davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

not uttered one undignified word of com- calamities meted out to him by the cruel caprice of a cruel destiny.
 To America all grand things are pos sible. America, splendidly aloof from combat, clean in hand and warm in heart, csn accomplish what other nations in volved in difficulties at this juncture can barely attempt. America can approach Germany with the sovereign ease of one at peace in the midst of strife. and can, with humane forethought and certainty, secure such distribution of food supplies to the Belgian civil population as may save them from the sufferings which now ce nfront them every day. This Is what America can do; and with all our hearts and souls we pray that 1t may be quickly done.
 Victims of the Grim Idol of Militarism
 We in Great Britain are never weary of helping, to the best of our ability, those exles who have lost their homes and means of livelihood we strive t., make their hard lot less bitter and to one and all we accord a welcome to those Of our. own blood and kindred. But we arc at war; and though our government Is using all the means available to pre- vent the threatening disaster of millions of combatants-women, children and the aged being sacrificed to what is called military necessity" such means are not enough, being perforce obstructed by the difficulties of the situation.
 The grim idol of militarism must have it's burnt offerings that pitiless god of battle so aptly and magnificently de- scribed in Lord Baron's "Childe Harold 'Iol where the Giant on the mountain
 stands
 His blood-red tresses deep'ning in the
 sun,
 With death-shot glowing in his fiery
 hands,
 And eye that scorcheth all its glares
 upon;
 Restless 1t rolls, now fix'd, and now anon Flashing afar-and at his iron feet Destruction covers, to mark what deeds
 are done;
 All join the chase, but few the triumph
 share,
 The grave shall bear the chiefest prize
 away,
 And havoc scarce for joy can number
 their array!"
 Time presses The wolf of famine is at the very. doors Our hearts grow cold with terror and with pity as we see once prosperous and happy Belgium, land ol prosperous and happy people, shadowed by the fearful spectres of hunger and disease. And while we do all we car and all we may to keep back these menac. ing destroyers of the innocent, we clasI hands across the sea with America ant look to her frank and peaceable reason. aEleness, her boundless mpassion ant bonevolence for wider. more continuous help, feeling that she can and will mos assuredly move the German administra ton in Belgium to see to the free dis tribution of food and to gurantee tha.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
GUMS CON- OLA TON.

''Six million of people are on the verge of starvation in Beigium"
 Such news as this writes itself across the brain in letters of fire,
 Great Goddess of Liberty, think of 1t! You. America.-you, who represent that goddess. with the light of an ever widen ing glory on her brow, think of this shame to the very name of Freedom! this blot on civilization-this degrading result, as it were, of our long boasted intel- lectual supremacy and scientific advance ment!
 Six million people on the verge Of starvationl-through no fault of their own an industrious, peaceful, marvelously heroic little nation, deprived of it's hon. estly earned right to live, and dragged from it's altars of prayer to weep in the dust of beggary and famnel
 You, America!-you, star-crowned states of freedom that have already done so much, and are doing so much for this broken and bleeding victim of bitter cir cumstancesi You cannot stay your hand nowl-you cannot-you will not. You will do morel--and still more! You cannot see . brave nation die of sheer hungerl-it Is not in your heart to look on at such frightful thing unmoved; therefore, you will "sten to all unprejudiced appeals, even to mine, though have little claim to your hearing save that of the affection freely given to me by thousands of my readers in your country-an affection gratefully accepted and as warmly re- ciprocatedl
 How a Woman Sees the Situation
 I, a woman, have naught to do with the uuarrels and murderous onslaughts Of men filled with blind fury and lust of world power; all that I can see or hear is the sorrow and suffering befalling those who are innocent of any quarrel; the wives, the mothers, the young girls and boys, the little children, the helpless and bewildered old people. Cruel famine is already torturing these piteous and patiently enduring souls on whom such black cloud of unmerited disaster has fallen that it seems as if it would never lift.
 All who have power to visualize their unparalleled distress must and surely will take every possible means to soften and mitigate the horrors of their situation. Generous America!--you have done and are doing much-you have worked and are working strenuously to relieve the burden of Belgum's heavy affliction; but work to you is the very pulse of your large life and bgness of conception in noble deeds is your breathing power!
 Therefore no hesitation need be felt in asking you to go on working and doing al, you can for the tortured, half-dying people of a devastated country; a people whose magnificent heroism has blazoned itself in chronicle of glory for the won der of the future years: nation that has faced her foes unflinchingly in the simple defense of her freedom, and whose noble King, a hero to the manner born, has
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
|MAUBEUGE IS RULED WITH AN IRON HAND
All Necessities of Life in Hands of the Germans,
 Says Refugee

Boulogne January S-(Special.) )-"Ai last am among friendsl' Such were the words that a woman uttered as she stepped onto the platform at little sta ton near here It appeared she had been imprisoned in the town of Maubeuge ever since the outbreak of the war. When the forts fell no woman succeeded in leaving the town.
 Every man of Maubeuge between 15 and 60 is already in Germany, and many wom- en have been sent to prison for demon strating against the measures taken by the enemy.
 Living is exceedingly expensive Meat has greatly increased in value. and bread is given out in rations. Children under 12 are allowed 150 grams daily. whilst those over this age are given 250 grams. All the vital things of everyday life, such as -four, are in the hands of the Ger mans. It is thus exceedingly difficult to obtain any of these things. Written ap- pltcation has to be made to the Ger man military authorities who do not grant permission very early.
 The gas works are still working, but
 
 leum has been sent to Germany, and the enemy has imported in its place large numbers of candles.
 Every piece of warm material and all winter clothes have been seized and the poor inhabitants are without warm cloth ing and in more than one house no fire Is to be seen.
 Every sort of conveyance has been sent to Brussels, and everything of silver or gold, or of the slightest value, has long since been pocketed by the soldiers.
 The cafes have been taken over by the Germans, and have brought women from Germany to act as the keepers. ,So bad was the behavior of the soldiers in the cafes that the German commander has reserved Cafe des Postes and the Cafe Adam for the French people. The in- habitants are allowed to enter and take 6 drink but must not stay longer than quarter of an hour at a time. To enforce this rule a sentry is stationed in the cafe.
 All lights are put out at 9 o'clock, and anyone found on the streets after this hour is liable to be shot. In order that no mistake may be made the soldiers on duty carry little silver bells attached to their belts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
One Great Classroom rom fhA Kanaaa C.itv Gtar

>>e~seSs--s
 Topeka, Kan.-The entire state of Kan. gas is being made the classroom of the University of Kansas, the Agricultural college. the Normal school and their branches. It is proposed to carry all of the classroom instruction to every town in the state where there are six stu dents interested enough to take 1t up.
 The work Is carried on both by cor respondence and actual classroom lec- lures, discussion and study. There are 57 university courses. almost an equal number of Agricultural college courses and 15 normal training courses offered under the new plan. The students be- gin through correspondence. Then an in- structor visits the town and begins class room work.
 The schools are intended for mature persons who are employed and the class- room work is done at night. One even ing each week Is devoted to each class in each town, but the entire evening, three hours at least, is used. The other ven- ings of the week the classes meet and work out the problems submitted in cor respondence and provided by the instruc- tors.
 Except fin purely vocational instruction, nearly all the courses lead to Q univer- eity degree.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
Why He Paid Cash

From the Philadelphia Telegraph.
 Sir William Allan covered n largo canvas with a picture of the battle of Waterloo, which the Duke of Well lington bought. His grace asked the painter to call at the Horse Guards on a certain day to receive payment. Punctually Sir William came and the duke began to count out notes for the sum agreed upon Knowing how val uable was his time, Allan said that he would be quite content to take the dukes check.
 His grace went on counting and the artist, thinking he had not been heard, remarked:
 'It would save your grace time and trouble if you would give me a check on your bankers"
 Either angry at being interrupted in his counting or else jocularly, with a touch of the truth that is sometimes spoken in jest, the duke answered. Don't you think I would allow Coutts (his bankers) to know what fool I have been?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
INTREPID BRITISH AIR PILOT KILLED
 Captain Robert Lawrence's Career Was Short But Brilliant l

London, January p.-(Special )-By the death of Captain Walter Lawrence. the British army has lost one of it's most pominent air pilots. The relatives of Captain Lawrence have been advised by the war office that he was killed in @ flying accident. but as yet. no particulars are to hand.
 Captain Lawrence was an Italian count in his own right, being tho only son of the late Count Palcioni, who was married to an English lady. He se- lected the army as his profession. be- came a naturalized British subject, adopted the name of Walter Lawrence, and entered the Sussex regiment. He was 22 years old.
 When war was declared. he flew with his colleague from Dover to France. and, with the exception of one brief visit to home quite recently, he remained in France to the time of his death.
 He received from the President of the French republic the legion of honor. The incident that obtained for him this recognition was noteworthy. my's lines, his engine went dead, and he was forced to descend. His mech anic was wounded and this added to the danger. They managed, however, to scrap the machine. and then took cover in 8 ditch to await developments. In short time they spied a motor car coming along, containing q German officer, who. out of natural curiosity. lighted to survey the damaged machine but soon found himself looking into the barrel of Captain Lawrence's re- volver. The pilot forced him back into the car. and with the pistol pointed to his ribs was persuaded" to show the two Englishmen the road through the German lines to the English camp at the same time being clearly given to understand what the result would
 be should he by sign or shout disclose the identity of his companions. Cap tain Lawrence told when he was re-
 gently in England and said:
 | He was a brave laddie. Sighting g party of uhlans he shouted out. Oi
 course, he at once paid the penalty
 We reached our lines in safety, and counted 86 bullet holes in the car"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

and lava eruptions. But how did they ever get the idea that they could i'm itate the effects of lightning by rub ping two sticks against each other? It has been observed in recent years that in bamboo forests of Southern India branches sometimes are whipped by the wind against each other until they burst into flame. That probably was where the fire inventor got his idea.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07


 thunder! Simple as taking off your hat That's why corn millions have gone wild over GETS-IT"-nothing like 1t ever known. Some folks, to this day, butter around with bandages, sticky tape, thick plasters, corn pulling salves, gouge corns out with knives. snip them with scissors, make them bleed and then howl because they can't get rid of sore corns. Use "GETS-IT.' .'' There's nothing to do but apply drops. The work is done, "GETS-IT" does the rest. No pain, no fussing, no changing shoes. no limping It never fails. Try 1t tonight for any corn, callus, wart or bunion. Be sure that you get GETS IT" and nothing else.
 tGETS-IT" is sold by druggists ev- anywhere, 25c bottle. or sent direct by F. Lawrence X Co, Chicago. Sold in Birmingham and recommended as the worlds best corn cure by Eugene Jacobs Drug Store, Gale Drug Co., @ stores) BOT First Ave, and Pratt Station, Pratt City, Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
The First Fire

From the Kansas City Star.
 Speaking of wonderful inventions, the overshadower of Edison is the man --or woman who invented fire. Our pre- historic ancestors doubtless were famil- far with fire from lightning strokes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
Not . Greeting

From the Houston POSI-
 regiment of soldiers were at camp and a young Scottish recruit was put on sentry duty outside the generals tent. In the morning the general arose. looked out of his tent and said to the young man in stern and loud voice:
 "Who are you?''
 The young man turned around smartly and said. Fine. Hoo's yerssvr'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
Most Old People
 Are COnstipated

The wear of years impairs the ac- tion of the bowels. With advanc- ing age people are disposed to re-
 stricted activity and exercise, which Is responsible for the constipated condition of most old folks. The
 digestive organs are more sensitive to the demands made upon them and rebel more quickly.
 A mild, effective remedy for con- stipation, and one that is especially suited for the needs of elderly peo-
 pie, women and children, is the combinat tion of simple laxative herbs with pepsin that is sold in drug stores under the name of Dr.
 Caldwells Syrup Pepsin. A free trial bottle can be obtained by writ ing to Dr. w. B. Caldwell, 452 Washington St., Monticello, Ills.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
Corn-Mad? Use
 "GETS-IT, It's Sure

Makes corns Vnpish Like Magic
 hard cap of skin makes up every corn. When you put ? drops of "GETS- IT. on it, 1t shrivels up and comes right 0ff-and there's your corn-gone by
The Washington times., 1915-01-04
SKATING TO
CONTINUE ON BASIN
Weather Officials Declare Indi.
cation Is That Sport Will Be
Enjoyed Several Days.

With the sun behind the clouds and
tie promise of a drop in temperature
tonight. followed by fair weather TO-
morrow. prospects are excellent for sew
eral more days of skating. and WASH
iastic as the sport continues.
Men and women who have not skated
before for several years have been
tempted to the Basin by the reports of
the fun that was being had there,
Many others, who have never before
had an opportunity to skate on ice have
ventured forth for their first experience
or the ice.
1t Is estimated that yesterday there
were more than 5000 people on the Ba-
sin at one time, and although therc
were numerous falls among the novices,
mere was not serious accident. There
were more people skating on the Basin
Yesterday than have ever before gath
cred there, according to DR.. T.. G.
Meyer, who for number of years has
been the leader in skating caI1livals
that have taken place here
ned 10 hold the ''tirehy carnival' on
the ice Wednesday evening. and indi.
cations are that it Will be the biggest
event OF the kind ever conducted in
Washington. TO insure further safety
and for the convenience of the skaters
brigade of Boy Scouts on duty to ac,
as masters of ceremony. Scout Com.
missioner Edgar 8. Martin Conferred
with DR.. Meyer tooay regarding the
number of boys necdcC. and stated he
would TO glad to furnish as many a,
on skates to enable them to get about
ra pidly.
The Washington times., 1915-01-04
A PASSPORT PLOT

The possibilities of international
discomfort by reason of a conspiracy
to provide passports to aliens who
want to leave America to join the
armies of their native countries, are
not so serious as might be imagined
from the early announcements con-
corning the alleged uncovering Of a
plot in New York. Doubtless there
has been overzealousness on the part
of consular officials of more than one
country; that is "a condition hardly
to be avoided in such time.
But the suggestion Of possibility
that the plot may be traced to some
vague "higher up" need not give
much concern. If any "higher up
authority has been implicated in the
excesses of enthusiasm, that particu-
lar authority will be promptly dis
aNowcd by his government, and the
United States will accept the dis
avowal. That's the way things are
done between nations. Even if it
ware pretty definitely suspected that
his government had acquiesced in or
even inspired his irregular perform
ances, he would be repudiated and
withdrawn; and this country would
not 60 back of the face of the re-
turns.
The Washington times., 1915-01-04

mode Of expression in community
works. ,.
But surely, if our rulers will not
permit us to decide and do things for
ourselves, they are the more under
moral obligation to do some. at least.
Of the obvious things for us.
Private enterprise in Milwaukee
goes 100 miles to find waterpower,
and spends millions developing it, in
order to effect a modest cheapening
of the cost Of running the city's
railways.
Public enterprise in Washington
has a far better invitation to do
more than that for this town; but il
will not move.
Legislation pends before Congress
for the development Of the Great
Falls power. There are strong sup.
porters of the project. But nothing
happens. .-~. -.'''
Must the town be always content
with eloquent generalizations about
making this the worlds most beau.
tiful capital, the nations municipal
model, while the modest, workaday
cal1ous-fisted. common sense things
that ought to be done are to be
neglected?
The Washington times., 1915-01-04

organize to attract them. and have
the cooperation Of the home gov
ernment in. their efforts. They could
absorb in few years five millions
each from the population Of the
mother country, and benefit all con-
cerned.
After the war they will find it
easier than ever before to attract
the manhood of the home country.
The experience of the war will have
filled men with a desire for more ex-
perience; more adventure. It will
have cosmopolitanized, after a fash
ion, some millions Of the peasantry
and the middle class of Britain and
the Continent. It will have been a
liberal education in worldly knowl-
edge for armies of provincials. Go.
ing back home to find nothing to do,
but to read the attractive promises
Of the colonies oversee, they will be
tempted as never before; and
myriads Of them will 60.
The United States has need to
consider what its own attitude shall
be toward this class Of immigration
Britain will not give US Of her peo.
pie if she can help; she wants them
for her own colonies. But from
other countries, especially the cas-,
and the south Of Europe, we will be
confronted with resumption of the
immigration flow, immense in re.
cent years and likely to be yet great
er after the war. 1t is our problem
this Of what to do with the armies
after tho war; our problem, in only
less degree than II is the problem Of
the countries now at war.
The Washington times., 1915-01-04
NOTE ASKS
GERMAN SURRENDER
Brick Used to Carry Note to
Russians Picturing Alleged
HeIpIessness Of Teutons.

BERLIN. Jan. 4.--'rhe Berliner Tase-
blatt publishes the following letter
written by a telegraph operator Of the
Berlin fire department. who is now at
the front on the western theater Of
war, to his friends:
Dear Comrades: 7 am sending you
herewith Russian telegram which
was found near SZukle by our patrol
on October 2o. 1t was attached to a
brick and evidently had been dropped
by a Russian fiier. You can see from it
how the Russian is being misInformed.
Here IS the message:
The German army which during
the last few days was nearing War
saw. has been completely beaten and
is now being closely pursued by the
imperial Russian army. We captured
many cannon and machine gums. Each
day our energetic pursuit brings an in
crease to our immense booty MANY
German officers and soldiers surrender.
They are wise to do so. for il helps
end the war. every effort OF German re-
sistance being foolish and futile.
""German soldiers, wha. can ION ox-
pect" Austria Is completely destroyed,
hungary IS separating herself iron,
Austria and Will make a separate peace.
The British and the French are rcatinc
Sou. Nv sou, too, expect 10 E.ait Until
Your fathcrland is completely DESTROYED
Your parents. wives and children ard
all those you left behind are starvins ns
and suffering bitter misery through this
war.
"'And why? Because only one man
wanted it-your Emperor William. He
alone Is to blame that You must starve
| and suffer. Therefore don't .be fools.
DO not believe what they tell you. II
is all untrue.
I Surrender! If it is difficult for YOU
| to do so during the day, do it at night
as many of your comrades alleady
have done. We will receive You. We
will welcome you. In Russia YOU will
become happy. and will survive the war
and suffer no want whatever
"It is to laugh: it is all untrue"
The Washington times., 1915-01-04
AFTER.WAR PROBLEMS

How will Europe, after the war,
absorb the millions of its fighting
men back into the industrial sys-
TENS Of the different countries? AL
ready there is agitation of the prob
lem, despite that it does not seem
likely to be imminent for a painfully
long time.
In all likelihood, it will not be 50
great a problem as it now appears.
To cite the experience Of the United
States after the civil war would not
be safe, of course, because circuin-
stances in the United States at that
time were vastly different from those
in Europe now. Europe has been
overpopulated for q long time; par
ticularly in the countries now at war,
aside from Russia. More than any
thing else, overcrowding is the
cause of this war. Germany needs
an outlet for her fast-growing mum.
bers, and does not want to see them
leave the German flag. Germany as
the workshop Of Europe, with plen-
tiful world markets assured, could
keep her people at home in intensi-
fled production; German colonies
abroad would provide opportunity to
spread out the surplus without losing
tiff only the German people would
go to German colonies. The difficulty
is that they don't. They have pre-
ferred to come to the United States,
and to Great Britain.
When our civil war ended, there
was opportunity for everybody to
get back at work. The soldiers of
the Northern armies poured west
ward and filled up the new States of
the Middle West; those of the South
for the greater part went back home
where there was plenty Of room and
plenty for them to do.
But England and Germany will
have no such easy outlets. Either
they must provide new occupations
for their released armies, OF they
must send them abroad. Probably
they will do both.
There is plenty Of room in this
world for all the people, for many
generations to come. Canada and
Australia come from natures hand
vastly more attractive as the habita.
| tiors of men than is the rather ster,
lie and bleak island of Britain. They
! want immigrants; they beg tor them