1899] The Philippine Situation 763 to submit such matters to the International Arbitration Committee. The news from the Philippines is somewhat discouraging. Peace is not so close at hand. From the The Commissioners appointed by Aguinaldo to confer with the United States Commissioners were informed as to the terms on which the Americans would consent to make peace. They promptly rejected every condition, and declared that the promises of self-government were too shadowy and vague to be of any value. They then returned to their lines discouraged and dissatisfied. Before they returned they were informed that the next time they desired to enter the American lines they must come prepared for unconditional surrender, otherwise they would not be admitted. It is stated that the President is now of the same opinion as General Elwell S. Otis, who insisted that it is a waste of time to parley with the insurgents, who are unlikely to give in until compelled to do so by force of arms. The United States authorities are arranging to send a fresh supply of troops to Manila, as it is now considered that General Otis has not enough men under his command to entirely quell the rebels. This unfortunate fact has been shown by the way in which our soldiers have had to do the same work over and over again. The commanders have not enough men to occupy and protect all the towns that are taken, and in consequence as soon as the troops have passed on the natives return, again occupy the towns, and make fresh trouble for the Americans. General Otis has relieved the volunteers by withdrawing them from the firing lines, but has at the same time invited them to reenlist for a further period of six months. The Macabebees, a native tribe hostile to Aguinaldo, offered to join us in fighting him, and, should our generals become convinced of their good faith, the offer will probably be accepted. company has already been formed. Misfortune One A shocking story came from the island of Negros. On May 27 some Americans were repairing the cable near Escalante, Isle of Negros. They saw a party of natives on the shore who waved a flag of truce. The commander of the ship, some other officers and workmen, with Captain George H. Tilly, of the United States Signal Corps, immediately got into a boat and rowed ashore. On arriving there they found they had been lured into an ambush, and the white flag had been treacherously used to induce them to land. No sooner were the Americans safely in the power of the natives than a body of sharpshooters concealed behind some sand dunes poured a murderous volley into the Americans. The commander and officers managed to reach their boat and push off from shore. Captain Tilly and two of the workmen threw themselves into the water, but could not be rescued. The captain's body was found later floating in the water, and bore undoubted marks of violence. 1899] Our Memorial Day 765 Memorial Day was observed with solemn ceremony both at home and abroad. Memorial This is the first anniversary of that beautiful day of remembrance since our war with Spain ended, and throughout this country there were many newly made graves which received the loving and touching tributes paid on this national holiday. In Manila the day was observed with the same solemnity as in New York, and the graves of all the brave men who laid down their lives in a foreign land were remembered and decorated. The plans for the reception of Admiral George Dewey are well under way. New York State has subscribed seventy-five thousand dolThe Coming Arrival lars toward bringing troops to the of Admiral Dewey. pageant. The fund for presenting the admiral with a house seems to be growing, and there will be plenty of time for it to assume handsome proportions, as he is not expected to arrive before October 1. He is now at Hong Kong, and the Olympia is in the drydock for necessary cleaning and repairs. When a vessel remains for a long time in tropical waters her bottom and sides under water become covered with vegetable growths, which seriously impede her speed. These growths must be removed by scraping. There is an interesting little experiment which is worth while trying if one loves flowers and plants. We have all heard of the marvelous way in which the Japanese dwarf their plants, and for the last two seasons New Yorkers have had an opportunity of seeing these wonders for themselves at the exhibition of Japanese trees which each spring has brought. Dwarfing of To those who have not seen larches trained into the forms of birds and beasts, ships and tea houses, nor the exquisite little creations in dwarfed trees and sweet ferns, it is almost impossible to convey a correct idea of these beauties. The Japanese exhibition showed wonderful gnarled cedars a foot and a half high which are two and three hundred years old. Last year an imperial cedar was shown which, including the jar containing it, measured four and a half feet from the floor to the topmost branch, and was five hundred years old. In this same exhibition was a little landscape on a carved ebony stand, which was about ten inches long and six broad. It represented a tiny little island covered with Japanese sweet fern which has pointed leaves and resembles grass. This had been dwarfed until it was a proportionate height and looked like grass. On the island was a rustic temple, overshadowed by a grove of trees, principally maples, which were only four to six inches high, but perfect miniature trees. The art of dwarfing trees and plants is so highly thought of in Japan that the men who are successful in it make great reputations for themselves, and, as it were, sign their work in precisely the same way that a painter signs his pictures. 1899] Dwarfing of Trees 767 In the catalogues of the Japanese exhibitions of plants you will find the entries reading: "Chabo-Hiba" (which means cedar) "trained by Roku-o of Tokio, whose name will never be forgotten as a skillful trainer.” "Height, 3 feet; 150 years in pot." 66 Again you read: "Trained by Sahli of Tokio, who first discovered the process of letting trees grow on rocks," and again, "Trained by Zaru-Cho, a renowned master of tree training." This art the Japanese have kept to themselves, and though there have been many conjectures as to the means employed, the method has remained a secret. Now, however, it is declared that the mystery has been solved, and directions have been given for producing these charming little wonders. Whether or not they are correct, the experiment is such an interesting one that it is well worth trying. Take an orange and make å small hole (the smaller the better) at one end. Then squeeze out the juice, and with a small instrument clear out the flesh of the fruit. This part of the operation requires infinite care and patience, for you must not remove the pits and you must be very careful not to make holes in the skin. You then fill the skin with very rich earth, and in the center plant the seed of the tree you wish to produce, putting the end from which the leaves will sprout directly in the center of the hole which has been left. The orange is then put in a sunny place and constantly watered. The seed soon begins to sprout, and |