw. rlington - Wellington -Riges 7a G a. nw. 1209 K st. aw, {Metropolitan i114 Vt. ave. 4.4,.Wellington “gid Sint L. John L., Wis. John T., Ala. ‘Justin S.. Vt. Edward, jr.. N, Knute, ARIS 4% st. nw. +1 ‘Thomas circle 1701 K st. nw. “1325 G st! nw. J. ave. now. Raleigh -Rizgs Q's: nw. Metropolitan rilugton rlington PLATT, PRITCHARD, PROCTC Quay Normandie :Normandie N. corse L. SMITH! James, fe: SPOONER, John WHITE, Stey 4 WILSON, John Li4 Wash. WOLCOTT, Edward 0., Col. 1221 Conn. ave. Represtntatives. ACHESON, Ernest F. 217 North Capitol st. ADAMS, Hobert, Jr.’ Pa Albany ARNOLD, William BABCOCK, Joseph BAILEY, Joseph W. BAKER, William b., Ma BALL, Thomas H., BANKHEAD, J. Ii., BARBER, Isnac A., Hamilton 434 E. Cup. st. Wiliam’ E., Mass BARROWS, SambeT J., Mass. BARTHOLDT. Itichard, Mo. EARTLETT, Chae.-foy Gai, + BEACH, Clifton B., Ohio. + + --1801 Conn. BELDEN, Janes 34 Ne be aeeeebes EELFORD, Joseph M., N. ¥- BELKNAP, Hugh it. Ji BELL, John C., Col. Riggs ropolitan Cinb -132 A st. n. Stoughton BOOZE, Md. BOTKIN, Jeremiah D., BOUTELLE, Chas. A., Me. BRADLEY, ‘Thomas BREWSTER, H. ©., N.Y. BRODERICK, Case, Ken. BROMWELL, Jacob H., Ohio. BROSIUS, Marriott, Pa. BROUSSARD, Robert, La 404 A st. ne. BROWN, Seth W., Ohio. --Varnum BROWNLOW, Waiter P.; “Tena. ...318 E. Cap. st. BRUCKER, Ferdicand, Mich 6 B st. n. BRUMM, CG. N., Pa... BRUNDIDGE, Stephen, BULL, Melville, I. I.- BURKE, Robert E., Tex. BURTON, CAMPBELL, James it., Tit CANNON, Joseph G.,_ Til CAPRON: ‘Adin B. CLARK, ‘Ghamp, Sto. CLARK, Samed! Af. Yowa CLARKE, Frank GN. Ht CLAYTON, Ha A ee Congressional - GRAFF, GREENE, GRIFFIN, GEIG v., 1 TON. BABES esas HEMMENWAY. 3. 4. est HARMER, HARTMAN, Chas. S Mout = 1486 K St hw, ae? ten ote lowa. Ind... B. 1. HENRY, Charl HENRY, E. Stevens, Coan. 1421 kK HENWY. Patrick, Sine hes mat eg HEPBURN, W. P.. iowa oe ete RICKS, Josiah D:, Pa. HILBORN, Sam'l'G. HIL pnezer J., Onn HINEICHSEN, Wim. H., HITT, Robert R.. 10. . HOLMAN, William HOOKER, Warren Bo) ON. ¥ HOPKINS, Albert J." mt HOWARD, Milford W HOWARD, Wm. M. HOWE, James B., N. HOWELL, Benj. F.. HULL, John A. T., “tow: HUNTER, Andrew J., I “ap. Metropolitan Md. ave. nee. Cor ogc CUnsreRs 2280 Ign “ed x se OEE és a2 ee ee JOHNEON, Martin N J ]ONES, William A. JONES Willa oY ! 1 AM, LANDIS, Charles B. LATIMER, Asbury ¢. . LENTZ, John J., Ohio. L Rufus E., Ga.. 1 Elijah B.. Ga. Jax. Hamilton, nee nino Metropolitan “stz Wan, c. LF, ¢ LORIMER, Willivm, I 2D, Bugene F., Albany ENS! Willard ® - National McALEER, William, Pa. . McCAL LW. Varoum (000 224 st Tetropolt tan — LW. L. 3. a. -1B st. nw. . Thos.. jr., Ny Ja. ings. ave. nw. William’ W., - Metropolitan . -2026 Txt. nw 626 K st. aw, -Normamiie Metropolitan ‘ER, Charles J., W. MADI . Metropolitan FORAKER, ‘Joseph B. MAGUIRE, -1037 15th st. now. FRYE, Wiitiam P., ¥ 1826 Tw GALLINGER, Jacob H., 4th #t. now. mn. | MAlrIN, Charts TOS. MAXWFLL, Samuel, MEEKISO! David, Obto. MERCER, David H., Neb. d °K,” William 6, Mich’ nw ...Varnv a MILLER, MILLIKE! Waren, W. ont Seth L.. Me... sp5su0s8840 I et. now. im. .. Arlington “Ad D wt. 18th st. nw. apes -Albany AS GE st nw OF 14th gt. nw. -Balthnore, Md. ‘Chevy Chase, Md Rigs Normandie L, Jobe M., N. ¥. MOODY, William H., Mags. MOON, John A., Tenn: OTEY, & OTIEN, Theod id, Wis. OVERSTREET, Jesse I PACKER, Horace F 22 880 Ast at. ne. PARKER, MRichard N. 5.11881 etterson “place PAYNE, Sereno E., N.Y. 767 O et. nw. PEARCE, Charles E., "Mo, PERKINS, Geo. L VETERS, "Meson +1524 18th st. nw. Metropalitan rane REEVES, Walter. LMEA, Jobn 8., Ky. RICHARDSON, Ji ISDGELY, RIXEY, Jobs F., Vs ROBB, Edward A.. Mo. ROBBINS, Biward i, a. zi on -Hamiizon -1230 14th st. nw. Riggs Hiouse - Wellington 1463 Kenesaw ave. uw. -1735 Mans. ave. nw. . “. Col SHANNON, Richard CG, N. ¥ SUATTUC, Williaa 32, Oto. SHELDEN, Carlos D., Mich. aie SKINNEK, Harry, N. 6. SLAYDEN, J: SMITH, 1 SNOVER, Horace G., Mich. SOUTHARD, Jas +» Obto. SCUTHWICK, Geo. » N.Y. SPALDING, George, Mich- i SPARKMAN, Stephen M., Fla. . Metropolitan Hot SPERRY, N. D., Coun - - Buckinghiin SLRAGUK, Chas. F., Mam. 1 STALLINGS, Jesse F., Ala. STARK, Wm. L., Neb. STEELE, Geo. W., Ind STEPHEN: o ., STEVENS, STEWART. Alex., sv STOKES, J. STONE, Chas. W., . STONE, William A., Pa STRAIT, Thomas J., STRODE, Jesse B.,'N STROWD, William F., N. STURTEVANT, John @., Pa. SULLIVAN, Will V..N: ©. SLLLOWAY. Cyrus A., N. FL SULZER, William, N. SUTHERLAND, RK. D. SWANSON, Ulavde A., Va. TALBERT, W. Jasper, TATE, Parish C., Ga. TAWNEY. Jame A.,’ Ming, TERRY, William bs, ‘TODD, "Albert M.. VAN VOORHIS, H. C., VEHSLAGE, John H. G.. N. ¥. VINCENT, Willtam D. WADSWORTH, Jes WALKER, Joseph I WALKER, James A. Va. WANG Irv! P., Ps. Bins tien eae Wal WEAVEK, Waiter L., WEYMOUTH. Geo. visiting i. ‘The Mite Society’ will mest this evening at ‘will be rendered. ‘. o%w: cite Soe eae aoe Rev. F. 8. ogeaodigale ctl ak i