davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
COMPULSION!

But in recent years lack of oppor-
tunity for the practice OF marksman-
ship has caused a generation to grow
up who can't shoot straight Modern
Injuries and lack OF the adventures
OF the great out of doors have united
to UNIT many for the hardships of
the military life. Hence there is real
necessity for training. Generally
speaking. the young men are anxious
10 receive the necessary practice.
Proper patriotic sentiment on tho
part of large employers of labor would
operate to encourage this feeling. as
not only must the young men be will
ing to take training courses, but their
employers must be willing to excuse
them from their duties for the periods
each year which may be required 70"
the training
we take it that a system OF com
pulsory service, such as some propose,
is altogether antagonistic to the sober
sentiment of the nation. AS far as
the country would go in the matter
would be compulsory training which.
a we have above Indicated, is en-
tirely unnecessary.
II would appear that compulsory
service would tend to the upbuilding
OF a military spirit such as has
cursed and slaughtered Europe II
would be a retrograde movement IN
the cause of world peace. It would
Gerrnanize Misunderstanding a tree,
the fruit of which is death and de-
struction.
We firmly believe in the principle
that we should be equipped and train
ed to protect our homes from VOL
ence. 1t is our sacred duty 10 keep
in safety those whom God has given
us No man deserves the name who
would permit a foe. foreign or do
mestic. to cross his portal without
meeting him with proper defensive
measures
America can be properly equipped
without compulsion. 1t can be train
ed 10 meet any foe without a military
force bill. The people need only to
have the requirements OF tho situation
pointed out in patriotic fashion 10 re-
spond willingly and numerously.
Proper organization and adequate
equipment is all there Is 10 it-Y Dung
America will do the rest voluntarily.
willingly, joyously.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
CHILHOWIE

Especial to The Richmond Virginian.)
Chilhowie, Va. Dec. 18.-Mrs.
George Hun returned from Roanoke
Tuesday.
Mrs. Mary Greever and Mrs. Ed
gar Greever returned from Bristol
Monday.
John w. Heninzer Is quite s,ok with
the grip.
r. W. Scott returned from Abing-
don Wednesday. syssss4y.s.s~..eA
The citizens OF Chilhowie GrU -
lighted with the fine water supply
which Is being connected with the res
licences this week. II Is brought from
large spring at the foot Of 1ron
Mountain and In freestone water.
Miss Matilda Thomas. Of Roanoke.
has been the guest OF Mrs George
HUFF for several weeks
Mrs Frank Saunders Is much i'm
proved after her recent illness.
Mrs Mary Greever entertained tina
Auction Bridge Club on Saturday.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

and in lai0-'1l he was exchange pro-
fessor from Harvard to the University
of Berlin.
Early IN the war he was criticised
for some of his utterances, and de-
mand was made that he he removed
from the Harvard faculty. He has
been active on lecture platforms and
in the public press IN giving the Ger
manic side ~ the European war. and,
from a letter recently intercepted. the
British censor was led TO charge him
with being a German agent In this
country.
While his convictions have been
strong. his utterances have not gen
orally been marked with that bitter
ness SO often met with In ssch dis
cussions.
Whatever his political views his
fame in the world of science will,
beyond doubt endure.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

certain opposition In Germany and
Austria to peace on terms which
had not been submitted to the people
of central powers. We doubt that such
opposition will amount to anything.
The people who furnish the lives to
be sacrificed were not consulted
when war was declared. 1t Is quite
certain that they will have little
share in formulating terms of peace.
The Russian Duma on Friday took
strong and unanimous stand for i
united and vigorous prosecution OF
the war until complete victory shall
have been won.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

Neville couldn't leave a field on
which he won fame and did his coun-
mark OF his going, some token uf
his regard for his valiant foes at
yerdun.
SO on Friday he fell upon the
army of the Crown Prince and swat
ted the Germans in forty seven differ
ent ways. Recent figures tell of the
capture Of more than 5000 prisoners
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

lay foundation for council of the
statesmen will do we'll to tone down
their claims of victory. They may
well boast of their powers of self-de-
fense, but they will be wise II they
refrain from threats as TO their in
tentions. should the war go on.
They could do no worse thing than
to further arouse the resentment OF
those nations, which could lose two
men TO their one and yet emerge un-
conquered.
A phase of tho situation which de-
vcloped Friday was the indication OF
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

We do not Ike the word. 1t is now
IN general use in connection with the
matter of preparedness, in arranging
Tor an adequate defense OF the ma
tssn.
We believe in proper defensive
preparations The events Of the past
thirty months have seemed to indicate
that the wolf of human nature is not
extinct-that il remains dormant for
lengthy periods only 10 show itself in
NIL its unlovely aspect and to take ad-
vantage of those who have not pre-
pared against its attack.
Now we hear talk on every hand OF
compulsory military training and
conpulsory military service. We havo
much talk OF bills in Congress to carry
out ambitious programs along these
lines.
But de we understand the situation
well enough to leFjslate yet on the
subject.
We certainly do not believe In com
/ puisory military service and VIC be-
lieve that, with proper education,
there is no need Of compulsion in
military training
All that IS needed along the latter
4 line is for the government to provide
proper facilities and convenient train
ing camps Every hoy who is a real
1 boy wants 20 wear a uniform and
tote a gun. Was Caesar ever so great
u we fondly imagined ourselves to
be when we guided right" and
s'ordered arms" and forward march
"a. as a high private in the rear
rank? Would any boy In school have
faiked at the drill9 He would have
been numerically "sissied"
We believe that a proper system of
training in the public schools. CO.
1 ordinated with training camps and
military maneuvers under the general
direction OF regular army officers.
would at once demonstrate the fact
that the government would have all
the young reserve soldiers il could
p0ssibiy equip.
In years past in this country every
man was a soldier and a marksman
Wild beasts and wilder men, from
whom the Americans wrested control
aof this country, made II necessary for
4 az to be nation Of fighters There
I WAS then no question of military
{ training.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
REAL VICTORY AT vERDUN.

and large number of heavy guns.
The French struck so suddenly. with
such splendid dash, and so strongly
that they swept all before them.
They deserve very hearty con-
CALCULATIONS. They have made of no
effect all of Germanys awful sacri-
fees. They, too, have shown in a
very significant manner the weak
ness of the German lines IN the YER
dun sector. We look for news from
the Somme next.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
DO YOUR CHRISTMAS
SHOPPING EARLY

The general prosperity Of the
country promises to make the COM
Ing Christmas the most commercial.
ly active the country has ever
known" says a plea issued by express
companies yesterday for early Christ
mas shipping"
Although this crisis arises every
year as regularly as the holidays come
along" the notice reads, tho extra
ordinary conditions OF the trAnspor-
tation prevailing at the present time
accentuate the need for early ship
ping this year.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
!: Boiled Down Items
From Everywhere
Pershing a Major General.

Washington. Dec. 16.-Brigadier-
General John ]. Pershing. command
ing the American expeditionary force
in Mexico. was nominated by the
President today to be a major-gen-
eral.
The following colonies were nom
mated for promotion to be brigadier-
generals: Eben Swift, Francis H.
French, Edwin st. J. Greble and
Charles G.. Treat.
winthrop NJ. Daniels. of New Jer-
sey. was nominated to succeed him
self as a member OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
William F. Wolfe. OF La Crosse,
Wis, now serving under recess ap-
pointment as United States attorney
for the Western District of Wiscon-
sin. was formally nominated for the
same position.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
"From Youth Into Manhood >,

The boys meeting will open at 2:15
O'Clock instead OF 1850. The bell
ringers will play sacred selections, and
the Glee Club will sing. Then DR..
Hall will give the boys a message that
they will remember through life. He
will speak at Broad-Street Methodist
Church at night, on invitation of the
pastor, Rev. Fred r, Chenault,
through the courtesy of the Central
Young Mems Christian Association,
which brings him to Richmond
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
fiict. Your decision may mean life or
death to millions"
Soldiers Rations Up, Too.

San Antonio. Texas, Dec. 1s.--The
daily ration for soldiers in the border
service cost 80 cents a man for De-
cember. an increase Of more than
five cents over the figure of year
ago. Officers in the quartermaster's
branch say the increase is due to the
higher cost OF beans, -four, sugar,
lard, butter. vegetables and fruits.
Because of increased prices of
leather and cloth for shoes and uni
forms 1t also costs the government
more to clothe the soldiers
Approximately 10000 pounds of
turkey that will be needed for the
Christmas dinner OF the soldiers will
cost the government IS cents a pound.
or one cent more than the price paid
for the Thanksgiving turkey.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
A Lord's-Day Meditation.

&c. W. K.)
1t Is so sweet TO know,
When We are tired. and when tho
hand Of pain
Lies on our hearts. and when we look
in vain
For human comfort. that the Heart
Divine
Still understands these cares of yours
and mine,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
Ford Libel Case TO he Tried.

Washington. Dec. 16.-Three OF the
demurrers which the Navy League en-
tered to Henry Ford's defense in the
100000 libel suit which the league
has brought against him on the basis
OF his published advertisements at
lacking military preparedness were
sustained yesterday in the local Su-
preme Court, and the case will 20 to
trial later on its merits.
Ford pleaded IN defense that the
publication was privileged because he
believed 1t to be true.-The league de-
INJURED to that plea AZ an issue to be
tried in court and was sustained.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

Not only understands but day by day
Lives with us while we tread the
earthly way,
Bears with us all our WEAKNESS, and
feels
The shadow of the faintest cloud that
steals
Across our sunshine, ever learns again
The depth and bitterness OF human
pain
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
Bank Cashier Tied TN Sack.

Gary. Ind. Dec. 1s.-Four armed
bandits yesterday overpowered the
cashier OF the First State Bank Of Toll
lesion, a small town near here, and
escaped with almost $1,000. Tonight
posses Of citizens and Gary police wore
searching the woods near Tolleston,
where It was believed the robbers were
surrounded.
The robbery occurred during the
lunch hour when Herman Uecher, the
cashier. was alone. The men. appar-
emily foreigners. asked Uecher to cash
check and when he appeared at the
window he was covered by a revolver.
One Of the men entered the cashier
cage, threw sack over Uecher's head
and bound him, while the others loot
ed the cash drawers. Considerable
money was overlooked. While the rob-
bers were demanding that Uecher
open the safe they became alarmed
and fed.
Uecher rolled to 4 door and by kick
ing 1t attracted tho attention Of his
mother. who lived overhead.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
Investigate Contractors C1aiu.

The Administrative Board has in.
structed city Engineer Boiling 70 In
vestigate the claim OF Contractor II.
8. Holland. who has submitted an
itemiIed list OF expen ditures totaling
1890 due to unforeseen difficulties
encountered In executing a S2.2i7 con-
tract for the city. He asks the city
to reimburse him. +.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
Bryan Cables Peace Plea.

Jacksonville. Fla. Dec. le.-wil-
liam j. Bryan. here yesterday on his
way to Miami, Fla. stated that he had
sent this message to the British Pre-
mier:
AS friend Of the nations AZ war
as a Christian and a lover Of human
ity. l respectfully but most earnestly
appeal to you to use your great influ-
ence to secure your governments
consent to negotiations.
There Is no adispute that must
necessarily be settled by force. All
international disputes arc capable Of
adjustment by peaceful means. Every
guarantee that can possibly be secured
by war can be stated ~ Z condition
precedent to peace.
DO not. / pray you. by refusing IN
exchange Of views. assume rsuponslbll.
ity for continuation Oe the unspeak-
.Ahle horrors Of this unparallolo6 oou-
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
Mary Garden On Way to U. S.

Liverpool. Dec. 16.--Mary Garden.
who has been singing to the soldiers
in the allied trenches, Is passenger
on the American liner Philadelphia,
which left Liverpool for New York to-
day
Upon her arrival in the United
States she will Immediately go to Chi
cago to fulfill her contract as leading
soprano of :he Chicago Opera Com
pany.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

Captain Matthias Dies In London.
New York, Dec. IA cable mes
sage was received here today an
nouncing the death in London from
injuries he received in action at sea
of Captain John Matthias. 46 years
old. commander OF the White Star
Lane steamship IAurentic.
He had continued in command of
the ship after It went into patrol SER
vice for the British government two
years ago. No details of the acct
dent were given in the message.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
Five Years For Rank Cashier

New York, Dec. 16.-Henry j. Dor
gelch, formerly assistant cashier In
the Coal and Iron National Bank
here, was today sentenced to five
years in the Federal Penitentiary at
Atlanta.
He pleaded guilty of the thea OF a
check for $20.847 OF bank funds. the
check being part OF alleged specula-
tons amounting to $4,000.
Use OF the banks money in stock
speculation was charged against him.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

This world is full Of heartaches The
cares and burdens of life weigh very
heavily at times. When we have done
our best and have literally spent our
entire strength in service for others,
there are those, nevertheless, who are
always ready to murmur and complain
and criticise. At such times. how we
need comfort and inspiration and how
blessed the thought that there Is some
One who understands our cares and
heartaches, and Is so willing and
anxious TO share them with U.S.
One of our greatest needs today is
to realize more intensely the nearness
of the presence OF our Saviour with
us. He is in sensitive touch with us
always--in all our trials, our cares
and our heartaches because He has
personally experienced them For
thirty-three years He wore our flesh
and tasted our grief, and lis touched
with feeling OF our infirmities" Oh,
how much that ought to mean to us!
only the man who has been hungry.
and at times has not known where to
lay his head. knows how to really
sympathize with others In similar con-
dition. Only he who has been In the
wilderness with the devil. tempted on
every side, struggling for his life.
knows how to have true compassion
with tempted men and women today.
only he who has been crowned with
thorns. spit upon and whipped with
scourge. and who has tainted under
the cross. knows how to be touched
with the feeling of people. who are
lashed by cruel misfortune. and are
fainting under cares and burdens too
great and too heavy for their shout.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

ders But. Jesus. your Saviour and
mine. meets all these requirements
knows all about these things.
Our faith is often put to very Sc
we're test. We cannot understand
many OF the things that happen around
and about us. Our friends are very
cruel and hardhearted at times. nc
doubt. Perhaps. they do not realize
what pain and anguish they thrust
upon US. We are all so thoughtless
so selfish. that In our saner moments
we would be often surprised at oui
own actions and words, were we tc
measure them By the perfect pattern
which has been given US for our emu
lation.
But. in all this. not only does Jesus
know. but understands. and day by
day Is living with lis, near at land, &c
bear with us all our WEAKNESS and to
sympathize with us. Yes. the world Is
full of signs. full of sad and weeping
eyes" and needs our help. our sym
pathy. our tenderest love. why keen
the alabaster box of love sealed until
your friends and cola borers have
passed away? Why not let the flowers
you would send to cover their grave
brighten and sweeten their homes be
fore they leave them? Post-mortem
kindness cannot cheer the troubled
spirit. Flowers on the casket cast nc
fragrance backward DER life's weary
way. Give me plain coffin, withou,
flower. funeral without eulogy--
than a life without the sweetness OF
love and sympathy and appreciation
Hanover Avenue Christian Church.
Richmond. Va. Dec. II, 1915.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17

| ders But. Jesus. your Saviour and
mine, meets all these requirements
knows all about these things.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-04

Miss Vann Womack, OF Danville, Is
visiting the Misses Burks at Court
land, Va She will also visit her sis
ter in Norfolk before returning home.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-04

BURTON SYSTEM MEN
HAVE HARD FALL

When one Of the iron hooks sup
porting their scsftoid was released by
crumblins bricks. w. 7. Napier and
CLYDE A. Napier, brothers. fell about
thirty feet from the side of the build
tnr at 122s Hull street. South Rich
mond. about 10 o'clock yesterday
morning.
w. T. Napier sustained a fractured
leg and other injuries which necessi-
tated his removal to hospital, from
which 1t was reported last night that
he was doing well. Outside of minor
injuries the other brother was unhurt.
Both men are painters In the en-
ploy Of the Burton System. and they
were engaged in painting sign on the
brick wall of the store building &C.
cupied by Mrs. l.. II. Hogan when the
masonry work gave way After strik-
ing the ground the men were show
cred with falling bricks, several of
them striking w. T. Napier on the
head. Paint was scattered In all di-
rections. the two men being literally
bathed in it.
Ambulance Surgeon Fletcher gave
temporary treatment to the more Sc
riously injured man before removing
him to the hospital.
" T. Napier lives at 3614 Hull
Street. while his brother lives at Stop
27, westhampton line.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-04

Is proficient instrumentaIist. The
entertainment they provide will de-
light both the eye and the ear. The
girls display some very pretty and
tasteful gowns. The act Is handsome
ly mounted and three changes of cos
tune and scenery are made during its
progress.
In the musical comedy skit, MA
rooned." Eddie Barto and Florence
Clarke have a splendid little vehicle
that gives them excellent opportunity
to display their very decided talents
as dancers and singers. They are par
ticularly good Ia the former.
Fred and Tommy Haydn and Eddie
Borden have again pooled their talents
and Haydn Is an amusement vender.
Their goods are labelled '1n Bits of
Vaudeville& and the package contains
a great deal Of comedy. some singing
and some dancing, with a bit of In
strumental music as we'll. Fred Haydn
is master of the concertina. Eddie
Borden Is a very superior clown, and
Tommy Haydn Is splendid English
fop.
One of the best single features IN
vaudeville, Grace Fisher. prima-
donna and Coincidence, comes with
the show for the later half Of the
week.
Miss Fisher is another young society
woman who prefers the stage to the
drawing room. Miss Fisher is more
fortunate than most of her social
sisters because she is endowed with
something besides appearance. Miss
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-04
Variety Artists Of
Two Hemispheres
Coming to Lyric

Vaudeville favorites of the European
stage will vie with famous American
variety artists in each OF the two new
shows coming to the Lyric this week.
Manager Rex has secured some of the
strongest feature acts Of the big
time" and the week promises to be
an epochal one II. the history OF
vaudeville here.
The English farce magnet. Madame
Besson. with her company Of four
versatile comedy players. will be on
the bill the first half Of the week.
Madame Pesson IL known in the Euro
pean and American theaters as The
Vampire Woman" She Is appearing
this season in a breezy, scintillant
fravesty comedy Of that title. written
for her by Frances Nordstrum, the
popular emotional actrsss. From the
rise OF the curtain until 1t falls
Madame Besson's new playlet pro.
vokes . rapid sequence OF laughs,
chuckles and filters. It IL based upon
the infatuation Of young people OF
both sexes for movie" stars.
Frank Carmen, King Of the
Hoops. il another importation. Car.
mems control OF half hundred hoops
rolling in every direction simultan-
eously. Is q feat never equalled His
exhibition OF skill IL said to be phe-
nomenal.
The big American feature OF the bill
will be the Bonnie Sextette, six beau
e1ful and talented girls, each OF whom
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-04

Fisher has a singing voice that II the
envy OF vocalists and her ability to
put songs over is astounding because
the two qualities are seldom found to-
gether. For short time Miss Fisher
was an artists model for Harrison
Fisher. and because OF her wonder
full crop OF copper colored hair. posed
as the Rexal girl and her head now
adorns the boxes OF every connection
made by this company.
on the same bill Will he seen the
Cycling Ber,ins, man and woman, who
perform seemingly impossible stunts
on all sorts OF wheels. Then there Is
the great laughing act in which Monde
and Sale will make their first APP
pearance here. and genuine novelty
sketch. which will introduce to the
local followers OF vaudeville, Darrell
and Moore. established favorites on
the big time.
Eleven lads and lassies from the