davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
Why Not Stop Fighting?

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
! Sir: Is there any good reason why ra-
tional people should not encourage all peace
full methods for ending this war? Is it not
fact that in spite Of the terrible losses no
pernanent gain has been obtained thus far
bv any Of the belligerents? Are not the
contending parties 80 well matched, on the
whole, that neither side can gain an over
whelming victory over the other, and there
fore this titanic tragedy is liable TO continue
indefinitely or until both sides realize the
folly and futlity Of further crippling each
other? What use is there Of continuing TO
| kill. MAIN, torture and starve millions Of
people, destroy the priceless treasures of ages
and billions Of property? Can either side
gain anything in proportion 10 what botn
are bound to lose IL hostilties are prolonged
WHY, then, walt until both sides are ex-
hausted and bankrupt? Is it not reasonable
10 say that armaments on land and sea have
been fairly tried and found wanting? II
force is inefficient, and the powers that be
must sooner or later resort to reason in or
der to settle their disputes, why not do SO
at the earliest possible moment?
Since expensive armaments only tend
TO ruin the warring nations and are made
quate for their purposes, why should not all
the powers agree to reduce their armaments
and thus be nd Of what the Allies claim
they are fighting against-Prusssnisn-
what the Germans claim they are fighting
against-navalism-to say nothing OF the
billions OF dollars that would be saved for
Iupbuilding. instead Of destroying the i'm
poverished countriesl Why should CONNER
cialism be SO great cause for strife, when
il could be made into the means by which
harmony could be brought about TO the
mutual advantage Of all parties7 For in
stance, why not make Constantinople and
Havre free ports, for the common good OF
all? Why should not Germany be willing 10
sell TO France Alssce- Lorraine, and Austria
sell 70 Italy the Italian provinces, IL these
provinces are a constant source of discord
10 their foreign rulers?
Is there any real, great dispute that could
not be settled by reason instead of force ?
Why should not all the powers, who are more
or less liable for entering into the war be
willing 10 restore the status quo In regard
70 territory as it existed prior to the com
mencement OF hostilities, since no other
terms would be acceptable? Why persist in
following the dictates Of passion, prejudice
pride and perverted patriotism? Why not,
instead, listen 70 the agonized cries OF the
suffering populace, press and Parliament who
are anxious TO have peace7 Why should IL
be so difficult to distinguish between right
and wrong? Does not the continuation of
war mean more waste, want, woe and all
that is bad, while peace would mean plenty,
progress, prosperity and all that is good?
FRANK NJ. FRANKLIN.
New York. Dec. 8, 1915.
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
Voluntary Recruiting on Trial.

Encouraging as are the reports of Brit
aims final rally to the colors, il is impossi-
bic as yet to determine whether Lord
Derby has succeeded in his great enter
prise. 1t is said that 'in high official cir
cles" there is great confidence that the
voluntary system will prove sufficient, but
the same story has been told before, and
until Lord Derby's report is ready it would
be imprudent to draw conclusions from the
events of the last few days.
A member of Lord Derby's recruiting
committee is quoted as saying that lone
disappointing feature still is that single
young men have not responded to this final
appeal" If correctly reported, this an
nouncement is ominous. An unfortunate
circumstance in the recruiting effort of the
last few weeks is the confusion created in
the public mind with regard to the COM
parative standing Of single and married
men.
There can be no doubt about the damage
done by the conflicting views Of ministers
on points that ought to have been perfect
ly clear and indisputable from the first.
Mr.. Bonar Law and the Prime Minister
himself added to the confusion by ambigu-
Gus statements in the House Of Commons,
and all the information that could be got
when questions were put was that compul-
sion would be applied to single men "if
there was a general shirking of their
duty"
Now, a great many married men had Of
fered their services on the understanding
that the unmarried would be called upon
first, and when the government seemed
10 waver on this point at the last moment
many felt that they had been enlisted
under false pretences. The original pledge
was clear enough; namely, that if young
men did not, under the stress of national
duty, come forward voluntarily, other and
compulsory means would be taken before
the married men were called upon TO full
fill their engagement 10 serve" II was
disconcerting, therefore, that almost at the
last moment doubt should arise as to the
meaning Of this pledge and that the Prime
Minister himself seemed TO be unable clear
ly 10 interpret il.
Though all antiquities were apparently
cleared away at the eleventh hour, yet for
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
Loyalty Not Synonymous with
Neutrality.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Many people in this country feat ter
ribly for the United States IL Germany
should win this war They fear partly from
military point of view, but probably still.
more from the danger to democracy For a
victory Of Germany and Austria-Hungary will
leave mlitarism and sutocratic government
stronger than ever in these countries and
probably stronger than ever In Russia, dhile
France and Great Britain will be so weak
ened as TO count for little powers. In such
world could we hope long TO keep a demo
cratic government, permitting free develop
ment OF our institutions and of our sociai
aspirations? Have the labor unions consid-
cred what effect this will have on them
Have We all considered how the German
Kultur will be pumped into our country. even
though We are not conscious of it, and will
turn our minds and ideals into such paths
as we have seen Germsny's minds to be fol.
lowing in this war?
II we hope for the Allies success, if we
help them by buying their bonds, by send
ing them doctors. nurses and hospital sup
plies, and, thank heaven some men IN their
armies, too, we even then showing our
selves courageous enough to defend the
ideals for which this country stands? Or
ought we rather strain every nerve and send
ten times more OF all sorts of help to those
whose victory will be worth more TO our
spiritual welfare as a nation than any lleas-
ure OF preparedness now considered!
/ trust that the press Of this country viii!
make the distinction clear between those OF
us who wish to favor one side in this war
because we love our own country and those
who do so because they love another country.
! fear President Wilson's speech is liable
to much misinterpretation, which will trv
to make it include both sorts, as those Tho
preach and practise disloyalty."
ANTI-MILITARISM
Boston, Mass, Dec. 8, 1915.
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13

able bodied men desperately and vainly seek
ing enough work to keep soul and body TO-
gether, and the owners OF idle wealth know
why. The Federal and state governments
(particularly the border states) should at
once open military training quarters through
out the country and provide board. lodging
and some cash each month for recruits whlle
training. Keep this up till at least three
million men have each done six months OF
hard military work. Lower the physical
standard and resort to conscription II neces-
sary in order 70 form an organization OF
three million trained soldiers for defence
only, completely equipped, from aeroplanes
and military roads 70 the smallest details,
inst as quickly as men can be trsined and
eouipment made. Legislatures should de-
mand that Congress furnish ample equipment
before any more war supplies leave this
country. Equip America first The unem-
ployed need work right now. Uncle Sam may
have 20 put up or shut up" any day, and the
psychological influence Of three million ready
reserves is vitally needed 70 help bandit ma
tions believe that peaceful arbitration Is
best.
This richest nation should be ashamed not
70 allow its defenders ct the front even
6ohting chance for life. A too late or pinch
penny programme may mean slaughtered
americans. invasion, billions for tribute and
the dismemberment Of the American China
Out under any programme months or mill
~.rv training are necessary, and this training
should be started now TO save time.
MAURICE F. DOTY, NJ. D.
Chicago. Nov 81. 1915.
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
ANGLO FRENCH oHURLIsHNESS
Allied Insults Alternate with Pleas
for Charity.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Ever since the first weeks Of the va
American money, American supplies, Amer
can brains, time, yes, and American lives
have been devoted to the cause Of the Aa
Outside Of strictly German circles the ssnt-
ment OF decent folk has been overwhelmingly
on their side. Ia ths stress Of the time Old
dislkes were forgotten, but now there Is
springing up a crop Of fresh animosties. For
months our papers have been full Of letten
from disgruntled Englishmen yoicing their
contempt for this country. These epstlo
are almost as common as the letters imp.oF'
ing aid from great America"
II is not surpr. sing that an American Of
the old stock, with every desire % CIV,
wholesouled sympathy 10 the Allies, should
be puzzled and disgusted That sturdy Eng.
lishmaD Robin Hood went out and robbed
ptilsnthropically 20 give 10 the poor. Ihs
modern Englishman land Frenchman) asks
aid and gives insults in return. OF the iEo
courses OF action that OF Robin Hood Is The
more manly. Mr.. K. II. Dayis's article 10
Sundays New York Times" upon the s,ti'
tude OF the French hardly explains matters.
He says that the labors Of Americans srs
regarded as the work Of private individuals
and as such do not influence their teeins
for Americans as a whole. One wonders
the Allies regard Messrs. Morgenthsu' H'i
rick, Gerard, Whltlock and our consuls
private individuals.
Incidentally, one wonders what the Alhs
would have done had there been no grsi.
neutral power whose Representatives eoaa
devote themselves to their service. DN
those French and English who were eausf'
in German and Austrian territory at The oaE
break of the war say Damn all neutra!s1
with Mr.. Kipling? 1t does not settle ths
matter to say that at such time gre"
neutral power is only doing It's duty in gi,'
ing and serving generously. That Is granNa
But among well-bred folk it is usual 10 40
knowledge even & duty with courtesy
Nothing French or English can say wiu
ever throw sensible American over 70 ta'
German side, but would-be sympsthizers ms'
easily fall into the state Of mind Of q certain
woman (of almost pure British descen'h vac
declared that whatever she had 70 s''
should go TO the Begisns and Serbisns' "a'
have given our sympathy decent return
Troy, n. Y, Dec. 6, 1915. II. A' .
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
AWAY WITH CONSPIRATORS
A Desire Expressed That the Whole
German Embassy Be Dismissed.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: This would seem an opportune time to
rid this country Of the whole nest Of conspira-
tors in the German Embassy Why stop al
the subs who are only the echoes Of their
master, the German Ambassador?
This gentleman, be it remembered, when the
slaughter Of women and children on the Lusi-
tania filed every civilized being with horror
and demands for retribution-this gentle
man acknowledged that it was the German
Embassy that inserted In the papers on the
day Of sailing warning against sailing on
that vessel, thus acknowledging himself 70
be fully aware Of what was TO be done, 8
party to the act. This, II nothing else, would
seem to be sufficient cause Of removal; but
rs nothing vas done, and nothing but hon
eyed words whispered in his ear BY the Exec
utive and the gentle. soft-voiced State De-
psrtment, when the Executive deprecated any
thing but the gentlest treatment, because II
might anger Germany and harm his diplomacy
are these not reasons why it might be well
even al this late date 10 send this conspirator
home? But our rubber-backed Executive and
gentle and ladylike Secretary Of State ap-
parently consider these as debts outlawed By
time.
But think the American people do not
recognize the crimes Of the Lusitania, Arabic
etc, as outlawed. They consider them as
quite alive and will demand bitter atone
ment.
II our spineless policy be persisted in, it Is
possible that there may come to the rescue
of our nation strength. courage and patriot
sm from our halls Of Congress. Let US
hope. AMERICAN"
Nnu, NnrL Dec 1a15
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
An Anti-Litter Campaign Needed.

While Police Commissioner Woods's
bluecoats are endeavoring to make this a
noiseess town, could they not cooper
ate with the white garbed street cleaners
and the Health Departments workers to
make it a spotless town also? il is i'm.
portant TO suppress unnecessary noises
the shrieks of newsboys and street vend-
ers, the rafting of machinery, the ham
mering of fiat wheeled cars, the unmuffled
exhaust from automobiles and motor
cycles. But it is equally important to keep
the streets free from the deplorable litter
Of dirt, discarded papers and the like
which is to be encountered on every side.
The unnecessary noise is no more a
menace to health and comfort than the
disgracefully dirty sidewalks and streets.
The street cleaners cannot be held respon-
sible if, five minutes after they have fin
ished work on a block, some individual dis
cards bundle of newspapers for the wind
to distribute over the landscape, or some
storekeeper dumps on his unswept side
walk or in the gutter armfuls of packing,
rubbish or other litter too dirty TO be kept
in his establishment. Only discipline
through police action can reach such Of
tenders against the decency Of city life.
And it is sorely needed. If New York was
ever more Uttered, dirtier and more gen
orally Objectionable than on these windy
days, when all the rubbish is drawn into
the swirling air, to be deposited on the
persons Of just and unjust pedestrians
alike, it must have been in the far dis
tant past.
The anti-noise crusade is an excellent
thing. An anti-litter campaign, with some
sharp punishment for those who make
nuisances of themselves by contributing to
the city's defilement, would be equally
excellent.
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
For Irish Wounded.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Mrs. Godfrey Knox, honorary sec
rotary of the Mems Clothing Guild, &C
Lower Mount Street, Dublin, Ireland re-
ceived only two responses from the United
States 20 help the poor wounded and dis
abled men returning 20 Ireland from the
front. The society provides clothing and
boots and helps them TO employment, etc,
and is doing a great deal OF good.
Would you issue another appeal for her
! think t is the only Irish appeal that has
been made and they are sorely in need Of
boots, clothing and money, which will be
gratefully received and Immediately ac-
knowledged VI. F. ENGLISH
Buieg. y. c.. Feb. 6, 1918.
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
Up to Congress.

To the Editor of The Tribune. =.
Sir: To-day there convenes In our eap'"'
city body Of our representative men known
as the American Congress. Every America
representative who sits in this Congress wa
expect, and has e right 20 expect, that you,
boy and my boy will defend the rag o..
give himself TO his country in the event '"
her being attacked by foreign foe.
Unless our boys responded TO the car
their country, these gentlemen Of Congfsn
would be justified In condemnlng them
traitors or the meanest type Of "poiuo0as
but there need be no fear Of such condemn
ton, for every young American Of to-s,
stands ready to give his life, II need De- 'ns'
his country's honor may live. Their eouHN'
will expect them 20 do their duty by hei'
But what do the boys expect their eounu,
to do for them? What Is the countrys GUY
toward the boys from whom she expects y
much? 1t is simply this: She must 50 coz.
duct and prepare herself In time OF pe1s.
that when her defenders 60 forth % nS-
for her preservation they may 90 equiPps.i
and trained in the h CHEST possible stse y
preparedness known 20 the art and science y
defence. :,
Who is 70 say whether their country sns"
be put In a state of preparedness ior
fence? A state that will minimize 70 -
greatest possible extent the danger OF s's-
a catastrophe as under which Belgium y nv.
bur ed IL is these same gentlemen OF w,
gress who convene at Washington 'N"
who hold Americas future in the balance
Any member who fails 10 uphold suVs.
programme OF defence can hardly expse'
escape from the bows from whom they eNPe''
so much such condemnation as TRAITOR
the cause, the meanest type Of "poltroon.
Shall our country prepare that she '''
live, or shall she lag that she must pass
II is up to Congress.
ROBERT B. ROGERS
New York, Dee 9, 1915.
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
Booker T. Washington on Slavery

wee -ChonceIlor of sbercd University. 90 The
Times. of LordorJ
once asked Booker T. Washington whether
he regretted the slave trade. lie paused for
a moment to reflect, and then answered
slowly as follows: "No. do not regret the
slave trade have travelled in Africa and
can compare the lot OF the African race on
both sides Of the Atlantic The slave trade
was accompanied by terrible cruelties but
through it part Of my race was forced into
association with white men, and has so been
enabled to reach a higher level of civiliza
ton" The answer was Characteristic Of the
fine equanmity which marked the man and
appear, to me 20 be deserving Of record
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13
Assert Our Patriotism

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: want 70 express my unqualified sd-
mration for the letter in to-day's Tribune
by Benjamin Apthorp Gould.
As an American whose forefathers fought
and bled for this country. would like to
ask if movement could not be started
we might call it to do some
thing toward crushing this alien sentiment
Mr.. Gould writes of.
Our President seems 70 be quite con.en,
TO remain neutral. Let him remain 50. We
will assert our patriotism and protest loudly
against a nation that has countenanced the
blowing up Of our mills and factories and all
the rest Of IT, A REAL AMERICAN.
Vow York. Dec. 9. 1915.
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13

The news that the Old Guard has elected
Governor Whitman a member will not sur.
prise that large number Of citizens who had
always considered him a member Of the old
guard
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13

Evidently China has decided that autocra,
has shown itself the victor.
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13

The cruiser Descartes is fast surroundin,
philosophy with evil association
New-York tribune., 1915-12-13

Entered At th. Pos,ono. New York " Second Cas-
Mail Matter.
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-02-26
The New Stocking Case.

it 10 a good plan to sew one of the
little dress snappers at the top of each
stocking. When sending to the laun-
dry pair of stockings can be clasped
together and orders given to wash
them so Joined. Then one can tell
just how well or how badly stockings
wear and can buy the brand that gives
the better satisfaction. When the
case is rolled up it can be pushed into
corner of a bureau drawer, and will
be found a much heater arrangement
than the loose stocking drawer.
Now that fancy neckwear is so much
in vogue. special receptacle for 1t is
necessity. The cardboard box COW
cred with pretty cretonne or other
fabric matching the furnishings of the
bedroom makes a dainty neckwear
box, being light and yet durable, since
1t is covered with Goth. The shape
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-02-26
QUAINT STYLE is REVIVED
Young Girl of Today Charming in the
Fashion Popular With Her
grandmother.

Enter the old-fashioned maiden!
She is the lit of the season. In an
adorable frock made with full frilled
skirt which starts from an Empire
waist line she is replica of the
feminine fi3ure which prevailed in our
grandmother's days. She is quaint,
old-fashioned. picturesque-a sartorial
delight to the eye.
After all, is there any fashion which
is more generally becoming to women
than the Empire mode, which vas
made famous by the beauties of long
ago? So simple are the lines Of this
fashion that they do not detract from
the beauty of young figure, so quaint
Is the short waist that it adds youth
fitness to the wearer. The little
short pulled sleeves, showing almost
the entire expanse of the arms, are
another picturesque point of this fash
ion.
Though the full-skirted, high.waisted
frock is generally becoming, it is only
generally becoming 10 the young and
thin of figure. Let the woman past
her first youth, whose figure shows
this fact, fight shy of the old-fashioned
gown. 1t will show up all her defects
accentuate her bad points and make
her generally ridiculous in appear
ance. But for the 7oung girl-she fol
whom all fashio:.c seem to be designed
for her this style is altogether ador
able. 1t brings out ali her youthful
ness, covers up any lack of curves sh'
may have, gives her a piquant. old
fashioned look that is irresistibl.
charming
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-02-26
DR.. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
His Important Medical Discovery
Should Be Recorded in His
Memorial.

There has been a suggestion that
in memorial to DR.. Oliver Wendell
Holmes some worthy recognition be
made of his Incompatible service to
mankind in the discovery and propaga-
ton against obstacles that would have
deferred less honest and sympa-
thetic mind of the contagiousness of
childbed fever and its remedy. Lay
persons and unfortunately many in
the profession are unaware of this
epoch-making discovery by man
whose memory is beloved and hon
ored for his literary attainments
only. A disease which consigned
thousands of recent mothers to I'M
timely graves was suddenly deprived
of its malign prevalence by the dis
covery of Doctor Holmes that it was
contracted by contact with the doc
tor or nurse and that simple precau-
lions by them would prevent its &C.
currence. Prosecuted in his own
country by the ridicule Of great pro-
fessors in that speciality, Holmes pur-
sued the even tenor of his way until
his idea was accepted in England.
Thence it was carried to the con-
tinent, where it was taken up by
Hungarian physician who reduced the
mortality in the Vienna hospitals enor-
mously. To the latter his countrymen
have erected a monument in Buda-
pest, and annually homage is paid to
his memory, while Holmes is barely
remembered in the United States for
this scientific discovery. which it is
said he valued more highly than his
literary fame.
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-02-26
DICTATES OF FASHION

Yokes are an important feature OF
the fashionable coat
Cotton satins are used for FONDA.
tion garments under sheer dresses.
Shantung and tussah silks promise
to be in favor for spring dresses.
Many of the newest blouses are but.
toned right up to the throat IN tho
old-fashioned manner
The tunic is now cut in points or
scalloped, and these are edged with
colored jet or pearl beads.
There are new block printed crepe
de chimes with tiny reproductions OF
the dainty patterns Of English
chintZes.
Fawn and straw brown silk Innings
are used for the popular covert suits.
Shot silk is also much used for that
purpose.
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-02-26
WENT TO EXTREMES IN JET
Dressmakers at First Used Too Much
of II, but That Fault Has
Been Overcome.

Jet as it is used this season is a Joy.
The fact that the dressmakers have
really learned how to handle Jet as IL
should be handled is pleasure.
When jet first made Its reappear.
ance last summer it was failure. II
was too heavy, as 1t was generally
manipulated, to be attractive. II was
not that 1t was used in greater
amounts than 1t is used today-indeed,
it could not be used in greater amounts
than 1t is today, unless coats Of Jet,
like armor, were made and worn. But
it was not used in the right way. II
was used on big unbroken surfaces.
Whole hats were covered with big
pieces Of jet; huge darts of 1t were
used as trimming, and big heavy Jet
buttons and buckles were used. 1t
was not attractive and it was not be-
coming
But today the dressmakers know
how to use Jet to the best advantage.
And their secret seems to be this: Use
all the jet you want but uso II IN
small pieces.