davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1914-09-15
An Ill starred Expedition.

Eight members of the StefapsSon
Arctic expedition, including JOHN
MONROE, the chief engineer of the
Karluk. and w. l.. MCKINLAY, meteor
ulogist. together with a native Is
kimU. his wife and two children, have
been taken of Wransell Island by the
steam schooner King and Wing just in
lime to escape the riGors and perils OF
Il second winter, which they could
hardly have survived. II IS now al
most Il year since NHHJALStAR SILf-
ANssoN, the leader of the Canadian
Government expedition, left the karluk
with four Of its members TO procure a
store Of fresh meat with the rifle Two
days later the karluk went out with
the ice in tremendous gale, and old
whalcrs declared she was doomed. Mr.
S1lFANsSoN was optimistic. In n mes
sage from Point Barrow, written on
October 30, 1913, he expressed the opin-
ion that the Karluk would come back
I'm n couuterdrift. He seemed 10 have
no fears for the twenty-five persons on
board of her, as they were equipped
with n skin boat and with proper gear
for getting ashore, II need be, over the
/ ice"
Mr.. STEFANssoN did not prove to be
good prophet, which is not singular,
ms his experience with Ice pack condi-
tions was limited. The story OF the
( sinking of the karluk in the grip or
the ice Captain BARTLETT told after he
reached the Siberian coast over the ice
! to get aid for survivors Of the eXpedi-
| tion on Wrangcll Island and elsewhere.
He believed that First Mate ANDERSON
and four of the crew pcrished while
trying 10 land provisions from the ship,
Dr. luRBES \. MACKAY, the surgeon
JAMES MURRAY, the ocean current spe-
,lalist: Henri BEAUCHAT, the an
thropologist. and Seaman Norris were
also maccountcd for. They set out
over The ice, before the karluk went
down, to reach Wrangell Island. ap
parcntly against the advice Of Captain
RARrIrrr. and dsrcgardlng his au
thorlty. They have never been heard
of. Dr. MACKAY was an experienced
polar explorer and served with the
Shacklcton Antarctic expedition. III
lvided councils seem to have been moi
The sun., 1914-09-15

To THE EpITor oF TIE SCN-Sir: Since
history and civilization for hundreds OF
years to come are to press Germany for
an answer rs to why she violated the
neutrality of Belgium, ! respectfully urge
that It Is yet timely for history and
civilization TO press England for an an
swer as to why she twice violated the
neutrality OF Denmark.
In 1900 Denmark Joined the League Of
the Armed Neutrality. England there
upon despatched a feet under Parker and
Nelson which bombardci Copenhagen In
1907. after the treaty OF Tilsit, England
Invited Denmark TO join her D. N alliance
against Napoleon. Denmark replied that
she elected to remain strictly neutral
England's answer was To send an eXped-
ton which again bomharded and took
Copenhagen and compelled the surrender
OF the Danish fleet. TO punish Denmark
for her recalCitrancy, Norway subsc-
qucntly was torn from her English his
torans ever since have Justified these
actions by tho argument that the welfare
OF IA little Kingdom could not and ought
not To be considered as against tho larger
destinies OF Great Britain. precisely the
excuse of Emperor William.
While history and civilization and THr
SIN are about II, why not press England
for an answer as TO her outrages upon
Americans. in gross violation of intrrua-
tional law, which caused the War of 1872!
Norwich, September II, H. Il, +.
The sun., 1914-09-15
BECKER'S CASE.
4 Plea by q Reputable and Personally
Disinterested Observer.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sir:
have 10 interest in tho Becker case |
know no one interested, either directly or
indirectly. ] happened to be near by the
place when tho murder occurred. being
In New York at the time. I have read
rything appearing concerning the case
In THE Sun, my daily companion. and
have taken more than usual interest In
the developments.
In my humble opinion believe an
innocent man, on the charge OF con-
spring 10 murder, will be put to death
II Charles Becker Is electrocuted. Further
l sincerely believe Becker took graft, but
when he is charged with conspiring with
the Cheap bunch" OF criminals to com
NIT murder ! say. NO lie was too in
telligent thus TO go into colluslon.
My newspaper experience of twenty-five
years has possibly aided me In weighing
conditions. I think tho great State OF
New York will commit an awful crime
II Becker is sent 10 the chair. Clamor
convicted him.
BosroNNEw York BUSINESS MAN.
SUGAR HILL, y. H.. September 12.
The sun., 1914-09-15
the South heard the grass growing in

tne South neard tho grass growing IN
the streets Of New York. It was
gravely reported that Southern news
paper had assured its readers, sportlvely
and In derlslon OF his Christian or
Carthaginian name. II the assurance
was made, that HANNIBAL IIAMTIN
was negro. THE Northern scum"
and "the Southern chivalry' rlvalled
each other in works of darkness. Over
excited patriotism in both SECTIONS"
perpetratcd and believed in the most
monstrous cock and bull stories. Why
has not the legendary history Of Beast"
BI TLLR or even of Ellsworth's Zou-
aves, so impressive on popular fancy IN
their hour of fame, been writtenp How
distant and unrecallable now looks that
state of mind which wanted to "hang"
that brave soldier. accomplished Secre-
tary Of War and excellent and plous
man "JrrF" DAVIS "on sour apple
tree" Hundreds OF thousands OF men,
usually of good judgment. were firmly
persuaded that General McCLEILAN
was n traitor"
Remembering how eagerly we Amer
leans swallowed fabrications In the
time of our calamity, let us be tolerant
of the contemporary thick growths of
myth.
The sun., 1914-09-15
Premature Speculation About the
Conditions Of Peace.

II is never too early to move for
peace. providing there is decent
chance that mediation may be ac-
copied. 1t is decidedly too early in the
war. however. to speculate about the
conditions on which peace will prob
ably he made.
Some Of the dispatches yesterday
from London reported that there Is n
strong opinion In England in favor Of
compelling the dlSmantlement of the
German fleet In case the allies win.
France would get back Alsace- Lorraine
and the five billion francs indemnity
money she paid in 1870. Belgium
would get full payment for all she has
suffered and lost. together with re-
newcd and strengthened guarantees Of
her future independence. What should
be Rus ss!a's compensation is not dis
cusscd. England would eXtort treaty
perpctually limiting the naval estab-
lishmcnt OF the German Empire.
How foolish Is this talk Of cxtin-
gushing Gcrmany's naval power by
means Of q treaty signed under COM
pulsion will appear upon a moments
reflection. Sluguarly enough, this
very same question, with the roles re-
verScd, WAS considered by one Of the
ablcst Of the London journals Just be
fore the tide of military success turned
in northca stern France. The Spectator
said on August 90:
I'VE must OF course recognize the
right Of a nation to repudiate a treaty
which Il has been compelled TO agree TO
by force mateurc For example, when
NAPOLEON compelled the Prussans at the
point OF tho bayonet to sign treaty
limiting their army and placing them in
an absolutely dependent condition. the
treaty obligation was overriddcn by a
Lighcr rightly what We are old fash
toned enough to call tn. right OF insur-
rcctiou.
Take another example. Suppose Ger
many 20 be victorious in this contest and
able 20 force upon our Government a
treaty limiting our right 20 defend our
selves by sea and only allowing US, as
no doubt she would. 70 keep a naval force
totally Inadequate to secure our inde-
pendence. In that case whenever We
were strong enough TO auuul such a
treaty We must revolt against It.
CONTRACTS obtained by force majetve
or durcss cannot have the sanctity OF
treaties voluntarily entered into. like the
treaty binding Prussia and Britain in the
case OF Belgium"
I II ran hardly he supposed that the
Spectator or any fair minded English
Iman would object to the converse prop
usition: that Is. Germany's right To
repudiatc, whenever she felt herself
strong enough for the experiment, any
contract or promise limiting her naval
armament forced upon her as a con
sequence Of defeat in this war.
The sun., 1914-09-15

In letter to tho EucninO Post Mr.
CLEVELAND ". DODGE in tho interest 4
rigid personal economy and the cutting
Off Of every unnecessary expense pro-
poses that the intercollegiate football
games he not played this fall. He says
further.
III the faculties OF our American col
loGcs should decide TO give up the in
tercollegiatc games this fall there would
Toe an awful howl from thoughtless stu
dents and alumni. but | am convinced
that the great mass OF public opinion
would he unqualIiedly in favor OF such
action"
What would the average man do In
these days without baseball and the
rest OF the sporting news? II is res
pite and ncpcnthe TO souls pierced
with the perilous edge OF battle. Such
relief and balm the pIgslSir blatant will
bring. Mr. DODGE thinks that there Is
something almost inhuman" In football
while the war RACES. There is some
thing inhuman and almost diabolcal.
II he will pardon the terms, in the
suggestion of depriving the community
of one of the few rests and consola-
tlons, in fact It's main protection.
from polcmic war mania.
The sun., 1914-09-15
FRE PROPOSED WAR TAX on
RAILROAD FREIGHT.
eeven Good and surlcicnt Reasons for
Not Enacting II.

10 THE EpiroR OF THE SuS--str: Tho
proposition TO tax railroad freight and to
mako the companies fiscal agents for coll
lection OF the tar " Objectionable be-
cause:
1. II is step. and long one too,
In the direction OF government owner
ship.
g II IS unequal; II freight is 20 be
taxed then water carriers should share
tho burden in common with land carriers.
Otherwise the former would gain traffic.
IN no small degree. at the expense OF the
latter.
;. II would mcasurably increase the
pcst OF living and the cost of doing bu.i-
hess.
4. " tho principle OF freight taxation
10 established the taxation OF passenger
receipts will inevitably follow.
s. II would fasten upon the railroads
ne odum Of tho tax collector. They
Aready assist IN collecting the income tax.
They are made to carry much mall and
parcel post free OF charge. They should
not he compelled 20 usurp a government
function. Let the Government collect It's
axes and pay ,ts just debts. The railroads
are already loaded with weighty respon-
sibil,ties of their own.
9. II will foster sentiment unfavor-
sble TO tho railroads because the public
either will not or cannot discriminate
between necessary revenue increase and
tax imposition. The railroads need the
good will of tho people az much as the
people need tho Invaluable services OF the
railroads.
2. Tho Panama exposition at San
Francisco is about 20 open its doors. Its
success depends more upon tho railroads
than upon any other single agency.
Every American, man. woman and child,
who has tho price IS expected TO put In
an appearance at the great show. Every
burden laid upon the railroads will rcile t
!tB influence upon the gate receipts.
NEW York, September "A. s.
The sun., 1914-09-15
The ScuiptOr's Model and the Tailor 5
Dream.

To THE EpIroR OF THE SUH-Str' What
good does It do to praise American cloths
and talors as YOU do IN your editorial
article Art In London Before the War;
unless you lead forth some American
prince of sartorial perfection 10 set on
our beautiful cloths and our tailors' skill?
Tho idea that our cloth makers and
tailors have to say that this is after the
IDEAS of Lord Lonsdale and that this Is
the material that Major Cadogan has
taught the Prince of Wales to appreciate
is obnoxious to the American spirit; for
to-day We not only have makers OF fine
fabrics for men. sculptors TO cut and
mould the cloth but we have the inspira-
tIon OF these arts as well as England !,
and II Is unpatriotio OF THE SUN not to
mention Colonel J. Ham Lewis as the
American model.
JAMES D. DEwrrL, Jr.
New HAVEN, Conn, September IA,
The sun., 1914-09-15

These are extraordinary times whom
tho eminent counsel for the United
States before the Hague tribunal. Mr..
SAMUEL J. ELDER, addresses mass meet
ing of 10000 people on Boston Common
on Il Sunday. Mr.. ELDERS theme was
the sequel OF the war in Europe. He
predicted that when peace was made
there would be established a court with
power to intervene between nations at
odds with each other and prevent war
by employing an international police
force. Two months ago 1t would have
seemed an idle dream. but who shall say
that when the horror that now en-
velops Europe has passed the civilized
peoples will not decree an end of mill
tarism?
The sun., 1914-09-15
uncommon on the Karluk. We shall

uncommon on the Karluk. We shall
know the whole story some day.
According to the men saved by the
King and Wing and transferred to the
revenue cutter Bear, MAMrN of Chris
tiania, the assistant photographer, died
ut Wrangell Island in May, and a
fireman named BRADY accidentally
shot himself later. Including Captain
BARTLETT. only nine members Of the eX-
pcdition that went out with tho Ice on
the Karluk are known TO be alive. II
Is forlorn hope that tho parties of
DIR. MAcKAY and First Mate ANDERSON
Will ever reach civilization, although
strange things happen In the Arctic
wastes. To add to the sum of disaster,
Mr.. SrLFANssoN himself and several of
his companions are missing. During
tho winter he buslcd himself with re-
search and exploration work in the
Mackenzie basin and along shore.
About five months ago, according to in
telligence from Point Barrow. STErANs-
SON started on a side expedition to
4NVNhihS DtVh VI
Of his party since. During the later
summer the Bear cruised along the
south and southwest shore of Banks
Land with flags flying and whistles
blowing" but no sign of the adventur-
ous explorer and his men was seen. If
alive they must go through another
winter on the ice. subslsting like Eski-
mos on the seals and bears they kill
with their rifles
No Arctic expedition ever started
out better equipped and with brighter
prospects than the company on the
karluk. III luck seems to have dogged
it almost from the start and not half
the story Of its mischances and woes
has been told. The survivors brought
in by the Bear will no doubt have
some terrible experiences TO relate.
The sun., 1914-09-15
THE WAR AND TIE PANAMA
CANAL,
Ex-Governor Pennypacker I'm Criticism OF
the Presidents Course.

To THE EprTon OF THE SuN-Str: There
Is one aspect of the war now convulsing
Europe to which attention has not been
called and which may perhaps prove 10
he of Importance to tho interests Of the
United States
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Wilson
In his speeches to the Western farmers
pointed out to them the advantages they
would secure because OF free passage for
American shipping through the Panama
Canal. and that as President he re-
versed this personal attitude and even
incurred thc risk OF being charged with
breach OF faith
1t will further be remembered that he
went before Congress and besought the
members of his party there to vote
against the provision OF the party plat
form upon tho subject OF these tolls and
prevailed upon them TO disregard the
pledges which had been made to the people
by tho official representatives, Of that
party In Its convention. This course was
at tho time accepted by them and pursued
because OF his announcement that II was
necessary In order TO avoid complications
with European Governments
Existing conditions show how abso-
lutely futile would have been any threats
which may then have been made by Eng
land or any other European Power. Had
We watched and waited for only a few
illOHtilS ONer tHe ldndina tdllal, as we ulu
for year over Villa, there need have
been no occasion TO fear European inter-
ference or to require the President and his
compatriots TO overlook their utteranees
In the preelestion campaign.
An opportunity has now arisen which
will enable them again to make a demi-
rolte and to return to their original posi-
tion. The war. which has been productive
OF so much evil, may perhaps be utilized
for the accomplishment of some good.
lf n should result in tho restoration OF
American sovereignty over tho Panama
Canal, which We In Il moment OF appre-
hension. misapprehcnslon and feebleness
surrendered. it will not be without inn
portant compGnsatlons.
After this war Is ended. no matter
whether Germany Is successful or her
European enemies with their Aslatic al
lies prevail. the world will enter upon a
new career. In the shaping Of the future
tho control OF the Panama Canal. which
We have constructed either for ourselves
or for our rivals. may be OF the gravest
consequence II Is an Ill wind, indeed.
which does not help any Administration.
SAMUEL w. PENSrPACKHA
PHLApxrPIin. September IL.
The sun., 1914-09-15
FEVER SOURCE STILL MYSTERY
city Water In Brooklyn shows No
Evidence of Typhoid.

The Board OF Health has not yet IN
ishcd its investigation In regard to tho
outbreak of typhoid fever I'm small SOC
ton OF the Park Slope In Brooklyn, and
the cause Of it has so far been undeter-
mined. Up to noon on Saturday thera
had been altogether ffty-threo cases re-
ported and since then no new cases have
been heard from.
Secretary Fskc OF the Health Depart
mont said that considerable attention was
being devoted to the possibility that an
accumulation of sediment in dead cnds'
of water mains on the slope may have
been responsible for the outbreak "'
typhoid. The analysis of the water taken
from the taps in the nelghborhood -
far as il has progressed, has not revealed
any bad conditions.
The sun., 1914-09-15
Mythmaking in War Time.

The inexhausiblc mytlmakng ten
dcncy of the human mind Is seldom more
fertile than in war, They forget this
who blame the newspapers for recording
palpable inventions. In London and In
Petrograd they have heard, doubtless
by psychotclcphone, Of 100000 unem'
ployed crying for work in Vienna.
Geneva tells Of a panic" in Berlin.
1t Is likely enough that the capital on
the Spree has full details Of a "panic''
in London or Paris. Somewhere the
other side is using dundum bullets,
cutting off the noses OF heads Of "our
soldiers, mallreatlng women and chill
dren. "Our' heroic defenders are 10 n
man knights without fear and without
reproach. "rhcir" hirelingS are brutrS
and savages. for whom bchttlng crimes
are seriously produced and believed in
every day.
So during the clvl war the North
shuddercd at the black deeds attributed
to that Wild IIuntSman of the imag!na
ton, "the Black Horse Cavalry Sc
The sun., 1914-09-15
What Rich mono VIII Want.

Under the arrangement by which,
beginning today, five cent street
railway or Staten Island ferry fare
will pay FOR transfer from car 10
boat or from boat 10 car the city will
lose an amount estimated at S2Oo,Ooo
n year in addition to the deficit al
ready charged 10 the municipal ferry
involved. This loss Is defended on the
ground that by making Richmond more
accessible real estate in that borough
will he increased IN value and hence
return a larger amount in taxes. More
over. the residents Of Richmond hold
that the enormous sums spent on sub
ways do not benefit them. and that they
are entitled to city aid in the Improve
mcnt of their transportation.
1t is improbable that another bar
gain Of this kind will soon he accepted
by the city. The gains are too profile
matical>and the losses too obvious. Yet
the estimable Inhabitants Of Richmond
will not despair. 1t Is to be expected
that before their rejoicings over the
new arrangement are stilled they will
he seeking an agreement with the trac-
tlon companies of their borough under
which the ferry receipts now retained
by the city shall be turned over to
those public service corporations and
nickel fare shall carry the traveller
/ from furthermost Staten Island to the
ultimate limits OF The Bronx.
The sun., 1914-09-15
PLAN TO SPEED COMPENSATION
Two officials spurrinK Accident In
surnnce Companies.

Frank IIasbrouclS, state Superintendent
of Insurance. has sent the insurance cnnl-
panies writing workmeu's compensation
insurance u letter urging prompt ming
of complete Information regarding Ac-
cdents brought to their attention Tne
letter commends the companies for Coz
operating with the Workmcn's Compcusd-
tion Commission, but urges attention 10
details In order that full benefits he de
rived from the compensation law and that
criticism of insurance companies may he
avoided
William c. Archer, the commissions :
new general manager w!l confer to-day
with representatives of the companies
writing compensation insurance, with mo
aim Of securing better cooperation and
more rapid handling OF claims,
The sun., 1914-09-15
THE WHITE HANDED GTBBON.
Its vail OF Despair stirs the Zoo Crowd
to GUtYaws.

10 THE EDITOR OF lliE SuN--Sr: what
strange apathy or lack of understanding
is II that makes the crowd gather with
delight ana laughter around the cage OF
the white handed giboon at the Bronx
zoo Whcn ullS animal gives is frequent
and terrible cry OF despair
According to the Official guide tho
gibbou. nearly related to the human race,
Shows off to poor advantage In cage.
but In tho trectofs II is wonderful
creature animated by the spirit
~ an Ariel In its home In the Jungles
OF Borneo and southeastern Asia IL
dwells In hilly forests, and never de-
scends To the earth. When attacked
II seems actually To fly through
the treetops This animal Is
The sun., 1914-09-15

It requires a rise OF the river OF from one
to seven feet before boats OF any draugh'
whatever can be navigated to Rockport
tho head of the project. They Just walt
until there is rise In the river and then
they start the boat. II the rise In the
river does not como for month. then
suppose the boat lies at tho wharf during
that time.
almost half OF the total expenditures-
S114,291.90-has been expended for main
tenance of what tho other half accom-
plished In tho way OF Improvement OF
the total commerce OF the river for the
calendar year 1912. 90 per cent. of tho
whole was logs timber and crossties,
most OF which could be noated without
any channel at ALL"
long pieco of Congressional Record
but whoever takes the trouble to read 1t
Will get an cnlightening notion of the
shameless and useless steaIlngs which
make up a large part Of the river and
harbor bill.
The sun., 1914-09-15
DEATH RATE FURTHER DOWN
Not n single Mortality From Scar
let Fever In Week.

There were 2o6 deaths last week. nc
cording to the Health Department. and a
death rate of l1.27 a thousand or popula
tion. as against rate OF ll.1O thousanH
in the corresponding week of 1918 There
was not a single death from scarlet fev"f
IN the city last week, very unusua
happening, and deaths from diphtheria
Group. whooping cough and pneumonia
showed "a marked decrease. Typhoid fever
diarrhnal diseases. organic heart disease
pulmonary tuberculosis and deaths from
violence increased.
The mortality OF infants under ! yea'
OF age decreased by forty-seven deaths
hut for infants between and year
there was an increased mortality OF forty
one deaths.
The death rate for the rrst thirty sever
weeks IN 1914 was 1878. against rate
of l4.25 for the corresponding period las
year. IL decrease of moro than one-haN
point.