davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
Tho British Preliminary Case.

The British reply 10 the American
note protesting against unnecessary In
reference with neutral trade on the
high seas is a special plea preliminary
in its nature and inviting sur rejoin-
der. A plausible explanation Is that the
British Government wants more time TO
prepare It's evidence justifying seizures
to which the United States objects. APP
parently series OF diplomatic ex-
changes Is desired before the position
of Great Britain with regard to contra
band Is cOnclusively defined
Between the lines of this reply may
be read an appeal TO the United States
not to press Its protest now. Frankly
speaking, Sir EDWARD GAYS note to
Amba ssador PAGE IL an argument from
For instance, why drag In cotton and
rubber, not mentioned in the American
note, unless the design IL to conciliate
the United States by showing the good
will of Great Britain? True, cotton has
not been put on the contraband list, but
It would have been bad policy to In
clude 1t. As to rubber. Great Britain
gains more than she loses by permitting
exports to the United States.
1t is satisfactory to know that one
point at issue is already settled Great
Britain agrees that foodstuffs should
not be held up unless It can be proved
that they are intended for the armed
forces of the enemy. In principle al
least there Is an acceptance of Lord
sALIsBURy's Judgment that It is not suf
ficient that foodstufrs in transit car,
4 capable of being 90 used" but theil
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
FROZEN OUT OF CARNEGIE.
traordinary Treatment OF SbOIo m
Alechem's Auditors.

To THE EDITOR OF THE suNS-Str:
attended a reception Saturday evening.
January .. 1915, given at Carnegie Hall,
Ia the honor OF the worlds greatest
Jewish humorist. Sholom Alechem.
Everything went well UP 10 IL o'clock.
when the great humorist was In tho
middle Of reciting the second Of his
works to the audience, when OF a sudden
a. IL with one movement and force all
tho doors OF the large hah were thrown
wide open by the usners in unison. oaus-
ing heavy draught TO set in 90 the
much overheated and ovcrorowded audi
ence
Upon noticing this the chairman for
the reception, Mr.. Barondess. called the
ushers TO shut the doors. but without re-
suit II seemed TO make matters worse.
One could note quickly then that II was
tho intention of tho management to
freefe everybody out. For in an instant
rough voice from the midst of the audi
enoe shouted Your time IL up. now
get out" With less time than Il takes
10 relate, three whistles were blown, and
again all the ushers as II under rules,
called to the people with their inviting
tones, IAN out This way out"
Was that the right treatment for us TO
receive at tho hands OF such "a reputable
lyceum as Carnegie Hall?
In my opinion Il was n tow. mean
dastardly act nevertheless, Sholom
Alechem- HERMAN GHESMAS.
New YORK, January II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
Anyhow They Arc Incompetent
Democrats.

General woTHERsPooN has celebrated
his assumption of his new duties as
Superintendent Of Public Works by
announcing that he will dismiss from
the States employ 800 men whose
chief qualification has been to help get
out the vote on election day"
The men who are to go were put in
their Jobs while the Democrats were
in power. They replaced, according
to General WorHERsPooN, competent
workers." who we're, OF course, of Re-
publican selection.
Obviously this Is a proper and log
ical step toward efficiency in admins
tration. So far as their nominal du.
ties are concerned there are no avail
able records as TO the performances OF
these doomed Job holders; but even n
brief study OF the election returns for
November, 1914, will convince the most
debauched and abandoned Democrat
that they either miserably failed to
get out the vote for GLYNN, or else be-
trayed their party and devoted their
efforts to the cause of WHITMAN.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
NOtan.

70 THE EDITOR or THE SUN--Sr. The
disclaimer OF the poet % the Koehisohe
IoituHD, under the title The German
God" utterly abjurtng the Prince OF
Peace whom Christians worship. and pro-
claiming that blood soaked Wotan, dt-
vnity OF heather In the dark infancy OF
the world. IL the deity OF ''all Ger
manys" alteration and hope. Is illuminat-
ing though not surprising. II IL tho
buoyant bards candor which surprises.
II Is no less a surprise, az we'll as a
pleasure, to discover that nation al
ways noted FOR It's fairy tales does
sometimes, though perhaps inadvertently,
emit a plain unyarnished truth.
ROBERT ENMET WARD.
HIGHLANDS, n. e., January Z.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
DIR. DERNBURG HAMMERED.
Leading Question Tut by an Acute stu.
dent at Amherst.

To THE EDITOR or THE Sus--str. RE-
ferring to the recent publication OF Mr..
Albert E. Henschel. entitled war
Hypocrisy Unveiled" to which you al
lude in your paper to-day. may 1 relate
the following incident?
a few weeks ago DIR. DernburE OF the
German propaganda visited Amherst Col
lego and spoke to the students lIe used
the same argument Albert Henschel does
In regard to the military necessity of the
invasion OF Belgium. lie stated with
emphasis that Germany had offered Ia
indemnify Belgium for any damage caused
b. the army marching through her terri
tory and also that Germany had assured
Belgium that her Independence should be
undisturbed
He was full OF evident satisfaction with
the position OF Germany as he explained
II when suddenly one Of tho boys asked
him this question:
You say that Germany promised "a
indemnify Belgium and also TO leave her
independence undisturbed? but how did
Belgium know that Germany would keep
her promsoT''
The effect was instantaneous ur. Dern-
burg stammered and hemmed. but ne
could not recover himself and the Inn
preston ne left upon tNre students wa,
that hts case had been punctured ire.
coverably. H. BARBER KETEs
New YORK, January IL.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12

and each platoon parades as a regi-
ment. Finally, II any serious occa-
sion arose, this home guard, even
though less than 10000 strong, would
be n compact body Of real, thoroughly
drilled. trained and organized men,
free from the weakness involved in
sudden expansion to war strength with
green recruits.
This Chamberlain bill IL 70 moder-
ate, so sensible. 80 obviously working
toward good that Il Is to be hoped no
vexatious opposition will he made to It.
IL has the full Endorsement Of the War
Department, and It Is plainly n mini
mum response TO the unmistakable
public demand for better conditions of
national defence. II should pass Mt
this session.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
Safety First !

Safety fret is moro than q phrase
on the Pennsylvania Railroad. In the
last two years It has transported, with
out an accident fatal TO one of them.
passengers 10 the number OF 370,OOO,-
600 over its $4,000 miles OF track. In
four Of the last seven years the lines
east of Pittsburg carried 55S0O0,O00
passengers without a fatality. More
over, these records are not the result
of good luck. They are the fruit Of
intelligent efforts 20 safeguard life,
and TO redeem. 30 far as one railroad
may. the generally bad reputation of
American transportation companies for
disasters and loss of life.
Not only have the Pennsylvania and
other roads devoted study and time 10
the protection OF passengers but their
officers have endeavored. with increas-
ing success, TO save the limbs and lives
OF their employees and OF trespa ssers
who intrude ON their rights OF way and
endanger themselves. Throughout this
State the New York Central company
has carried on a campaign OF educa-
ton for its own employees and the
public generally TO bring about the OBJ
servance Of necessary caution and the
enforcement OF laws and ordinances in
tended TO keep the right of way clear.
Other important roads, the Erie and
the Lackawanna among them, have
aided notably in the conservation of
| human beings II the public would
contribute as much as the companies
do. the death toll would be reduced far
below Its present aggregate.
Prevention OF great number OF ac.
cidents IL beyond the power Of the
railroads. II rests with their employees
and the public When train hands,
shopmen, travellers motorists, drivers
and pedestrians learn TO take care of
themselves, the list Of MANNED and
dead will soon shrink TO inconsider.
able proportions.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-sh;
Thomas Woodrow Wilson. born in Vlr-
sinia, on December IS. 1856. began ufs
a. a teacher IN another State, New
Jersey developed marked ability as a
writer and speaker and became Governor
of his adaptive State Under tho name OF
Woodrow Wilson. and upon the platform
adopted by the Democratic party at Balti-
more on July 2. 1912, he was elected
President o. the United States which Of
fee he now holds Among the pledges OF
that platform which have already be-
como "mere scraps OF paper" let me cite
only two:
We favor the exemption from tolls OF
American ships engaged in coastwise trade
passing through the Panama Canal.
We favor single Presidential term ana
TO that end urge the adoption OF an amend
ment TO tho Constitution making SIC
President OF the United states ineligible for
reelection. and We pledge tho candidate OF
this convention 10 this principle.
Since that time two Articles OF Amend
ment have been added 10 the Constitu-
ton. but no Democrat has proposed the
amendment thus promised, nor has Mr..
Wilson recommended Its adoption.
John James ingalls,. born In Massachu-
setts on December 20. 1888 (which year,
unlike 1855. was not a leap year), began
life az teacher in another State, Kansas
developed marked ability az a writer and
speaker and became Senator from his
! adaptive State. On ono occasion, while
stamping for his reelection TO the Senate
OF the United States. on being asked why
he hal not stood upon the platform OF
his party, Ingalls, replied, Political
platforms are like those AT the ends OF
passenger cars, means Of getting IN,
and when you get in you sec sign
reading, TT IL dangerous to stand on the
platform never do"
II Is not recorded OF any OF the plat
forms which Senator Ingalls, had used as
an access TO office that they contained any
such an assertion an that with which the
platform through which Mr.. Wilson got
in ends, which is in the following words
"Our pledges are made to bs kept when
in ONCE az well as relied upon during
the campaign" suNFLowER
New YoRK, january II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
Congress Displays ITS Needless
Ignorance.

Among the classes OF persons to be
excluded from entrance to this country
as immigrants by the terms of the bill
now pending are those "of constitu-
tional psychopathic inferiority" This
phrase was inserted in the bill In re-
Spouse to an agitation participated in by
a number Of medical societies. What 1t
means not one member of Congress in
either House has pretended to know
Those members OF Senate and House
who from their training and experience
would be expected to understand the
OF its Significance. 1t has been analysed
with the aid OF dictionaries into a sense
less muddle; the possibility Of Its con-
struction to include men and women
who exhibit their religious faith In
b6isterous manner has been pointed
OUT and yet the Congress will send It
to the President. hoping for his ap.
proval, and trusting that II he signs
the inca sure containing Il some gifted
executive officer or learned Judge may
be able to tell what II means.
Not few OF the Congressman who
have recorded themselves in favor Of
this grotesque enactment are numbered
with those who most violently denounce
what they are pleased to call judicial
usurpation OF the legislative functions.
They go up and down their districts,
and when the opportunity offers and the
emolument IL sufficiently tempting about
the country. crying ont that the wishes
and Wills of the peoples representatives
are thwHrted and foiled by Judges on
the bench and they demand the election
Of Judges the recall of Judges, the recall
of judicial decisions. They spout con-
| tinuously of the intrusion OF the Judges
into the field of legislation and then
commit themselves to a serious prohibit
| lion that they make no bones OF ac-
| knowledging means nothing to them
selves or even 10 the specially trained
| among them.
Were there in the immigration bfll no
other provision open 10 doubt; X that
mea sure were In every other section ad-
mittedly beyond controversy; II It's 1T
eracy test were not absurd and harmful,
the presence in It Of this clause. patiently
liable 10 the most irritating and dan
gerous abuse. would condemn II utterly.
President WILSON is opposed TO the lit.
eracy test and may veto the bill on &C.
count OF It, as did President TAFT, but
II he can bring himself 20 accept that.
his high regard for the dignity Of the
iawmaking department, in which he OK.
ercises an important function. should
lead him TO return 10 Congress unap
proved any bin containing 20 ridiculous
a disclosure OF its incompetence az the
meaningless locution constitutional
psychopathic interiority."
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12

destination to the enemy must be shown
at the time Of seizure. It strikes us
that sir EDWARD GREY Is not altogether
pertinent when he deals with the
American declaration that many Of the
great Industries of this country are
suffering because their products are de.
MED the long established markets in
European countries" The meaning OF
this was, as the context shows, that
arbitrary seizures at sea we're proving
menace and encouragement to legitl-
mate trade relations with neutral coun-
tries II Is not crushing rejoinder to
show an increase Of exports TO some of
those countries. Granting the increase
indicates that portion of the products
exported will find their way to bellig-
erent countries. how can Great Britain
Justify her seizure Of cargoes? Is not
the burden of proof upon her TO show
destination to the enemy1 Lacking POSI-
tive evidence. Is the decision to rest
with Great Britain az to what part OF
cargo may be needed by citizens OF
the neutral country and 10 declare the
remainder seizable? II 30 the doctrine
OF neutral rights Is reduced TO an
absurdity.
Proof OF an allegation II required
in the trial Of a case in British court
Of Justice: judgments are not rendered
upon prescriptions only. Why should
hs. dthaEanN In rvixn And
going further back, why should SELF
ures at sea he made unless there Is
credible information Of the contraband
character and destination OF cargo
contents7 I'VE are ready" says Sir
EDwABD GREY, whenever our action
may unintentionally exceed this prin.
ciple (the right to take contraband
destined for the enemy TO make re-
dress" But redress. "a President
WILSON has pointed out. IS not all that
/ Is desired, and It may he short OF the
| rights OF the United States. England
ought not to have a free hand in SELF
ures because she is willing to pay NJ
afterward when proved 10 be In the
wrong Under such circumstances neu
trails would have no rights that Eng
land would be hound to respect. II IS
also essential that neutral ships should
he allowed TO proceed II there is moth
ing more against their cargoes' than
suspicion or case framed up" for
the prize court lest the enemy gain
an advantage.
The British note makes a point OF
the present practice OF not publishing
manifests til thirty days from the de-
parture ~ vessels from the United
states. II must he admitted that this
rule does increase the difficulty OF
proving contraband. Also It is true
that the exercise of the right OF search
Is no longer easily practicable in th'
open sea hut the admission certainly
does not Justify the taking OF any shlT
on mere suspicion to British port.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
WILD JANUARY DAYS.
Robins Reported In the Company OF srUir-
rels on Lawns at Mount kiscO.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir' On
Wednesday last that was the warm day
and tho Thermometer stood al so degrees
az noon, several robins leisurely enjoyed
the genial atmosphere on the lawns and
In the evergrcens az Mount Kisco, the
squirrels were dsportlng themselves, as
indeed they have been doing all winter.
and feeding on the acorns from a nearby
oak. which yielded this fall over two
bushels Of acorns
Avera cling such matters as the annual
rain fall and the heat and cold, and such
annual Incidents as the closing and open
ing OF navigation on the Hudson River
not that the present style of water craft
hasn't changed that somewhat, we find
81 remarkable Veritcation of the results
OF the great Humboldt's Chronological
studies OF the American continent more
than a century ago Our habits and sur
roundings which change make all the diff
ference in tho world. one OF THE SUNS
correspondents recently referred to the
old stages that trtversed our thorough
fares. 4 six inch fall OF snow put them
out of comm ssion, with much consequent
discontinue to the public OF those days.
Changes In the methods and means OF
travel and OF all matters affecting our
modes OF living are mainly responsible
for the mostly imaginary contrasts of
weather, past and present.
Beyond forecasting weather in one sec
ton based on conditions elsewhere. and
usually for periods extending over forty
eight hours, we can know little with GER
tainty of coming weather justifying spe-
cihc prediction. That great storm
breeding centre tho Rocky Mountains is
ono OF our main stock resources; not
that there are not other sources OF ind'-
| cation known 10 science. The more ax-
tended the field OF observation with the
| constantly increasing perfection OF In
strumental aids the greater the increase
| In the percentage OF true forecasts; II
| these our Government officials have on the
whole been very successful. THE Sun II
| It's amiaole mood gives space 10 th'
amateur prognosticstor who exploit:
| strange and often weird predictions o.
weather and OF consequent happenings
These arc in turn enjoyed by your read
ere. myself among them. though l beltev'
nevertheless that the wind bloweth where
Il listeth.
canst thou bind the s~eet influences OF th'
Piciades or loose the bands Of orion? Know
est thou the ordinances OF heaven; cans
thou set me dominion thereof In the earth
JOHN Y. CULVER.
NEW YORK, January II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12

To THE EDITOR OF TIVE suS--S'r: For
tunate indeed are tho American people
in having n man OF oracular wisdom and
generous purpose in the White House
Just listen 20 what he told those Indian
apolls Democrats the Other day:
always speak With great respect OF the
past.
That's a beautiful trait. isn't It? But
here Is q gem:
The past was necessary to tho present.
Nobody ever said that before, Simple.
almost axiomatio, yet II never occurred
TO Shakespeare Cor Bacon) to mention
II. How true II isl II IL hadn't been for
the past neither you, nor I. nor Mr.. Samuel
Gompers would be here.
Necessary to the present" LOT Of
hldebound Republicans, including Barnes
may deny it but our honored President
is right. He has had the courage 10 go
out TO Indiana and announce TO an eN-
pectant audience that the past was nee
essary TO the present"
Nor IL this all.
trate let fall another profound remark
about ''the past" He said It was "a sure
protection for the future"
To he sure, President Wilson isn't
much on protection" nut what he says
here about the past goes, He IL quite
right. The minority in the Senate can
not ilibuster against II.
We needn't give ourselves the least
concern, now that we have ascertained
that the parsonage whom Ex-Governor
Folk pronounces the greatest President
since Jefferson occupies himself, IN addi-
ton 10 his routine work, in looking after
the past, tho present and the future.
FREE SUGAR.
WARRINGTON January II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
More uos,ou,,ed stephen Foster.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-B,r: II
is many wears since me following. per-
haps the first OF stephen Fosters negro
folksongs TO come under tho uplifting
influence OF real Bostonese. appeared in
print. and Il may never have wandered
far outside the limits OF the American
Athens;
otp rNcrg vrp
Ther. was a venerable colored Individual
And his Cognomen was Uncle Edward,
And ne existed many centuries ago;
And there was no capillary substance on
tho summit Of his Uranium.
In the location wher. the capillary sub
stance used TO vegetate.
Ruspsnd tho musical instruments,
And place the agricultural implements IN q
recumbent position.
For there Is no more manual labor for poor
ancient Uncle Edward
Because he has departed TO that bourne
from which no colored Christian trav-
s'ler ever returns.
In not this worthy of preservation in
company with the two which THE Sun
reproduced on Sunday? y.
NEw YoRK, January II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
URGES PAN-AMERICAN UNIoN.
Argentine Organization Recon-
mends United Action During vs..

Tho Museo Social Argentine OF Bue
Ayres, an institution of social informal
studies and action, has sent 70 Tue St'
details OF a movement which It has
commended to DIR. Luis Muraturs, Mini.
OF Foreign Affairs OF the Argentine, ami
which aims to form Pan-Amer
union led by Argentina and the tnni
States TO uphold and secure the righl.
American countries during the war.
The institute proposes IAN agrecm 20
among all the countries Of America ''
the purpose of preventing or diminish
the direct damages caused by tue tui ',
pean war or those which may be caused
by II. especially in the development. OF
their maritime commerce. impossible ~ II
Is TO eliminate the incalculdDle lndlrect
damages"
Laying aside the moral interests which
unite American States to each other mo
institutes statement says, 'hi must 10 70
mcmbored that the commercial inter-
change among them is already asslrnns
largo proportions and that n is pruo7o
that Il Will greatly increase on account a.
the war IN which so many European 'd
tions are engaged. The American world
IL under the imperious No H'sty Oi h't.
ing strictly out ~ the war for th' safe
guarding of it's own interests. u has
right to peace which the Europeou ""L
cannot ignore and II Is not going too far
10 say lIldl l4lt european 'At'N'"@'
rot bring the war 10 the American ooi.
tinent 10 t.' prejudice Of the Interests OF
tho latter"
After co1s.leI.nG tho various phases OF
the neutrality question ana lutertereno'
wiki shipping THE Institute suggests mo
rpacjfc ISOLATION OF America, requiring
the tccoguit!uu of a new formula o' IN
tsruatioual law o-vressod IN tho following
terms
.,I'i,.st .rb ,,-,',lp,c commerce among
. American countries shall be ccnsldeTtn
a- inter American coastiug trade, PROVO
ing d be directly effected between por'
I OF the nou-hclljgcrcu' American '"unu1
1 and that tho vessels do not depart rom
routes to zee determined within the con-
| tlnental waters Of America.
"Sccoud ,rno mere an, vessels Whlch
are occupied m ioto,-Amrg can coastins
| trade must be considered as neutral a.
! though thsy may Dee sailing under me
flags oi committees whith ave I'm a stat" o.
war"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-12
GERM tNY'S NATIONAL AIR.
Die Wacht am Them" Has Not That
Distinction. says Admiral Chadwick.

To Tus EprroR or THE SUN-Sir;
saw tho other day in THE SUN an In
terestlng letter on the "Wacht am Rhein."
In the interest OF accuracy ! beg to cor
rect the authors impression that this Is
the national air Of Germany Il is only
In the class Of very popular songs.
The national air of Germany is Hell
Dir I'm SiegerSranz,' the music OF which
In tho same az that TO which are sung
God Save the King IN England and
America" IN our own country.
This air despite Groves Dictionary OF
Music) was brought to England by the
Georges of Hanover. where II was the
immemorlal national air OF that State
u was also OF Prussia, Wuerttemberg
and other important States which now
form tho German Umpire II 10 the only
air PLAYED ns national" In Germany on
ceremonial occasions and ia also the only
one played by the banda Of our ships as
tho German national air where usage
calls for such 7. y. CHADWICK.
NEWPORT, II. l., January II.