davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
ALARM IN MARINE CIRCLES
Many Ships, Mostly German, Have Not
Reported and Their Where
abouts Is Unknown.
=. 1sgc.e--.. =


New York-With war formally de-
cIared between England and Germany
there was keen interest in marine
circles regarding the movement OF
transatlantic steamships, particularly
the German liners, which are scurry.
ing to port to avoid possible capture
by warships of hostile nations.
The arrival of the treasure laden
Kronprinzessin Cecilie at Bar Harbor,
Ne, led to the belief here that
another North German Lloyd liner
which has been missing, the Kaiser
Wilhelm II, may turn up Unexpectedly
in some other American port.
"Lost" Since Leaving Cherbourg.
The Kaiser Wilhelm II has not been
heard from since touching at Cher
bourg On July 20.
If 1t has not been captured, the
agents suggested that 1t may not have
defined its position by wireless for
fear it would be taken, as the Cecilie's
captain reported the proximity of
French warships
The German steamship agents here
are taking every precaution to pre-
vent any hostile movement being car
rfed out against their vessels In this
port.
Three British, two German, and two
French cruisers are supposed to be
near this port and a naval battle near
here is regarded as not impossible.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
IS KILLED IN RAIL WRECK.
Many Others Are Injured Near
joplin. Mo.

Many Others Are Injured Near
Joplin, Mo.
Joplin, Mo, Aug. 7.-Thirty-five per-
sons were killed and many hurt on
Wednesday when a motor car on the
Missouri C North Arkansas and a pas.
senger train on the Kansas City
Southern collided head-on near here.
The cars were splintered and caught
fire. Many charred bodies were
brought to Joplin. The Missouri &
North Arkansas uses the Kansas City
Southern tracks from Joplin to Neosho.
The cars met on g curve, The motor
car, which was going about thirty-f1ve
miles an hour, was telescoped and
took fire. Thirty-1ve charred bodies
were brought to Joplin on a relief
train. The injured have been placed
in Joplin hospitals. The motor car is
said to have overrun her orders to
meet the passenger train at Upton
ford. All of the injured, except the
conductor and engineer Of the passen.
ger train, were passengers on the mo-
tor car
The known dead are: Herbert Rat
cliff, Eureka Springs, Ark, engineer
motor car; = Hadley, Harrison, Ark,
brakeman; Mrs. G. L. Fisherman, Dew
ey, Okla; W. H. Emery (negro), Gran
by, Mo-; two Hutchinson children (coI-
ored), CRANKY, Mo-; Mrs. Linsley and
son (colored), Joplin, Mo-; L. H. Trum-
baugh, Neosho, Mo-; s. A. Nicholas,
Harrison, Ark; Mrs. George Johannes,
Nevada, Mo.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
j. s. CRUISER SAILS
To aid AMERICANS
Tennessee viii Bring Strands,
Travellers Home.
CONGRESS GIVES BIG SUN
Measure Carrying s2,5oo,ooo Passed by
Lawmakers-Funds to Be Dislrib-
uted to u. S. Citizens Who
Are PenniIess in Europe.

Washington, Aug. with eight
million dollars in gold locked in her
strong room, the swift cruiser Ten
nessee sailed from New York Thurs
day and is speeding across the Allan
tic to the relief of the Americans
caught abroad by the European war
without funds and means OF returning
to this country.
Every preliminary arrangement for
the trip was completed by officials OF
the government and the work of rush
ing through congress the additional
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. appropria'
ton asked for by President Wilson
was quickly accomplished. Members
OF the house appropriation committee,
where the bill originated, eagerly pre-
pared the measure and leaders had
the house machinery well oiled and
passed the appropriation without a
moments delay.
Similar preparations were carried
out in the senate.
With the two hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars already appropriated this
increased the governments relief fund
to nearly three millions. In addition,
New York banking houses have al,
ready more than five million dollars In
gold for their clients abroad, accord
ing to the announcement of Secretary
of War Garrison.
Assistant Secretary Of War Breclr
inridge, Director E. P. Bicknell of the
Red Cross, officials of the treasury de-
partment, a number of army officers
sailed on the Tennessee to direct the
distribution Of the funds and attend
to the relief work.
The North Carolina, armored cruis-
er, was sent to Europe by the United
States government with the armored
cruiser Tennessee carrying gold to
American tourists abroad. The object
Of sending the vessels to the various
European ports is to distribute the
money more rapidly than would be
possible with only one vessel making
the rounds.
Within two minutes after It's re
ceipt in the house the senate passed
the joint resolution appropriating
$2,500,000 for the relief of Americans
abroad. The resolution then was
rushed to the White House for the
presidents signature.
By unanimous vote the house passed
a bill appropriating $2,50000O for the
relief and transportation back home OF
stranded Americans now in the Eu
rOpean war zone.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
AMERICAN INTERVENTION IN HAITI IS
EXPECTED BY WASHINGTON OFFICIALS
Differing Characteristics of the Peoples the Two Republics of
Haiti and Santo Domngo-Latter With Traditions Span
ish Colony the More ProgreSsiVe-Former's History
of French Oppression and Blood Revolt.

Washington.-It looks very much as
though the oft-deferred specter of
American Intervention in the revoiu-
tfon-racked island republics Of Haiti
and SantO Domingo may soon materi-
aIize. Control Of the finances Of Santo
Domingo has been in the hands Of this
government for some years, and for a
time worked well; but now it is being
asserted that even more drastic direc-
ton Of the internal affairs OF the twin
countries is necessary. Time and
again the rumor Of intervention in one
or the other Of the two trOuble-mak-
ers Of the Caribbean has been spread
about Washington. Once the annexa-
ton Of Santo Domingo. the larger and
more thinly populated of the two, was
actually. considered. But this scheme,
like many others of a less definite ma
ture, came to nothing.
The drift now toward intervention,
however, is Of a much more pro
nounced character than any talk which
has been heard in the past. The pres
sure upon the administration seems to
come from the French, German, Brit
ish and Belgian legations, whose ma
tionals have even more to complain of
than American citizens; and while it
is understood that President Wilson
and his advisers are loath to add to
the burdens the country already pos
sesses, it is freely predicted that the
prevalent condition Of anarchy in both
to act. A considerable squadron Of
Warships has been stationed along the
coasts of the island, and more re-
Gently the navy department has start
ed the concentration of q brigade Of
marines at Guantanamo, within easy
striking distance Of the Haitian coast.
It is evidently not anticipated by the
administration that any serious resist
ance would be offered to American in
tervention; but should more men be
required there are plenty Of marines
to spare at Vera Cruz, and the reg
uIar army could be called upon at
need.
Opinion, even among native Haiti
ans and Santo Domingans, is about
evenly divided as to the sort Of well
come American intervention would
meet Many natives assert that what
ever resistance might be expected
would be at the hands Of the pro-
fessionaI politicians and their hangers
on, mostly the scum of the coast
towns. The population Of the interior,
all agriculturists, it is claimed, would
be quite satisfied with any government
which insured them justice and fair
opportunity to earn a living, without
the dread Of military CONSUMPTION and
perennial revolution hanging over the
head Of every male of arms-bearing
age.
Although it is only three days steam
ing from the coast, Haiti or Santo Do
mingo is probably less known to Amer
leans than Albania. Any school ge-
ography will tell you that Haiti is a
mountainous island situated between
Cuba and Porto Rico, and almost with
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
MONEY MEASURE
PROVES WINNER
Both Houses Pass Billion Dollar
Compromise Bill.
CURRENCY LAW IS DISCUSSED
Secretary McAdoo Favors information
al Clearing House to Insure Dis
position Of Crops in For
eign Markets.

Washington, Aug. 6-Amendments
to the bank law extending issues Of
currency to 125 per cent of capital and
surplus Of banks and trust companies
in the federal reserve system, were
finally passed in the house on Tues
day. More than a billion dollars will
be available for additional circulation.
The senate promptly agreed to the
amendments, which then went to the
White House for President Wilson's
signature.
A special meeting Of the cabinet was
being held at the White House while
congress discussed the currency law.
Secretary McAdoo brought up the
subject of an international clearing
house association, in which the United
| States and European nations should
| hold membership as one method by
which this country might insure the
! disposition Of its wheat and cotton
crops in foreign markets.
| With the banks of the country forti-
fed with millions of additional cur
rency, officials feel that the immediate
/ problem is how to take care Of the
| crops.
| The establishment of an interna-
! tionaI association and the resumption
| Of trade, it was pointed out, would not
/ only result in the sale of American
! crops, but would tend to bring back
much of the gold recently exported.
The senate bill to authorize the sec
rotary of the navy to establish naval
| lines to carry mail, passengers and
| freight to South America and Europe
| was up for passage in the house. De-
tails Of the plan, the object OF which
| is the development of American trade
with South America, are to be worked
out by the navy department after the
bill has been signed by the president.
Secretary Daniels already has In
formed Chairman TiIlman of the SEN
| ate naval affairs committee that five
fast cruisers, two fast scout cruisers,
two transports, two Panama railroad
steamers and five Golfers are available
for South American and European
| service.
New York, Aug. 6.-Conditions in
! the financial district settled down to
further calm on Tuesday. Measures
taken to safeguard the general situa-
ton, including the issuance of clear
! ing house certificates and the receipt
of emergency currency from Washing
ton for distribution among local banks,
were found to be increasingly effec-
/ tive
Distribution Of the emergency cur
rency was resumed at the subtreasury.
| Some S45 100000 is now available and
more is expected in the course of the
week The National City bank on
Tuesday took out s10,0O0,000 of this
and applied for an additional $4,000
| 900.
More than one thousand depositors
gathered at the German Savings bank,
one Of the largest in the city, forming
a line, four abreast, for a block and q
| half. Each was allowed to withdraw
only 500 and those who sought more
funds we're required to file the 60-day
notice agreed upon by all savings
| banks in the state. .es,ss,a a. g.
| ?
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13

are tropical, both nave much the
same physical formation, even the eli
mates are not unlike. Java, with its
dependent Islands, however, has an
area Of less than twice that Of Haiti;
but under Dutch rule it supports
population of 81 ,000, 90-O, which is con-
stantly increasing-and observers are
not inclined To regard the Dutch sys-
tenn of colonial administration az an
unmitigated blessing.
The truth Of the matter Is that the
people OF Java are mildly industrious,
where the people Of Haiti are almost
uniformly shiftless. The Dutch have
built up an export trade and have pro-
NOTED agriculture. Scientific agricul-
ture in Haiti is practically unknown.
The peasant scratches the marvellous
soil with a stick, drops his seed and
lets it be until his crop has grown up.
Why should anything else be done?'
he asks, in reply to the strangers in
quiry. IF anything else was neces-
sary God would do it." In the Haitian
mountains rich minerals and the best
mahogany in the world lie unworked
for lack Of railroads to haul the prod
ucts to the coast; and capital steers
clear Of the island because Of the IN
certainty Of politics and payments,
and the fact that the whites as a race
are under legislative penalties-in the
Haitian section. Santo Domingo is
much more advanced in this respect
Any one who is skepticaI Of what
these people can accomplish should
visit the enduring architectural monu-
ments Of the island-the marvellous
fairy palace of Sans Souci in the
northern hills near Cape Haitian, and
the tremendous citadel Of La Ferriere
on the top of the mountain of that
name, 5000 feet high-both of them
the work of the black King Henri Chris
| topic, who ruled Haiti from 1911
until he committed suicide in 1919, in
order to avert assassination. It is true
/ that thousands Of lives were paid for
these remarkable buildings, just as it
/ is true that Henri's reign was one long
| chronicle of blOOdshed. But the i'm
/ aginatiVe capacity and indomitabIe
will power Of the black man who had
/ been a slave and who could conceive
and direct the building of such struc-
lures strike one today as evidences of
an enormous capacity which might
1 have been put to valuable uses under
| better auspices.
/ These buildings exist today, and 1t
! is asserted by those who have seen
/ them that they are the most interest
ing structures in the West Indies.
Earthquakes have demolished some Of
the grand terraces of Sans Souci, and
| it's windows cape vacant in the sun
| shine, for no man in Haiti today could
afford the upkeep of this extravagant
reproduction of Versailles. But in La
Ferriere the batteries of huge muzzle-
| loading cannon still frown from brick
| classmates, with their walls so feet
| high and 16 feet thick. 1t was here
| that Soulouque, who crowned himself
| emperor, as Faustin l, held his court
| of 70 dukes, and marquises, counts,
| viscounts, barons, and knights by the
score.
A great deal of fun has been made
Of the grandiose titles created by
Henri and Soulouque. Among the
higher mobiles were the dukes of
Marmalade and Limonade, and many
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13

republics are caused by the fact that
the SantO Domingans are Spanish in
language and whatever civilization
they possess, while the Haitians de-
rived their fundamental ideas, gov
eminent forms, literature and Ian
guage from France.
The island Of Haiti-by which is
meant the entire isIand-has frequent
y been held up as the best example
Of bad government in our times.
Strictly speaking, this is true. But
to blame II entirely upon the fact
that the Raitians are black men is
scarcely fair. The responsibility Is
to be traced back to colonial days.
Haiti was colonized with African
slaves by the French several hundred
years ago, and the one idea of the
masters Of the island was to make all
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13

Of the committee formed to aid Amer
leans in Paris, have issued circu-
lar to their countrymen.
See No Cause for Alarm.
The committee asks that the Ameri-
cans be patient and calm, the COM
mittee having the assurance of the
American ambassador, Mr.. Rerrick,
that he will do everything reasonable
in his power to promote and protect
the interests Of all Americans in Paris,
which attitude we have reason to think
is approved by the government at
Washington. We believe there is no
cause for alarm"
The French Line steamer, Chicago,
sailed from Havre. Colonel Calvin
Brown devised a plan to take passen-
gers down the Seine to Havre in pleas
ure steamers.
Mrs Herrick, wife of the American
ambassador, planned to join the
French Red Cross, but later changed
her intentions at the suggestion of her
husband, and will organize an Ameri-
can hospital here. Mr. Herrick is of
the belief his wife can be of more
service in attending the wounded this
way than by going into the field as a
| nurse.
Ambassador Herrick has arranged
with Premier Vivani that Americans
| leaving France will not be required
to show passports or otherwise identi-
fy themselves, the simple declaration
that they are from the United States
being taken sufficient to pass them.
Take Mrs. PaImer's Auto.
Mrs. Herrick also is trying to ar
range for Americans to leave for
southern France with their automo-
biles, which are now being requisi-
toned by the military administration
for war purposes. Mrs. Potter Pal
mer's machine was among those requi-
sitioned, and Judge E. H. Gary was
notified that his car was likely to be
taken shortly. @zs7@ go
Nearly two thousand Americans
sailed for the United States on board
| the French liner France, whose Off
GERS have consented to give up their
cabins in order to provide accommo
| dalton for passengers.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13

they possibly could out of it, regard
less of the suffering they inflicted
upon their workmen. They made it
paradise of creole culture; a net
work of fine roads linked up the state
~ plantation houses with each other;
Port au Prince, the capital, was one
of the most imposing cities of the
Caribbean, well laid out, solidIy built.
The output Of the island was probably
larger than it is today. But under
meath the outward well-being and lux
ury was a terrible state of human mis-
cry and degradation.
The French revolution came, and
the thunderstorm which shook so
many quarters of the world reused
more than echoes in far-away Haiti.
TOussaint IOverture-one of the
grandest characters produced by any
race in the eighteenth century, yet
an ordinary black man, a slave and
the son of slaves, with what little ed
ucation he possessed self-taught-
Toussaint POverture took charge of
the revolt of the slaves. He trans
formed bands of rioters into an army,
and it is to be said to his lasting
credit that he waged a warfare more
merciful than that of his white op-
ponents. But when the French found
that they could not defeat him, they
employed trickery, lured him aboard a
man-o'-war, and carried him off to Eu-
rope, where he died of pneumonia in
the cold air of the Alps.
After that, and considering the fact
that the French broke their treaties
right and left-proclaimed the aboli-
ton of slavery in 1898 and restored it
ten years later-and that LeCIerc,
whom Napoleon sent over with 10000
men in 1903, showed no quarter to the
negroes, it is hardly surprising that
such bloodthirsty monsters as Dessal-
ines succeeded to the mild and equa-
bic leadership of Toussaint. What
the Haitians could not accomplish in
open warfare against their white foes,
yellow fever and the torrid climate
accomplished for them. In two years
the French lost 10000 men, and but
5000 surrendered to the English fleet
that co-operated with the ragged army
of Dessalines.
From this period begins the history
of Haitian independence. Truth to
tell, it is anything but pleasant his
tory, one long succession of revolu-
lions and blood-stained dictators,
varied by tyrants who proclaimed
themselves emperors and set up fan
tastic nobilities, with all the trappings
of European courts. Haiti had never
really known the white mans civili-
cation, it must be remembered The
slaves were kept ignorant by their
masters, because it was argued that
in this condition they were less for
midable; and the French system of
slavery in Haiti has been described as
the most brutal in the Western hem
isphere-far more brutal, even, than
the Spanish system, which obtained in
the southern portion of the island
This is testified to today by the DIFF
ference in moral tone still perceptible
in the two races, brought up side by
side, and mostly of the same West
African stock.
Haiti today has a population prob
ably slightly in excess of 100000. 1t
is held by scientists to be the richest
island in natural resources and fer
tility OF soil in the entire world. with
the exception of Java. The similarity
of the two islands is striking. Both
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13

In sight Of both, with an area of about
$4,000 square miles and divided into
two unequal parts. The southern two
thirds of the island comprise the re-
public of Santo Domingo, with high
ly mixed population-the negro ele-
ment predominating-of about 100000,
while the northern third Is Haiti.
which. despite its smaller area. has a
population Of more than 1,50O. 900. al
most entirely negro, The social dis
tinctions in the populations of the two
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13

70 inform her subjects through the
diplomatic corps In the United States
that their services were needed at
home. but when she offered to pay
their transportation it was a breach
Of neutrality
Such a thing has been done only
once in the history Of the United
States and that was during the Cri-
mean war" said General Leo Knott
General Knott was formerly BaIti-
more University Law school lecturer
on international law. He is now In
this city.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
Sir Upton Calls Off Race.

London, Aug. Sir Thomas Upton
announced that he had cabled to the
New York Yacht club, asking to be re-
leased from the obligation to race
the Shamrock " off Sandy Hook in
September. Sir Thomas said he would
make good his challenge for the Amer
ica's cup if the New York Yacht club
insisted upon it, "but cannot believe
they will refuse my request" he add
ed. How can anybody expect me to
race, when every morning I must read
of the slaughter of thousands of my
countrymen p"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
AUSTRIA OPEN TO CRITICISM
Many Experts of Opinion That coun-
try Has Violated Interna-
tlonai Law.

Chicago.-It is thought by many law
yers who are versed in international
law that Austria has violated the neu-
trality laws with this country when
she advised her consuls to pay pas
sage to Austria Of former soldiers and
sailors who are residing in the United
States It Is said Austria had the right
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
NOW IN AMERICAN WATERS
England Has Seven VesssIs and Ger
many Four Cruising Rear
United States.

Observation-Disclosures are the To-
cations of foreign war vessels In Amer
lean waters, according to the latest
reports from the navy department:
Gecman-Dresden, sailed from ST.
St Thomas July % to coal and return
to Port au Prince in five days; Karis-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13
IN PRISON HIS FATHER BUILT
Convicted Man Says He Knows That
the Walls Are Exceed
IngIy Strong.

Leavenworth, Kan.-Arthur Schmidt,
fifty years old, was brought from Win
field, Kan, and placed behind the
walls of the state penitentiary, which
his father, Charles Schmidt built in
1864. Schmidt is to serve four years
on a charge of violation Of the state
prohibition law.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13

This war is the last fight of a dis
ruDted and rapidly disintegrating en-
pire. 1t is not fought on account Of
the assassination Of Grand Duke Fer
dinand, but is the dying attempt Of
Austria-Hungary to acquire coveted
territory and to make itself a first
class European power.
The Slavic people have been IN
der worse bondage since the tyranny
OF Austria spread over them than they
endured under Turkish vassalage In
the days when the Turks were pow
er in the Balkans.