davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
SUICIDE CLUBS A
NEW GERMAN EVIL
Forming Leagues, They Defy All
Efforts of the Police to
Break Them Up.
From The Tribune Correspondent J

Berlin, Dec 1.-THE Berlin police are
busy tracing the founders of the suicide
club associations, which are a novelty
for Germany, although they have existed
for many years in Russia. despite police
efforts TO check their growth and eX-
pansion.
a surprisingly large number OF these
clubs have sprung up in Germany. and
are now banded into associations similar
10 the Russian organizations. Members
are recruited principally from Russian
students and political refugees.
Weekly meetings are held, each time at
different places, in order to avoid police
interference At each meeting some mem
bers volunteer 70 commit suicide. Lots
are drawn and the victim designated. He
has 10 kill himself within the next TWEEN
ty-four hours.
In order to put him in as cheerful
mood as possible opium or some other
drug Is Served with wines; speeches are
delivered on the uselessness OF life and
the delightfully."- hopeful existence Of after
death
Naturally. these weird associations have
tsc%Ised the suspicious Of the German
authorities, and every night police raid
dens where the prospective suicides are
likely to be.
What put the police on the track was
the fact that in Berlin some women nc
cepted as members backed out when the
time came for them 10 kill themselves
and after their expulsion took revenge
by reporting TO the police.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
BIG SURPLUS IN WAR TAX
Germany Threatened with an
Embarrassment of Riches.
[By Cable TO The Tribune.

Berlin, Dec. Coleman financial
experts, especially those connected with
the Imperial Ministry Of Finance. are
greatly embarrassed. and strangely
enough. not by a shortage. but by the
vast surplus Of money arising from the
war tax. which. II collected according
TO the strict provisions OF the law, will
Yield not only the necessary $4,000
900, but probably three times that
amount.
Tho money needed for the army in
crease is payable in three annual in
stalments, the first on March 81 next
The bill states that II the requisite
$3.50. 900 is obtained before three or
even two instruments are paid the re-
mainder will not be required. but, on
the other hand. the leaders OF the
financial administration are extremely
reluctant 10 admit having made a
wrong estimate of Germany's public
wealth, as they fear. and not without
reason, either. a Socialist attack on the
ground Of shortsightedness.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
"MONA LISA" AT ROME
Painting Guarded Along Route
as Carefully as Royalty.

Rome. Dec. 2O-Da Vincis Mona Lisa"
arrived here to-day from Florence, es-
corted by DR.. Corrado Ricci, Director
General of Fine Arts in Rome; Professor
Giovanni Poggi, Director of Museums in
Florence and numerous officials. The
train Oh which the picture was brought
here WAS guarded along the entire route
in rho same manner as royal personages.
The painting was ttaken from the sta
ton 10 the Ministry of Fine Arts where II
was inspected by the King Of italy ana
then consigned to Camille Barrere French
Ambassador to Italy. who on Monday
viii return it TO the italian government
which is 70 place it on exhibition here
for three days. Afterward the picture Is
TO be exhibited in Milan before being
handed over definitely to the French au-
tborIties for transportation to Paris
where It is to be replaced in the Louvre
Museum, from which 1t was stolen by
Vincenzo Perugia on August 70, 1911
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
BERLIN BAZAAR A SUCCESS
Prominent American Women
Raise Money for Church.
fBy Cable to The Tribune ]


Berlin, Dec. 20.-The principal social
event Of the week was the Christmas
bazaar held on Tuesday at the festival
rooms of the Geological Garden. under
the auspices Of the Ladies' Union Of
the Nom Sectarian American Church.
There was an enormous attendance, in
Guiding not only several Americans OF
prominence In Berlin, but numerous
German officers and well known per-
sonages in political and social life.
Mrs. Henrietta V. Fisher, Of Boston,
who was the prize winner conducted
the candy sale. Mrs. Arthur n. Davies
dispensed lemonade and soft drinks.
Mrs. George Bultman presided over the
grab bags, and Miss Chase poured tea.
Mrs. stephen II. McFadden. Mrs Anna
y. McElwee ana other ladies OF the
American colony took prominent parts.
Several hundred dollars was netted for
the church.
The American Luncheon Club met
for the first time this week at the Hotei
Esplanade, with a full attendance. The
guests of honor were Allison V. Ar
mour. who is spending few days IN
Berlin at the Bristol. ard Robert X.
Cassatt, who, with his wife and chill
dren, will be for some weeks at the
Esplanade. The POSTMASTER was Will
ing Spencer. Of the embassy staff
The British Ambassador. Sir Edward
Goshen, gave dinner last Monday in
honor Of Ambassador and Mrs. Gerard,
giving the STATS OF the two embassies
an opportunity to become acquainted.
Although the workmen are hurrying
to finish the new embassy at No. Z
Wilhelm Platz. the former Schwabach
palace, 1t is feared 1t will not be ready
in time for the Gerards to move in be-
fore the New Year. as had been hoped,
and in view OF the fact, probably, the
first reception to the American colony
VIII DE on Lincoll's Birthday.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
THE TRIBUNE'S FOREIGN NEWS
Humberdinck May Come Here
for "MQrketenderin s. Premier
Noted Composer Enthusiastic
Over His Previous Visit
to This Country.
by Cable to The Tribune. ]

Berlin, Dec. 20.-"Die Misunderstanding -
or La Vivandiere," the latest operate
work of Englebert Humperdinck, the
author Of "Hansel and Gretel" and
"Koenigskinder," will be produced some
time early in January. instead of De-
cember 81. Humperdinck says La
Nivandiere' is not an opera, being
largely spoken in dialogue. which he
calls "Singspiel"
The chief character. Field Marshal
Butcher is a speaking part, and there
are only three singing Market
enderin, a soprano; Sergeant Borsh,
buffo bass. and Jean Baptiste tenor.
Humperdinck intended to go to
America for the first production of Die
Marketenderin." but the negotiations
arc not yet settled, and he does not
know when he will make the trip. He
sreaks with real enthusiasm about his
visit To America three years ago for
the premier of "Koenigskinder" at the
Metropolitan opera House
There is d very good understanding
between the Americans and myself,
he says. Both Mrs. Humperdinck and
are looking forward eagerly 10 an
other visit If l can manage to get away
from duties at the Royal High School
Of Music in Begin
The composer recently moved to his
new villa, on the shores of Wannsee
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Fifty Members of Russian
Gang in Prison-Death
Sentence for Eleven.
ATROCIOUS CRUELTIES
MARK EVERY MURDER
dynamite Cartridges Placed in
Mouths of Victims to Blow
Them to Atoms.
rBy cable to The Tribune

:, Petersburg, Dec 20.-Pifty crim-
,,o,s known in Russia as "the Demons
~. the steppe," are now in prison at
r-,oterinoslaw. Eleven have been SEN
fenced 10 death and thirty-nine 10 long
terms Of imprisonment.
In the last FIVE years the Demons OF
the steppe" have committed two hun
Ared murders and countless other
or,,nss. all characterized by such
extraordinary cruelty that most Of the
medical experts at the trials believed
IN. criminals TO be madmen, largely
hacause the evidence showed that the
uDemons" laid more stress on torment
,nv their victims than on the material
profits.
In its early days the gang murdered
chiefly by hanging in order to avoid
the accusation Of shedding blood, but
,a,4r when several unfortunate Great
rres who were supposed TO be hanged
Managed TO escape alive, 1.-The Demons"
rAsorted 70 the knife and even to the
axe,
Usually the gang attacked farmers in
lonely districts, and worked only at
night,
One Of the chiefs told the judges 1t
was the custom never TO leave one per-
son alive at the scene Of the crime-not
.ven n child-lest there be witness or
cha horrible affair. Where we passed
there was sure to be complete silence
he said, with sardonic grin.
often when the peasants refused 10
reveal the hiding place Of their poor
savings the Demons" poured kerosene
ON the victims legs and lighted 1t, but
when the tortured victim told the secret
and the money was safely in their
hands the thieves killed the peasant
with knife or axe.
IN FIVE instances they placed dyna-
mite cartridges between farmers teeth
md b,aw them and their families and
houses simultaneously to atoms.
one Of the last crimes Of the De
mons" was to attack a German peasant
named Hiel and shoot his two Oldest
SONS and one Of the servants. Ihen
they ran into the house pulled H!ei ana
his wife from bed, carved them TO
pieces. hanged to the ceiling the four
Younger children, from two to thirteen
years old, picked six months old BABY
from its cradle, dashed it out OF the
window, and then killed Hiers two
nieces.
The bandits might still be at work Il
one Of the leaders had not quarrelled
with other chiefs. The police always
failed to detect them, but the reason
was very simple, for money buys any
thing In Russia, and the bandits paid
large sums to very high police officials
IN the Kuban district.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
GERMANY HAS THREE
NEWSPAPER TRUSTS
Joint Contract Pledges Them to
Start No New Rival
Publications.

Berlin. Dec. 1.-THE sale ~ the "Vos.
s!sche Zeitung." the oldest newspaper ir
Berlin. known affectionately TO German
readers as "Auntle Voss." 10 the Ullsteir
syndicate. calls attention to the develop
ment of newspaper trusts in Germany
which I'm Berlin. for example. have gath
cred most OF the live and paying publica-
tons into three big groups.
The UlLstein company. or rather family
Is one Of the most vigorous Of these. II
now publishes five dailies in Berlin. in
Guiding the "Vossische." the "Morgenpost
and the "Zeitung- Mittag tor Noon
Caster and eight weekly and other
publications. covering such fields as sport
fashions and the illustrated weekly for
family circulation.
The "LOkal Anzeiger.' owned by the
August Scherl Company. forms the nucleus
Of another group Of papers. consisting OF
three dalies in Berlin. one in Hamburg
and about ten weekly and other publica-
lions. Rudolph Nose. owner OF the Ber-
lin "Tageblatt," has two other dailies and
several weekly publications
The three firms are united In n COM
munity Of interest by a Joint contract.
pledging them 10 assist each other I'm
case Of strikes. etc, and 20 start no new
rival papers.
In addition. the owner ~ the "Tage-
blatt' S. or was. the seconl argest stock
holder I'm the August Scherl Company. II
is reported. however. that the entire
Scherl property has been acluired by a
group Of Conservative capitalists, who
propose 10 use its publications for vigor-
Gus propaganda in the interest OF the
Conservative party.
The Ullsteins, II is understood. will con-
tinue the "Vossische ZeitunG" along the
lines that have always given II It's dis
tnctive character. but they hope 10 de-
yelop II as n business undertaking. This
venerable journal-it is 20i years old-has
had to make hard struggle against the
more modern type OF newspapers that
have lately become popular at Berlin.
For more than n century the property OF
the Leasing family. II passed two yearh
ago into the hands of syndicate Of
bankers. who paid for It. according TO
newspaper reports, g 1900
The syndicate now sells II at price
variously reported to be between 100000
and $4,000. The loss. therefore, TO the
bankers has been considerable.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
WINE GROWERS HARD HIT
German Grape Crop Less Than
Half of the Normal.

Berlin. Dec. 11.--For the second year in
succession the German vineyardists have
been hard hit. This years crop, just
harvested. gave nowhere more than half
the usual quantity of grapes. and In a
majority of districts only one-twentieth
OF the normal yield. In some sections.
notably in Wurtemberg and Baden. there
was no crop at all.
Nor does the quality OF this years wine
COMPENSATE for the bad harvest. On the
contrary, IL is very poor. except In the
so-cslIed Rheingau. embracing such we'll
known places as Assmanshausen. johann
nisberg. Rudesheim. Erbach and Bingen.
There. although only one-twentieth OF a
crop was harvested. the wine is of aver
age quality.
The poor harvest is the result OF an
unusually unfavorable spring and sum-
mer. A warm September prevented what
would otherwise have been an utter fall
ure of the crop in all districts.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
GERMANY STEALS
MARCH ON EUROPE
Her Military Control in
Constantinople Alarms
the Triple Entente.
fBy Cable TO The Tribune. ]


Paris, Dec. 20.-Turkey is once more
the storm centre OF Europe. Germany
has certainly stolen a march on Rus
STA. England and France by obtaining
practically military control In Constan-
tinope and the Bosporus by the Sui
tan's appointment of Prussian officers
to command the Turkish army quar-
tered in the capital, thus placing Ger
many in an even stronger position IN
COnstantinOple than Russia was after
the treaty Of Unkiarskeless, on July 10
1898, which caused CONSERVATION in the
rest of Europe.
The Grand Vizier's categorical re-
fusal to give the Russian Ambassador
a formal guarantee Of the status quo
concerning the passage of the Bos-
pOruS and the Dardanelcs will not ne
accepted as final by Russia, England
anu II ldHtt. III ldtl, SllllSl'I lIllOIllld-
tion reaches the French government of
the probability of the Triple Alliance
being behind Turkeys arrogant deli
ance Of Russia. This view is strength
ened by the identical and altogether
evasive reply concerning the Egean
Islands given simultaneously TO Sir
Edward Grey by the foreign offices Of
Berlin, Vienna and Rome.
1t is believed in the best informed
diplomatic circles here that the powers
of the triple entente will put the
screws upon Turkey by stringent
financial boycott, TO be supplemented
IL necessary by strong Russian mill
tary pressure in Armenia. where Rus
STA. by swinging south, could menace
the Turkish Bagdad railroad, which Is
controlled and financed by Germany.
The situation from tho French point #
view has suddenly become more dis
quoting than at any moment since the
recent termination OF Balkan hostili-
ties
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
PLAY Bellies ITS NAME
"A Young Man Who Commits
Suicide" q Humorous Comedy.
TBy cable TO The Tribune. J

Paris Dec. 2O.-"Un Jeune Homme
Oui Sc Tue" CA Young Man Who Com
mits Suicide'O, not at all tragedy as
might be supposed from its name DIT
a bright. humorous comedy in four acts
bv Georges Berr, produced at the The
Atre Femina. is a frisky little object
lesson, showing how two charming
girls teach their respective suitors the
real difference between a passing
superficial fondness and true sentiment.
A wealthy young Partisan lawyer
Vernonnet, fancies that he loves eau
dine, whose father refuses his demand
I'm marriage because he wants his
daughter TO marry Brezolles, young
diplomat. Vernonnet makes his Will
and decides 10 commit suicide at the
moment of the wedding OF Claudlne
and Brezolles, but Marguerite. Vernon
nets typist, an attractive young or
phan, secretly warns Claudine, who, IN
her turn, owing to the sacrihce' mag
ines she loves Vernonnet.
Claudine rushes off to meet Vernon
net, who conducts her to the country
house Of his uncle, village curate, but
here Claudine discovers that she really
loves the diplomat and Vernonnet finds
out that his true passion is for Mar
guerite.
SO the comedy ends with two we'd
diuPs instead of a funeral 1t is a
triumph of two young girls, by means
Of wit, sincerity and common sense,
over the infatuation and vanity Of two
smart young men.
The play is cleverly acted by the
Femina Theatre stock company.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
ROUND THE WORLD CRUISE
Warship Built by New Zealand
Makes $4,000 Miles.
Lrrum Thc TrIbune Correspondent-


London. Dec. 13.-After "A ten months
cruise. covering more than 5000 miles
the battle cruiser New Zealand steamed
into Plymouth IIarbor December .. she
sailed from Portsmouth on FEBRUARY
this year and has had wonderful ulp
round the world. The cruiser was DUN
nj Govan By the Dominion Of New Yea
land and presented to the imperlan gov
eminent. on January % she left Plymou'h
for Portsmouth. where she was ihspec'eu
nv the King the Commissioner or Ne"
Zealand and a number Of other oihcIa!s'
She proceeded to Cape Town. calling At
Cane ST. Vincent. Ascension ana d.
Helena. arrived at Cape Town feptuaIS
% then visited Durham and Melbourne
Tn. first New Zealand port was WeiIins-
ton where the ship dropped anchor on
April u. Then she visited AUCKLAND Ly'-
tIeton. Dunedin and other New Healahu
norris. Leaving Auckland on June IL the
New Zealand called at Suva ana Homo
lulu. and reached Vancouver on July q"
Practically two months later she reacheo
Panama. September was spent AT 'al'do
and Valparaiso. October At MonteVldeo'
Rio de Janeiro and Trinidad; November
at barbados, Jamaica and Bermuua'
Halifax being reached on the I'D OF last
month.
The ships longest passages were from
Portsmouth to St Vincent, 80 miles,
Durham 10 Melbourne. 5.7OO miles; Homo
ulu TO Victoria, 300 miles; Valparaiso to
Montevideo, 300 miles. and Halifax To
Plymouth. $500 miles. on the whole, the
weather was favorable, but on the way
home across the Atlantic good deal or
rough weather was experienced
The New Zealand will join the home
fleet at an early date.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
FARCE and TRAGEDY
In COUNTESS TRIAL.
Noble Usurer's Case May
Be Cause of New Police
Rules in Berlin.
fBy Cable TO The Tribune 7

Berlin, Dec. 20.-The trial Of the
Countess Won Treuberg, which camo
to an end this week, she being found
guilty of usury fraud and blackmail,
and being sentenced to fifteen months
Imprisonment and a fine Of 1915. had al
peculiarly serio-c comic aspect. The
public prosecutor INDUCED IN lyric
defence OF the rather flippant remarks
he made in his closing speech in ref
erence to the prisoners wig Of goldeni
hair
The judge held that the prisoner I'M
doubtedly took advantage Of the care
free character Of her associates, but.
on the other hand, that they were al
ready rather loose moralled when they
met her
The countess swore she never per-
suaded any one to borrow money, andt
that in addition she had been in long
trance caused by morphine and in
toxicants.
The court fined Princess Alexandra
Of Isenberg and Budingen SIS or
twenty days in prison for refusing to
appear in court. She is a gray haired.
twice divorced woman of sixty, for
merly well known in Frankfort as the
aunt Of Princess Sophie of SAKE
Weimar, who recently committed sui
eide at Heidelberg.
The Treuberg case has interested the
public even more than the remarkable
Wolff Metternich case, two years ago,
in which the same class of curious fig
ures appear. They are a motley
crowd. belonging to a small fraternity
of extravagant noble pleasure seekers,
probably unequalled in any other Eu-
ropean capital Most Of the characters
in this strange mixture of comedy,
farce and squalid tragedy are mem
bers Of the military aristocracy, some
possessing names historic in Germany.
One feature OF the case was the
petty details OF the eleven counts In
the Indictment One was for calling a
telephone girl "a saucy creature
The trial has thrown strong light
on the spendthrift night life Of Berlin,
and there will be no surprise II the
chief Of police, Herr Won Jagow. intro
duces some new regulations.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
PRIZE FOR BEST LIFEB0AT
German Firm Offers $4,000
for Unswampable One.

Berlin, Dec. 2O.-A German firm near
petition $4,000 prize for the best
model Of an ideal lifeboat.
jury composed Of admiralty officers
and maritime experts will make the
award
The boat must be unswampable and
self-emptying, but the chief question Is
whether IL should be decked or un-
dccked
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
ARSON Squad" Still Busy

London. Dec 20.-An arson squad Of
the militant suffragettes to-day added an
other large country mansion to the long
lis, of those they have destroyed by fire.
Early this morning they burned down a
valuable house. situated in extensive
grounds In the vicinity OF Bath, near
Bristol The place was unoccupied.
A quantity Of suffrage literature was
found strewn about the grounds.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
FRENCH TRADE SHRINKAGE
Railroad Returns and Manu-
featured Goods Decreasing.
fBy Cable 70 The Tribune.

Paris. Dec. 20.-French trade returns
for the autumn are very unfavorable.
The railway returns for the month OF
November showed a marked decrease
and manufactured goods show
shrinkage Of S1.4OO.OOO. An economic
crisis is being freely predicted.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Danish American Treaty

Copenhagen. Dec. 2O.-The news pub
lished here that an arbitration treaty be-
tween the United States and Denmark.
based upon the proposals OF Secretary
Bryan, had been agreed upon. caused
great qualification, as It Is considered that
such n treaty materially helps to assure
Inc neutrality of Denmark.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Labor Demonstration in Lisbon.

lBy cable 10 The Tribune.I
Lisbon, Dec. 2O.-The economic situa-
ton In Portugal is rapidly becoming criti-
cal More than four thousand unem-
pIoyed held a meeting yesterday and
paraded the streets asking the govern
meat 10 undertake relief measures
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21

Lake. On the principal facade Of the
villa are sculptures by Spielmann. with
Hansel and Gretel on either side. Hum
p,rdinck has four children. all musical.
The eldest daughter plays the violin
and one son Is "A sculptor and musician
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
From The Tribune Correspondent.

Rudapest. Dec 10 - Count Stephan
Tlsza. Premier OF Hungary. has his back
TO the political wall again. fighting with
all his noted strateglcal political skill 70
prevent the ousting OF the present Hun
garian government. The various other
parties. including the Socialists. the Ma
tionaI labor party and the famous justin
marty have united 10 form a solid oppo-
sltlon. and. under the leadership OF Count
Andrassy. have declared war on the TIsza
Cabinet.
No Premier in the world has such
ruthless opposition TO face in parlia-
neut as Count Tlsza. For turbulence. vio-
lence. fights and dIsorderly tactics to OBJ
struct the government the Hungarian Par
lament holds the blue ribbon OF tho
worlds pariaments and Count stephan
Tisza himself IS the lighting Premier" of
Europe.
lie holds his Job solely by his ability TO
"nght"-not only to tight with all the
political skill for which the Premier Is
famous, Dul hlSO WIN SMOld BASNN''
The Emperor Francis Joseph OF Austria
who is also King OF Hungary, selected
Count Tisza for Hungarian Premier be-
cause he could fight. No man not fight
or could long hold Tisza's post When
all other measures OF obstruction failed
20 cause his fall" fanatical follower or
one of the opposition parties tried TO
shoot him in Parliament as an enemy or
the country. The would-be assassin
bullet missed the Premier, and Count
Tisza did not even suspend the session
because OF the incident. That having
failed, tho Premier was insuted and
challenged to fight a duel. With heavy
cavalry sabres the Premier and his for
mer friend. Marquis Pallavicini, fought
Il out. TO his skill he owes the fact that
he is still alive to be Premier.