davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
Chance to Demonstrate Backbone

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir; There is law Of this state which
makes it a criminal offence to start or to
attempt TO start run on bank. The local
press published in the German language have
openly advised their readers to withdraw their
funds from any bank which subscrbes to the
proposed Anglo French loan and il is report
cd in this mornings papers that one German
controlled savings bank has threatened its de-
positories with the withdrawal of its reserve
funds on deposit il these repositories take
any part of the loan. at the same time giving
advance notice to the public that it intends
doing so.
While these depository banks are doubt
less well able to meet these threats, as they
should be met, the authorities of this state
have now the opportunity TO demonstrate
whether or not they Also in common with
the Federal administration, are afflicted with
"jellyfshitis." RUSSELL f.. GEYER.
Brooklyn, Sept rs, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
MR.. WILSON'S POLICY"
A Correspondent Puts All the Blame
on the Kaiser.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Cir. Your editorial, "Mr. Wilson's German
DoIicv" seems TO cover the whole situation
with perfect frankness, but fails to convince
~, ~ it4 truth. You are most unfair TO Mr.
Wilson. Among other things you accuse hlm
directly Of being responsible for the deaths
Of Americans on board the Lusitania. re-
fer TO the following paragraph: The Amer
lean citizens who went on board the Lust
tania went there armed with .he recent dec
laration of the President holding Germany
20 strict accountability for any wrong done
American citizens" Then the Germans sank
the Lusitania, carrying with her "men,
women and children. the helpless victims OF
German ruthlessness." In other words, you
imrlv that the President never should nave
written the note unless he could demonstrate
to the German government thai he meant 10
back Y up.
The President did mean it, but the sinking
Of large passenger ship with so many IN
nocent souls on board was an undreamt OF
possibility TO himself and the whole civilized
world The Lusitania was sunk not because
our bluff" was called, but because Of
definite set policy of the German govern
ment formulated long before Mr.. Wilson was
ever President She had decided long ago
that England must be crushed. There was
more advantage TO her in crippling England
than staying on friendly relations with US.
Unprepared as we are, they had nothing to
fear and, prepared hardly much more.
Everything was TO be gained by the sinking
of the Lusitania and very little TO be lost
Do you suppose for minute that the Ger
mans considered whether President Wilson
meant what he said? No, they were Ges-
perate and they only considered the most ex-
pedient course. If we had been backed by
q large army and navy the result would have
Teen the same Even if we were prepared
Gown to the last shoestrng our entrance
into the war would hardly cause a ripple
The Allies don't need men. They outnum-
Der the Germans two to one now, and no
doubt could make il much higher If necessary.
I'm afraid our soldiers wouldn't be able to
find standing room" in the war zone. Then
again our munition factories are working
overtime for the Allies and we are at present
contemplating making them a huge loan
The English. French and Russian navies are
well able to take care of themselves without
any aid from US. What disadvantage, then,
would Germany incur by breaking with US?
And what greater advantage could she gain
than by sinking enemy Cor neutraD ships
carrying contraband of war? The German
government, and not the President is respon-
sible for our position to-day. politics and
ignorance Of diplomatic procedure" have
nothing TO do with It. The Kaiser and his
underlings have brought the whole thing
about. j. r. NJ
MattapOsett, Mass, Sept. 2o, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
A Coward.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: wish to ask what the difference is
between a peace t-all-costs" man and
coward? Ny dictionary defines a coward as
zone who shrinks from duty or danger, who
fears pain or harm unduly." man who
would permit another to insult him and would
do nothing in retaliation is a coward.
If a stranger-an enemy-entered your
home, offered insult to the members Of your
family, and perhaps appropriated any and all
articles of value pleasing to his fancy, what
would happen? You would summon the
olice The police are the safeguard Of our
homes. Why do We allow this wonderful
country of ours to go so unprotected that
any invader could readily enter and degrade
all our rights of freedom, and we, in our
weakness could demand no reparation no JUS
tice? Yet that is just what the "peace-at-
all-costs" men are advocating.
From whence comes this spirit of servility ?
Surely not from American ancestry, else
there could have been no War of Indepen-
dence, no freedom for these United States.
Unless persons place financial loss or gain
above all patriotism and honor, they could
never advocate system of such dishonor to
Americans and Amercansm of such danger
to our very freedom, as "unpreparedness."
ELIZABETH F. SWAN.
Oyster Bay, n. Y, Sept "a, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
Nature and Art.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In an interesting article which you
publish to-day you refer to the statements Of
certain artists that Nature is not perfect,
their implication being that art can improve
upon Nature. This, indeed, has been definitely
stated by Whistler snd others ! should like
TO say that in book dealing with art prin-
cples, which I published three or four years
ago, ! demonstrated that it is not possible
for art to improve upon Nature, with the fol-
lowing proposition, which was not disputed by
any of the fifty or more critics who reviewed
the work, and must of necessity be accepted:
"Inasmuch as that only can be idealized
which has abstract qualities, or in which the
position Of parts is fixed and inyarable, a
higher form of beauty than any that exists
of inanimate products of Nature which may
he used signs in landscape cannot be con-
ceyed. This being so, and inasmuch as the
beauty of natural scene depends on the re-
lation of its parts to each other, it follows
that more beautiful view than one that may
exist in Nature cannot be conceived or exc
cuted" f. GOVETT.
New York, Sept 20. 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
Sixteen Questions.
or of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir /. Why did the United States occupy
iayti and engage in the killing of the
natives?
,. How does our policy in Hayti differ from
that toward Mexico and Germany?
3. Why die President Wilson in his first
Lusitania ultimatum refer to the German
Embassy warning as reprehensible and sub
sequently receive the German Ambassador
without comment?
4. Is the Lusitania massacre closed in
cident, as stated by "The Evening POST?
.. What has happened to our demand in
regard to the Frye?
6. Why did Mr.. Hearst and his papers de-
nand war on Spain for the sinking Of the
Maine and now apparently approve the Lusi-
tanias destruction?
7. Why do we continue to remain defence
less in the presence of a world war?
s. Why did Ambassador Dumba ask TO be
recalled on leave of absence" when we de-
manded his recall Internationally?
9. Was Mr.. Lansing's note to Austria ask
ing for Dumba's recall apologize?
10. Was Dumba's recent protest to me Sec
rotary Of State insulting?
II. Is Count Won Bernstorff responsible for
the activities of Military Attache Won Papen
and Naval Attache Boyd?
II. Is it insulting to the national dignity
to have Won Papen refer to US as "idiotiC
Yankees?
II. Has it ever been intimated that Mr.
Bryan has been in the German service?
10. When II was discovered that BRYAN
had informed Dumba that our first Lusitana
message was mere fake, could not the govern.
ment punish the offender?
Is. What greater injuries could Germany
infict upon Americans at the present time
by being in state of war with US?
PATRICK HENRY'S GHOST.
New York, Sept. %, 1915
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29

there is no peace. This much French'
British and Russian attacks make PLAIN
to-day inside as well as outside Germany
viii the time come, is it coming now
when the German people will perceive that
victory is impossible? VIII the nation
recognize before its military chiefs do that
conouests without peace, campaigns with
ont decision. sacrifices without complete
attainment. are all that can result from
more months and years Of war? Perceiy-
ing this. the French people abandoned
NAPOLEON at last and he fell. His empire
was buried in Russia; MS sceptre was lost
in the first great defeat at Leipsic.
Germany has had no Moscow and no
Leipsic. Perhaps these lie far in the
future but who can fail to perceive that
the present is one Of the gravest crises IN
the history Of this war? Once more Ger
many has staked all on a turn, and the
turn has not come. She has men, military
and economic resources, great generals and
magnificent armies, but in the face Of IN
calculable losses and indecisiye results she
faces the old questions decisive victory
possible?
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
The Burden of the Ballot.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In a statement issued by Mrs Carrie
Chapman Gait as quoted in the morning
newspapers of September 20, she says that
the nti-suffragists are trying to escape from
the duty Of voting Her Interpretation Of
IT poster Is wrong.
The franchise does not become duty for
women until imposed upon them by the votes
Of men. We anti-suffragists do not wish to
escape what Mrs. Gait calls the "incon-
venience of duty" but what we consider the
inexpediency of an unnecessary burden. The
claim Of our anti-suffrage poster is perfectly
justifable. On account Of our sex we have
right TO freedom from the duties which
should be performed by men. Our duties be-
cause Of sex are TO bear, rear and educate
the youth Of the commonwealth; to minister
to the needs of the unwise and unfortunate
ana to guard the institutions of church and
home. Because OF these multifold duties we
claim exemption from the additional burden
Of the ballot, which becomes duty only
when thrust upon us.
Anti-sufFragists cannot accept TIE suf-
fragist view that If women are enfranchised
they are not obliged 10 vote, or that the
duties connected with the ballot are limited
to dropping a piece Of paper in the ballot
box. In the states where suffrage has been
imposed upon women recently the leaders in
the anti-sufrage movement have been among
the first women 10 register and vote.
This is because Of the nature Of our duty
toward the community. society and the fam
ily" into which We were born as women, but
we claim immunity from an active part in
government and politics. In order TO perform
this duty in the highest and fullest sense for
the good Of the majority we do claim that
woman has right 20 freedom from political
duties. MRS. ARTHUR ". DODGE
President National Association Opposed to
Woman Suffrage
New York, Sept. q, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
Germany's Financial Burden.

The third German war lean, issued last
week. brought in S3,OO7 100000. Two ear
ler loans. one made in September, 1914,
and the other in March, 1915, produced
50. 265. 100000. so that the total bonded
indebtedness incurred since the war began
is S6.272. 100000. The German imperial
debt prior to the war was $l,194Oo2,OOO
and that Of the various German states
S3.854 759OOO-a total Of S5,048,8l1,OOO.
If no further loans are made before Janu-
airy next, Germany's total debt on that
date will be $11.321,311,OOO against a
total of 81 OOO.OOO,OOO for the United
Kingdom.
The increase in debt due to the war
must weigh more heavily on Germany
than on Great Britain, because the latter's
wealth. commerce and taxable resources
are materially greater. Germanys foreign
trade has been cut off, her commercial
marine is interned and her industry has
been crippled in many departments by the
practical blockade of her territory. The
impairment Of capital through this block
ade will be very considerable if the war
lasts two years longer, and the loss Of IN
come through it has seriously reduced
the tax-paying capacity Of the nation. Ger
many has not sought so far to meet any
of the cost of the war by imposing new
taxes That is in itself an acknowledge
ment of weakness. Great Britain only a
few Gays ago imposed new taxes amount
ing to $575, 100000 a year, thus showing
an ability to take ample care Of the new
debt created by providing a sinking fund
for it's redemption, as well as a willingness
to finance the war to a considerable extent
on a payias-you-go basis. Germany hest
tates about subjecting her taxpayers to
so harsh a test. She is financing the war
on bonds issued to them and probably
gambling on war indemnities as substitutes
for sinking funds.
Great Britain carries on commerce as
usual with the rest Of the world and has
maintained her credit in foreign markets.
Germany doesn't need to keep up such a
credit, because foreign markets are closed
to her. She can use up the resources of
her own people and still preserve the SEM
blance of financial solidty. But when the
end comes and the blockade embargo is
raised the strain on German credit will
be all the more dangerous, because arti-
ficially deferred. With a debt of s2O,00O,-
100000 to $25,OOO,O 100000 and an economic
structure to be rebuilt from the bottom,
Germany will be in a far more critical
condition financially than will Great
Britain, France, or even Russia, inasmuch
as the latter powers have maintained
commercial relations with the neutral
world and have. lived during the war on a
much more normal economic basis.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
Why Allied Loan Should Fail.


To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: / wish TO submit few reasons which
render it extremely probable that the pro-
posed allied loan in the United States will
fail. The Middle West and West already
are aligned against it. Alone. the bankers
Of the East, were they united in the venture
into the unknown, would scarcely attempt the
measure.
First-The loan would be an entering
wedge which would be followed by numerous
others based upon a failing credit Both
sides in the war, financed from America.
would approach nearer bankruptcy as a re-
suit, and the compromising of peril pro-
ceeded, the credit of the world would tremble
in the balance. Reputation of national
debts would follow the commercial slavery
into which the bankers of Wall Street, with
pertinacity approaching treason, would
draw America.
Second-The tapping of American financial
resources would imperil the peace of the
United States through creating an interest
in the victory of the allied cause
Third The reputation Of national debts
which must follow prolongation OF the war
will enable the belligerent countries to re-
hablitate az the expense Of the lust ac-
NA-hN4nhioHo VI pthNtlul America. W e are
living in an age in which moral considera-
tons are being heaved overheard and the
black flag of piracy is being hoisted by the
nations at war Beginning with looting the
defenceless world, the modern smiling visitor
on Broadway hides his tattooed marks be-
meath shining broadcloth as he lures the
children of the new world on board his skull
and bone craft He is after loot not the
company OF his would-be victims
Fourth The merciful conclusion OF the
bloody holocaust would be fastened were
America 10 refuse the loan with or without
It's necessary collaterals. Mercy and morals
DO count in international relations despite
the rotting bodies OF the flower of Britain
and OF the Continent and the CHASTITY saugh-
ter hour by hour there.
Fifth The handwriting Of higher British
strategy in America so long delayed is upon
the wall America is not dead and defence
less in an hour of peril from war looters, but
is very alive and increasingly awake The
loan must justly fail, and fail completely for
all the period OF the commercialized saugh-
ter OF innocents for the pleasure of inhuman
politicians and the profit of Wall Street;
c. (. PARSONS.
Detroit, Sept. 10, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
WEAK. SPIRITED AMERIOAN1SN
We Have Tolerated Too Long the
Insolence Of the Hyphenated.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Some time ago, when our goyernms''
displayed oh weakness, l wrote you: TT 70
the first time in my life that | am not prod
of America" To-day feel like saying:
am ashamed of America and blush for 10
government See what is going on arOah
Us. Insult upon insult. Foreigners who ~
ceive our hospitality and were admitted
citizenship are acting against the interest
of this country for that Of Germany.
Not alone this, the Austrian and Germs
governments interfere directly in our bus
ness, debating to inhabitants Of the Unlis
States what to do and what not 70 DO. Ina'
ambassadors and underlings con,pire agslrH
US and openly insult the President. We On
in a bad way The German tiger will pN
with the American lamb till it is ready =
devour it. | fervently pray for mani
man, for a Roosevelt Had the ex-Presicen
oeen at the helm all this Teutonic pals"
would have been stopped long ago ana
would have the respect Of the world now
are its laughing stock.
When Mr.. Roosevelt sincerely and earhs"
| ly told the truth at Plattsburg about on
precarious situation some of those weasiinp
in Washington derided him for his pstri"
ism.
Had it not been for the heroic French arm!
that defeated the barbarians in the ostus
the Marne the Huns would be at our door
Then "this Anglicized schoolmaster slthoSS
he, just by chance, is sitting IN the F'ss
Dental chair" would weigh less in the ssia
than a Prussan corporal. And TO say ia
some of our hyphenated Irish are pro-ce'
man. Shades of Marshal MacMahon, PreA
dent of the French Republicl
Aren't there any strong Americans ans
besides Theodore Roosevelt TO counterae'
conspiracies of those impudent forelgns.
and ingrates who want TO dictate 70
"idotic, weakminded Yankees OrgsD
in order to boycott them, to ostraeize tnes.
They came over here to get an oppor,uns
that was refused them at home, and 'nis
how they show their gratitude for our Nv
pitality! We are much too easy-goins'
shall pay dearly for it some day.
Some years ago q circular was sent srou.
! in the German Empire asking the nsuon
boycott all foreign products II misn'
terest your readers to see how altruis'"
Germans are. Here Is the deealogue' 4.
a. In all expenses keep in MIND '''
terest of your own compatriots.
"2 Never forget when you buy i0''''
article your country is the poorer. -
"3. Your money should profit no one '"
Germans.
81. Never profane German factories T"
ing foreign machinery. ~
IS. Never allow foreign eatsole'
served at your table. cc
20. Write on German paper with oe'
pen and use German plotting paper 40.
~ German four, German fruit anu
man beer can alone give your body tfO'
man energy. ..sx
IS. II you don't like German malt '''
drink coffee from German colonies ,,.s
80. Use only German clothes Tor your
and German hats for your head. "a
10. Let not foreign fattery dis"as
from these precepts. and be firmly eon, ..,e.
whatever others say, that German pi'ssA,
are the only ones worthy Of citizens y
German Fatherland."
New York, Sept. %, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
Extend the Writ Methods!

Mr.. Writ. whose scheme of intensive
use Of school plants Mayor Mitchell is
urging the Board of Education 10 extend
TO all schools says that he is not primarily
Interested in the cost of education. He
wants TO get the best results. But it hap
pens that, whether or not there can be a
saving il the first year or two, there can
in the end be a great saving of money
for this city by the general use of the
Writ plan. 1t can do away with the part
time evil, with which the city cannot
pretend to cope under the present sys-
tom Of building new schoolhouses, a,
great expense. 10 give a reserved seat &c
cack pupil. 1t can also. according to ex
perts who have studied it at Gary anC
in the schools which have been used here
as experiment stations for several months
reduce the overhead charges Of education
so that there is an actual reduction in the
cos; for each pupil.
These advantages this city cannot afford
10 overlook. There is difference of opinion
as there is bound 10 be-about the pre-
else grade of merit of Mr.. Wirt's plan.
Yet nobody has ventured to say that it
turns out pupils less well equipped TO
meet the world, or actually less well stored
with book learning" whatever that is
worth, than the present school methods;
and many who speak with some authority
maintain that it is far better for the
minds and bodies Of the children. 1t APP
pears that the city and the children have
much TO gain, and no reasonable expecta-
tiOn Of anything to lose, If it be adopted
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29

cencies, the point Of honor. It bites Ike
acid through their dirty vanity and they itcn
for revenge, the revenge of physical violence
and spiritual torture. 1t is amusing as well
as disgusting to see them trying to explain
away their "scrap of paper" hypothesis ana
20 see the man Lissauer essaying footing
regrets for his gutter-song OF hate lney
have no regrets for wrong done. But they
are beginning to realize what decent people
think of them, and their vanity squirms
again as they once more sense, dimly, their
ingraned inferiority
IAN IDIoTIC YANKEE"
New York Sept %, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
All Republicans Again!

To the Editor Of The Tribune -,
Sir: Your paper is real, true n"' y,
paper. and has a good ring TO it. one
sick and Disguised reading editorials -
phisticated editors whose scheming p''"''
outweigh their possible influence, 49,
Let us hope that next year CoiOne is,p
Welt will get back in the old foia. ~,
work together, Republicans. for the s' ~
the old party. If Roosevelt becomes ,, v
dent again Mr.. Taft could again SER Is
country as Cabinet officer Or oe''s.
as a supreme Court justice. am .i ~
Progressives and Republicans will uniss
year and if Mr.. Roosevelt gives N n,,asss
little the Republican party can .,',y
grand victory and returned pr9.paswd
nsonLlx.o Can't pa 1919. ?