davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
THE AVERAGE MANlKlN
Actuated by the Strings of Family Life
and Education, What Does He
Accomplish?

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: A sign that the University OF
Columbia is d live institution is the
pronouncement by its president that
there is need for change, room for i'm
provement
There j. a small number of men for
whom modern educational principles
are suitable, large number who, be-
ing quite cOlOrless, are neither injured
nor benefited by them to any great
extent, but together these form ma
iority which makes any alteration on
behalf Of the intelligent, original
minded minority excessively difficult
Yet IL is TO these that the world owes
every inch OF It's progress, and without
whom the life of the average man IS
best symbolized by paper punchinello.
that engaging manikin which. oper-
ated by two strings Family life and
education kicks and gesticulates with
energy worthy of a better cause. but
accomplishes nothing in particular.
As veteran who resisted every at
tempt by pedagogues 20 confer on him
the advantages OF a "frst-rste educa-
ton" / rejoice 70 see that doubts are
now arising in the minds Of those most
competent to understand the educa-
tiOnal problem. | believe there should
be no fixed courses. as there is no
fixed time when man suddenly be
comes worthy of degree. The eX-
animation method has long been ad-
mitted to be imperfect, but who could
change this any more than any other
system without being himself a patri-
arch of il? lie would deserve a chair
Of altruism who should say II am the
result of your system, regard me and
abolish both"
Making education compulsory made
Il nasty; organization has slowly rem
dered it Intellectual in many respects
Too often the best men succeed only
when they have lived down their
happy home influences" and their
good education" Many freely admit,
il, but change is so dangerous.
STEPHEN HAWEIS.
New York. Nov. %, 1914.
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
Good Reason to Celebrate

The resumption Of trading in bonds on the
New York Stock Exchange on Saturday Will be
the outward sign Of a very much improved sentl-
ment in all business the country over. The worst
has passed Boom times may be long way off,
but good times, the prosperity which insures a
steady, living business TO every one, are in sight
The courage and skill of the country's business
men have carried us through a period OF the
eravest financial peril with no general collapse
and minimum of individual loss. Thanksgiving
Day comes round with things so much better
than they might have been and so full OF hope
for what they may be that only nveterate
grumbers can refuse to celebrate. Any Amer
lean who is not thankful for his country and his
lot deserves to spend the day under fire in
wet trench without a turkey on the horizon
Optimism is the order Of the day, and rightly
But with Congress returning TO Washington one
plain word of caution must be said I'VE are
on the right road" was the accurate assertion
of the president Of the Merchants Association;
we can easily be turned off that road, into dis
and delay, by a renewal of the at
tacks upon business which marked the last pro-
longed sitting of Congress. 1t is no time for
theories or experiments or hindrances. Clear the
road! Give business chance. Those should be
the watchwords Of the new legislators soon TO
assemble in Washington. And we hope no false
enthusiasm, born of to-day, will confuse the leg,
isative mind into thinking that thankfulness for
Affections escaped is the same thing as enjoyment
Of blessings won.
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
Rodin and the War.

Whatever England loses in the war, she is
the richer by gift from Rodin which any nation
might envy. Twenty works Of the sculptor were
in London when hostilities commenced, and as it
was impossible TO return them to Paris they
were moved to South Kensington and there ex-
hibited Now NJ. Rodin has presented the entire
group to the British nation, with this explana-
ton:
The English and the French brothers; your
soldiers are fighting side by side with As
little token Of my admiration for your heroes,
decided TO present the collection to England. That
is all.
There was added a word Of Belgium. The
sculptor was anxious to execute statue Of Bel
gium which should represent the heroism Of that
country. He had seen a drawing of a soldier in
the trenches bearing on his back wounded COM
rade. I'll marche pour deuX" was the idea. That
soldier might be Belgium-Begum is bearing the
burden Of comradeship. So spoke NJ. Rodin.
Art in the midst of a great catacysm is inn
possible, as many English poets have sought to
demonstrate. What will follow when we begin to
see things in perspective may recompense US for
much travail. A world war, seen through the
eyes of a Rodn, would in some sense ally war
with art.
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
Reoraanize the Elections System.

Mr.. Whitman's reported intention TO ask the
Legislature to reorganize the system Of election
inspection now embodied in the State Superin-
tendents Of Elections is amply warranted.
Elections need safeguarding and supervising
But they don't need it under any such methods
as are in effect This department, Tammany's
extension of the old Office Of Superintendent Of
Elections for the Metropolitan District has I'M
posed on the state patronage costs Of some $780,
600 a year. In addition it has fostered i'm each
county local patronage machine the aggregate
of whose costs must be another 100000. The
whole system is potical-the superintendent
and their deputies politicians the local cleo
ton boards are bipartisan, with their members
recommended by the dominant political party
and its most powerful competitor
This is all wrong and should be changed. It is
to be hoped Mr.. Whitmans recommendations
for change will do more than pare down the
cost SO long as the head of any system is an
appointive officer he will be in politics, more or
less But the deputies, inspectors and local off
cas should not be professional politicians, active
ly allied with their party machines These men,
if any men i'm the public service should, ought
to be chosen from civil service lists. That method
would offer least opportunity for politics. playing
in connection with Election Day work. Mr.. Whit
man would do a good stroke if he took such a
stand
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
Unity of Inspection Needed.

Agreed that there ought TO be some consoda-
tion Of the various agencies making inspections of
factory and business properties, ofiicadom is any
thing but agreed, it seems, on how to bring about
such consolidation. Mr.. Bruere has one plan;
Mr. Marks is against it. Mr.. Pounds, of Brook
lyu, fayors a third scheme; Mr. Miller Superin-
tendent of Buildings for Manhattan, advances
still other ideas.
Meantime the State Labor Department, the
municipal Fire Prevention Bureau and the bor
ough bureaus of buildings have forces of in
spectors at work, inspecting through individual
eyes, with lack of uniform standards and at cross
purposes. Property owners protest. 1t behooves
city and borough officials to unite on some plan
which they deem worth trying, 50 they can back
it when the Legislature sets about altering the
laws.
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
NN'lyP

Next Tuesday. the first of December, Myron
T. Herrick will cease TO be our Ambassador TO
France and will be succeeded by William u
Sharp who has never had an hours diplomatic
experience in his life. Mr.. Herricks experience
has not been long, but he has proved himself,
with plenty TO spare. He has made notable
record in a grave crisis. He is a known quantity,
a certain source of ability, tact and strength.
Why should he he replaced at a time like the
present by an unknown citizen from Ohio how
ever estmsble his character and however loyal
his faith in a Wilsonian Democracy?
The present administration early adopted the
policy Of sacrificing the diplomatic service to the
Job hunters. But why in the name of common
sense cannot partisanship give way to patriotism
in a case Of stress and emergency like the
present?
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
FOR THE WELFARE OF NEGROES
The National League on Urban Cor
di;ions Asks Help.

To the Editor Of The Tribune ..
Sir: The National League on Oiaa-
Conditions Among Negroes s On Y
ganization Of white and coiored peolt
working In cooperation with one 81
other In an effort 90 improve ne ls-
tionship between tho races 10 AI.ei.. ~.
by raising the standard )t hon' -
among the negroes. mus maaIAs ~,
more desirable citizens. lt mas '"'''
Offices ln New York City
II trains negro social worse g. slls.
vises BOYS and girls clubs H' s.
strange women and girls coming y.
the nrst time into our large el.. s'...
handles Big Brother ani Big ~.
work with boys and girls % me @.
Cren's courts, seeks 90 protect IssP''i
able teuarts from the mixing 10 ~
questionable neghoors ln l,"e'.'
houses and tries 10 secure co-ops',,....
Of welfare agencies worAlns e.''
negroes. 10 also investigates '4''' "
destitute families. r,.-..
Its workers are 81. negroes. lse y.
ord of their accomplishments ". +.
the last three Years seen a.mos.
credible. II has shown what orsain'...
tion and training can 90 to"aIe, :.
curing efficiency The personnt,..
the executive board largely eAp.s
the vision and success OF me nv"
ment. ,-.,,.,.
The present financial depte'.s..,
threatens the life Of this orfan'Ia..~....
and EIGHT Of its fifteen wors.ej5.s I. o1S M {.
be dismissed on December j ~ w..
no. raised or reliably pledged s.'. ~.
that date. Checks NAV De- seat 70 Il
treasurer. 4. =. Fr.sse.. pre- Gen ,.l =,
the Fifth Avenue Bank q. ''Y .,.s = ts. J.
or 10 the league. "a. llO Nc,l ttDI'rS t3;H'r
ETGFNE KIEthit J'NL'
N.,r Won, Nov "a. i.II.
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
sunnori for Beautiful Music.

To the Editor o. .he lr.9,ll.,..,,. s,.,,
Sir. I was most delightfully."- e-'., !,
tanned last Sunday afternoon oi p r
tending an organ recital gwen O2..s.a
Federlcin 40 Che society, ...,.i Par
Culture. 6itt .. ems 'e"'it. it.,sn,fs
West. The auditorium * . e-s .,.
one. the instrumCu- a moeei- o,-oits.
the performcr sa.-.ed .a n'' F
sion. .,,or- ,.i
number OF empty seats. Dr. Le.p.',
t,bn - WAS nrese6. remarked ap'a
these things, saying, 4nd ql'%3 !, ,hsa
too, that "it was pity ih4' "a rs
distressing times the PUBIC s-.s,
aware Of the delightful. hour .,1
tainmtnt in store for inemh. t,,.,
would but 90 ana listen 10 thi' '''
ful music ,,ssr g
Joint auspices Of Che hoaiu Jf.,ptg'
tion and the society. W. "a -
stated that his public lecture ,.-.,is,,'
low. but that with proper apr.. M 90
and attendance uDon -he pau .g
public they would be c5at.h.iiJI ~
il not so appreciated they "0'
70 be discontinued. ,.,8hf
II seems : pity that we 'ao-.OS % OSsra
prived Of this pleasant hog,t. o,,.S y. 70. sci.
afternoons at I o'clock. WIZ ~. ~ i,s
paper publish az least these ''1b,aH
end thus aid IN making kn)"h '.S .ssr.
citals. urging attendance 1po" ,ciye
matter which : canrot tot nktl
ommend? JULY
New York, Nov. -, 1914
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
THE PEOPLES COLUMN AnG np7

pickclhauhe ON their shores Blu.
what chance would the Germans have
10 make such a coup? If they take
these ports the one safe bet is that
they win find nc shipping IN them eX-
cept such as may be resting on the
mud Of the harbor bottom. And as
they march in the allied werships will
take up their blockading position out
side, so that any German vessel seek
ing 20 reach English waters via Calais
or Dunkirk will have 90 run a block
ade three times. First. getting out OF
the German port where she now lies;
second, getting into Calais or Dunklrk.
and, third. getting out again. To an
impartial observer it looks as If they
would stand a better chance by going
Cirect from one of their home ports
without stopping by the way 10 run a
blockade twice more. And the Ger
mans. who have a fairly direct inter
est in accurately estimating chances
are probably not overlooking these
facts
The Germans arc planning another
drive on Paris, swinging down along
the coast. That would indeed be a
brilliant manGuyre. If IL could be eX-
ecuted. However, they tried the same
thing once before when their prepon-
derance was much greater, and. more
over, kept their envelopiug right wing
much closer to their centre. and failed.
What can lead them 20 believe that
success is possible now?
Another assumption is that the Ger
mans are virtually on the defensive in
the north, and oy vigorous counter at
o1 a
they have won and perhaps black the
Allies eyes a BIT before falling back
into their carefully prepared live of
defences. Now, a spirited employment
of the tactical offensive in order 20
maintain a strategic defensive is one
thing, and filling up the depleted ranks
Of your finest organizations and hurl-
ing them forward in desperate attacks
is yet another. Be very sure that the
General STAFF does not throw the Prus-
sian Guard into an attack unless II
wants TO get somewhere.
What. then. arc the Kaiser's generals
up to? One deduction We may make
with safety. They are in force in the
north because the French are. That
much was forced on them. But the
development of the French plans
most certainly has not forced on the
Germans the violent and costly at
tacks which thcy deliver so unceas-
ingly. They might hold approximately
their present lines with much less cost
and with fewer men. But now sup
pose they inflict a severe reverse on
the French and English. not decisive
defeat. for that seems hardly poss.-
bic. but defeat in which the allied
armies are pushed back several miles,
all the reserves thrown in. ard their
various organizations scrambled to-
gether in cons iGerable confusion. The
Germans could then hold them with
half the number OF men; they have
the interior Shorter lines OF com
mugicetion. and a victorious army is
always iu better shape 60 move ran-
idly. So they could pick up half their
force and beat .hc French 20 any point
Of tho long battle line they may select,
and there break through with over
wnelming ma es. # by losing 100 000
men on the French left the Germans
could Drcla the French centre with
small cost wc may be sure they would
not hesitate 20 pay the bill G.. s.
New York, Nov. 10, 1914
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
THE MYSTERY OF THE WAR
The One Sensible Explanation Of the
Costly German Offensive in Belgium.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The mystery OF the war, as
the situation stands to-day, Is the OBJ
iect of the ferocious and costly Ger
man offensive in Belgium and North
ern France. What part is it designed
to play in their western campaign,
Of the Allies know or suspect they are
not telling, and meanwhile critics and
correspondents advance various the
cries.
II has been said that the Kaiser has
issued his imperial order that Dun
kirk and Calais must be taken at any
cost, and for that reason and no other
his army u losing its tens of thou
sands in supreme effort 70 win
through. Now, in the first place, the
Kaiser not being an idiot, there is
little chance that he gives instructions
10 his generals with a reporter at his
clbow-if, indeed, he gives them at all.
In the second place, if the German
conduct Of the war had been subject
70 imperial whims and imperial COM
maud5 10 do this or that, irrespective
Of the principles Of sound strategy, II
is highly probable that the Allies
would have been IN Berlin some weeks
since.
Again, IL has been put forward that
the Germans want 20 occupy all Of
Belgium, so that a peace from eX-
haustion confirming the status quo
would leave them In possession of that
country. Considering that the Belgian
government has already been driven
from its own soil and that the Ger
mans hold all but the tiniest fraction
Of that soil their claim on Belgium
as d conquered land would appear 20
be quite strong enough without their
wasting men by the hundred thousand
10 clinch u.
Dunkirk and Calais are 20 be used as
bases for a blow at England. Doubt
less the Germans wish they could be
Probably even without the command
Of the sea necessary for a serious in
vasion, they would be ready enough 20
sacrifice an army corps or two In a
raid on English soil. For this would
automatically dry up the stream Of
British reinfolccments 90 Frarce
Even the iarsigLtel. indom.table
Kitchener would not be- able 90 brave
the British public by sending British
troops abroad once they had seen d
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
AN AMSTERDAM DISPATCH
It's Figures of German Unemployed
Are Flatly Contradicted.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue of yesterday you
published a dispatch from Amsterdam
which purports 20 give authentic par
tlculars regarding the general state of
affairs in Germany" This article says
that the number Of unemployed. not
counting tho soldiers, is fully 10000
600. lnasmuch as az least 100000
men have joined the colors, this would
mean O total Of 100000, d figure
actually In excess OF the total number
of persons, including women, employed
in the industries Of Germany in times
of peace.
p A. a matter OF fac. ,here is compar-
atively little unemployment in Ger
many as the result of the war. official
reports from the chief industrial cen
tres showing that the number Of unem-
ployed is only from 70 per cent
greater than in normal times. This is
confirmed By United States consular
reports. The further statement that
the German public had been led TO be
lieve that Paris was being besieged.
or that Dijon had been taken. is just
as untrue. II you will study the Ger
man newspapers you will find that not
only do they publish German Official
war reports, but those of the Allies as
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
THE SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ
Bluster and Trumpeting That Was Not
Even Famous Victory.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: After many months of "watch-
ful waiting" the recall Of Uncle Sans
troops from Mexican soil reminds me
Of the old nursery rhyme, THE King
Of France. with forty thousand men.
marched up the hill and then marched
down again" Here the simllc ends,
as the professors troops killed few
score of Mexicans and caused some un-
timely funerals in the United States.
We may say. as old Kaspar did Of
the Battle of Blenheim, What they
killed each other for | could not well
make out" but we cannot say as he
did. at was a famous victory True,
we did get possession of "a million
dollars that rightfully belonged 10 for
eign bondholders. But after all our
extensive buster and trumpeting the
genial old Huerta did not salute his
enemy's flag. IRA DlMOCh'
Hartford, Conn, Nov. %, 1911.
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
Shakespeare's New Home.

international cWEty touching matters Of
art and literature has not been frequent since
the war began Hardly a week has passed but
an Englishman has arisen 10 protest against the
music of Wagner or some Frenchman has urged
the expulsion Of German members of the Acad-
emy. German hatred for the English has been
similarly expressed; but now we must score one
for Kutur i'm the attitude which it has taken
toward Shakespeare.
At the Altes Theater in Leipsic Twelfth
Night" was presented on October 20. For the
occasion special prologue was written and put
in the mouth Of the Clown. An English version
Of this ingenious speech runs thus
My master. the great poet who behind
This curtain built his world, and Herewith too
lunumerous other worlds as marvellous
We know him WELL for near as man can climb
To godhead, he won godhcad by his works
Now this same poet hath commanded
In solemn earnest TO declare YOU this:
We unto him have been until to-day
His second home; his first and native home
Was England; but this England of the present
is so contrarous IN her acts and feelings
Yea so abhorrcd Of his pure majesty
And the proud spirit Of his free-born being
That he doth lind himself quite homeless there.
A fugitive, he seeks his second home,
This Germany. that loves him most Of ALL
10 whom before all others he gives thanks,
And says; Thou wonderful and noble land
Remain thou Shakespeare one and only home
So that he wander not uncomprehended,
Without q shelter i'm the barren world.
There is an almost Galc wit about this pro-
ceeding. And the best joke on England IS the
undoubted fact that Shakespeare might well feel
very much at home i'm Germany. If constant
productions and crowded houses mean anything
10 a dead poet, the theatregoe of LeipSic and
Berlin and the rest of Germany have every rea-
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26

son to claim on the affections Of the author of
Twelfth Night" II ia one Of the humors of
English speaking culture that of late its greatest
poet -dramatist has been most oonspicuously hon
ored by reproductions in an alien tongue. Olivias
fool Is entitled to his jest.
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26

"Looka here said an athaletc young day-spoiling
friend Of P. VS., "if one says something different to
what they mean is that very unique? | propose to
tell the concern I work for a few thinks I've been
thinking ! said to the boss the other day Whom
do YOU think you are, anyhow Between you and
and the gate I'm thinking of quitting the whole shoot
ing match. Not even one Of those areoplane bombs
could keep me neuteral TO those kind OF guys
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
On Charity.

tBy Miss Mary OByrue Of waeFrls. y u
OF course your victim may live for years,
But you will be the cause OF his death in the end
For his health began to fail him
Since the day he called on you as friend
And YOU that keeping boarders
You should take tho greatest
To give them good substantial victuals
SO that their health you do not impair.
And although il is not necessary
A variety 10 have,
Yet you would DO them great injustice
II YOU one kind Of victuss always would serve.
Then try as much possible
To make them feel az home.
For the day may not be distant
When YOU too win have TO roam.
And you that keeping hired help,
DO not crush them down with work.
For II they do not have time 70 eat their meals
Soon disease in them will lurk.
And as themselves and families
On their earning DO depend.
II YOU dare 10 impose upon them.
You are doing the work OF q ieud
ITO BE CONCLUDEDI
The contributions in to-nghts mail will he few
as contribs seem 20 think that they can take
holiday whenever they like. And our announcement
hat all turkey-hssh wheezes are barred may max
he offerings even fewer.
Married in Herkimer, Harold E. Beer to Forenc
:. Brewer Prost!
Yesterdays dispatches from Petrograd were full 0
lgierz and Zdunskawola.
The last words stlasly, in towns
T. L. A
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
Ruslness OF GIVING IHANKs.

Prom sI Che horrors oversee.
FROM al the chaos which has biiudy
secpt over Europe. We are free;
THO Fate. mo.hiuLs. are mose than Alrd.F
SO an % us vino are 40, crsnas
10 hereby oTcr uD our thanks
Tie land is hned with thiugs 70 eat
with books 10 read and plays 20 20 -.
From OREGON % Nassau street.
ours is land al blessing hoE 20.
Therefore this poet 's Imbusl
WIZ hunhl, hop, and gratitude.
Tie day is in rsr' a E'
To NJ it i priceless treasure
Thanksgiving do you get my drift.
Pa, brought 20 me this added plesslr.
Im thankful that I'm sure 20 lard.
This PONIES 700 timely 20 be canned
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26

If we may speak for Irwin, whom do not know,
may we say that Irwin not expressing his disbe-
lief in anything nor we by printing it, express
ing ours. Irwin was translating piece from Lu-
cretius cynical old duck who died October 10,
55 b. c. Complaints against him may be lodged with
the attorneys for the Lucretian estate.
New-York tribune., 1914-11-26

II happens frequently when we print paraphrase
of an ode by O. Horatius Flaccus, that somebody
writes to The Bossthe kckers always write the Boss
to complain Of paganism, our material view
point. We got Philippe for reprintng Her
rick's Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May"