davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18

The disappearance OF the Victoria
Theatre as a home OF the spoken
drama will possess a melancholy elo-
quence to certain patrons OF Its former
performances. 1t vas from It's stage
hat the last word in theatre slang
was always spoken. The Significance
Of this language was often limited to
a small part of the audience, but the
sophisticated and professional element
constituted a considerable proportion
of the Monday gatherings. So intimate
and professional, so characteristic Of
the neighborhood was this talk that
II came to be known as corner"
humor. So limited was the applica-
ton OF this fun that Il could not wen
be called broadway" merriment. Its
home was the northwest corner OF
Forty-second street and Seventh I'VE
nue.. There II originated and there II
found It's public. Fortunately II usu-
ally travelled no further. for which
there was only gratitude. But this
corner fun was racy and charac-
~teristic of the soil.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
TWO MISSIONS.
Henry Ward Beecher in England and
DR.. Dernburg in America.

To THE EDITOR OF THE srN-Str: A
correspondent OF TIL SUN apparently
sees little or no difference between
Henry Ward Beechers open and pro-
claimed mission to England TO explain
the cause OF the North In the civil war
and DR., Dernburg's mission from Ger
many to his country. a neutral and
friendly country to ali the ~belligerents.
IL the United States had been at war
with Germany and Henry Ward B~eecher's
mission TO England. a neutral country.
containing many thousands Of natu-
rallied Englishmen of American birth.
had been just the same as DIR. Dern-
burg's. Red Cross and all. would England
have permitted Mr.. Reecher to perform
such acts in behalf Of America as DR..
Dernburg has performed here In behalf
OF Germany
II England had permitted Mr.. Beecher.
under the conditions assumed. to do
just the same things In England h a
DR., Dernburg has done here. would Ger
many have looked upon England's atti-
tude as proper for a neutral, even In
the u~nen!!ghtened civilization OF the
early COS? JAMES d. DEwELL, Jr.
New HAVEN, Conn. May II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
COMMERCIAL AGENCIES.
A Defence Of Their Maintenance oi
Collection Departments.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Sr: 1t
is surprising that any one In this period
of business enlightenment who Is en-
titled to sign himself Banker" can for
IA seem to doubt the efficiency
and honesty Of the commercial agencies
and their value to the community.
The letter Banker" answered was a
plea written hit" at the practice
OF some one agency which might well
exasperate a very Tired Business
Man." and should ct, Il. AS" letter in
duce the agencies 10 enclose postage for
replies TO inquiries credit men would re-
joice at even so small n saving In ex-
pense in II department OF business
where saving is the only possible a
OF making money.
But Bankers charge thai the COM
merc!dl agencies operate collection de-
partments unfairly Is a serious matter.
Some OF the larger commercial agencies
operate collection departments. Some
do not. j doubt IL Banker" can pro-
duce a single report from a well known
agency that will show. by comparison
with other reports, that the agency
sending II out does or does not main
tain IA collection department. A report
80 cOlored by mcrcenary motives is in
conceivable 10 II business MAJ who has
taken time TO investigate the operations
" tue ~ Hfl tE'llAl'S u " wv FIl'A ~
agencies that confine their attention to
but one line of trade.
In the first place, the collection de-
partment Of a commercial agency acts
as credit man merely with this differ
,nce, however. that II acts rs credit
man for n number OF firms instead Of
for an individual house. 1t does moth
ing that "A credit man does not do or
cannot 10. 1t undertakes the collection
OF overdue accounts OF merchants and
manufacturers. 1t is not expected to
practise law or except In some few
cases to handle contested invoices. II
does help, though. 10 drive out of busi-
ness the scallawags who attempt TO
purchase goods for which they have no
means of paying or intention 10 pay
and who make attempts to obtain credit
from firms tina: have not yet found them
out.
II is conceivable that while not alb
soluttly necessary a collection depart
ment may be OF great aid to a COM
merclal agency and to its subscribers
in just 50 far as ii is able to add TO
efficient and reliable credit information
but Il is not conceivable that a COM
mercial agency should doctor or color
its reports with the hope OF increasing
its revenue from collections. A dis
cred!table practice of this sort would
Immediately become known to credit
men and the collapse Of that agency
would he swift and sure.
| think II would he interesting and
improving to Banker" to read n little
book by Professor Iiaggcrty OF Ohio
state University on Mercantile Credit
which was published about a year ago.
Some of his objections to the methods
OF commercial agencies might be soft
ened II not entirely removed, and he
might come to n better understanding
OF the great good they are doing for
the trade at large and for the further
ance OF business morality. d.
NEW YoRK, May 10.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
the Gags Of Great Britain and her
al1ies ba va been perfunctOry. II IN


ailies have been perfunctory. 1t 10
not known to the outside world what
terms Austria. under pressure from
Germany, has offered Italy, but Aus
tria's eagerness to avoid hostilities
was shown in her agreement to pay
an indemnity Of 81. zoo. 900 for injuries
suffered by an Italian fishing feet
In the Adriatic. also in her repara-
tion for the destruction Of a wireless
plant at Antivari. Prince WON Rue
Lows mission to Rome has never been
propltious.
The truth In that Italy has had no
faith in German promises, and her
aversion to Austria has always made
the negotiations difficult. On the
other hand. Italy has been disposed
to trust both England and France.
and the fact that they are the domi-
nant Powers In the Mediterranean.
where Italy with colonies in Tripoli
and on the Red Sea must feel secure,
has carried great weight. Since the
war began England has supplied Italy
with coal enough to last her navy for
a year. and England has probably
advanced money to the Government
for war preparations. The Darda-
nelles operations. which al hardly
fail to end In q triumph for the An
glo- French expedition. assisted by the
Russians in the Black Sea. have nat
urally impressed the Italians.
When the Suez Canal, so necessary
as a highway to the Red Sea colony,
was menaced by a Turkish force un-
der German officers, Italy was very
near a break with Turkey. her enemy
Of four years ago, when Tripoli was
seized. In short, Italian interests
have depended upon the success Of
Great Britain and her allies to such
an extent that when the nerce clamor
Of the Italian people for war with
their ancient foe Austria 10 considered.
the wonder 10 that Italy did not make
her entrance into the val some time
ago. The explanation may be offered
that Great Britain and France ad-
vised delay until a vigorous offensive
campaign in the west could be under
taken BY them.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
'He Walks Alone"

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: About
three years ago, when visiting Trenton,
] asked an alert cab driver for his opin-
ion of Woodrow Wilson. the Governor of
the state of New Jersey and at the
same time a candidate for the Presidency
of the United States. Like a rifle shot
he answered me, Every one seems to
respect him, sir; but he always walks
alone"
In reading the most admirable edi-
tor!al article "Mr. Wilson" in to-day's
sun the resume of President Wilson'S
character from the lips of n humble taxi
cab driver was recalled TO my mind with
telling emphasis. and ut once the query
presented Itself; Has not loneliness
been the lot of all OF the worlds most
commanding figures. and Is 1t not the
price which all really great characters
must pay for their %preeminent position
in the affairs of life? | have read vol
umos unnumbercd abou, Napoleon and
his life, but my only mental picture OF
the Little Cor lean Is the solitary trip
to Elba with his thoughts only for com
panions, As a child my heart ached
for the lonely Washington on his knees
in prayer at Valley Forge. Time ana
again | have visioned Lincoln slipping
through the streets OF Washington after
nightfall or roaming the grounds of the
White House, single, solitary, alone with
his heartbreaking problems.
And so, perforce, TIE charge against
President Wilson must he true. His
mighty Intellect max him eremitlcal.
Profound problems in the cause of hui
manity hold him aloof from the more
trivial affairs OF everyday existence.
Wrongs TO his beloved country. which
he has sworn to protect as Chief Execu-
tive. give to him an air OF austerity.
but one and all, ] believe, We are agreed
that without the sacred walls of our
Presidents individuality and personal
Righteousness there Is an ocean OF af-
lection and respect from one hundred
million Americans which is sweeping on
like a great tidal wave for the uplift OF
humanity, j. LAwToN KENDRICK,
NEW YORK, May 10.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18

originates. There must Of course be
a foreign managing director who will
depart for Europe II he Is not already
there when selected In order to en-
gage numbers Of foreign singers at
the highest possible figure. or course,
he Is to be guided by only the highest
artistic principles. The thought Of
IN American engagement as the best
possible approach to IN colorado no
longer fiourishes in the minds Of the
foreign singers. They are inspired
only by the desire to give Of their
artistic treas to the New Worlds
eager citizens.
Thus, having assembled his forces,
the im~presario, with a chorus and or.
chestra selected from those who are
likely to be altogether amenable to
his artistic and business discipline.
sets out to make the deficit as little
ms possible lest the generous citizens
who have given their money should
be too soon discouraged. It may he
that bankruptcy will again intervene
as the only means Of extricating the
company from the embarra ssments
resulting from the contracts which
the i~mpresario, generous and artistic
soul. has made with his tried and
true operate friends or the eager
newcomers.
In any case It Is certain that the
foreign %impresario Is not to lose a
cent whatever happens, the singers
are going to be rewarded according
to the demands of their contracts and
the orchestral musicians will have no
cause for complaint. 1t Is only the
important and public spirited gentle
q with a firm belief In the metro
politan and educational influence Of
opera who are likely to lose their
money. however frequent bankruptcy
may be. II they minded such a fate,
however, there would not be the in
variable willingness to return to such
responsibilities. But there are al
ways subscribers and directors in any
numbers to undertake the task Of
supplying the foreign director. his
singers and the rest Of his cohorts
with the ample American funds 80
readily accessible for all such genu-
inely artistic efforts as opera in a
foreign language.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
THE l. AFFA7s.
Criticism Of Mr.. Rosslter Johnson's
Recent Statement Of Facts.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: Ros-
sitter johnson writes a most entertaining
letter to your paper on the Trent af-
fair. His letter would be more inter-
estlng II 1t did not show al animus of
u"nfriendllness toward England and had
kept closer to the actual facts.
When the English troops came to
Canada they did not find the Canadian
ports frozen over nor did they make
application to land In Portland, Me. ;
$4,000 English soldiers landed in st.
John. New Brunswick. a port that has
never yet been frozen over or closed
by ice. II Is nov used as the winter
port OF Canada, while any person can
see In the Cunard Line office a picture
Of the cutting out OF the Ice OF the
steamer Britannia in the port OF Boston
In 1874.
The giving up Of Mason and slidell.
as the historians state. was the act OF
President Lincoln, and liz so stated by
Justin Mccarthy and Or. Draper. who
quotes President Lincoln as saying /:
This Is the very thing the British cap
tains used to do. They claimed the
right OF searching American ships and
carrying men out OF them. Now
we cannot abandon our principles, we
shall give up those men and apologize
for what we nave done" The United
states Government did deliver them up
with an apology and an offer to salute
the British flag. Lord Lyons, who was
an admlrer OF this country and Its Gov
eminent, averted the humiliation of the
salute by having Mason and Slidell and
their two secretaries delivered TO the
English steamer Rinaldo at 4 o'clock In
the morning In Fort Warren at Boston
he rhpr n - Ianttary 1890 md az
salutes are not fired except between
sunrise and sunset. the Rinaldo was
many miles away when saluting time
came on that morning, and the salute
never was Aired.
What Mr.. johnson probably had in
mind In the offer OF Secretary Seward
to the English Government to ALLOW the
landing OF tho troops at Portland. as
he knew the United States army would
get several thousand well trained SOL
diers who would desert thereto. They
did get q thousand or two as II was.
Why does not some newspaper show
from the historical record Of the time
what England did for us at the time OF
tho civil war? England has been abused
for recognizing the be,llgerency OF the
South at the time of the ~blockading OF
the Southern ports when that recogni-
tlOn WdS " NiN bplt Pun IVot va "
ing the blockade under International
law. America had full treaties with
England allowing full m with
Its ports. and when the United States
Government b~lockaded Charleston. Sa-
vannah. Mobile and New Orleans II
was in violation OF that treaty. To pre-
vent any question arising from this the
English Government. at the Instance Of
John Bright, Richard Golden and Will
lam f.. Forster. passed the order in
Council. and there is not on record at
the State Department at Washington
n single protest from the British Gov
eminent against Any act arising from
the blockade, which many historians
hold did much to end the war.
Englishmen always try to maintain a
decent regard for the opinions OF man
kind. ROBERT FIAHERTY.
NEW YORK, May 10.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
O IRONY.
Two English Newspapers Misunder-
stand Mr.. wilson's P%hraseology.

To n EDITOR OF HI SuN-Str: The
united n loyal support which the
Presidents note has o X throughout
the country Ia In keeping with our best
traditions. II appears, however, that
two of the London papers ave failed
TO grasp the meaning Of certain state
ments therein, which quote tthe
Italics being mipe):
Recalling the humane and enlightened
attitude hitherto assumed by the I'm
perisl German Government Long &C.
quainted. as this Government has been.
with the character OF the Imperial Ger
man Government ana with the high prin-
ciples Of equity by which they have IN
the pdsf been actuated and guided. Prin-
ciples OF warfare for which the Imperial
German Government has IN the sssf 80
wisely ana 80 nrmly commended.
The Chronicle gravely remarks that
these compliments sound strangely to
the English ear" m predicts that they
will jar on British feelings" The
Express, on the other hand. protesting
to see in the aforesaid statements ar
exact antithesis of the TRUTH" dubs
them 'fronical" forthwith. and gleefully
opines that by reason of the aforesaid
irony, the outspokenness Of the Secre-
tary OF State Is made more effective"
Indeed. the latter paper. fearing perhaps
that its readers, with John Bulls pro-
verbal inability to zee a Joke. will take
the Presidents remarks too literally. Is
thoughtful enough to add q psrenthetical
clue or cue:
tMessrs. Wilson and Bryan must GER
tsinly have smiled some when writing
this.)
Thus q steel point Ia afixed to the
alleged diplomatic witticism. in order
that II may be by way OF striking a
latent spark OF sympathetic humor when
thus brought into violent contact with
Cousin Johns flinty head the Joke Is
diagrammed. as It were.
Let your misguided contemporaries
take another look at the above exhibits
In the case Lot them note that the
words hitherto" and in the past" OBJ
viously refer to the Germany Of yester-
day. q noble. enlightened and God fear
ing nation, and not to the Germany OF
to-day with It's u~nspeakable crimes
against the laws Of God and humanity.
Can they imagine that any red blooded
man could compliment" . Germany
which stands for those vile and syste-
matte deeds OF barbarisn melted by the
Infamous Admiral Won Tfrpitz and
pall,ated by me %impudent DR.. Dernburg?
Can they conceive that President Wilson,
At all time the ~steadfast champion Of
the highest ideals, ideals which friend
and foe alike. by their approval or ridi-
cule. universally admit TO be his con-
slant aim. can they conceive that he,
In times like these or In any times. could
descend TO cheap irony on the one hand
or cowardly hattery on the other7
EDWIN C.. YATES.
RRoOKIYE Nav II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
Italy's Preparations for War.

30 long ago as October 10 the Cabi.
net Council at Rome authorized an
expenditure Of $l1 .2OO,OOO for the
purchase Of military supplies, and by
the New Year 100000 men had Joined
the colors. To-day Italy has 100000
plans for a campaign in the Tyrolese
salient and to land troops for an ad-
vance on Trieste r complete. The
navy has long been modified with
bases on laramie and Venice, and
transports are available to carry ar
mics across the Adrlatlc. An immense
store Of wheat Is on hand. and from
the United States a million pairs OF
shoes have been imported recently for
military use.
Italy was far from ready for war
GUM began. and 1t Is significant that
in the interval the Government. while
continuing It's negotiations with Aus
trla and Germany, not to enter the
conflict on their side. but to remain
neutral, has been methodically pre-
pairing to win with the sword terri
tory Italy covets, the Trentino and
Trieste, and to extend her sphere of
influenc, In Albania and even beyond
in the Near East.
From the first the odds have been
against neutrality by Italy to the end.
Active espousal Of the cause Of the
Teutonic allies was always out OF
the questionable italian people hate
the Austrians too passionately to toll
crate such a war venture. II may
be assumed that, while the Govern.
ment early declared for a Neutral at
titude, most Of the Ministers sympa-
thized with the popular demand. The
army and the police undoubtedly did,
and their attempts to deal with the
mobs shouting for war and cheering
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
They Are Americans.

while proud Of our German an
cestry, we know only one nag, the
nag Of u country" the 5000 MEM
bers Of the German Catholic Union
Of Baltimore tell Mr.. WILSON, "and
we tender to you, the standard bearer,
u undivided loyalty" The Nec
Yorker Herold. warning unnatural
lied Germans In this country to be
silent, sets forth admirably and COM
pletely the duty Of the German
American and afirms his readiness
to fulfil It:
NC silent and sullen acquiescencs In
the measures the nation takes through
Its chosen representatives will sufice :
the response OF the German Americans
must come from the whole heart and
their support Of the country must be
without reserve. without qualification.
And from all the manifestations OF
German American spirit in the las, few
days We can definitely say that in this,
the supreme test Of loyalty. the German
Americans will not fail or falter."
The position Of Americans Of Ger.
man birth and Of many Americans Of
German origin, especially II they
have. as SO many Of them do, rela.
tives and friends in the German army
or navy. Is one that invites a forbear-
and a sympathy which would
have been felt more generally were 1t
not for the acridity and violence with
which too many public spokesman and
partisans Of Germany have here es-
pOused its cause. The conflict be-
tween old memories and affections
and the newer but ineluctably bind
Ing obligations will be appreci-
ated by all thoughtful. persons; but
when the time came to decide be-
tween the old and the new, be-
tween inherited sentiment and posi-
tive American patriotic duty, there
could be no doubt of the decision.
That patriotism would not be pune
tuated with a hyphen. The German
"ouiu NC IA 40
why should he not? A Virginian or a
Massachusetts man Of British descent
Is not a British American" This
adjective Of origin long ago fell of.
SO, we hope, has it fallen from Ger
man American" The feeling and
purpose Of the German Americans"
apart from a handful Of fanatics, is
represented and expressed by the
resolution Of the German Catholic
Union. Not with mere lip service,
but u~nreservedly, they support their
President and their country, this
country, as their fathers and grand
fathers did In 81. The United States
Is united. Germany must give up the
last Of her illusions.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
JOLINE LIBRARY ITEMS SOLD.
Brisk Bidding for Letters an
other Documents.

A sale of letters and documents ~
longing TO the library OF the late Air
II. Joline was held In the Anderson 6
leries yesterday afternoon.
There was brisk bidding for MANY
the items. A letter by Charles Lam
and n portrait. both iniaid, sold
George ID. Smith: a commission .
captain by Oliver Cromwell 20 J.. 81
Thompson: an authors proof shro.
LEADERS in Literature" by Thomas
Quincy. to George II. Smith, r war,
by King Charles !. OF England writ
on veTlum to l.. NJ Thompson AMI
collection OF Colley C.uhcr. ir"lud
Ave portraits and a play htll OF '"r." n
hearsal,' { o George u. Smith The '.
for the session vas 1865 70.
The sale will continue to-day.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
WINS AGAINST PRENDERGAST
Kings Register Gets His $500.
for Extra Clerks.

Register Edward T. OLOughbn .
Kings county won his fight agar
Comptroller Prendergnst and the Boa
OF Estimate when Supreme Court ia.
tice Blackmar issued n peremptory "
OF mandamus yesterday directing %
Comptroller and the board TO pass %.
additional appropriation OF about 81,
900 for the Registers office.
The 1915 budget failed TO provide .
extra clerks employed by Mr., O'Logc
lin and the application for h wr't .
lowed. O'LoughIin holding that the ~
islature by an act passed IN 1913 D.
authorized him 10 employ certain o.
sistants at specified salaries. In 81
decision Justice Blackmar said:
III we are unduly hurdened by ma"
datory laws we must console ou-se,yo
with the reflection that such laws wet,
enacted by legislators chosen by IN
people. Economy is a good thing, bg
obedience 10 the law \. better"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
MAY SEND HELP TO PALESTIy
Zionist Committee Has ArrrrG'
for Delivery.

The Provisional Executive Comm
for General Zionist Affairs ar"na
that following tho interrurt.0" n'"n
OF the war OF financial conwlr coat
through the usual channels L has u
arrangements with responsible 'rr-
lin Palestine and Alexandra 80 .5"H
funds sent through the comm '.r"
friends and relatives IN Talce'.""
The committee announces a'su '1a'
has arranged to make s.w.'l. r""
tances to Russia, with Do" r--'"a
that II the money cannot he do. YER
II will be returned to the scn3.". :
charge will he made by The r".m '''
the only cost being exchange Oh.
current rate. The office OF III" 'or'
tee Ia at - East TwCu'y-Sc'0.t stree
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
The Seven Seas.

To u EnlToR OF THE SuN-Sir: The
following words occur in The Songs OF
KahIr,' translated by Rablndranath
Tagore tSong viii, page 5?D
within this earthen vessel are bowers and
groves, and within u IL the Creator:
within this vessel are the seven oceans
and the ~unnumbered stars.
Kabir was born In or near Benares
about 1440 A.. d. A, w. STIRLING
ATLANTA. Ga, May 10.