davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
Are We 20 Buy u War?

10 THE EpIroR oF THE SUN--Sir: Your
articles on the ship bill explain every
thing In nutshell " President Wilson
and the Democrats IN Congress would
read them perhaps they would open their
eyes to the danger that confrOnts us.
Are we to he brought into y disastrous
war again through the Vaccinations OF
the Democratic party? They were IN
power when the Mexican war was fought
over land whose ownership could have
been settled by treaty Now 1t Ia be-
cause OF buying ships.
England Is right We are not as neu-
tral As We should be. In fact our neu-
trality Is almost a Joke Can't President
Wilson and his party see that we cannot
afford to offend four nations that are
on pcaceable terms with us7
Tho high handed occupation OF the
disputed Texan territory In lS46. when
was authorized by President Polk, cost
us $4,000. 600, most OF which was pay
ment for land which could doubtless have
been bought later for little more than
that sum. Were those few years 10 walt
more precious than the $4,000 lives of
American men that 1t cost?
Did We teach Mexico last year to re-
spcct this nation when seventeen Of our
fellow counirymen died at Vera Cruz?
no MeXicans are doing tho same things
to-day to American property and Ameri-
can citizens that they were doing before
last April.
Will the money spent In buying for
eign ships for our merchant trade. and
ny 80 doing putting money into the
hands OF two nations that the majority
Of the people In the United States wish
to see defeated I'm this war, be considered
well spent " II draws us into war against
the Allies? With England and France
ahead OF us In their naval equipment
and Japan close behind us. would the
little gain We would make by the pass
ing of this bill he worth the lives OF our
men tina II would cost?
We are not prepared for war. even
II Americans say we could beat any ma
ton. Spain was not our equal In 1898,
and even n we did win then how can
We gauge what we can do to-day by
what we did seventeen years ago3
The Democratic party slowly lost
power during and after the Mexican war
because "A Democratic Presiden; caused
that war. II President Wilson signs the
bill authorizing the purchase Of these
ships will he care to 60 through life
thinking that by doing this he brought
on war between the Allies and the United
States?
We would back our Congress in the
matter whether we considered II TO be
In the right or in the wrong. but the
signing Of this bill and even voting for
IL will he an act that may be paid by
tho blood OF many who did not wish the
bill passed. f
MYSTIC. Conn. January 30.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
WAR PRISONERS IN JAPAN.
Kindly Treatment Of Those Captured
Soldiers Of Germany

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN---Sir: From
a letter lately sent by a teacher in a
mission school at Matsuyama, in the
middle south part OF Japan comes the
following account OF kindly treatment
accorded German prisoners
There are about 400 Germans here,
most Of them in temples by special
permission from the japanese officials In
charge three Of our missionaries, ac-
Companied by n group OF japanese school
girls, visited these prisoners on Christ
mas Day The girls sang some Christ
mas carols. and the men were much
pleased They said that they are well
treated and had no complaint whatever
to make At our own school celebration
the pupils took up collection; most Of
them are from poor families, but the
collection was enough to buy picture
postcard for each soldier
Another recent letter from Japan tells
Of the real Christmas trees. such as
they have In Germany" which were
sent to each OF tho eleven groups OF Cor
man prisoners, Tho plan was suggested
BY a japanese who has spent some years
studying In Germany and knew how
much tho Germans made OF Christmas.
As the Tannebaume grew only in cold
regions DR. Sassao of Sendai, who re-
cslved his degree from the University OF
Halle, undertook 10 get the trees on the
mountain side.
When the woodcutters learned what
the trees we're for. they would take only
n pittance for their time The railroads
not only CA rried tho trees free, but rushed
them through by fast freight TO have
them reach the most remote stations by
Christmas time An exceptionally fine
tree was sent to General waldeck.
Candles, writing paper and envelopes,
and Christmas greetings were given to
each soldier" EDITH A. SAWYER.
WELLESLEY. Mass. January 80.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
A Tax on So. 900 Salaries.

The prime and obvious objection
to n proposal to tax all salaries above
$1,000 in order to provide revenue
for the city Is that II ls discrimina-
tory class legislation. II would be a
grossly unfair burden laid upon
small fraction of the people without
the slightest plausible reason except
that they could undoubtedly be made
to pay lift the courts upheld the
levy.
The unfairness of the proposal is
twofOld. First of all the $1,000 limit
is purely arbitrary. 1t represents no
natural minimum. II Is neither the
lowest pay on which a man with n
family can live nor the lowest
amount on which tax can be profit
ably collected. 1t is selected for the
vicious reason that man with u
5000 salary is supposed to be so
well to do that no proletarian sympn-
thy will be bestowed on him no mat
ter how he may he taxed. II Is the
injustice Of the Federal income tax in
new guise.
But the proposed tax Is also un-
fair because II draws line between
5000 earned as a sllary and the
same amount earned as profits from
trade or industry or by professional
fees or the practice Of an art. why
the salaried man should pay and his
coworker in other circumstances ba
exempt, no man can explain. How
much more outrageous is it that the
tax should be laid upon the proceeds
OF personal effort. while similar in
comes drawn from investments re.
main untaxed2
An element Of injustice would also
arise II the levy were made on non
residents who gained their livelihood
in the city. Yet II these were not
taxed the impost would cause head
long fitting to New Jersey-not ex-
actly an advantage to the municipal
treasury. On the whole the plan is
about as objectionable as any that
could be devised.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
Mayer Mitchell Wants the Facts.

Mayor MTCutL's complaint against
the State civil Service Commission
aud lis investigation of the official
conduct of the municipal board has
been from the beginning that both
the lnquircrS and the inquiry were
wholly partisan in their character.
That there should he no examination
of the acts of his commissioners he
has never contended or pretended.
The final report of the State body,
which, dlscrcdited by enforced resig-
nation, quit office with the end OF
January, is a general denunciation
of the city officers. Its force has been
pretty thoroughly broken by the
Mayor, and the public will not be
greatly influenced by It's findings. Yet
it's allegations are likely to survive
their authors in memory. and 80 do
ing they are not incapable of annoy.
ing the city administration in its eff
forts to give New York city better
government
Under these circumstances 1t is not
improbable that the new state com.
mission may find Itself called upon
10 take up the case and reexamine
he evidence. II is even possible that
another inquiry may he instituted, al
though the new commissioners would
he reluctant to undertake this at the
beginning Of their terms, In this
matter the Mayor and the city want
the facts and it would be highly Diet.
rlmcntal to Mr.. Mitchell and to the
citizens generally II the competency
and fairness Of the Municipal Civil
Service Commission were left in the
slightest doubt.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--SE.
What Is the reason back of tho ship
ping bill? That question ls uppermost
In The minds OF newspaper readers and
writers alike, and THE SUNS editorials
in which It is asked deserve to be cited
In tho history of the present period.
II is the trucst OF axioms that history
often repeats itself Why not. then. seek
in history an explanation OF the mys-
teries surrounding the shipping bill?
Two episodes Immediately suggest
themselves, both belonging to contem-
porary history, both found in the annals
OF sister republic. both typical OF
democratic experience the world over.
Not quite thirty years ago a French
President became unpopular on account
OF the financial activities of his son-in~
law one Wilson (no relation to our
distinguished Chief Magistrate). Street
hawkers went up and down the boue-
wards I'm Paris in those days offering. In
sepulchral voices, a popular song whose
refrain went like this:
All! ouel malheur davoir un gendre
II ma hchu dams 10 petrlnl
can What had luck to have son In law
He has dumped me In tho soupD
This Is the day OF tho financial politi-
clan and his moneyed boss. While we
were watching France get rid of
Caillaux and his banker friend Splitter,
the same phenomenon was asserting IT.
self here, and the last man TO discover
II will be our splendidly isolated Presi-
dent, Thus the New Freedom goes on
at the White House, all unmindful OF
the New Wirepulling at the Treasury
Department. Meanwhile II Is Ham
burg Amerika uber Allies at Washing
ton. READER OF THE SUN
NEW York, January 81.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
Germany's New Method Of Warfare
on the Sea.

Submarine warfare" upon the en-
emy's merchant ships as practised by
the Germans may he as humane as
the limitations of the submarine per-
nit, but in heavy weather the crew
Of the non-combatant ship and any
passengers she carries are not going
10 receive the protection and security
which interna tional law is supposed
to afford them. Il hope you will all
get picked up before bad weather
comes on" said the courteous com
mander of the submarine which sank
the British ship Ben Cruachan in the
Irish Sea after her crew took to the
boats under orders from the captor.
Happily the Irish Sea was in one of
its pacific moods and the Ben Crua-
chan's crew survived. But suppose
bad weather had come up! Then in
that case the nOn-cOmbatants would
presumably have gone to the bottom.
SO II amounts to this, that whereas
before the day OF German submarine
warfare the captor was RESPONSE
BILE for the safety of noncombatants
on board the enemy merchant ship,
he now dlsclams responsibility and
turns them adrft in open boats. His
defence. of course, is that he has no
room in his cramped quarters for
captured nOn-combatants. They must
shift for themselves.
II is manifest that the enemy mer-
chant ship overhauled must be sunk
The captor has no prize crew to put
on board of her, and If she is carry.
ing goods Of neutral they have to
60 to the bottom with her. The con,
ditiOns do not permit Of the restOra-
ton of these goods TO the owner
Submarine warfare" does not con.
Germ itself with the prize court. This
may be unsatisfactory to the export
ers of neutral nation which sub
scribes to the theory that neutral
goods ON an enemys merchant ship
should be accounted for by the cap
/ tor and destroyer
/ Obviously submarine warfare
will discourage the shipment of non
contraband goods on merchant ships
OF bclligerents. The effect on the
American export trade, as there are
few cargo ships carrying the Amer
lean flag. is matter of calculation
Certainly the exporter will have to b,
venturesome. Non-contraband good,
carried on belligerent merchant ships
will he exposed to much the sam,
risk as contraband goods; capture il
either case will mean the loss OF thu
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
CITIZEN GENET.
A Historical Incident Recalled Merely
rs n Reminder.
From me International Encyclopedia.

from me INTERNATIONAL hHcbctOped'u
In 1893 Genet was transferred as
Minister Plenipotentiary to tho Cen
gress Of the United States" His mis-
sion. it was expected, would induce the
United states to declare war against
Great Britain. and he came with the
intention not only Of accomplishing
that purpose. but Of raising a volun-
tecr army to regain Louisiana from
Spain and Of commissioning privateors
in American ports.
lie landed at Charleston. S. C.. April
3, 1898 lie WAS enthusiastically well
coined and feted at Charleston and
Philadelphia, and, encouraged by the
expressions of sympathy and friend
ship for France me heard on all sides,
he Immediately began to deal out com
missions for privateers and seek re-
cruiting agents. Washington, how
ever by the unanimous advice Of his
Cabinet. had issued proclamation OF
neutrality on April 20. and on June 5
jefferson. the Secretary of state. nuti-
fled the French envoy that he must
cease arming and equlpping privateers
in American ports.
Genet replied that he was acting
under the treaties of i77s. and con-
tinued to disregard Jeferson's warn
ing. In the next few months eight
privateers. commissioned by him, had
with the assistance of two French
frlgates, captured fifty British mer-
chantmcn, some Of which had been
taken within the Jurisdiction Of the
United States.
Genet asserted that these prizes
could be condemned 10y French consuls
in American ports. and demanded the
right to enter the condemned goods
duty free. His contention reached the
height Of absurdlty when he declared
that the United States Constitution
did not give Washington the right TO
treat with him, and made the demand
that an extra session of Congress he
called for that purpose.
These and subsequent imprudent
criticisms and attacks upon Washing
ton and the continuance Of his ac-
tivities In fitting out privateers and
raising recruits lost him most of the
allies he had at first possessed. and
the arrest of two Of his agents and
the expulsion OF thc French consul at
Boston were followed by a demand
for his own recall. which was acceded
TO by the French Government in the
following year.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02

two new er-dreadnoughss and do
not agree with Senator TfLLMAN that
battleship construction had better he
postponed until the lessons of the Eu-
ropean war are learned. Mr.. T1LLMAN
has proposed four new ships next
year. The conflict may end In the
early summer and without fleet en-
Ragement in the North Sea. There
would then he no lesson for In Ameri-
can designers OF battleships and II
Mr.. TILLMAN's advice were followed
no authorization of new ships for the
navy this year.
Should the war 70 on for another
year while the United States waited
for deductions 20 he drawn from the
sea fighting annual expansion OF the
navy would be halted, when 1t is OF
the first importance that the line of
battle be strengthened by construct
ing a certain number NJ capital ships
each year II must always he remcm-
berpd that II takes from two 10 three
years to complete and commission q
battleship. " the United States needs
q strong navy TO enforce the national
policies II Is plain that the loss OF a
year in building might prove costly.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02

goods. The American international
lawyers have asserted the right Of
exporters Of neutral non-contraband
goods to he Unidentified after capture
Of the enemy merchant ship in whose
cargo they have been found 1t may
be assumed that the state Depart
ment will interrogate Germany about
her responsibility. As submarine
warfare" upon commercial ships of
the enemy Is prosecuted with vigor
new. vexatious and perplexing ques-
tons Of legitimacy and accountability
will no doubt arise.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02

The vast increase in the postal saw
ings very likely represents a curtail-
mant in remittances to European
countries and so is a direct result of
the war. II may also he due in some
degree to the rimldity and economy
which business conditions have
created hut 1t Is doubtful whether the
savings from this cause are Of the
postal kind. Probably the rs per
cent. increase since June 80 reported
by the Government means the tenn
porary stoppage Of a drain on the
countrys wealth.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
A Favorable Financial Sign.

Subscription lists were opened yester-
day morning for an offering OF $40
600 600 Of ~ per cent. consolidated
mortgage bonds Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. So large was the
oversuhScrlption that the books were
promptly closed and the bonds, which
were taken by subscribers at sub
>tantial premium over par, we're
quoted at an advance Of point or
more above the allotment price.
II happens that this was an issue
Of exceptionally high grade bonds Of
a first mortgage description and
closes the mortgage under which they
were put out. Nevertheless the sue
ccSs of the transaction is Of gratifying
omen for better times. There is re-
yealcd sturdy investment appetite
which has been on the increase lately,
and II the indications of the Pennsyl.
vania sale are Of general hearing new
forces for n forward economic move
mcnt in this country are being gen
Grated,
For several years past the night
mare Of American finance has been
the swelling emission Of railroad short
term notes. Hundreds of millions Of
dollars of such obligations have found
n market because there was decreas s.
ing demand for railroad securities of
more substantial sort, The prob
lem OF taking care of these note ma
turtles has been growing more and
more formidable because 1t was mani
fest that railroad financing could not
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
THE SHIPPING BILL.
Regret Of Those who Have sought TO
Follow Mr.. Wilson.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN--Sfr! Does
Mr.. Wilson the President wish to be
weighed In the balance and found want
irg''7 Does hc realize that rho frS--t
unneutral act OF this Government would
he to purchase ships OF any nation AZ
war ~ long as the war lasts?
I know that speak for many Anerl-
can women. readers and thinkers. whose
voices are never heard In public. whose
fathers. husbands, sons are true and
loyal citizens, when ! say that: we have
striven 10 he loyal to his neutral preach
ing and now are unwilling to believe that
he Is turncoat.
Please rub Il In before this shipping
bill In passed that the "iuothers of Amer
lea" will have no further use for him.
CONSTANT READER.
RRooKLYN, January 80.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
THE AUSTRALASIA.
A Hymn Easily Adaptable to the
Wants Of All Men.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: As
there are many Australians in your
country who have not so far heard Of
our new national anthem, perhaps you
would not mind publishing the en-
closed.
parson can sing II equally as well
as an ordinary Australian.
Each hlls In tho blanks in accordance
with the brand OF piety and patriotism
he happens to be wearing.
The words were written by c. J. Den
mis-. and first appeared in the sydney
Bulletin. AUSTRALIAN,
HIGHGATE HILL, PERTH. w. A., De.
cember 3.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
$4,000, 900 FOR ALASKA ROAD.
Secretary Lane Requests the An
preparation for Government I,n

wAsHINoroN. Feb. i.-Appear,nr tn
day before the House COMMITTEES on
Appropriations, Secretary Lane asked
for an appropriation OF $4,000 600 IN
enable his department to proceed viii
the work OF building the Government
railroad IN Alaska. The Government
has already expended $1,000, 900 on this
project.
Secretary Lane told the committee
that the plans OF the Government FOR
the new fiscal year called for an ammo
prlation OF at least $4,000. 900. In ais
cussion OF the operations in Alaska 4,
was brought out that the Secretary ba.
not yet decided whether the Govorn-
ment should purchase the Conner Riycr
and Northwestern road. controlled nv
the Morgan-Guggenheim interests. or
tho Alaskan Northern, which Is owned
by Canadians.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
INTERNED SHIPS.
Merchantmen Under the German Flag
Are Not Thus Restrained.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Str: The
newspapers speak OF German vessels
which lie IN our ports as places OF
refuge as "interned" The use OF this
word conveys the idea that they are
restrained by tho United States authori-
ties from sailing.
have noticed in your columns men
ton OF only two interned vessels, one
In Honolulu and one in Porto Rico.
These are both armed vessels belonging
20 Germany. l do not think that our
Government has taken such action IN
tho case OF any merchant ship.
Such vessels are free to go 10 sea
at their own will and are therefore not
informed. Am I not right? D. f. II. S.
CHARLEsToN, s. c.. January 81
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02

In these days OF efficiency talk 1t il
dismaying 10 discover that the city
has been paying 5000 a day carrying
charges" on the court house site so
long that the total has run up to
100000. with no relief IN sight. The
taxpayer. who pays the freight" will
find II hard TO believe that with a lit
tie energy and good will some way
could not have been found to save
this money. or large part OF II. de-
spite the laws delays. If n should
turn out that the delay was not in
the legal process but in setting the
machinery in motion there Will he
deep and justifable dissatisfaction.
At any rate now that the leak has
been revealed public opinion d.
mands the quickest sort OF work to
stop II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
Mr.. Wilson Himself Describes Gov
ernmental shipping.

To THE EpTToR OF TUE SuS--Str: Pres
ident Wilson has himself stated such
good reasons why the United States
should not embark on policy of Gov
eminent owned shipping that 1t Is amaz-
ing to find him now sternly rehuking
those who disagree with his ship pur-
chase project.
In his message to Congress December
s, 1914. the President made special
mention OF tho need OF making adequate
provision for the survey ana cnarting
OF our coasts, especially the Alaska coast
line. This work, says the message, rs
incomplete at almost every point Ships
and lives have been lost in threading
what were supposed to be well known
main channels"
How negligent, even to the point OF
crfminality Gin the ordinary citzen),
the Government has been the President
sets forth as follows:
We have not provided adequate vessels
or adequate machinery for the survey and
charting. We have used old vessels that
were not big enough or strong enough and
which were so nearly unseaworthy that
our inspectors would not have allowed pri-
vate owners 20 send them to sea.
To survey and chart coasts and har-
bors is an old established function OF
national Governments. similar in prin-
ciple 10 the maintenance of roads and TO
tho policing and lighting of streets by
municipalities II was confided to our
national Government when the Constitu-
ton was adopted. Yet It seems that this
function has been grossly neglected. and
the very tools employed are so made
quate and even dangerous to life that
private enterprise would have been re-
strained from using them.
What guarantee Is there that IL the
Goverpment spends forty or fifty millions
Of dollars for ships to be used in what
has been hitherto entirely private
business these vessels will not also be
or soon become 80 nearly unseaworthy
that our inspectors would not have
allowed private owners TO send them
to sea? A. G. PLEYDELL.
NEW YoRK, February l.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
Politics, Politics without Rest.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sir: You
ask, For whose benefit? What IL be-
hind this sinister proposal"
You have given the answer in your
cartoon OF few days ago, where Uncle
Sam IL shaking a man, asking him, will
YOU ever forget politics."
They do not seem 10 forget II around
the White House. An AMERICAN
NEWARK, N. j., January 30.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02

Reports OF tho death of General
Francisco VILLA by violence should he
received with distrust. He has more
lives than a cat. Furthermore, he
takes excellent care Of his health,
which is to say that ne has a body
guard and changes II when he becomes
suspicious OF the loyalty of his friends