davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
TOMMY ATKINS WEAK EngIand's Boasted Army 0ef- Cient in the Rank and File. RECRUITING SYSTEM EVILS UndeveIoped Lads Gathered in by Energetic
 Recruiting Officers Who Receive Fat
 Commissions Tale Photos.
RECRUITING SYSTEM EVILS

It is a weakness of all Englishmen to boast of their wonderful regiments, the superior physique of the men, the mag nificent discipline governing the army and host of other martial splendors.
 It is a weakness carefully nurtured by the British secretary of war, who is the responsible head of the army, and the English publications are unanimous in the effort of maintaining the deception. That 1t is deceptive little study of the rank and file of the army will prove.
 Of course there are individual regi- ments which substantiate all the boasts of the patriotic Englishman, but in ap- plauding these he forgets all about the countless commands largely deficient in the qualities which go to make up sol diers of the first class.
 For instance, there is nc grander sight to be seen anywhere than the work of the Scots Greys during the drill season at Aldershot. The men and the horses move like a great mass of machinery governed by some central power, every thing in unison and operating with the regularity and precision of clock work. But the Scots Greys and a few other crack commands are only drop in the bucket. They impress the people by their superb organization, and as the English are peculiarly optimistic in judging their own belongings, they fool themselves by believing that the whole army under Vis- count Wolseley is made of the same ma terial
 The Recruiting System.
 The one great weakness of the army appears to be in the recruiting system. It is notorious and has been for many years that while Great Britain never se cures quite enough men to keep the es- tablishment of the regular army at the level provided for by parliament, 1t only obtains even this inadequate number by reducing the level of physical qualifica- ton to a low standard. If the army Is only a few thousand below it's nominal strength, that is because Britain is con
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26

squadrons in Turkish waters, is not a novice at the game of war. His flagship Is the cruiser New York, commanded by Capt W. s. Schley.
 He is regarded as one of the ablest commanders in the service and is spoken of as an excellent executive and rigid disciplinarian. He was born in Connect icut and was appointed to the naval academy at Annapolis, Md, on May 28, 1852 After graduating in 1857 he was ordered to do duty on the sloop of war Germantown. and served on that ship until 1859. He received his commission as lieutenant~in April, 1861, upon the breaking out of the rebellion. He served on the gunboat Penobscot in the north Atlantic squadron until 1862, and was at the skirmshes at Yorktown and Glou- cester in April of that year. As lieuten- ant he also took part in the engagements at Fort Fisher and other Confederate batteries 1t the mouth of Cape Fear riv- CT, from May to August. 1862. He served on the Pawnee and on the ironclad Cat skill in the south Atlantic squadron in 1863.
 While cooperating with General Gill more in the assault and capture of part of Morris island he commanded an inn portant coast expedition on July 10, 1863. He participated in all the engagements at the siege of Charleston, from July 1 until November, 1863, and in the attack upon Fort Sumter, September, 1S63 He was wounded by the premature cxplo- sion of 150-pound rifle gun in the turreti of the Patapsco.
 He was promoted to lieutenant-com- mander in 1863 and served on the iron clad Dictator in 1864. He commanded the ironclad Monadnock on special cruise in 1865 and 1866. From 1867 until 1870 Lieutenant-Comma Bunce was on duty at the BoSton navy yard, and in 1871 he received his commission as com mander. He was at the Washington navy yard from 1875 until 1876, and was on the torpedo board of inspection in 1S77 His promotion as captain came to him in January, 1883.
 Subsequently he served as member of the board of inspection and survey in New York. He was the president of the naval exam '-g and retiring board until last spring, when he was promoted to the rank of commodore. A close study of sea tactics has been made by the rear admiral for many years, and he has long been regarded as an authority in these matters. He formulated code for ves- sells of tn south Atlantic squadron, and hislectures before the Naval War college have attracted much interest among his professional brethren. He was naval at- tache abroad during President Cleve- lands first administration, and he has thoroughly familiarized himself with for eign naval methods.
 Fighting Bob, Evans.
 The greatest fighting ship in the fleet is the battleship Indiana, commanded by Fighting Bob" Evans. or. as he is ofh-
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26

tent to fill the ranks from ill-fed boys from the least vigorous part of the popu- lation, and only asks them to be feet 4 inches in height, B inches in chest meas urement and 135 pounds in weight. But Special" enllstments are also allowed of men who fail in reaching these stand ards. Further, large number only just reach them. Further, large number In the army are under 20 years of age, one half of whom are under IS.
 Nobody pretends that such children as these are fit for real service. The merest stranger in England has only to use his eyes on Southsea Common, for example to see that an average battalion of the line on parade has an absurd resem- blance to Dr. Blimbers Academy of Young Gentlemen out under charge of assistant masters. The officers stand a head above their men, when they do not stand head and shoulders. Even in the artillery there is a complaint that the men are too weak for their work. The guards contain a large proportion of flat breasted, growing boys.
 Nobody can deny that before the bat talions on home service could be sent to
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
NUMBER 6e

fault than others in presenting fraudu- lent enlistments, but the practice pre- vails largely and prevents an acceptance of the statistics as they stand. The to- tai number must be further reduced by subtracting such volunteers and army reserve men as find their way into the militia. In the larger towns men easily figure into dual or even treble military capacity. Hence the country labors un- der the delusion that her defenders are far more numerous than they really are.
 In spite also of the war office returns 1t IS known that there is an almost laugh able disproportion between the number of men and horses in the cavalry depart- ment. This means that a large propor- tton of the cavalry, possibly one-half who have no horses or even mules, are not only incapable of mobilization, but are manifestly untrained, for though you can do many things to horseman, you cannot train him without a horse.
 The Recruiting Center.
 St. Georges barracks, Charing Cross, the depot of the London recruiting dis trict. is the center of the system, which, at any cost, endeavors to keep the army up to the desired figure. Recruiting bar racks exist in all quarters of the United Kingdom, but at least one-quarter of the whole number enlisted by the army pass through St. Georges barracks.
 There is substantial reason for the energy UT the men detailed to gather In recruits. These men are paid from two and sixpence to five shlllings each for every recruit they bring h. the lower sum being the infantry rate while the five shillings is paid for cavalry, guards and artillery recruits. They get as much AS F to f3 for life guardsman. Among Londoners the cavalry and the rife bri- gade are in particular demand, the hardest recruits to get being those for garrison artillery, for which men of ex- ceptional physique are required.
 It is needless to say that the recruiting officer does not inquire very particularly as to the character or responsibility of the prospective soldier. AS much of the work is carried on In the slums or in the resorts frequented by those oppressed by poverty, the average recruit is not an at- tractive person.
 A Defense of the System.
 Regarding the enlistment of those de- fective in some of the physical require ments a former recruiting staff officer stationed in London, In an effort to de- fend the system, wrote this:
 "A good deal Is heard from time to time about special enlistments;' that Is, of un. derszed lads who promise to fill out to the required development. Personally I am in favor of these, for the simple req son that by taking these growing lads you secure recruits of much better class than you can if you decline to take any one under hard and fast standard of measurement. I may mention too, that many cavalry commanding officers have declared that these specials often turn out the best soldiers they have. In Lon- don the general rule regards admit ting recruits who do not come exactly up to the standard is that they should make
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
Odd Baking.

Tn Swiss and German farm houses bread making is done only once every three weeks, and such thing as stale bread is unknown. The bread is put away in a peculiar manner, which tends to preserve its freshness. Sprinkle flour freely~into an empty four sack. and in this pack the loaves, taking care to have the top crusts of two loaves touching. When they have to lie bottom to bottom sprinkle flour between them. Tie up the sack and hang it up in dry, airy place, where it can swing The day before the loaf is wantedytake 1t out, brush off the flour and stand it in the cellar over night. Treated in this manner bread remains good several weeks.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
BUNCE'S FINE FLEET Would Make the FeroCiouS Turk
 Shiver. CREAM OF THE NAVY
Naval Officers Hope Chance Will Be Gwen Them to Show What They Can Do
 and How They Can Do It.

It would be great thing in the eyes of the officers of Uncle Sans navy if the government authorities should decide to collect the damages from the Turks for the wrecking of American mission prop erty at the point of the cannon. In the first place, it would give them an oppor- tunity to show that the navy is not the weakling which it is popularly supposed to be by some European nations. It would also display the fighting qualities of the different types of warships in the north Atlantic squadron, and, moreover, tend to increase the chances of promotion all along the line.
 There are nine warships in the squad ron, but two of them-the Texas, the battleship and the Amphtrite, the double turret monitor-wou1d remain at home. Monitors, by reason of their small amount of free board, are not suitable for transatlantic voyages, as heavy gale might do them serious damage. The Tex as must undergo extensive repairs before she is fit for active service, but the re- maining seven vessels represent the cream of the navy, and could be relied upon to do all that may be expected of them.
 These seven vessels are the battleship Indiana, the armored cruiser New York, the armored cruiser Maine, the protected cruiser Columbia the sister ships Cincn- natl and Raleigh, both protected cruisers, and the cruiser Montgomery.
 sThis fleet would not amount to much if sent against a great naval power like Great Britain, and any demands it might seek to enforce would probably be treat ed with contempt; but against compar- atively weak naval power like Turkey it Is most formidable. The San Francisco and Marblehead are now in Turkish wa ters under the command of Rear Ad- mral T. O. Selfridge.
 Rear Admiral Bunce.
 Rear Admiral Francis M. Bunce, who would assume command of the united
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
THE NEGRO AS A VOTER.
They Are Learning Howto Vote and Vote With the White People.

They Are Learning HOW to vote ana Vobe With the White People.
 New York Evening Post
 One reason for the small vote cast by southern negroes is little appreciated in the north. This is a steadily growing perception by the race of the fact that the exercise of the suffrage is matter of far less importance to them than they supposed when the ballot was given them The negro set out as a free man with the expectation of forty acres and mule" from the government, and pro- ceeded naturally to the assumption that he could vote himself into a condition Of permanent prosperity. He has at last learned that the government will do no more for a man with a black skin than for one whose skin is white; that the whites, even where they are in the minor ity. will not allow the negroes to rule, and that even If they could vote freely they would have to work just as hard for a living as they do now. The consequence is that comparatively few of them care enough about casting a ballot or to take the trouble to register, especially when they must pay a poll tax as prerequi- site. When they do vote a constantly growing proportion of them vote with the whites. Investigation has shown that more negroes voted the democratic state ticket in Mississippi at the last election than ever before, and there are few signs that any members of the race. except some professional politicians make any serious objection to the new regulations regarding the exercise of the suffrage
 There is little difference of sentiment between white republicans and white democrats at the south as to the matter of allowing the negroes to rule. few interruptions politicians of the white race are ready to let their counties or states run all the risks of control by black tgno- rance if they can secure office for them selves, but the mass of white men who have stake In the community view this subject in the same light, whether they are democrats or republicans in national politics. A striking Illustration of the truth of this statement is furniShed by the policy adopted in one county of Louis jana, and likely to be initiated in others by which the whites, without distinction of party, agree to participate in white primary, and whichever party carries this primary shall be entitled to victory in the regular election, the negroes be- ing entirely "shut out"
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
 THEY ARE DUDE DETECTIVES Men Who Protect Fashionables From the Thugs. LOOK LIKE REAL SMELLS They Make the~Regular Round of the Sea sons Gayetes Dressed in Their
 Very Best.

New York, Jan. 24-The dude detective is much more important parsonage in swelldom than formerly. Since the theft of $6O,O00 worth of gems belonging to Mrs. I. Townsend Burden and score or more of scarcely less important robberies, the smart women who wear s100,000 worth of jewels at the various society functions have felt more than nervous.
 But the dude detective is not recent creation. He has always been a more or less important part of the gayeties of fashionable life, but just now he is treat ed with consideration, as fine as if he were an English duke on wife hunt. All this is pleasing to the vanity of the dude detective He feels that he Is the equal of the millionaire, or of the most expert cotillion leader of the season. Beautiful belles smile on him, ravishing matrons look kindly upon him and the heads of solid families treat him with courtly civility.
 It must not be inferred from this that the dude detective is an amateur in his business On the other hand, he is the best of his kind. Usually he Is the clev- crest man in the central office of the reg ular police force. At times men belong ing to agencies are hired to do the work, but as a central office man can be had for the asking, the outside men are rarely called upon. The men detailed by Act ing Captain OBrien, the present head of the detective force, to do society work are always selected because of their broad knowledge of criminals. They are the men who have been long enough in the service to know all the great frauds of the past generation and with mem- ory retentive enough to recognize one of this gentry in less than no time.
 Must Know How to Dress.
 They must also possess another qualifi- cation, and that is the art of wearing an evening suit gracefully and to appear thoroughly at home amid the splendors
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
Mrs. Grundy Says.

That modern women sometimes stoop exceedingly low to conquer.
 That 1t Is better to be a good cook or waitress than a poor typewriter.
 That society men add to their populari- ty by being deferentia1 to old ladies.
 That some debutantes appear to know everything at their first appearance.
 That matchmaking mamma, thwart- ed in her plans. always gets revenge.
 That books that poison the mind and corrupt morals were never so numerous. That matrimonial triumphs of gentle women in trade cause more to go Into It. That some noblemen and their Ameri- can wives money are soon alienated.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26

cially known, Capt. Robley D. Evans. Gen. Nelson D. Miles once said at ban quet in a semi-humorous speech: ''The two ugliest men in the United States ser vice are its two most courageous men Capt. William Wallace of the army and Captain Evans of the navy"
 Fighting Bob'' has a halt in his walk. The lower part of his left leg is badly twisted backward, the result of wound ci knee received during the storming of Fort Fisher. He was then midship man, and had been graduated from the naval academy one year ahead of his time. When the sailors and marines had landed storming party of about 100 men was told off and volunteers asked for to lead it. Four stepped forward. Among. them was Evans They tossed coin for the perilous honor, and Evans won. He was the first to mount the sealing ladder but when he reached the parapet shot struck him in the knee and he fell in- side the rebel works, a bleeding captive The next day Fort Fisher fell and the young middy was recaptured. He was subsequently placed on the retired list but pleading for active service, joint resolution was passed by both houses of congress restoring him to the active list, and exempting him forever from physical examination as to disability. He is the only officer in the navy who has been thus honored.
 
 The Indiana compares favorably with any warship the world over. She has displacement of 10,231 tons, 5000 horse power and a speed of sixteen knots. She carries very heavy battery, four 12 and four 13 inch R. l.. rifles, mounted in pairs in two turrets. eight 8-inch rifles, four 6-inch rifles and twenty-four quick firing guns of all calibers. The projectiles of her 30-inch guns weigh nearly 1000 pounds and powder 500
 The New York, the flagship, attracted much favorable comment at the naval display during the Kiel canal festivities last June. She is 8150 tons displacement has 16,500 horse power and maximum speed of twenty-one knots. She is one of the finest vessels of her class in the world. She carries six S-inch rifles. twelve finch rapid fire rifles and sixteen quick firing guns of all calibers-thirty- six guns in all.
 The armored cruiser Maine comes next to the New York in fighting capacity. She is 664S tons displacement, 5000 horse power and a speed of eighteen knots. She carries four 10-nch rifles in turrets, six 6-inch rifles and twenty quick firing guns, making thirty guns in all.
 The Swift Columbia.
 The Columbia is the pride of the navy, as she is the swiftest war vessel of her size in the world, having a speed of twenty-two knots. As a commerce de- stroyer she is regarded as invincible. She was not meant to tackle the big warships of other nations, and for that reason her main battery is light, while her secondary battery is unusually strong. She has but one 8-inch rife, two 6-inch and eight
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
Two Queens Incog.

Two queens succeeded in maintaining their incognito during stay of ten days in a crowded Swiss hotel. The Queen Regent of Holland and her daughter, Queen Wilhelmina, says the Bund of Berne. thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the Bar in Grindelwald, not one of the guests suspecting for an instant of the high position of the two ladies. The queen regent dined in her own room, but Queen Wilhelmina took her dinner regu- larly at the table d'hote, chatting and laughing merrily with the other guests The secret did not come to light until the two queens left Grindelwald and had arrived in Berne.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26

of society. There are some very able men attached to the central office, but they would be of no earthly use at a pa- triarch's ball or at an assembly dance. In the first place, it is impossible for many of the detectives to discard the "sleuth" look, an earmark which would frighten an experienced crook into a hid ing place in jiffy..
 Then there are a. number. who would be painfully i'll at ease in dress suit and surrounded by a bevy of gorgeously gowned women and fashionable men. They would be so overpowered that their professional usefulness would amount to nothing For these reasons the dude de- tective is quite superior person com pared with the ordinary sleuth.
 In the Byrnes Regime.
 In the old days of the central office, when Byrnes was at the wheel, two men, McCloskey and Crowley, were known as the society men. They were always fashionably dressed, and looked like Wall
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26

the field they would have to be cleared of a large percentage of immature so- called soldiers. There Is serious doubt how far the reserves could be trusted to make the deficiency good.
 Furthermore. in the militia considera- ble deductions must be made for men who fraudulently enlist in two or three battalions. Some regiments are more at
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26

up in some way for their actual deficien- cies Thus if a man is under height, he must have a specially good chest meas urement; if his chest measurement Is not quite what 1t should be, then his height and weight must be fully satisfactory. My own rule has been always to attach importance to weight, and in the course of a long and varied experience, both in London and in the country, l have neveD passed a man whose weight was not what 1t should be, taking age and other circumstances into consideration"
 The regular army of Great Britain ag- gregates 190,600 men, made up as follows:
 Total
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26

street men rolling on the high wave of prosperity more than anything else. They had both made enviable records as thief takers, and had been sent to all parts of the world to bring back crimi- But with the advent of Rooseveltism in the police department they were showed into the background.
 Now the work is divided among a va riety of men, some of them not as well
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
LEMON ELIXIR.
A Pleasant Lemon Tonic.


 For Biliousness, Constipation, Malaria, Colds and the Grip.
 For Indigestion, Sick and Nervous Headaches.
 For Sleeplessness, Nervousness and Heart Diseases, take Lemon Elixir. Ladies, for natural and thorough or ganic regulation, take Lemon Elixir pr. Mozley's Lemon Elixir is prepared from the fresh juice of Lemons, com bined with other vegetable liver tonics and cathartics. 50c and $1 bottles at druggists.
 Prepared only by Dr. H. Mozley, Att lanta, Ga.
 Prominent Minister Writes. After ten years of great suffering from indigestion, with great nervous prostra- tion, biliousness, disordered kidneys and constipation, I have been cured by Dr. Mozleys Lemon Elixir and am now well man.
 REV. c. c. DAVIS, Eld M. F.. Church South.
 No. 2S Tatnall St., Atlanta, Ga.
 Lemon Hot Drops. Cures all Coughs. Colds. Hoarseness. Sore Throat, Bronchitis, Hemorrhage and all tEroat aed Jung diseases. Ele- gant reliable. 25 cents at druggists. Prepared only by Dr. H. Mozley, Atlanta. Ga.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26

Totals ..............127,9H 62,653 190,600 It also has a reserve force of 1,039,760 men, but many of these would be at a discount in actual warfare. In view of the Anglo-German disturbance, 1t is in- teresting to note that Germany's regular army totals 59S,0 900 men, which Is the peace establishment of the empire, while its war footing amounts to more than 4,600, ,0000 men and officers, every one of them trained in the army. It Is little wonder that German enthusiasts talk glowingly of an invasion of England.