News Pages
The Spanish-American War hostilities are ending. Colonel Roosevelt and his “Rough Riders” are on a
troop ship returning to the United States. Spain has accepted the peace terms offered by President
McKinley but with reservations about the Philippines Islands. The President has called for a pre-protocol
agreement with Spain before the cession of hostilities. Secretary of State Day is leaving for Spain to
negotiate the agreement. Many politicians are demanding that the United States gain all four territories
from Spain, that of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, in exchange for peace and to extend
the influence of the United States further in the world. However, the war resolution by Congress, passed
on April 19th, had an amendment by Senator Teller of Colorado forbidding the annexation of Cuba. The
topic of the Manifest Destiny of the United States and imperialism is becoming the latest hot political
topic. Many forecast that the next century will be the age of America.
President McKinley has appointed five commissioners to report on what laws Congress should pass for Hawaii. They were U.S. Senators Cullom and Morgan, Congressman Hitt, and President Dole and Justice Frear of Hawaii. The Commission was required by the Newlands Resolution passed by Congress on July 7th, 1898 which formally annexed the Territory of Hawaii. The Commission is to recommend what laws should be made to apply to Hawaii. Many politicians have stated their opposition to eventual statehood for Hawaii, citing the predominately Chinese and Japanese labor population on sugar cane and pineapple plantations. The Republic of Hawaii, formed in 1894, will formally transfer sovereignty to the United States on August 12th. President Cleveland’s administration had not recognized the Republic of Hawaii and had attempted to restore Queen Liliuoklani to power. The former queen lives in Washington House in Honolulu.
The US Army announced this week it was ceasing the search for the missing Apache Indian, Geronimo. No trace has been found and Geronimo is now believed to be dead.
In local news, Monday’s fire in Chinatown on Baxter Street has forced the Fire Department to consider a plan to station a night crew with their engine in the Park if the Police Department will provide sufficient police as guards. Discussions between departmental officials are ongoing. Police point out that if they put more patrolmen on duty at night, they will have fewer to question residents and known criminal elements during the daytime.
Society Pages
Andrew Carnegie, his wife, Louise and one-year old daughter, Margaret, are spending their summer at
Skibo Castle in Scotland, their new summer home. Andrew recently purchased the castle and 7,500
acres for $425,000 and plans a major renovation to the castle. He has hired an architectural firm in
Inverness to oversee the renovation. Skibo Castle is a mere ten miles from Macbeth Castle (of
Shakespeare fame) and reported to be a lovely estate but the 10th century castle needs extensive repairs.
Closer to home, Andrew has recently purchased property between Fifth and Madison, between 90th and
91st Streets. Mr. Carnegie has said that he intends to build “the most modest, plainest and most roomy
house in New York.”
The best places to eat Chop Suey in New York City are Chinese Delmonico on Pell Street and Port Arthur at 7-9 Mott Street.