davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
WHAT OUR COUNTRY LACKS
without Unity Democracy Must Be
a Failure.
To the Editor OF Tho Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir. The average American considers the
Government Of tho United States as tho pest
possible form Of administering tho ahairs
Of tho nation, but those who have studied
the question closely believe that in its pres
ent state II Is only means OF testing sys-
tenn that must be greatly amended before its
full benefit can bo derived. Our government
appears to be In the experimental stage a'
the present time, and there seem to be many
dangers that threaten its very existence.
Our country cannot fulfil tho promise OF
il birth unless the people are unit, ana
Judging from circumstances as they exist TO-
day, this Is far from being fact Ihere
are millions of people In tho United States
who not only are unaware Of It's aspirations
and the principles upon which It's government
il founded, but who cannot even speak the
national language, nor do they mako an ef-
fort to speak It.
Nothing 80 tends to unity nation as does
a common language; therefore, when we ma
millions Of people who have adopted this
country as their homo speaking the German
language as the means for communicating
their thoughts TO their fellows and gaining
their knowledge Of the events snd progress
of the world mainly from papers printed IN
that language; thousands OF others talking
Greek and reading only papers printed IN
that language; millions of Hebrews reading
nothing but papers printed in their languagei
Italians and Syrians following the same
course, II causes the patriotic American to
tremble for the future of his country. 80
long as these people continue to read news
papers printed in their several languages
they will continue TO be Germans, Greeks'
Italians. Syrians and Hebrews. II sell
preservation is the first law Of nature for the
Individual how much more necessary IS Il
that IL should be the first law Of nationi
To my mind, democracy IS the best form
Of government, provided It rests upon an
educated people, but an ignorant democracy
can certainly become more degraded ana
tvrannical than the worst possible form OF
autocracy.
II our country Is 10 assume the nign posi-
,ion in the world that Americans desire ior
her the mass Of our people must speak our
common tongue and read newspapers printed
in the English language.
." '"0 EDWIN G. LAWRENCE.
New York, Feb II, 1910
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
An Interdicted Accent.

An eminent Harvard professor, accus-
toned heretofore 70 preach occasionally IN
the college chapel at Yale, has been de-
barred from that privilege. A Harvard
accent, exuberantly adolescent in its
growth and awlwardness, has come be-
tween him and his former hearers, though
Il is q little difficult to determine whether
his accommodation is due to his broad
ening "a" itself, or to the fact that not all
of the boys, especially those in the rear
news. could hear it. For it seems that he
was not one
Whose accents flow with artless ease
Like Orient pearls at random strung.
Rather, with his struggles to encompass
and tame that expanding "a" the reaching
power of his voice diminished until only
the fortunate few clustered close about
the pulpit derived full benefit from it.
And Yale democracy brooks no such favor
itism.
This professor, like Lochinvar, came out
Of the West vocally pure and undetiled'
lie naN Halu / anu a iietN q s''t@ -
tonic "u" to charm the American ear, and
they flowed forth to the uttermost recesses
of his auditorium. And then, apparently,
like a cancer of the esophagus, this Bos-
ton corruption of the mother tongue began
gradually to tighten the cords in his
throat until, as Professor John Wesley
Wetzel. of Yale, has remarked, che fails to
pass for half his worth as a public
speaker"
It is a malady to which Westerners find
themselves peculiarly susceptible from the
damp east winds Of Massachusetts Bay and
the more torrid airs of Barrett Wendell
and it defies a cure From whatever mo-
tives. the Yale authorities are fully justi.
fed in declaring a quarantine against It
particularly since it has been shown not
70 interfere with football playing, and may
no longer, therefore, provoke the old re-
sistance among Els.
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Praise for Our Editorials.
d.. Edi,or ~ the Tribune.

To the Editor Of the Tribune.
Sir: l read your splendid editorials every
morning and am writing these few words
TO let you know am heartily in accord with
them. They deal with nothing but hard facts
The way you have been placing the situa-
ton before the public calls for nothing but
words Of praise and commendation from all
true Americans. You have made many, many
friends and you deserve them.
If few more papers would follow your
example think the present Administration
would see the writing on the wall, which
spells doom.
| hope the Republican party and the Pro-
gressive party can be united and will put g
strong and noble leader in the field who VIII
pull the votes of the true blue Americans
in the North. East, South and West as they
have never been pulled before. Roosevelt
or Root would be acceptable TO me.
Keep up the good work on your editorial
page. HENRY Z. SMITH
Oranes, N. ]. Feb. el, 1919
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
For Tax Reduction.

Formation of the Tax Reduction Commit
tee Of the City Of New York, an organiza-
ton pledged to back up Mayor MitcheFs
general programme of economy legislation,
indicates that at last the public is beginning
TO bestir itself. 1t is high time. The
city administration endeavored last year
70 obtain relief from the Legislature, and
failed. This year there is much better
prospect, owing largely to the recommen-
dations of Senator Browns committee,
which coincide with a goodly part of the
Mayors programme. Yet there is strange
inability Of the legislators from New York
to unite in the city's interest
In this new organization are members
of both the great political parties. Their
interest is not partisan. When it comes TO
paving taxes the citizen ceases TO have po-
litical affiliations. That is a fact which
the lawmakers from the metropolis should
take TO heart and hug closely.
Up to date they appear to be divided by
politics. Keeping down the city's tax rate
is as much duty for Democrat as Tor
a Republican. 1t is the duty Of the citys
men at Albany to support unanimously
every measure which will help this city cut
down its expenses, regardless of political
line-ups. The legislator who lets partisan
ship sway him from his duty to the city Is
going to have hard time of it next No
vember
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27

were not armed at first, but when II was
learned that Germany sunk them, wnetner
they resisted. tried TO escape or surrendered,
they were armed for defence against subma
rines. and, az pointed out to Germany by our
State Department many months ago, " Is, or
was, a settled principle OF international ia"
that merchant vessels may be armed Tor de-
fensive purposes. How now shall we escape
tho dilemma Of being on both sides Of the
same issue?
n has been emphasized in this Great War
that declarations OF international law are
nothing more than mere recommendations Oh
rules of right conduct If their enforcement
he left 70 belligerents However much one
nation may, at the beginning OF war, fee'
bound thereby to save herself from destruc-
ton she must eventually disregard such
declarations il the same be persistently and
substantially violated by her adversary.
II the United States refuse to speak Tor
humanity, who will? II IA obvious that, IN
time of war, neutras, and not belligerents,
are the guardians Of international law. and
neglect of their duty as such means the de-
struction Of such law and the replacing OF hu-
manity in the deplorable condition IL was
centuries ago. The United States is the
only powerful neutral, and for that reason
should be the spokesman OF all neutrals, ana
if IL will not defend it the law Will nave no
defender, as no other neutral power is strong
enough 10 stand alone for principles aDan-
doned by the greatest neutral. Therefore
nolens volens. the responsibility for the
abandonment Of the law Of humanity Is ours;
and if we continue TO shrk our duty the law
can hardly be revitaized until after decades
If academic discussion.
The United States, under the leadership OF
Prssia, took an imposing part in instigatlng
and supporting the Hague conference, whicn
resulted in a solemn convention, and yet
without any protest from Us this solemn
agreement has been constantly and grossly
violated by Germany, signatory to the con-
vention. Peace-at-any-price advocates try 70
escape the convention by pointing OUT tha'
no punishment was provided for vioiauohS
of the agreement, but this is degrading tech
nicality and cannot relieve us OF response
biIitv The convention was not mere abb
stract opinion or recommendation OF rules OF
RIGHT onduct. but was, in form and sub
stance a contract to observe certain rules IN
case Of war. and if the United States original
lv intended that such a contract could De
IGNORED with impunity and without pro-
test. then our government was palpably guilty
Of cant and hypocrisy in advocating and IN
becoming a party to such convention.
Early in August, 1914, neutral ships began
70 sink from contact with mines unlawfully
placed in the neutral zones Of the North Sea
by Germany. As there was no protest from
anv neutral. Great Britain, in November,
1914. in reprisal, declared mine area anc
countermined but with the important differ
ence that safety lanes and plans were fur
nished neutral vessels who desired to navi-
cate the North Sea- In reprisal, Germany in
February, 1915, declared war zone arounc
Great Britain and part of France, and warned
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
TO tho Editor OF The Tribune.

70 tho Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir. As is we'll known, our President. IN
the submarine controversy, recited and re-
iternted TO Germany tho settled principles o'
international law, and threatened 70 hold her
TO "strict accountability" for violations there
Of involving TIE lives Of our citizens but
nevertheless, Germany continued her murder
Gus career, limited only by the power and
alertness Of the British and French navies
coupled with the arming Of merchant vessels
for defence.
II our people had realized at the timo the
actual facts concerning the sinking OF the
Lusitanis, now admitted by Germany, the Ad'
ministration could hardly have chloroformed
their indignation. At first Germany asserted
that the Lustania was an armed auxiliary
cruiser and the sinking thereof, without
warning, justified; and when that ssser-
ton was disputed the German Ambassa-
dor procured perjured sffdavits to the effect
that tho perjurers had seen mounted guns on
the vessel before it left New York This
government having ascertained the falsity OF
the affidavits from its own officers, the Ger
man government then pretended to give its
ambassador carte blanche to satisfy the
American people, but after labored CORE
spondence and pourparers lasting nine
months our government has apparently re-
ceded from its position as the defender OF
humanity, surrenderng our rights under In
ternational law, and has seemingly termi-
mated the controversy by accepting as salts
factory the admission Of Germany to tho eff
feet that she was not Justified, under the
proven circumstances, In killing American
citizens on tho high sea without giving them
chance for their lives, and that she is will
ing to pay so much per head for the lives
taken.
In the meantime, under the spurious prom
ise (never fulflled) to give up so much in
order to placate our people, her Nephis-
topheles persuaded our State Department 10
join Germany In an attempt to change inter
national law, during the war, for the benefit
of Germany, and Secretary Lansing has act
ually proposed TO the Entente Allies that
they dsmount the guns rightfuly placed on
their merchant vessels for defensive pur-
poses. Thus submarines could attack and
sink them without danger to themselves.
Having so committed the United States to
this strange doctrine, Germany and Austria
taking quick advantage Of our gross blunder
now notify us that after the 29th of this
month they will consider merchant vessels OF
the Entente Allies as warships, If armed for
defensive purposes. This means that vessels
carrying neutral passengers will be sunk with
out warning, and they assume, of course, in
giving us such notice, that our government
has abandoned the original position taken by
the President with respect to submarine at
tacks without notice or visit and without
regard to safety Of passengers
The merchant vessels of the Entente Allies
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
In the cast were:

In 1864, in New Orleans, and in 1870, at
Booths Theatre, | had the pleasure OF ap-
gearing with Mr.. James H. Hackett in "The
Merry Wives of Windsor" playing Robin, the
page. Mr.. James K. Hackett, his son, has an
nounced revival Of the comedy. Later
acted with Ben de Bar and c. W. Couldock
(as Falstaff) in both "The Merry Wives
and Henry "" playing Simple, Jack Rugby
Master Slender, Poins and Prince Hal.
In 1892 I produced "The Merry Wives" in
the open air on the lawn Of the Grand Union
Hotel, Saratoga, with De Wolf Hopper as
Falstaff, Rose Coghlan and Blanche Walsh as
"the wives,' Charles Barron as Master Ford
Joseph Wheelock, jr., as Master Slender
Adele Richie as Anne Page and Mrs. John
Drew as Dame Quickly.
In 1889 produced Antony and Cleopatra
at Palmer's Theatre, New York City, for Abb
bey G. SchoefFe, with Mrs. Potter and Kyrle
Bellew in the title roles. | had previously
staged the tragedy in San Francisco Gin 1SI1),
with Rose Eytinge (the starr as Cleopatra
and Thomas W. Keene, of the California The
atre Stock Supporting Company, as Antony
I played Eros.
Between the years 1872 and 1900 I played
many of the leading Shakespearisn roles, IN
support of Lawrence Barrett travelling with
him from Maine to Oregon), with John Nc
Cullough, Charles Barron (at the Boston Nu-
seum) and with Edwin Booth.
My first experience in Julius Casar'
(which | afterward staged for Barrett, Bangs
End Davenport) was going on for five distinct
parts in one night-the First Citizen, CHINA,
Servius, Lucus and Pindarus | effected my
changes by the use of different colored wigs
and togas The last Shakespesrian part
played was the Ghost in Hamlet" with the
stock company of Pixies Opera House, Gin
cinnati, in 1902.
have never argued upon, debated over or
given any personal thought TO the Baconisn
"assertion." Il mas always been Shakespeare
to me (no matter how It is spelled and It
ALWAYS will be. WILLIAM SEYMOUR.
New York, Feb. "a, 1915.
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Widows Pensions.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; Kindly print the answers to the fol-
lowing In your paperi
/. Has the Board Of Estimate appropriated
any money for the Board Of Child Welfare
recently?
2. Has the Child Welfare Board, under the
widows pension bill, assisted all the needy
widows who have made application for as
sstance7
8. If not, why mott Can q widow, under
the law, sue the city for back pensions due
her. as the law has been IN effect for few
months? INTERESTED.
New York, Feb. 20, 1913
!. Ii has.
q No. Many hundred applications are now
under investigation.
3. She may not even be eligible for pension
under the law.
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Catalogues.
1t is Austin Dobson who sang
cigars

1t is Austin Dobson who sang
doubt your painful pedant who
Can read the dictionary through,
But he must be a dismal dog
Who can't enjoy this catalogue
Without stopping for the moment to
disagree with Mr.. Dobson on the subject
of the very real interest of the dictionary,
we take the last two lines Of his quota
ton for our text
Indeed, little that comes 10 our desk in
the course Of the winter in the shape OF
reading matter so well repays perusal as
the catalogues of the different sales of the
season. They need not be important sales
like that Of the Hoe collection, for in
stance. Any well-annotated catalogue will
yield its pleasure and profit. 1t will re-
call forgotten worthless and events and
add to the curiosities of our miscellaneous
information.
We have before us as we write two
catalogues from the Anderson Auction
Company: one, that of the library Of the
late Mrs. Gertrude Cowdin; the other, Of
Part VI Of the John c. Burton collection.
Let us browse.
Here is "Trilby" in the original "Har-
per's Magazine" issues, together with
"Trilbyana," the programme of the play
at the Garden Theatre, a "Trilby Clos
sary," and other material-a reminder Of
a craze not since equalled in the world
Of books. Do you remember the idle Ap-
prentice" and Whistler's waspish way with
him? Here is a puzzle: No. 10, Cap
tain Fracasse," Remains "Vie de Jesus"
Amiel's Journal" mile. de Maupin," I"
"The Ingodsby Legends, "Corinne," Let
ters of Nine. de Remusat" and Bourgeois
"Cosmopolis," all in one lot. Why?
Fiona Macleod. We had forgotten Will
lam Sharp, his authorship of the poems,
and the bewildering case of dual personali-
tv it involved. Imbert de Saint-Amand.
Who remembers him to-day? Yet for a
wear or two he was the French historian
most popular in this country. And here
is Taine's History of English Litera-
ture." Mental note: Reread his remark
able study of Shakespeare in view Of the
coming tercentenary.
And here is copy Of the first edition of
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Muensterberg and the Movies.

Professor Hugo Mtnsterberg, of Har-
ward, is not always busy with his efforts
TO interpret" Germany to America, fortu-
nately for the success Of his object. Per-
haps it has never occurred TO him that in
his painstaldng labors as an experimental
psychologist he is doing more to interpret
Germany to America than even he can
undo, with his output of statements and
essays condescendingly explanatory Of the
superiority of German culture and German
institutions. Professor Mtnsterberg the
conscious propagandist is one personality;
Professor Munsterberg the scientist is
quite another and a much more agreeable
one.
Very recently, it appears from Boston
report, the professor has allied himself
with a motion picture company for the
production Of certain films presenting sim
pie psychological experiments. The series
will be entitled, "Are you fitted for your
iob?" and will deal in a practical and
humorous manner with the reactions TO
suggestion of streetcar conductors and
men Of other humble callings. 1t needs
little Imagination TO perceive that such a
series could be made highly entertaining
and instructive, lesson in the elements of
psychology which the multitude would not
soon forget.
Now, there is something in the profes-
sor's adaptation Of his experiments TO the
requirements and problems Of every day
life, in the evident pleasure he takes in in
viting the people to share with him his
secrets and discoveries, which shows us the
Teutonic mind and heart as it was before
it was overlaid with Prussianism. 1t be-
comes easier, with Professor Minister
berZs methods In mind, to understand
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Thursday. January 80. 1873
CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN
~ SNAKES pthIr
KING HENRY VIII.

Miss Cushman had played Meg Merriles
in Guy Mannering" the week before and
Lady Macbeth the three nights preceding
this. She had caught cold, and got through
this performance with much suffering and
difficulty, but was unable to play the follow
ing night, and was compelled to cancel the re-
mainder of her engagement and return North.
met her once afterwsrd-the next year
at Columbus, Ohio, one Sunday evening. Mr..
Barrett and l were on our way from Cleve-
land to Cincinnati, and were laying over In
Columbus TO make train connection. We took
supper at the old Neil House, Miss Cushman
and Miss Stebbins sitting with us. I cannot
forget her ordering two steaks and saying 20
Mr.. Barrett, Lawrence, one Is to feed the
cancer" Sho was then suffering from the
disease which a year later caused her death
cancer of the breast
II was during a rehearsal Of Henry WIZ
in New Orleans that Miss Cushmsn went
through Wolsey's great scene at Dir Barrett's
request He had never played the part. !
can see him now, sitting at the prompt table,
tears rolling down his cheeks as he listened
to this wonderful woman's wonderful delivery
OF the famous downfall" speech. /, rehears-
ing Cromwell with her, was as greatly af-
fected. OF the long list of people who ap-
peared In the above cast only two others are
alive. V. Melton and Frank Oakes Rose.
My first Shakespearisn part was the Duke
Of York in Richard H." with Lawrence Bar
rett at the Varieties Theatre, New Orleans,
in January, 1863. He was one Of the man
nov
Setchell and John Lewis Baker During this
ard many seasons there played all the boy
parts in the Shakespearian productions with
all of the tragedians of that time-notably
John Wilkes Booth, Edwin Adams, Edward
Eddy, and later with Edwin Forrest, Edwin
Booth, John Mccullough and E. L. Daven-
port In 1865 | acted Richard III, as boy
prodigy Il presume I was), and John Lewis
Baker (afterward our John Drew's father-in-
iaw) was my Richmond. The combat" had
learned from watching John Wilkes Booth 5
performances Of Richard, and | have since
taught it TO many aspirants.
In l869-'70 had the distinction of acting
the Player Queen in Hamlet" during It's run
of one hundred performances at Booths The
atre. New York City, and believe am the
only actor in this country who has ever
played the part. OF that cast only two others
are living de Bar (Alr. Booth 5
niece, who played Ophela, and Theodore
Hamilton, who played King Claudius. Au-
gustus Pitou, the Horatio of the cast, died
very recently.
In 1872 had the honor of appearing with
Edwin Forrest at the Globe Theatre, Boston,
his last appearance Oh the stage. He gave
some readings afterward. but never acted
again. On December 4, 1879, l produced
King Lear" at Booths Theatre. New York
City, then under the management OF Jarrett
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Cheerful News for Smokers

(Fror, The Prou4d-res JournGl)
So much has been said about the shorten
ing Of life by tobacco that the testimony Of
the actuary Of one Of the largest insurance
companies on the effects OF smoking is OF
general interest That tobacco Is not criti-
cised will surprise many. The insurance ex
pert knows Of no reliable statistics showing
the mortality rate among smokers; in fact
he does not believe that smoking need be
considered in making estimates on the lives
Of policyholders.
A good many men will find comfort in thi:
assurance, even II the actuary failed 70 men
ton any Of the benefits of smoking. Probably
he intended to say only that pipes and cigars
do not hasten death.
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Kipling on Preparedness

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Regarding preparedness, has any
stronger argument or better plea been pre-
sented than Kipling's "The Islanders?
Scarcely a line Of that remarkable and
prophetic poem is napplicable to this coun-
try and moment, though fear business may
have 70 be substituted for sport
Print il for the sake of those who "grudge
a year OF service 10 the lordliest life on
earth" GEORGE BARTON MULDAUR.
New York, Feb. l6, 1915.