The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 28, 1897, Page 22

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 1897 MARCH 28, 1897 CHARLES M. SHORTRIDGE, Editor and Proprietor. SUBSCRIPTION RATES—Postage Free: Daily and Sunday CALL, one week, by carrier..$0.15 and Sunday CALL, one year, by mail. 8nd Sunday CALL, six months, by mail.. 3. 8nd Sunday CALi, three months by mail 1.50 Daily and Sunday CALy, one month, by mal Sunday CALL, one year, by mail. WEEKLY CALL, one year, by mail. 1.50 BUSINESS OFFICE: 710 Market Street, £an Francisco, California. Telephone..... A ..Maln-1868 EDITORIAL ROOMS: 517 Clay Street. Telephose... BRANCH OFFICES: 527 Montgomery street, corger Clar; open until 9:80 o'clock. 9 Hayes street; open nutil 9:30 o'clock. 616 Larkin street, open until 9:30 o'clock. SW. corner Sixtecntl and Mission streets, open 19 o'clock. 2518 Mission street, open until § o'clock. 167 Ninth street, open until o'clock. 1505 Polk street; open until 9:30 o'clock. NW. corner Twenty-second and Kentucky streets; open till 9 o’clock. OAKLAND OFFICE: 908 Broadway. EASTERN OFFICE: Rooms 31 and 52, 34 Park Row, New York Clty. DAVID M. FOLTZ, Eastern Manager. “HE CALL There is no war, but plenty of fighting. The powers will never put out Greek fire by throwing cold water on it. The tariff debate this time has been good-natured all the way through. The Kaiser would please Germany bet- ter if he would stick to an old uniform and get a new policy. The Popocrat camvaign of next vear | will raise the ola Cleveland war cry: “Down with the surplus.” The foundation has been laid for the Affiliated Colleges and the next big thing will be the Federal building. It is now said that Japsn intends to rec- ognize the independence of the Philip- pines by way of letting Spain know she has observed what is going on. Since neither party in ‘the Senate is in- clined to take the responsibility of organ- jzing the committees it would seem time 10 advertise for somebody to do it by con- iract. As Congressman Champ Clark of Mis- souri made a strong appeal in Congress on Friday for free soap, it seems he is not willing even to wash his hands with home products. A committee of the Senate is to investi- gate the working of the civil service under the Cleveland 1egulations and we are promised something that will add to the gayety of the Nation. Lord Salisbu plan of establishing a neutral zone beiween Greece and Turkey ‘would be received with more favor if ac- companied with & diagram of the zone and a statement of the means by which it is to be kept neatral. Mr. Huntington has made sure of his welcome home by bringing with him the information that the gapin the coast roaa will be closed during the present year. This will be accounted as good news all along the line from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The efforts of some Chicago men to get President McKinley to go to that city and take an active part in the municipal cam- paign incline to the belief that they may eventually intend to incorporate the United States and make every residenta local office-holder. Every morning the Senators gravely go into executive session to discuss the arbi- tration treaty, and every evening they candidly tell what they said during the discussion. Thus the dignity of diplo- macy is maintained and at the same time the Senators get their names in the papers just as usual. The Secretary of the Navy bas directed that there shall be assembled at the Golden Gate carnival as many of the war- ships on this coast as is practicable and we shall, therefore, have a naval display that will be worth seeing. As a matter of fact it will be the biggest carnival of the year in every respect and the reputation of it will be National. An Ohio girl who was balked in an at- tempt to commit suicide escaped from her guardians and got married before they could catch her. Thus does the Ohio girl as well as the Ohio man show & capacity for accepting with an equal alacrity any- thing that comes handy. Death or matri- mony, a Cabinet office or a cheap clerk- 8bip, everything goes in Ohio. Speaker Reed told a committee of the Indianapolis monetary conference that until the tariff bill nas been enacted Con- gress will not undertake any other busi- ness of importance, and we may count upon it therefore that no sort of money bill will be considered at this session. When we have provided wages for in- | dustry and revenues for the Nation we can then revise the currency laws under pros- perous conditions instead of under the pressure of hard times, The decision of the Supreme Court ad- verse to railway traffic associations may yet turn out to be one of the most far- yeaching and important decisions ever made by that high tribunal. It confirms the validity of anti-trust laws and opens the way for effective dealing with such combinations by legislative enactment. The consequences are certain to be great and may even amount to a virtual revolu- tlon in some of the existing methods of doing business on a large scale. The Board of Health is doing good work in suppressing the sale of adulterated foods in this City, but it should be carefal todo it in the right way. It will be a ‘waste of time and energy to make war against harmléss combinations of apple and currant jelly mo matter under what name they are sold, so long as there re- main any injurious adulterations unex- posed and unprevented. The board should direct its efforts to prevent the importa- tion of pernicious, traudulent and coun- terfeit food products which come into competition with the pure foods of the State. There is enough to be done in that line to employ all its capacity for work without beginning a harassing attack on reputable merchants simply because & chemist thinks he has discoverea apple jelly in a package marked currant. Even good work can be deprived of half its effi- cacy ii performed in the wrong way. 65 | Tealize wnat had happened to them. ... Maln—1874 | A TRADITION SHATTERED. TLast Monday the Supreme Court of the TUnited States handed down a decision in cision was written by Justice Peckham Field, Gray, Shiras and White, led by the latter. Day before yesterday Justice White entered a minority dissenting opinion, It took the trusts some little time to The stupendous significance of that single utterance from the highest tribunal in the land rather sailed over their heads and did but little damage to their seasoned air of complacency when it frst issued from the judicial chambers. It was only on its return trip that it settled down to their level and confronted them face to face like a terrible menacing confliction. Then they began to rub their eyes and ask themselves in startled gasps what on earth the Supreme Court had donme to them while they were not looking. It is something distinctly new for the law to abate its studious consideration for trusts | and combinations of wealth and pui an actual check to their profitable habit of going wrong. The preying of associated capital upon the general public has become almost a tradition, and as such has enjoyed the due reverence of governmental authori- ties, who are taught to love anything that is systematic—which the trast imposi- tions certainly have been. But this radi- | cal departure of the Supreme Court has | done much to convince the gentlemen of | trustful predilections that the tradition theory has been little more than a delu- sion and a snare. The result of this decision will be to seg- regate the various railroad companies and set them apart from each other on individual bases. Each company must hereafter make its own rates of fares and freights, instead of pooling all together and having the prices fixed by a general traffic association. This will probably | pave the way to competition and lower rates all along the line. It is further declared that not only rail- roads but all institutions which lend themselves to combinations for the' pur- pose of maintaining a uniform scale of prices will be affected by the innovation, assuming that it is an innovation to have an already existent law sustained after it has long been abused and denied by custom. Considerable apprehension and uneasiness are felt by lumber trusis and others. They fear that they may no longer be permitted to swell their divi- dends by a concerted and false inflation of prices. Kerosene, for example, may come down to what it is worth, compelling the Standard Oil kings to cut short the mil- lion-dollar dowries which they had in contemplation for the next European noblemen who may wed their daughters. Then, of a truth, the millennium will be hard by. GOING TOO FAR. A really important crisis was reached when the “powers” of Europe, onthe 20th inst., decided to blockade Crete. A few aays later the fort of Malaxa, occupled by Turkish troops, was seized by a com- pany of Cretan insurgents, and the Turks were forced to vacate, leaving their vic- torious foes in charge. Thereupon the European warships, which had hung by uncertain whether to interfere or not, notified the Cretans to consider the taken forts in charge of the ‘‘powers,” as they were afraid to trust the Christian inhabi- tants thereof to the mercy of troops in war. This sudden attack of solicitude for Christianity seized the precious *‘powers” immediatelyafter an armyof Christians had driven anarmy of Turks out of command of the forts and had taken command of them and their Christian inhabitants them- seives—whereat we are doubtless to as- sume that the Christian ‘‘powers” are concerned for the safety of Christians only when the latter are under the rule of Christians, and not when they are under the rule of Turks. That brilliant bit of logic isa fair sam- ple of the spirit which is moving the “'powers’’ so unreasonably against King George at every point. They are now blockading him so as to be constantly at hand to interfere in behalf of Turkey whenever the chance may arise, as it arose Thursday. They are defending the Turks, aiding and abetting them in every possible manner. Yet King George swears before high heaven that he will never give up, that he will disrupt the Turkish empire, and perchance involve ali Europe in an interminable war, unless he attains his purpose. The *powers,’” ridiculed at home and despised abroad, seém rather more dogged than purpose- ful. They act as though they had unwit- tingly bitten off a piece of actual war, un- der the impression that it was merely the every-day ““alk” of war which they had been vaingloriously accustomed to feed- ing upon daily, aud afterward were for- bidden by pride to back out of eating it. | It may prove better for their ultimate dignity, however, if they back out now, before future events make it harder for i them to do so. FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA. The information that Dr. Jameson has given before the South African Parliamen- tary Commission of the condition of affairs that made revolt against the Boer Govern- ment desirable, coupled with the report that the most capable and powerful man in the Dark Continent, President Paul Kruger, isin favor of a confederation of the States there into.a free republic, sug- gests the probability that another great nation will soon take its place in modern history. President Kruger, whose astute states- manship has outwitted the diplomacy of England, is strongly opposed to any union which would make the federation a part of the British empire, but to combine the states into & new independent nation is altogether a different question, and he would gladly assist in its consummation. Itis plain from the history of the baffled raid, which is being slowly drawn out from authentic sources, that achange in the political system is needed in that big couctry, which has now become a sort of | new world awaiting development. The | Uitlanders of the Rand are ripe for revolt. Their cry of oppression is founded on the fact that they are taxed without represen- tation. They pay the great bulk ot the revenue that supports the Boer Govern- ment, but they have no yoice in its policy. | While the present government of the | Transvaal seems, therefore, to be bad for the English settlers, the condition of the country over which England has supreme power also requires a change of govern- ment. Aeccording to the criticism of some of their own countrymen the English rule over the natives has been harsh and un- just. The revolt of the Matabeles was aroused by tyrannical regulations; the negroes in the region controlled by the South African Company are practically enslaved by. labor-enforcement, laws and the demand made upon the natives for 3 | the case of tne Trans-Missouri Freight Association, virtually affirming the .in- validity of all railroad trusts or combines throughout the United States. The de- and concurred in by all but four of his associafes, the diesenters being Justices A tribute in cattle amounts to ruirous cone fiscation. Government by a commercial company, is not considered by residents and students of the situation there as con- ducive 10 the general prosperity of the people. This being the condition of affairs, the founding of a great republic in South Africa would be an achievement worth the ambition of a great statesman, It would put an end to jealousies and possibilities of war between the states. The English mining population could then get their coveted representation in the Transvaal, and the Dutch would he freed from. the apprebension of danger from the over grown British empire. The two races could harmonize in efforts to rapidly de- velop the vast unused resources of the country, to populate the wide wastes of the Dark Continent and transform ittoa 1and of light. THE TURKISH ARMY. In view of the compiications in the East the value of Turkey's offensive power again becomes of vital interest. ‘Whatever else may be said of Turkey it is certain that if war comes she wili prove no mean antagonist. In addition to the number of troops she could put into the field, there is the blind enthusiastic fanat- icism of the Prophet's followers to be reckoned with. This will go far toward offsetting any military deficiencies she may possess. The total strength of the combatant forces of the Turkish empire is upward of 700,000. The army is organized on the modern territorial system, as in France and Germany, the empire being divided for the purpose Into six military districts, while Western and Southwestern Arabia form a seventh district, but drawing its recrnits from Turkey proper. Tne nomad Kurds and Arabs, although subject to service, are not recruited. Christians are allowed to pay an exemp- tion tax, the result beinz that the army consists almost entirely of Turks. Liabil- ity to service begins at 20 and ends at 40. Of this twenty years six are passed in the Nizam, or regular army, eight in the Redit, corresponding to the German Land- wehr, and six in the Mpstahfuz, or Land- starm. About 140,000 Moslems yearly be- come liable to service. OIf these some 50.000 pass into the Nizam, where they serve four years with the colors and then remain on the reserve for two years. At the end of this time they pass into the Redif. Each of the six territorial districts co: tains an army corps of two infantry di sions, a cavalry division and other. troops of the Nizam. The second line, or Redif, is organized into twenty-two divisions, spread over the six districts. The artillery has recently besn reorgan- ized and now has about 1400 guns, mostly new pattern Ktupps. The infantry large bore rifles are being converted into small caliber (.3012in.) so as to take the same ammunition as the Mausers, which were introduced in 1890 and of which a large number are on hand. The question of an adequate supply of horses for the-cavalry and artillery wiil doubtless cause great embarrassment in case of war. Itis reported that Turkey has already begun to mobilize her army. The mobili- zation of the forces of a state and their subsequent concentration at the threat- ened point form the opening act of the modern war drama. No matter how well prepared Turkey may be on paper, if she fails to rapidly mobilize and concentrate her forces she will lose the initiative, and with it possibly the power of carrying the war into the enemy’s country. On this initiative there may easily depend the outcome of the war. This truth was forcibly brought out in the Franco-Ger- man war. Owing tolackof proper railroad facili- ties and other modes of communication in Turkey, it is not probable that mobiliza- tion can be rapidly effected, and some time will elapse before she can concentrate much of a force on her Grecian frontier, while several months would probably be required for concentration in a distant part of the empire. No decisive results can then be anticipated under some weeks at least, IMPORTANT RAILROAD ITEM. Probably the most important utterance which Mr. C. P. Huntington has made since nis return to California this time is | the statement that the proposed railroad connection of San Luis Obispo with Santa Barbara and other coast cities to the south- ward would be comrleted within the present year. Already the line has progressed south- ward from San Luis Obispo to a few mil the other side of Tangair, and- northward from Santa Barbara as far as Elwood. The gap to be spanned is not very wide. The benefit which will result to the ever, the American builders are awaken- ing to the folly of this and are going here- after to insure the small craft a reasonable protection at the cost of some little speed. 1t would appear that tne old adage about staying to fight instead of running away is in a fair way to being recognized in actual modern warfare, if, indeed, the bare suggestion of such a move do not tend forthwith to discourage modern warfare, PERSONAL. John D. Fisher of San Diego s in town. Hony Rosenthal of Vienna is at the Palace. Dr. A. T. Lockhart of Maders is at the Grand. L. B. Seymour, a capitalist of Petaluma, is in town. ‘u.“s During of Santa Cruz is here on a short visit Frank J, Brandon of Ssn Jose is st the Grand. Jobn J. Snyder of San Andreas is in San Franclsco. H. C. Booth, an attorney of Santa Barbars, i in the City, J. A. Gibson, & business man of Sacramento, 18 in the City. 0. B. Hardy, a mining man of Splt Lake, 18 on a visit here. M. W. Mather of the Fiumbago mine isat the Ocaidental. Ex-Senator John C. Lynch of Cucamongs is alate arrival in town. C. R. Savage, a well-to-do resident of Salt Lake, is on a visit here. J. E. Putnam and William E. Child of Idaho arrived here yesterday. James Kerker, a leading iruit and rasin grower of Fresno, is at the Russ. W. C. Ward, a business man of Portland, and Mrs. Ward arrivea here yesterdsy. B. J. Wood, a merchant of Los Angeles, is at the Russ, sccompanied by his wife. A. Johnson and wife of Contra Costa are staying at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Newton Jackson, a wealthy resident of Ver- sailles, Ind., arrived here yesterds: Dr. F. J. Bancroft, one of the early ploneers of Denver, and. F. W. Bancrolt arrived hero vesterday. Otis Skinner, the widely advertised actor, g0t here yesterday. He was accompanied by Mrs. Skinner. Mrs. Dr. Hauber and Miss May Joyce of Alvarado are among the recent arrivals at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Donald de V. Graham hss returned to San Francisco from Honolulu. He had a delight- ful sojourn at the jsiands. George B. Raum of New York, who often comes to this coast, arrived from the East yes- terday, and is at the Palace. Among the late arrivals at the Occidental is H. D. Kelso, editor of the Walla Walla Daily TUnion. He is here on a pleasure trip. Brad Bamar, the British mining engineer. has returned from the mother lode, where he is interested in some mining property. He is at the Grand. David Starr Jordan returned yesterday from Bakerefield, where he had been on a lecturing trip. He was in_the City only an hour, when he lett for Palo Alto, H. W. Patton, the newspaper man, of Los Angeles, who some months ago was nominated for Congress and afterward, owing 10 8 com- bination, withdrew his name, is in the City. CALIFORNIANS IN NEW YORK NEW YORK, N. Y., March 27.—At the Plaza, A. H. Currfer; Grand Union—C. Sedgwick, Mrs. A. Sedgwick: Union Square, J. H. L. Tuck; Ashland, J. F. Valentine; Stuart, Mr. and Mrs. C-E. Cook; St. Denis, Mr. and Mrs. J. Land. Rev. R. de Carolis and Miss Carolina de Carolis left the Plazaand sailed on the Kaiser Wilhelm II for Genoa. PITY “ God pity ns!” In pleading toues we say, S e bieving out sins gay atvec vy’ * B0 easy 'Lls tofall! Sorough the path! At the grest day of reckoniug spare thy wrath, “ Life is out school. Dear Master, tenderly The imperfection of our lessons see. “ And while our failures wa with angulsh rue, Bet 10 our credic what we meaat 10 do.” Thus do we speak, then rising from our knees, Some lucxless debtor in sharp anger seize: And, careless of the love (o which we pray, EXtort from pover:y the utmost pay. Ah! at compasaion’s fount he vain'y sighs Who pl.y to his fel.ow-man denies. MARY F. BUTts In New York Sun. ANSWERS 10 CORRESPONDENTS. Mgs. FITZSIMMONS—E. G., City. Mrs. Robert Fitzsimmons 13 & native of Australia. MRS. GRANT'S RESIDENCE—G..F., City. The widow of U. 8. Grant is a resident of New York. JACKSON AND BLAVIN—T. P, Btockton, Cal Peter Jackson and Frank Siavin fought ten rounds in London, England, May 50, 1892. THE STEAMER MaJEsTic—S. C., Port Costs, Cal. The steamer Majestic made her maiden trip in 1889. This department cannot obiain the exact date. HoLy COMMUNION—A. A.C., Rohnerville, Cal. In the Catholic church, when the holy com- munion is administered, the wine is not par- taken of by the people. Firssmexons—H. W. &, City. Fitzsimmons was married before he met and married his present wife. He has a grown son by his first country down that way from this pro- vision of increased transportation facilities is inestimable. The whole reglon in and around San Luis Obispo County is extra- ordinarily fertile, The chief cause of hard times there- abouts, the producers aver, has been a lack of means by which to convey their products to market. Great quantities of surplus fruits and vegetation have been amassed during certain favorable seasons, and the best that the growers could do with them has been to trade them around among each other or to the stores in Paso Robles, Templeton, San Luis and other neighboring towns in return for manu- factured articles. This primitive ex- pedient may soon be outgrown, as the prospect appears from Mr. Huntingtoa’s statement; and when it is so 8 new era of prosperity ought to open for San Luis ana her neighbors. PROTEQTION TO TORPEDOES. The United States Government, profit- ing by past study and observation, has decided that its new torpedo-boats, which are now being constructed at Bath, Me., shall be protected by armor plates at jthe expense of several knots of speed, which the extra weight wiil prevent. With the possibility of attaining thirty knots per hour in sight the naval authorities will smother their modern inclinations with a sigh and content themselves with a speed of twenty-five knots. The slower vessel will sacrifice apeed to the desirable object of remaining intact during the heat of battle. It will be recalled that the torpedo-boat which made itself seem almost practical as an engine of war by destroying the Chinese ship Ting Yuen in the late Japan- ese-Chinese engagement was denied a com- plete realization of that proud distinction by getting itself destroyed in the experi- ment. Thus one of the nearest approaches to an actual demonstration of the torpedo- boat’s superiority over a tugboat in war was deteated by a misfortune—the mis- fortune consisting of a- scatter-gun pro- jected over the side of its sinking oppo- nent. Hitherto these remarkable little boats have been built with scarcely any regard for their safety under fire. The very thinnest coat of metal has been deemed sufficient protection for their boilers or for any other parts of them, Now, how- wife, who is now in college in the Esst. ONE NAUGHT T0o MUCH—In the answer in yesterday’s 1 bout the care of the muni- cipal government of San Francisco one naught too meny crept n. 1t should be $14,800 per ExeMPr FROX TAXATION—L. A. F., Alameds, Cal. Oaly such property is exempt from tax ation in the United States as is so declared by the Legislature of the Siate in which such property is located. The exemption is not the same in every State. In California universi- ties are not exempt unless they belong to the State or 8 municipal corporation. Gop TEMPERS THE WIND—S. S., Saratoga, Santa Clara County, Cal. The ph od tempers the wind to the shorn lamb’’ was first used in English by Laurance Stern in 'ne Sentimental Journey,” written in 1768. The awords are spoken by Maria, ono of the charac- ters in the sketch, In ‘“‘Premiers,” written by ene in 1594, appears “Dieu mesure rebis tondue,” which, peing trans- ‘God measures the cold to the snorn THE MoON—A. §. and others, City. The an- #wer to the question, “Does & new moon, be-" ginning on or bafore the 5th of any month, be- long to the preceding month or 1o the month 1t comes in?'” Is that it belongs to the month in which it comes, even if 1t were less than one minute inside the beginning of the month. In the coming month of May there will be two moons—May 1, 00 b. 35 m. P.x., and May 31, 4 b.15 m. A. X. 'The new moon of January, Feb- roar: March came within the fifst two and a hait days of each month. CrEOLE—Dr. C., City. In the West Indies and Spanish America Creole is applied to a class of the population. The term denotes in its widest sense any one born in tie country but of a race not hatlye to ir. 1t is usually applied 10 persons born in the colony or country of ure European blgod, s distinguished both rom immigrant Enropeans and irom the off- spring of mixed blood. Origiaaliy Creolo was applied to a native descended from European (properly Spanish) ancestors, as distinguished Irom imm igrants of European blood,and from the aborigines, negroes and natives of mixed (Indian and Euroj or European and negro) blood. In Brasil the term applies fo matives, but of n Alrican pa: In Louisistts, United States, the term was originaily applied to a native descended from French tors who had :ettled there, but of Iate 1t is applied to Spanish descent by efther applied 0 a person belonging to the French- peaking natlve portion of the while race. @. W. Cable, in “Creoles of Louisi: 8, saye niards of rank cast their lot will “Man; the Creoles (of Louisiane). But the Creoles never became society balls, anish, and in Dalls, where the Creole civillan met the Span- ish militaty officials, the cotillon was French or Spanisn, according as oue or the other party was sironger.” 4 Sarcey, the noted French dramatic critic, styles himself & “modersts vegetarian.” He eats éxgs, milk, butter and fish, but eschews all other animal fo0d, SOME AMERICANS ABROAD. BY AN EX-ATTACHE Compared with other countries, the United States is a perfect giant in size, But immense as are its possibilities and area, it is apparently not big enougn for some of its natives, who, regarding its limits as being of too restricted a ch: acter, seek what they look upon as 8 wider field abroad. And thus it happens that in almost every capital and nearly every court of the civilized and uncivilized world there aro to be founa American men and women playing a role of suf- ficient importance to necessitate the reckoning with their individuality and their influence. Sometimes the latter is exercised for good, while in a few instances its effects have been of a contrary character, but in either case it has been sufficiently powerful to require it to be taken into account. It would occupy too much space and time to describe the means by which this influence is achieved and maintained. A good deal, if not most, of it may be briefly ascribed to the fact that to the reputation for honesty and frank dealing which the Engl sh-speaking races throughout the universe enjoy among other nationalities the Americans unité a keenness and quick- ness of intellect, a species of mental smart- ness, 1f I may be permitted to use the ex- pression, which pertains far more to the countrymen of Machiavelli and to the Orientals than to the Anglo-Saxons. This talent which Americans possess of raising themselves above the common- place and for making their individu- ality felt in foreign countries, has been been brought home to my mind dur- ing the past week by the death at Wash- ington of that gallant soldier, Colonel Ale: der Macomb Mason, a trusted and loyal ad- viser and f~iend of three Egyptian Khedives in succession. A grandson of that General Macomb who died as commander-in-chief of the United States army, Mason took part as a naval officer in the Civil War, and afterits termination saw active service in Chile and Cuba before making his way to_Cairo, where, along with a number of other American officers, he was employed by Khedive Ismail to reorganize the Egyptian army and navy. It was while thus engaged that he was brought into contact with General Gordon, and that he should have succeeded in winning the friendship, the confidence and the Te- gard of such a man as this most ec- centric but brilliant ‘and heroic English officer, speaks volumes {n favor of Mason. What specially endesred him to Gordon was his singular modesty, his discretion, and aboye ali his ability to hold his tongue. Mason was one of the most quiet and un- assuming men that it has ever been my fate to encounter, and it was not until I had known him several months—being in almost daily intercourse with him—that I learned through others of his splendid record in the Soudan, where he made the first survey of Lake Albert Nyanza and where he co-operated with Gor- don in the organizaion of that once 50 pros- perous equatorial empire of the Khedive. Gordon was one of the most difficult men to getalong with, and there were days when he wes 8o excitable and irritable as to be abso- lutely unfic for human intercourse. No one realized this better than he did himself, and being very fond of Mason and unwilling to quarrel with him, he made an arrangement which was as characteristic of the one man as it was of the other. It was agreed that whenever Gordon felt his fits of irritability and exasperation coming on he should hang out of his window or above his door, a huge battie-ax, which he picked up in the Soudan, and-that whenever this danger signal should be hung out Mason should give him a wide berth. The sgreement worked splendidly. Mason never betook himsel! to Gordon’s residence without iooking up for the battle-nx, and’ if the latier was in sight noth- ing in the world, not even the most pressing official business, could induce him to intrude upon the privacy of his chief. Mason had the singular faculty of inspiring in everybody with whom he was brought into contact the same degree of confidence that he enjoyed on the part of Gordon. There is no place in the world where there is such an amount of in- trigue as at Cairo, where everybody is more or less engaged in the praiseworthy task of trip- ping up his neighbor and his friend. Animosi- ties rage there with an intensity born of the heat of the neighboring desert, and generally speaking the man who endesvors to steera middle course and t0 Avoid committing him- self either on the one side or the other ends by incurring the suspicion and the ill will of both. Mason, however, was an exception to this rule. Everbody liked him and every- body trusted him, and thus it happened that although he had been loyal to Ismail, he stood equally high in favor with his son and successor, Tewfik, and that in soite of his having played a prominent part in the incidents that oceurred prior to England’s occupation of Egypt, he was requested by the British Government in 1885 to act jointly with the late Admiral Sir Willlam Hewett in a special embassy to King John of Abyssinia. It was a mssion of great personal risk, es- pecially at that particular juncture, and had it not been for the fact of Mr. Gladstone being in office and S0 averse to every- thing connected with Egypt that he would not hear 'its very name mentioned either n Cabinet councils or in soclety—it hav- ing the same effect upon him as & red flag upon s bull—some token of royal recognition would have undoubtediy been conferred by the Queen upon the English admiral and his Egyp- to-American colleague. Mason, I mayadd, like. wise played & conspicuous role in all those negotiations which led to the tramsfer of Massowah and of other Red Sea ports to Italy jointly by England and by Egypt, and I doubt i there has ever been any one not an English cltizen or a servant of the Queen who has been initiated to such an extent in the diplo- matic and state secrets of Great Britain as Colonel Mason. Never was 8 more modest and unobtrusive man than this square-jawed, taciturn and yet genial-faced and warm-hearted American, whose services to the cause of geographical scionce at the headwaters of the Nile entitle him to & prominent place among the Alrican explorers. Over and over again was promo- tion to the rank of Pasha pressed upon him, not merely by Khedive Tewfik, but also by his successor, the English_authorities. Lord Cro- mer, first and foremost, warmly recommended him for the distinction. Yet he invariably re- fused, alleging as an excuse that he had no haukering for titular distinction, and that while his means were sufficient to maintain him as a Bey or colonel, they were inadequate for s full-fledged Pasha or general. For Mason, Imust explain, in spite of the unrivaled op- portunities which he had enjoyed in the Soudan, as in Lower Egypt, for enriching him- self, had remained a poor man—no smail credit for s public official in & country where the very air that one breathes 1s tainted with the most gross dishonesty and corruption, where principles are conspiguous only for their absence and integrity is derided. Inone word, Mason was an American of whom every one of his countrymen had reason to be proud, and who, never at any moment forget- ting the country of his birth and his eitizen- ship thereof, caused the name of the United States to be honored and respected in coun- tries where 1t had, up to that time, been un- known. Counterparts of Mason are to be found figuring in the modern history of many an- other foreign nation. Thus the Chinese have the reputation of being the most ungrateful people in the world and of being averse to recognizing anything done in their behalf by a foreigner. Yet, although more than & quar- ter of a century has elspsed since the death of Anson Burlingame, his name remains re- spected and even revered thronghout the vast Celestial empire. ~Neither the Mandarins, nor yet the people, forget that it was mainly through his efforts in their behalf that their country first obtained proper treat- ment and consideration by Western nations, and that to him belongs the credit of having first established diplomatic intercourse be- tween what is known as the “Middle King- dom” and the civilized powers of the world. As far a8 my experionce is congerned, the Japanese are far less grateful for past favors m:n the Chinese, and are, moreover, so firmiy imbued with the conviction that they are clever enough to be sbie to dispense with for- eign advie en in matiers relating to foreizn sciences, arts and manutactures that they con- sign as far as possible to oblivion the names of those who assisted them in emerging from their former chrysaiis stage into their present state ot gay and giddy butterfiydom, and who served them as nurses and mentors when cast- ing aside the. swadaling clothes in which mummylike they had been enveloped for thousands of years they first attempted falteringly to walk according to Western fashion, and in the paths of our civilization, That is why one hears 8o little nowadays of the American General Willisms to whom the present financial organization of Japan is mainly due, and who succeedea (without pe- cuniary benefit for himself) in negotisting sbroad s 7 per cent loan for the Japanese Government st s time when owing fo the prejudices against the land of the Rising Sun, and the disbelief in the permanency of serious- ness of Its Western innovation 10 or 12 per cent would not have appeared 10 be an exces- sive interest to demand. Moreover, if the Japanese troops showed themselves to such advantage in their last war with China, it was in a part at any rate dueto the teachings and advice of another American, General Legendre, who was all powerful in Japsnese military matters at Tokio in the early seventies, and the forelgn condjutor and adviser of General Saigo 1n his victorious campaign sgainst Formosa in 1874, Of an entirely different order, less reputable but equally powerful, if not more 5o, was the role played in Holland andin Paris by the famous Mme Musard, an American lady, & na- tive of Pennsylvania, who until a year or two before her death was justly regarded in Eu- rope as the Egeris of old King William of Hol- land. It was thanks to her and to her alone that the war between France and Germany of 1870 did not break out three years previously in connection with the Luxemburg contro- versy. King Willlam was in 1867 on the point of disposing of his grand duchy of Luxemburg to France, prompted thereto by his hatred of Prussia and his friendship for Napoleon IIL Luxemburg was &t the time garrisoned by Prussian troops, this by virtue of a former military convention, dating from the time when the grand duchy formed partof the German ‘‘Bund” or confederation. Had this sale of Luxemburg to France been com- pleted—King Williamand Emperor Napoleon did not propose to let any one know of it vn: tilit was announced as an accomplished fact— war would have inevitably ensued between France and Prussia. For on the one hand Na- poleon would have gone too far to retreat, with- outalossof prestige dangerous to the existence and solidity of his throne, while on the other hand Prussia would assuredly have declined to withdraw, without & bloody struggle, her troops from a fortress of such {mmense atrategi- cal importance as was Luxemburg in those days, in order to haud it over to a power with which it was certain sooner or later to bo at war. Bysome means or other the dissolute and drunken Prince of Orange, then living at Paris, obtained an inkling of what was going on. Soberenough to realize the imprudence, from a Dutch point of view, of what was going t0 take place, and sufficientiy sensible to per- ceive that it must inevitably lsnd France and Prussis in a war with one another—a war which: would interfere sadly with his life of pleasure on the banks of the Seine; aware 100, that his father, with whom he was at deg- gers drawn, would merely drive him from his presence with curses if he attempted to remon- strate with him about the matter, hastened 10 Mme. Musard and appealed to her to use her influence with the King to withdraw from the deal bofore it was too late. This she en- deavored to do; butfinding that, in spite of all herarzuments, the King remained irreso- lute, and fearing lest, unbeknown 1o hor, he would carry through bis pro- ject, she warned the celebrated Mme. Pavia (afterward Countess Henckel yon Don- nersmark) of what wason the cards, and before many hours had elapsed Count Bismarck had been placed in possession of all the facts of the case. Had Prussia been prepared at that mo- ment for war with France Bismarck would have said nothing, but havs swaited events. But Prussia was not ready. She had not then completed her military conventions with the southera States of Germany, so the Count caused the Prusstan Embassador at Berlin to notify the French Government that if the eale was carried into effect it wonld be regarded at Berlin as a casns belli. The French Cabiuet, which had until then been in completa igno- rance of the whole matter—ior Napoleon was very secretive—brought Bismarck’s message to the Emperor’s notice, and the ultimate sult of the affair was that a conference of the great powers was summoned in London to de- vise an agreement, according to the terms of which the Prussian garrison at Luxemburg was withdrawn, the fortifications razed to the ground and the neutrality of the grana duchy assured under terms which precluded the possibility of fits ever begoming the property of either France or Ger many. I may add that had Bismarck notified the Emperor instead of his Minister of Foreign Affairs of his objections to the deal, the whole thing would have been hushed, up without anybody knowing anything about it. But,as it was, the affuir became public through the indiscretion of the of cials of the Quai d’Orsay, and the important part played by Mme. Musard became known. For bad not the American Egeria of King William of Holland intervened to prevent the sale of Luxemburg in 1867 nothing could have prevented the war between France and Germany breaking out then and there. Without making more than a passing refer- ence to the fact that a couple of American gentlemen had acquired so much influence over the late King of Wurtemberg as to bring about & Ministerial orisis in 1888, and very nearly the deposition of the King, the difficulty being oaly settled by the exile of the two foreigners {rom the country, I would draw attention to the role played not merely in English ‘society, but also in British political life, by Lady Ran- dolph Churchill,a New York girl to whom her brilliant husband owed so much df his success as a statesman: to William Waldorf Astor, who, by a judicious use of his wealth and of the journalistic properties which he has acquired, is becoming one of the powers with which English Parlismentary parties have to reckon; to the Countess Gianotti and the Princess Brancaccio, both of them Ameri- cen women who through Queen Marguerite, whose ladies-in-waiting they are, and through their husbands, who are among the principal dignitaries of the Itallan court, exercise much jufluence over King Humber:, and last, but by no means least, to Dr. Thomas Evans at Paris, who, during his forty years of profes- sional attendance upon the teeth of Earopean royalty, has, to my personal knowlede, been intrusted with many a confidential message and delicate negotiation, being often asked by one reigning family to repeat what he had heard toother patients of sovereign rank whiie holding them at the mercy of his skillful for- ceps. There areso many things that cannot ‘be transmitted through the ordinary official and diplomatic channels, and yet which ha: often a most imporiant bearing upon the course of events. MEN AND WOMEN. The making of paper flowers is one of the Duchess of Albany’s chief pleasures. Vice-President E. C. Chamberiain of the ‘Western Mining Company is training elks for driving at Portland, Or. The German Emperor is fond of light and bright colors, and has a particular dislike to see the Empress in black. The Grand Duke Constantinovitel has new translation of “Hamlet”” {nto Rus- be acted with his Imperial Highness in the title role. b o3 Miss Grace Fairweatner is the champion lady billiard-player of the world. She is & native of Newcastle, England, and is not yet 21 years of age. George D. M. Petxotto of Cleveland is paint- ing the poriraltof Lyman J. Gage. Ho will also pains three MoKinley. They will be placed in the Union Leagte clubs of Chicsgo and New York and the Union vlub of Cleveland, Marle Van Zandt, e American opera singer, has been nominated by the French Academy. The Sultan of Turkey is declered to be a do. mestic man intensely fond of his children, for whom he has a tiny theafer, wherein they play small paris for the delectation of their papa. . Bir G.O. Trevelya: retirement from Par. lisment and political life bids fair to fall out to the advantage of letters. A mew edition of “Lord Macauley's Life and Works” is an- n&nnm by the Longmans under his editor- ship. E. H. BLACK, panter, 120 Eddy stroet. el bl Sl Government as an officer Of the French l ARE younervous? Townsend's famous Cali- fornia glace fruit will cure you; 50¢ pound in elegant fire-otched boxes. Palace Hotel, e o e BuITs cleaned and pressed $1; repairing and dyeing. 131 Montgomery street or 112 Va- lencia. . —_——— SPECTAL information daily to manufacturers, business houses and public men by the Press Clipping Buresu (Allen’s), 510 Montgomery. * ————————— John C. Sutton of Denver spent all his money, $30,000, a few years ago in building a church in Denver on condition that he should De allowed to live in the tower and be em- ployed as the sexton of the church. Santa Fe Limited From San Francisco, Three and » Half Days to Chicago Via Santa Fe Route. To accommodate our Northern Californis pa- trons, on April 2 and each succeeding Monday and Friday the first-class Pullman sleeping-car leav- ing San Francisco at 5 P. x. will connect a: Bar- stow with the Santa Fe vestibule -train, carrying dining-car. buffet, smoking-car =nd Puilmsn pal- acedrawing-room sleeping-cars for both St. Louis and Chicago via Kansas Cluy. This shortens the running time twelve hours. Send for literature Ceseriptive of our route. San Francisco ticket office, 644 Market street, Chronicle bullding; tele- phone main 1631, Oakland, 1118 Broadway. et Railroad Tickets to the East via Rio Grande Western and Denver and Rio Grande Railways, At lowest possible rates, with through Pullman buffet and tourist sleeping car service every day. Personally conducted excursions leaving Tuesday, ‘Wednesday snd Thursday. Only line permitting stop-over at Salt Lake City on allclasses of tickets Detailed information and tickets furnished at 14 Montgomery street, or 314 California street. — e Change of Time. . Taking effect March 28, the Northern Paclfic overiand train will leave Portland at 11 A. M in- of I P. ., thus making connection at Spo- kane for points in the new Kootenai mining Qstrict. Tickets at lowest rates to Rossland, Northport and Trall. T. K. Stateler, general agent, 638 Market street, San Francisco. — As a stomachic, when the digestive organs are inactive and need stimulating, especially dinner, nothing can equal Ayel s 1Ir affiicted with sore eyes use Dr son’s Eye Water. Druggists sell it at 25 cents. ————— «Uncle James, what is & pessimist?” “Qh, he’sany sort of an old thing that won't enjoy his icecream to-dny because he is atraid he won't have any to-morrow.”’—Puck. NEW TO-DAY DO YOUR EYES TROUBLE You! Does the bright light make them ache and blink? After a short time do the letters become blurred when reading? If your eyes trouble you in any way see to it at once. We ex- amine them carefully, without charge, and tell you honestly if anyt%ning is the matter. We do not sell glasses simply to make a sale. portralia of l‘nlldntlwm 50¢ STANDARD OPTICAL CO., 217 Kearny Street, S. F. A. NOBDMAN. the Shirt” We Can Sing It Loud for the PRICE IS LOW. A Great Sale of SHIRTS, Good Shirts, carefully cut, made and finished. 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