tter very interesting, because the New York newspapers
which published the story will not like to have it proved that they print
anything which is not true.

They must do everything in their power to prove that the report _was_
true, while the owners of the tug will make every effort to prove that it
was false, and only a made-up story sent by the newspaper correspondent to
give his paper an interesting item.

These "interesting" items are so frequent that people are afraid to
believe all they read in the papers.

It is for this very reason that we have warned our readers that it is not
safe to say "such and such a thing has happened" until time enough has
passed to prove or contradict a statement; and this is the reason why we
so often say, "it is said that this or that has happened." We want to be
quite sure that a thing is true before we assert it as a fact.

* * * * *

There may be some false report of this character at the bottom of the
trouble in Siam, which we were speaking about last week.

The State Department has merely filed all the papers in relation to the
outrage on Vice-Consul Kellet, and has decided to let the matter drop.

Consul-General Barrett sent word that the King of Siam had not taken any
notice of his demand for an inquiry into the matter; and the only reply
given him was a polite note saying that his letter had been received.

People who know, say that this means that the Government wishes to have
the matter dropped. Otherwise word would have been sent to Bangkok that
the Consul-General was to insist upon a proper explanation from the
Siamese government.

Meanwhile, the commander of the gunboat which was sent to Siam, has
received orders to make inquiries. He is not to do this as an official, or
on the part of the Government, but merely to find out the facts, and let
the Government know if it is necessary to take any further notice of the
affair.

It seems that Mr. Olney thinks that Mr. Kellet may have been to blame, and
that Mr. Barrett got excited, and made demands from the Siamese government
without first stopping to find out the truth.

* * * * *

There is more trouble in Turkey, between the Turks and the Christians.

This time the trouble is in Crete.

Crete is a large island in the Grecian Archipelago, and lies just at the
foot of Greece.

It is a very celebrated island, and played a most important part in the