davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

was equipped with large calfber guns,
having ranges OF twelve to fifteen miles.
In the opinion Of German military
experts the conversion OF the iSlet into
what has been described as an anchor
ed unsinkable Dreadnought was one OF
the most important steps yet taken to-
ward strengthening German sea power.
The island commands the entrances to
the great harbOrs OF Hamburg and
| Bremen. With similar fortifications in
course OF completion on a chain OF
coast islands from Borkum to wanger-
oog It was counted upon to oppose
powerful resistance to all attempts to
attack the North sea coast.
HeIgoIand's supply OF stores and am
munition was sufficient to enable it tc
Withstand a long siege even II connec
tions with the mainland were cut of. A.
Germany was simultaneously engaged
in the work OF deepening and widening
the Kiel canal it was able to conCen-
trate the fighting resources on the
North sea almost Immediately.
When HeIgoIand was acquired by
Germany Lord Charles Beresford, one OF
the most competent OF English naval
officers, said that the real value OF the
island lies in its relation to the kiel
canal. connecting the North sea and
the Baltic. From the moment that
Germany aspired to be a maritime pow
er the necessity was imposed upon her
OF maintaining two fleets. one in the
North sea and one in the Baltic. In
case OF war either in the east or the
west these two fleets can unite through
the canal without any danger OF inter-
ruption by Denmark or any hostile
power in making the transit by sea
But so long as Helgoland was neutral
the union of the two German fleets
could be prevented or, at least. render
ed precariouS by an enemy's feet sta
toned near the island. The possession
and fertilization Of Helgoland by Ger
many rendered It impossible for an
enemy to prevent the junction The
acquisition OF the island, therefore.
meant to Germany that the value Of
her navy was about doubled.
About the first thing that is known
automatically of the history OF Helgo-
land is that st. WIllibrord first preach
ed Christianity here in the seventh
century. Sea rovers fought for the
ownership OF the island, and finally It
came into possession OF the dukes of
Schleswig- -Holstein. From them It
went to Denmark.
England seized 1t from Denmark in
1907 and held It until 1t was formally
cSded to her in the days of Napoleon
In 1880 HeIgoland was transferred TO
Germany. and in 1892 It was incorpo-
rated with Prussia
WALTON WILLIAMS.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

airy do not carry as much in the way
Of emergency rations as infantrymen
do. since IL Is held that they can more
easily reach bases OF supply.
\ soldier Is supposed to carry 200
cartridges. weighing. with belts, close
TO twenty pounds, or five times as much
as his food for three days.
Resides being provided every day
with a complete days rations. every
British soldier carries in his haversack
what IS known as an emergency ra-
ton" It consists Of a small tin Cylin-
der. divided into two compartments and
weighing twelve ounces. One COM
partment contains four ounces OF cocoa
paste. the other four ounces OF con-
Centrated meat. The ration must he
produced on parades and a. daily in
speCtions, so that young. inexperienced
soldiers who do not favor the emer-
gency "provender" may be certain 10
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

havs Il with them Vhen emergency
arises. II eaten in small quantities the
ration is calculated to maintain
strength for thirty-siN hours.
How Armies Are Supplied.
There are two methods OF supplying
an army in the held." says the S,Ien-
tifc American
Il. BY consignments OF supplies for
warded by the service OF the line OF
communications and
80 BY utilizing the resources OF the
country.
1t is generally necessary to utilize
10 the fullest extent the food. especially
the forage available in the theater OF
operations. In former times the in
vader possessed the right Of booty and
piIlage. the resort TO which was most
unfortunate for the army. as II en-
bittcred the population and conpro-
missed the safety OF the troops in an
enemy's country. and in the event OF
any real or imagined injury being done
them. IL gave rise TO redress and re-
prisalS.
1t Furthermore caused the Interrupt
ton OF all commercial transactions.
and stores were not offered for sale. as
private individuals were compelled to
submit their supplies to the rapacity
OF the enemy. These evils were in a
measure remedied by not taking di-
rectIy from private individuals. but by
making upon the civil officials certain
demands called reQuisitions. for a
specified quantity Of supplies neces-
sary for the troops. The local author
tiles could apportion the demand
among the Inhabitants. according to
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15
HeIgoand an Important Dot on the Map Nowadays

was the button. Now. it seems. the
trousers are on the other leg, so to
speak Britons don't admit it oficially.
but they are sorry they ever let Ger
many have the button.
Helgoland is a rocky isIet. about
three-Quarters OF a square mile in eT-
tent. Since Germany acquired it from
England efforts have been made, with
considerable success, to construct
sister islet nearby and to connect the
two by a causeway. The islands have
been very strongly fortified and fitted
out as a naval base and home station
for aeroplanes and dirigibles. There
are immense batteries Of big guns. pro-
tected by armor and concrete. that are
believed to be safe from the attacks Of
the greatest naval artillery that could
be brought to bear against them. OF
course just how well they could with
stand attacks by the 1875 guns OF the
biggest British battleships is prob
lematical, especially in view OF the facts
that submarines and torpedo boat de-
stroyers have been detailed by the
Germans to guard the islands and the
nearby waters have been mined.
On Aug. 10. 1890, Emperor William
landed on Helgoland. hoisted the Ger
man flag and took formal possession of
the island. OF course he made
speech. In 1t he said:
This island is chosen as a bulwark
OF the sea, protection TO German fish,
cries. a central point for my ships of
war and a strong place and harbor of
safety in the German ocean against all
enemies who dare to show themselves
upon it"
Even as far back as that the en-
pires officials had the acumen to see
how valuable the ocean grit speck Of
land might be to them in the event Of
war. England. however, showed few
regrets at letting it go. 1t was too far
from Great Britain TO be defended sue
cessfuIly in case OF war, the English
men believed. and they thought they
drove a good bargain in getting terri
tory on the African east coast in ex-
change.
4 few years ago It was announced IN
Berlin that the entire island Of Helgo-
land would be converted into an inde-
pendent fortress, riValing Gibraltar IN
weight and completeness of defenses.
1t was manned by a separate force Of
troops and officers and was constantly
supplied with ammunition.
The order which made the island the
most formidable OF Germany's coast de-
fenses followed months Of preparations
carried on with the greatest secrecy.
20 make 1t practically imprsguabls 1t
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

sustenance than pots ana pans and
bake ovens. The motive power that
would be required in carrying frying
pans, broiling irons and baking dishes
can be better used in hauling meat
potatoes and onions Stew every day
is better than planked steak and mash
ed potatoes every other day"
"Rations, as the daily food supply
OF the soldier is known. vary in each
country according to racial tastes or
climatic conditions" says the Scien-
tific American. Thus the meat ration
OF France is quite different from that
OF Germany. The daily field ration OF
the German army is as follows:
Seven hundred and fifty grams OF
fresh bread or 500 grams OF biscuit
Three hundred and seventy-five
grams OF raw meat (fresh or salted),
or 200 grams OF smoked beef. pork,
mutton. bacon or meat sausage.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

number of miles nearer to the English
coast Moreover. the millions that
have been spent on it since the Ger
mans acquired it from Great Britain.
in 1880, have enhanced its value to
Germany, for naval purposes. several
hundred per cent. As a fortress Hell
goland Is ranked generally with Gil
braltar and Kronstadt. Whenever the
busy German naval officers can spare
a thought for Helgoland's acquisition
from Great Britain they think OF the
famous saying attributed to Bismarck:
Germany has given away a pair Of
trousers and obtained a button in ex-
change"
In saying this the old chancellor in
tended to make a Jest at the expense
Of Kaiser Wilhelm To Bismarck the
African territory given for Helgoland
was tbs pair Of trousers and Helgoland
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15
pro.&s by American Press Association
BY CHARLES N. LURE.

vt happened on a dismal, dreary
day in the Wilderness campaign,
when General Grant was pressing
u Lee hard for control Of the coun-
try lying before Richmond, that Lee.
who was beloved by his soldiers, was
riding at the head OF his staff on a
short path leading from the headquar-
ters Of one division of his army to that
Of another. He noticed a detected, be-
dragEIed looking Confederate Drivate
seated at the side Of the road. with his
head in his hands.
What's the matter. my man." asked
Uncle Bob. There's going to be fight
ing soon. Why aren't you with your
company"
The ragged soldier raised his head.
Hungry soldier can't fight much, gem
eral." he said. There had been an in
terruptiOn in the southern army's food
supply. and he was very hungry.
The poor Confederate private didn't
know it. perhaps, but all OF the worlds
great sJrateEists agree and have agreed
with him. Il is a military axiom that
a poorly fed soldier is half beaten be-
fore he fires a gun. although he may
fight with desperation for the enemy's
rations as we'll as for his own life.
That is why. in the gigantic Euro
pcan war, all the general STATS are
laying so much stress on the impor-
tance OF keeping up clear. straight, un-
interrupted lines OF communications
for their armies. To feed the German
forces fighting in France and Belgium
hundreds OF trains day have been sent
a~roSs tho Iva and Palpn-
German frontiers. To insure the food
supply Of the British force on the con-
tinent Great G}ritain has kept a large
fraction of her navy in the English
channel so that the supply ships may
be safe from attack by German naval
vessels.
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15
Food the Deciding Factor In w.r.

|
Even more than ammunition, per-
haps. food is the deciding factor in this
war and in other wars. Every nerve
and every muscle are worked hard in
the effort 10 keep the men in the field
supplied with rations. When possible
fresh food IS furnished. and the camp
kitchens with which every army is
equipped are kept busy by corps OF
trained military cooks. Men are de-
tailed to perform the necessary menial
duties. and in an amazingly short time
after camp is pitched the soldiers have
their hot soups and savory stews.
But when there is interruption in the
work OF bringing up the provisions or
the country rewards foraging with
sCanty supplies the soldiers call upon
their emergency rations. Especially in
the German army has the matter OF
emergency ratIons reached a high state
OF perfection. An observer in a Bel
gian city remarked recently how the
skirts OF the coats of the marching
German soldiers fiared at the bottom
They seemed to stand away from the
legs OF the men instead OF Tapping
about their "underpinnings." Inquiry
disclosed the fact that sewed IN the
skirts OF the coats were emergency ra-
tons, sewing materials. bandages. etc.
So careful OF little things is the Justly
praised German military efficiency!
How the German Soldiers Are Fed.
Commenting on the matter OF feed
ing the soldiers in the field, an Ameri-
can army officer attached TO the gen.
eral staff in Washington said re-
Gently:
The German soldiers are living on
soup and hard bread. II the supply OF
meat and onions is good the soup is
thick: II it IS small the soup IS thin
The fewer utensils an army carries the
better II is fed. Big cauldrons packed
with meat and vegetables mean more
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

Y ELGOLAND-or HeligoIand. as
it is spelled sometimes-is
only a dot on the map. In
Il Il fact, the map has to be fair
sized 10 show Helgoland at all But
the war news has shown and is show
ing that Helgoland is an island OF i'm
portance disproportiOned to its size.
This spot on the waters Of Europe
lies of the German coast, in the North
sea. Cwe call those waters the North
sea, and the English call them by the
same name. but the Germans prefer TO
call them the German ocean. Take
your choice, according 10 your war
Eympathies) However, Hslgoland lies
about twSnty-eight miles off the Ger
man mainland, between the mouth Of
the Elbe river and the mouth of the
Weser, and as such Il pushes the Ger
sA1 naval establishment just that
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

"One hundred and twenty-five grams
OF rice (grUatsD. or 80 grams OF pulse
or flour. or LOO grams OF potatoes
Twenty-Five grams of salt.
Twenty-Five grams OF coffee Croast-
ed. or thirty grams OF coffee (Ercen).
or three grams OF tea and seventeen
grams OF sugar"
The Frenehman's Ration.
The French foot soldier carries three
ratlons in his haversaCk when he starts
out 1t consists OF thirty-three ounces
OF bread. nine ounces OF preserved
meat and five and one-haH ounces OF
''groCeries"-thati is. onions. salt, pep
per. garlic and spices. The Russian
Infantryman carries bread enough for
two days and a half French cavalry
men carry supplies for one day. The
Russian mounted man carries enough
for one day. Generally speaking, cav
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

the known Teans OF each. 0r Coulo pro-
cure the stores by purchase. The
former practice of spoliation thus as
sumed the mildor form Of A war tax
regularly ordered and collected. THIS
eventually led TO the practice Of civ
ing receipts for the stores delivered,
and the indemnity for the same was
the next innovation All these modifi-
cations were. Of course. only introduced
after a great interval Of time.
"Requisitions have been defined as de-
mands for necessary supplies and serv-
ices made on the inhabitants Of certain
districts or localities through their
civil authorities to satisfy the require
ments OF an army. They are accom-
panied by force. II II is necessary 10
resort to such extreme measures. TO eG-
act the fulfIlment Of the demands.
During the Franco Prussian war Of
IET0-l the Germans obtained by req
uisitions in France one-third OF ths
food supplies and forage required for
their large armies. and the receipts
given for these supplies stated that
thev would be paid for by the van
pushed.
"Biueting or QuarterinE.-Supplies II
food are. as a rule. to be found for sew
eral DAYS in every town or village, and
each householder usually has a SUI
fcient quantity to provide his family
for a few days. Consequently at least
the same number OF soldiers as there
are individuals in the household can
obtain subsistence there for a day or
two.
An exception should always be made
in favor OF the poorer classes. who at
the best OF times are barely able to
provide for their own families.
The following exceptions are usu-
ally made:
"First.-Any Householder who has en-
tertained a wounded man in his house
Is exempted from the qUartering OF
soldiers Cartlcle 5. Geneva convention
OF 1854. acceded 10 by United States.
March /. 1882.
Secord.-Charitable institutions, hos
pitfalls. asyIums for aged and infrrn,
religious communities Of women. un-
protected women and educational insti-
tutions for girls should not have troops
bIIleted upon them.
The advantage Of this system Is that
the men at the end Of a days march
find their meal ready cooked and pre-
pared. The Disadvantages are that II
causes very great dispersion and sepa-
ration OK the different units"
The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

Ut happened on a dismal. dreary
day in the Wilderness campaign,
when General Grant was pressing
u Lee hard for control Of the coun-
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1914-12-26
Noorc-t aldwell Marriage.

7. J. Moore OF Denison. former
ly oil Ennis, and Miss Pricio Cald-
well of this city were happily united
IN marliaea Wednesday night at tho
brides home, 500 North Mckinney
street, Rev w f. Britain officl4t-
ing
emily a few intimate friends and
members OF the family We're present
to Witness the happy event.
Miss Caldwell is lovely young
lady of this city and has been q
teacher in the Ennis schools She is
& devoted christian lady, . member
OF the Tabernacle Baptist church
and has a host of friends who wish
her and the man of her choice much
happiness and prosperity
Mr.. Moore is a prominent youug
railroad man OF nenison. is well
known here and he also has many
friends here They will spend the
holidays here and then go to Deni-
son to reside.--E Ennis News.
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1914-12-26
\ Pleasant Affair.

At the home of Mr.. G. c. Groce on
Williams avenue, a congenial gath
ering of friends was assembled
Christmas day, Mrs. Groee spent
the day with her mother, Mrs. ]. f.
Aalbert in corsicana, but the young
ladies, Misses I.ouise and Halle
presided over hoapitalties at the
homestead, In the center of the
dinner table was miniature
Christmas tree, al its base were a
nnln Der OF daintily wrapped gifts.
Red ribbons extended from the cen
ter to each plate, where were found
the place cards and original rhymes
describing the gifts, each one being
an humorous take OH " Guests out.
side the family we're Miss Lucille Tra
bue, Robert Carlisle. EIr. and Mrs
]. (. leigh.
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1914-12-26
True Christmas Spirit.

It has been generally comment
ed upon that This is the most philan-
thropic Christmas thai America has
ever experienced, Religions writ
ers have shown how the stringent
times have proven for the best in
developing the human side Of life
in its social aspect believing with
Whittier in the truth OF this coup
let:
For some how not only at Christ
mas
But all the long year through,
The JOY that YOU give to others
Is the JOY that comes back to you
Outside Of Dallas, whose citizens
last year observed the Christmas
season with municipal tree,
Georgetown is the first place in Tex
as so far as my knowledge reaches
to celebrate this happy season with
this modern social center idea On
this occasion the children sang their
carols, all choirs in the city joined
in glad song and the true Christ
mas spirit held sway in the hearts
of men,
Locally, much has been done to
cheer our fellowman. Through the
heneficient of the cotton factory ev-
cry family in the cotton mill ad-
dition has enjoyed a turkey as part
OF their Christmas dinner Such
generosity is 10 be commended.
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1914-12-26
Sixteen Club Meets.

Mrs George Mizell was the pleas
lug hostess to this social club on
last Saturday.
Since moving to their new home
On Marvin street two years ago Mrs
Mizell has given several pretty par
ties but none were excelled by this
one. where the Christmas idea found
expression in artistic decoration, in
addition TO the beautiful social spirit
which prevailed during the after
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1914-12-26
I'm : Q ETY.
Ry MrSG T.


slrss Roger kennedy aad baby MI.
and Mr. Ghas Kennedy and four
children. Mr. and Mrs. John Ken
aeds md Hiss Willie Fern, Mr. and
Mrs. Ht1 Hardin and children.
~ the home Of Mr.. and Mrs. T..
NJ Holland pleasurable Christ
mas DAY aas experienced by the fol
loving families Z. :. Campbell
ard family Of CIebusne, Munsey
CaR pbell and family. Mrs. Campbell
and daughters. Misses Eva ard Mat
tie, Mr.. and Mrs. Hoyle Johnston,
the host and hostess with their six
children TAe turkey dinner with
its palafabje accessories, the house
decorations with the Yuletide sym
bols and eniiyenea by the cheer and
animation Of happy voices rendered
this occasion one long to be reIaem-
bered
At the home Of Mr. and Mrs. J.
Lea Cannon i well ladened tree
presided over by a real Santa Claus
gave pleasure to the Immediate fam
lily and neighbor children This gath
eriAg took place Christmas morning
and the decorated tree will remain
intact during the season 1t was
her pleasure to have her sister, Mrs.
Ackley. and children to share these
joys with her Also special fea-
ture Of this years celebration was
the use of two holly trees--a pres
ent from a friend
Observing an annual Christmas
custom, MIR. and Mrs. +. J. lIerndou
opened their home on Rogers street
Friday, having as their guests rela-
tiyes of both families. Christmas
symbols and holly branches gave the
holiday touch to the reception suite
A real Christmas tree blazing with
candles and laden with gifts was
placed IN the library John IIerndon,
the son Of the hospitable household.
played the role of Santa Claus, dis
persing the remembrances to each
member of the family The central
attraction fer the dinner table was
a Santa Claus resting in his sleigh,
while tWenty-fuur guests of his bene-
hciaries Toasted about him Guests
were Mrs s b Herndon. Misses
Victoria and Kate, MIR and Mrs, j..
G. Todd, Mr. and Mrs Willie Todd,
Mrs Lizzie Boyd of Dallas, Mr. and
Mrs Robert Hurt Of Dallas, Mr.. and
Mrs Carroll Todd, Mr. and Mrs.
John Wyatt and family, Mr.. aud Mrs.
p, ] Herndon and four children.
Mr. and Mrs W. C McClain are
also numbered among the list OF
Christmas entertainers. who added
to the seasons festivities family
reunion at their home on Oldham
avenue Their three bright boys.
Houston, Condo and Cecil. are good
entertainers themselves, and they as
2lsbeu III dispensing uoSpltdiIiFS "
the visiting guests. In the living
room the Christmas remembrance
daintily arranged, were banked on
the mantle piece. Guests found their
way to the places in the dining room
by following ribbon that led them
through various rooms before they
reached the coveted spot. Poinset-
tias We're the central floral attrac-
lions for the dinner table. Guests
were Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, w,
Il. Alexander, Mr.. and Mrs. ID. d.
Floyd and family.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Timmons
celebrated this Christmas season
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1914-12-26


r,......... ,,.,..,.
and trees Ia many INSTANCES '''' -
by neiehbors have been observed tbs
christmas season. There may be
some which We have failed 10 men
firn. in which event. we shall be
glad to have our attention called.
anding that local news is what our
readers most desire.
The annual custom Of a family tree
vas observed Christmas night at the
ssoue anfsIudge Lee Hawkins. The
laree Tree was placed in the front
haU and twenty-five people were
present to share this joyful oc-
easion. Among out of town mem
hers were Mr.. and Mrs h. +. Haw-
kin.. Dallas. WILDER Beatty and wife
and son. Dallas.
At the home OF Mrs. NJ. L CurHn
on Brown street coneonial family
gathering marked Friday happy
day for the twelve participating
ones. A miniature tree adorned
the dining table. Santa Claus plate
markers and wreaths Of holly and
other symbols suggested the Nuletidc
season. The following were present:
Miss Berta Curtin huntsville. Jack
Hood and wife, Lem Curtin and
NJ
Lola Curtin Mrs. NJ. E Curtin.
A family dinner was celebrated at
the home of Mr.. Ed Hawkins. clos
ing the days festivities by partici-
p8ting in the family tree Christmas
night at the home of Mr.. Lee Haw-
kins.
Rosemout. the beautiful and hos
pitahle home Of Mr.. and Mrs b. r.
Moffett. viii be open at all times for
friends to call during the Christmas
week Their usual custom of keep
ing the trimmed tree intact for one
week viii bee observed and various
pleasures have been arranged for
each day
Twenty-Five members of the Ian
caster family assembled at the home
of Mr. aud MIS- J. +. Clarke Thurs
day night where the distribution Of
carefully chosen and acceptable gifts
took place. This was followed by
social hour indulgiug in happy Nom
cries Of past Christmases. The fam
MIR ana Mrs. O. II. Chapman Friday
when a substantial. bountiful. aud
most palatabe dinner was enjoyed