The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 6, 1898, Page 19

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1898 19 EDITH VAN BUREN'S MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES ON THE KLONDIKE. Miss Van Buren Is weclthy. comes from a good family and spends most of her time traveling about the world. Last spring she went to the Klondlke to see the mining excitement. While there she thought she might do something to help their better natures, so she hired a blg tent, engaged the services of a preacher and sent one of her servants out with a big bell to go.among the shacks and tents and gather in the miners to church. She herself attepded to the hand organ and ground out its ipcongruous tupes. Edith M. Van Buren. From a Photograph by Vaughn & Kelth. has Not astor, N CITY church. EST DAWS lost its for the vation Army ) come to ‘an Buren roselyting was - sort and her ed by Mrs. mmander Hitch- s navy, she ar- at = time gold excitement se and com- all good w number e which she lo- »graphs Yukon ipation, to find cross the river 00000000000 ent [Maso on the Present and: Future of Cuba. every Sunday for the purpose of going to church in Dawson City we just con- cluded to start little church of our own. Then, too, I had received a letter from Mrs. Stanford just before my de- parture from San Francisco in which she urged me to exert my influence for the welfare of the miners, and I felt stimulated by her good advice into making an effort toward establishing a Sunday home for the boys. “I heard of a Presbyterian minister, Mr. Dickey, who was without a , and he will ly consented to minister to the floc that is, if we could furnish him with one. “This seemed the most difficult task of all, for we had been there long enough to discover that the mi not in favor of early ay mornings, which w due to their overwork m frequently to their overlate aturday night. Our drawing-room tent measured seventy by ninety feet in length, and h unlike a temple in point of tecture, furnishing and decoration it was well adapted to hold a good- jzed audience. The walls of this taber- nacle were unadurned by sacred pic- war heroes tures, but lithographs of were not lacking. Hobson, Dewey, Schley and Sampson were conspicuous, while President and Mrs. McKinley had their places back of the pulpit under a drapery of American and English flags. The furniture of the pulpit con- sisted of a table and the only stool in the camp. Chairs were in Dawson City. The pew pine boxes and rugs. The empty. How should we flil them? became our study. At last our servant offered to do the 2lyting for us, in a most unusual He grabbed the dinner bell, instead of ringing it in front of our :nt, he visited each camp in West Dawso That ping time with the ding-dong bell, he yelled ‘Come to church! come to church! come to church!” and In the same breath he added, ‘No collection! Free! fr free!” “Of course, the miners got up, stuck out what all the racket was about, and some of them promptly refused to go “There Were N N R N\ Y/ 7 The chureh was such a great success and the miners declared it was the very best that ever came to Alaska. o Chairs In Camp so the Miners Brought Their Blankets and Lay Upon Them, Spread Over the Gro und, While the Minister Preached. And in Between | Ground Out a Miscellaneous lot of Music on the Hand Organ.” ywhere when they had to put on ‘biled’ shirts. Being informed that ‘biled’ shirts were not necessary adjuncts to our religious services, some of them half way promised to come. “Mrs. Hitchcock and I took up our stations in the big tent beside the music-box, which wé brought with us from San Francisco. We patiently waited for the congregation to gather. Our music-box had a repertoire rang- ing from ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee,’ to ‘Cavalleria Rusticana.’ We made the most of this drawing card by keeping the th constantly wound up, and I am satisfied that this music was the principal feature in collecting our first congregation. “Upon leaving San Francisco for Dawson we took with us three dozen carrier doves, a canary bird, two dogs and a parrot. The ensemble had all of the appearance of a circus, and in this resemblance we based our hopes for succe: for what heart of man could ever resist a circus tent? “The big canvas and the small music proved too much for the sleeping miner. He followed his curiosity to the flap- ping tent door, thrust his head in quickly, and out again until he was perfectly satisfied that it was safe to enter. Then the parrot said ‘Come in.” They did, after a little while, and took their places on the rugs or pine boxes. “The service began with ‘Rock of Ages’ from the music-box, ‘Rock of Ages’ from the lusty Klondike throats, and the flock of doves swept in through the door and fluttered about and above our heads, as if seeking their affinity in the pastor’s text—'And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove upon him.” “It did not require a vivid imagina- tion to assoclate this meeting with Noah’s ark. Every one seemed at peace, and the services were the most solemnly impressive that I have ever witnessed. It seemed like God's church {md was so full of deep religious’ feel- ng. ““The parrot was the only irreverent listener, and his cries of ‘Cracker’ and ‘Coffee’ were soon silenced by his speedy removal After the minister left, each Sunday by request the music-box supplied the miners with operatic airs, and I must truthfully say that this class of music was more thoroughly enjoyed by them than the sacred hymns. “During our two months’ sojourn in West Dawson City these meetings were kept up. The interest in them grew, and so did our congregation, until it became the most popular church there. There was certainly no pretense to style in our house of worship and no collection. Mrs. Hitchcock and 1 were firm about this. We did not wish the miners to think that we were trying to ‘do them,” and so each visitor was informed of this when invited to come, and had the satisfaction of feeling that to be made purer in heart did not nec- essarily mean to be made poorer in purse. ‘‘Visitors came over from East Daw- son to enjoy our ideal church. The ser- reliance and grace of manner have 7 v of comfort ,and s mon was & sweet hour made her a target for matrimonial en- I never expect to find its like again un- less I return to dear old Dawson. The pastor worked gratuiteusly, and (h.e’ labor and worship were that of love. Miss Van Buren comes of a very dis- tinguished family. Her grandfather, Joseph Earl Sheffield, founded and en- dowed the Sheflield Scientific School at New Haven, Conn., and bequeathed $1,000,000 to Yale College. Her father, the late General Thomas B. Van Buren, came to California in that year of years that the pioneer loves so remin- iscently, but he returned soon after and spent most of his lifetime in diplomatic service. He was United States Minis- ter to Japan, and died in San Francisco in the year 1888. She is a niece of William Walter Phelps, former Minis- and grandniece ter to Germany, of the late President Martin Van Buren. Miss Van Buren is a cousin of John Addison Porter, pri- vate secretary to President McKinley, and has had one of the most remark- able careers in the history of American society belles. She has three times made the circuit of the globe and has been presented to every court in the civilized world. Miss Van Buren is of a figure divine- 1y tall, and superbly she carries it. Her eyes are blue, and she has that saving sense of merriment, which, figuratively speaking, sees the world through “glasses green.” Her crown of pre- maturely gray hair and love of adven- ture constitute her heritage from the Van Burens. Her large fortune, self- thusiasts. Since her return from Alaska she has been stopping at the Palace Hotel, and is the victim of unknown letter fiends. She is daily besieged with letters from unsuccessful prospectors. “These are not letters of love,” said Miss Van Buren, “not by any means. A Kilondiker has a more simple and direct method of asking for a wife. It is usually, ‘Will you tie up with me?’ These letters are propositions for a ‘grub stake,’ and generally begin, ‘You have make a rich strike up there and I have had hard luck; you are rich and I am~poor and miserable.’” Then fol- lows a list of carefully itemized necessi- ties that the would-be recipient would require for his Klondike outfit—clothes, provisions and tools, and a desire to hear from her by return mail. They are not discouraged by her silence, and frequently write two or three letters to remind her that if she intends to aid them she had better do so at once, be- fore winter sets in. They come by mail and messengers, these mercenary notes, and multiply in numbers and needs day by day. Miss Van Buren leaves for her home in Englewood, N. J., the last of this week, where she expects to make her preparations for a trip to Manila. There is a deal of energy in this typical American girl, and happier would be the fate of the dons if they could but know Miss Van Buren’s resolution, “Yo no quiero casar” (I do not wish to marry). ANNABEL LEE. “Come to Church! Come to Church! Come to Church! It won't cost you anything,” shouted our servant; loudly ringing the dinner-bell, as he made the rounds of the tents. 00000C00000000CC0 0000000000000V 0000000000000000NO000000000C000000000000000000000000000000000CO0000000000000000 This is his address to the American people and shows clearly the real attitude of the provisional government of Cuba on the questions of annexation and independence. PRESIDENT BARTOLOME MASO, President of the Provisional Government of Cuba. #rom a Photograpb. [ dependence, N order that the real attitude of the provisional might be thoroughly understood upon the questions of annexation or in- President Bartolome Maso has intrusted to government of Cuba George Reno, special envoy between the Government of Cuba and the Governmentat Wash- ington, an address to the people of America, in which is clearly laid down the views of himself and his Cabinet upon those topics which most vitally concern the future of the island. It is the first and only address of Gen- eral Maso to the citizens of the United States, and as such it is of great in- terest and importance. It has not hitherto been published. President Maso wrote it at the Government headquarters in La Esperanza, on September 26. It was brought at once to America by Mr. Reno. The following is a close translation of the original text, made by Mr. Reno himself: Special to the Sunday Call. TANDING in that unenviable po- sition, at the head of an unrecog- nized republic, I find myself en- compassed by grave difficulties and burdened with responsibili- ties which a feeling of solemn duty alone enables me to support. I have the counsel of brave, intelligent men, but we are all in political darkness. We have hardly dared to take a step, lest it conflict with the plans of the great and generous nation which has so unselfish- ly made our freedom possible. Not long before the signing of the protocol General Emilio March, civil and military governor of Puerto Prin- cipe, sent a military commission to us urging that permission be given for his forces, numbering 7000 men, together with the troops of Holguin under Gen- eral Luque, to march across the prov- ince of Camaguey to the railroad sta- tion at Placetas, from which point they were to take the railroad and join Gen- eral Blanco in Havana. Permission to move across our terri- tory unmolested by Cuban troops was asked, in consideration of which the cities of Holguin and Puerto Principe were to be evacuated and turned over to us, the latter eity to be used as the seat of the provisional government. Owling to our inability to communicate with the American forces or to ascer- tain from the Secretary of War in ‘Washington whether such action on our part would be in harmony with the plans of the War Department, we were compelled to refuse this permission, notwithstanding our desire to occupy the city of Puerto Principe for govern- ment purposes. From the moment that America took the first step toward making the liberty of this island possi- ble we haye done all in our power to restrain those elements which betrayed a disposition to place .obstacles in the way of the military leaders of the United States, and to keep in harmony ‘with the purpose of her administration. Problems social, political and eco- nomical press upon us from all sides. The starving cry for food, the naked beg for clothes, the homeless look for shelter, the sick and suffering plead for medicine and for succor; all'lovk to us for counsel and advice.. Without funds we are at present unable to relieve suf- fering, as all revenues from customs and port duties are collected and held by officials either of Spaln or the United States. Of the latter we make no complaint, because we believe that in the end a just account will be ren- dered to us. -In a document issued by the American authorities at Santiago it is stated that the revenues collected at the different .«Cuban ports under the control of the United States will be used for the maintenance of the army of occupation and for the payment of those municipal officials who,will hold office until the evacuation of the Span- iards. The Spaniards, we are told, are to go by December 1, or soon after. Then is to come an American army of occupa- tion, some saying that it is to be 50,000 strong. It is but natural that we should ask, Why is this great army sent to Cuba? When the Spaniards are gone, who is it going to fight? Surely not the Cubans. Such a thought would be monstrous. You have encouraged us, you have freed us, you have fed us. You will continue to advise, to guide and protect us. We need your engi- neers, your miners and mechanics, your school teachers, your settlers and your capitalists. When the Spanish forces evacuate Cuba there will be no more use for soldiers here than there will be in the State of New York. God knows the U. S. troops are wel- come. Americans, armed or unarmed, Bz are our friends, and consequently they are welcome to stay with us as long as they choose. Our home is theirs. But at present it is so demolished that it is difficult for us to entertain our guests as we would like. Our own troops are more than anxicus to disband and at- tend to long-neglected fields. The mo- ment we can give to each man a cer- tificate of indebtedness stating the amount due him for his services in the cause of liberty every Cuban soldier on the island will gladly exchange the rifle for & hoe and go to work. It will re- quire no argument, no persuasion. We have had quite enough of war. ‘We want now the wealth and pros- perity that come with peace. It is our desire to pay the Cuban army for its services as soon as possible, not be- cause liberty is not a sufficient reward, but because the majority of our men will be'compelled to return to homes that have been burned, to flelds that have run to weeds, to families that are not only suffering for food, but are ab- solutely destitute of clothes with which to cover their nakedness. The dis- charged soldier of Cuba has nothing with which to start life but hope. To- day we can give him nothing but thanks and a promise. It is our desire to give him at least some seed and a few tools with which to till. the ground. The Span- iard, soldier or ci- vilian, who chooses to make his home in Cuba, is as wel- come as any one else, and if he sees fit to renounce his allegiance to the Coat of Ams of the Provi- mother country and sional Government of take the oath of Cuba. fealty to Cuba he will have a voice and a vote in the government of the island. This rule will apply to all foreigners and Is in accordance with the principles of true democracy. It is the purpose of the next Assembly at Santa Cruz either to reinstate the pres- ent Government or elect a new provis- ional Government, which will have the power to determine who may or may not have the power to vote, and to call for a general election in which all per- sons so entitled shall be given an op- portunity to vote without fear, preju- dice or restraint. The result of this election will be the formation of a “stable and satisfactory- government” for the island of Cuba, to which the United States is pledged. The constitution that will be adopted by the Assembly will be, as is the one now in force, along the same lines as that of the United States. Our compar- ativelw small population, together with the limited area of the island, will nat- urally make some departures a matter of necessity. To avoid the disturbance to social and commercial life which is liable to take place through too fre- quent recurrence of national elections, a longer period for the term of the presidency will probably be adopted. In my opinion, six years would be a better term for the chief executive of Cuba. The election of such executive by direct popular vote will probably be preferable to the system in vogue in the lUnitecl States through its electoral col- ege. It is the opinion of some of our statesmen that our Congress should be directly responsible to the people for their acts, so that, in case there should be an unavoidable. division of opinion on urgent matters, that body might be dissolved and its members sent back to their constituents for re-election, as is customary in the British Parliament. In that way may be avoided those un- fortunate deadlocks which sometimes take place in legislative bodies. It might prove a salutary method of keep- ing cur representatives within the lim- its prescribed by their platforms at the time of their election. In this way also the people themselves may be taught to take a greater interest in national affairs and to keep in closer touch with their representatives at the seat of government. The government of Cuba for the first few years in many minor details will of necessity be in the nature of a political experiment. Errors will, no doubt, be made, but none which will endanger the interests of the body politic or be not capable of immediate correction. ‘We do not claim to be infallible, but we feel justified in placing almost un- limited confidence in the patriotism, in- tegrity and scber judgment of the great majority of our people. That we may be permitted to create and maintain with our own resources such a government is our only prayer. ‘What we want are railroads, tele- graph lines, public schoobls, sawmills, machine shops, factories, better houses and those sanitary conditions and com- forts which go hand in hand with mod- ern civilization. Our island is capable of yielding a wealth second to none in the world. To the United States, which has rendered this possible for us, we owe a debt of ever ng gratitude. Her people are as welcome as our ow: Her constitution, her institutions, pi litical and economical, have been and will be our models and guides. It is quite probable that in a few years social and commercial interests will induce Cuba to sue for admission to the Union as a State. But under- standing and realizing as I do the pe- culiar temperament and condition of our people, I cannot but think that an- nexation would be the most inexpedi- ent and unwise at present. I am well aware that a powerful alliance between Spanish political and American finan- cial interests has been formed, and that it is bringing all possible pressure to bear upon, not only the Peace Commis- sion at Paris and the administration at ‘Washington, but upon the malcontents of Cuba, to compel the immediate an- nexation of this island as a territory of the United States. But a thorough knowledge of the true state of affairs, as well as of the wishes of my people, impels me to state that if such a step is forced upon us now it may long be re- gretted. It is far better to let the grounds in the coffee cup settle before offering it to the guest. Independence absolute has been the dream of our lives. Permit us to en- Joy this before compelling us to enter into even a more profitable or satisfac- tory state. We have accepted the as- sistance of the United States in driving out the Spaniards as a noble and un- selfish act of brotherly love and hu- manity. To force annexation on us now would sow in the minds of many the seeds of suspicion and distryst. Spain has for years declared that America had no real sympathy for the Cuban, that she cared only for his territory. Do not let her say: “I told you so.” It is my prayer that the friendly re- lations between Cuba and the United States may never be tainted with a breath of suspicion. That they will some time coalesce and become one, politically, socially and commercially, is inevitable. :§ & Pt - SIGNATURE OF PRESIDENT-MASO. =