davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
Thanks!
itor OF The Tribune

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: | think it was Oliver W Holmes who
said: IF you are pleased with anything a
writer says and doubt whether to tell him
Of it, do not hesitate pleasant word is a
cordial TO one who perhaps thinks he Is tir-
ing you, and so becomes tired himself !
purr very loud over good honest letter that
says pretty things to me-"
wish to thank you for myself and for
my friends, many OF whom will be able to
read this particularly telling editorial. ap-
pearng in to-day's issue, Belgium Again
am in the habit of sending to different
parts of the world the most striking of The
Tribunes editorials, and have many pretty
replies coming 'back | will just quote one
from an Englishman: ~ appreciate very
much the Tribunes you have sent me; ind
my sentiments accord very much with what
has been written by that fine writer Of its
leaders. We have all been delighted" And
If the words of Balzac are true, praise is
such blessing TO US artists, it primes US
with courage" the writer can render no
better service than TO send the appreciation
along. JOHN RULE.
New York, Feb. 2 1915
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
Don't Ignore the Experts.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: President Wilson in one Of his ad-
dresses on preparedness warns the people
not TO pay too much attention to the views OF
army and navy men.
If men who have risen in the army TO the
position of generals and in the navy 20 ad-
mirals do not know what is demanded IF both
the army and the navy 70 make them efficient
in repclling invasion, who does? These men
are experts in their respective lines, they
have studied military conditions as they oXist
to-day on the European battlehelds' they
know the military weakness Of the United
States. and there ia more danger Of an un-
reinstatement Of the nations needs than OF
an overstatement. Yet the President, VINO
breaches efficiency TO our business men all
the time, tells us 10 beware of men whose
only anxiety is to make our army and navy
efficient. OF course, this can never he done
as 20 the army on any scheme such as the
President suggests OF training citizens for a
short time each year or on the plan OF utiliz-
ing the army to construct public works at
the same time that they are being trained
as soldiers A soldier cannot be made by
any such slipshod methods. and the sooner
the President and the people Of this country
realize that fact the better.
Train the soldier, let US say, for two years
that is long enough and then let him retire
TO the reserves and hold himself in readiness
for his country's call. By keeping the ranks
full of recruits as men retire, in compare
lively brief period We could have million
men ready TO spring to arms if wanted
State militia and so-called continental
army would be of little no value in re-
pellng an army of veteran Europeans like
the Germans Our military experts know
this. and it is far from being wise on tho part
of President Wilson to ignore their advice
or 70 teach the people TO ignore it. NJ T. r.
New York, Feb. |, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
Anthrax and Cheap Furs.

4 fatal case Of anthrax reported mere
few months ago was attributed conJectu
rally TO cheap fur collar worn by the
victim. but at the time the guess was MOI
taken seriously. as the evidence was mani
fostlv insufficient. Since then, however
an inquiry into the circumstances OF
case in Brooklyn has led TO the discovery
that skins from Barren Island arc USED
largely by manufacturers OF cheap fur'
and. moreover. that some OF these skins
have been found to be infected. A report
has already been drawn up recommending
that the use of such skins for apparel be
forbidden.
Until the report is published 1t is I'M
possible, of course. to judge of the thor
ouehness Of the investigation, but the pos
sibiity of infection in this manner is IN
deniable. Quite recently DR.. Elworthy
pathologist Of the West London Hospital
reported three cases of anthrax, all OF
which were almost unquestionably attrib
utable to manufactured articles.
Inc IrsL patient ulth III Si<f'J $500
without a definite diagnosis having been
made. but a subsequent meteorological ex
animation led to the conviction that the
cause of death was anthrax, the bacillus
having probably entered the blood stream
through the skin of the neck. AS his oc-
cupation did not suggest anthrax, an at
tempt was made to guess at all concelva-
BILE sources Of infection. and suspicion Tel
first on the shaving brush, which was ne"
and very cheap. BY culture and inocula-
ton into guinea pigs it was clearly es-
tablished that the brush was infected. But
as the infection might have been due to
contact with an abraded anthrax lesion
five brushes of the same make were bought
in the market. All of them were infected
with anthrax.
In both of the other cases reported by
DR.. Elworthy the examination was equal
" thorough. and in each the shaving
brush was shown to be the source of IN
lection. If anthrax can be conveyed by
the shaving brush, it is by no means IN
conceivable that it may be conveyed by
manufactured furs.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07

of escaping capture by an enemy or by a
foreign ship of war
For the Germans. however. IT will prob
ably suffice that inasmuch as the Du'ch
flag has been used as n ruse by the enem!
any Dutch flag may bc fired on. AS 10
the truth of the complaint that the Nc
LAME attacked the submarine while inc
flag was still flying. il is Of no consequences
Tor the German commander may nave
fancicd that his adversary planned III
attack. and that. as we have learned IS
sufficient excuse "cvcn If the commander
should have been mistaken In any case
the sinking of the Artcmis was an obvious
mistake. and there is no difficulty here IN
finding a German word to describe 1t. Inc
only complaint of the IIollanders Is tha'
thew have heard that word too often.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
Miss Mollie's Jubilee.

Among the tales of self-victory which
should encourage us to believe that man
kind is really making moral progress Is
the one of Miss Molle Fanchers cheerful
martyrdom of half century. She and her
friends in Brooklyn have met within day
or so actually to celebrate her golden jul
bilee in bed" For fifty years, or ever
since February 8, 1866. less than a year
after Appomattox and the assassination Of
Lincoln, Miss Mollie has remained in bed
such an Incarceration staggers the mag
nation. That one should survive it at
al is wonderful enough, but that one
should survive it without loss of spirits,
with no impairment of the will to live, is
a miracle. Miss Mollie's victory puts to
shame a world Of surrenders over which
we have all been far too prone to senti-
mentalize.
And now at the age of sixty-eight years
she has the satisfaction of knowing that her
life. passed within the confines of four
poster, has been neither burden nor a
depressant to her friends, but an inspira-
ton worth more than all her effort TO
smile through pain, and to face without
protest an unbroken vista of awakenings
to bedridden helplessness. The anniyer-
sary is indeed a jubilee. We felicitate the
dainty, eager bright little Miss Mollie
propped up against her snowy pillows in
her gayy decorated prison. No monarch
in a golden age ever deserved half the re-
spect which is her due from the members
of race which she adorns as the very
best of good sports.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
Another Unfortunate Mistake.

II is perhaps not merely an accidental
coincidence that further details of the
Melanie incident have been CLEANED from
an authoritative source at the very mo-
ment when the Dutch papers, pro and anti
German alike, are crying out for a prompt
explanation of the sinking of the tank
steamer Artemis by a German torpedo
boat. According to the Authoritative"
information now published, the vessel de
scribed as the Meanie hoisted the Dutch
flag and, with the flag still flying, fired
upon and twice attempted TO ram Ger
man submarine. In Germany, at least, this
circumstance Will pass as a sufficient eN-
PLANTATION Of the unfortunate mistake in
the case Of the Artemis, and perhaps 1t
will be accepted by the minority Of Hol-
landers who have German leanings.
One or two of the Dutch papers have
indeed gone half way to meet a German
excuse, the "Vaderland" asking, with some
show of resentment, what the British fleet
was about while a German patrol fotilla
was cruising between the Hook Of Holland
and the Noordhinder Lightship-as if it
were the duty of the British to provide
against German mistakes. In the main,
however, their indignation is directed en-
tirely against the real offenders, and the
."Nieuwe Courant" sees in the accident a
collapse of "the Wanted German organi-
zation and discipline"
II may be recalled that about year
ago the German government virtually
washed their hands of all consequences
that might follow upon what they called
tine misuse of the neutral flag 10y English
merchant vessels" That neutral flags
have been used to avoid capture every one
knows. 1t is a custom of the sea estab-
lshed for centuries and expressly rccog-
nized in the British merchant shipping
act Of 1894. where provision is made
E ganst the use Of the British flag by for
eign vessels, arlcss it be "for the purpose
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
THE PHILIPPINE BETRAYAL
Passage of the Jones Bill Breach
of Trust.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The passage Of the Jones bill, with inc
Clarke amendment, is the occasion TOT hear'-
felt protcstation on the part OF those VIM
lnow from actual observation and experience
tLe almost total unfitncss Of the Filipinos TOT
rr,atcr participation in their government
We're IT not for the partisan nature OF inc
legislation. the passage Of such a measure
would be an unparalleled example OIL iaoh o.
intelligent lawmaking on the part OF our Ia"
makers as n whole. II is preferable 10 DC
licvc a misguided notion OF prlnclplc Mas
been responsible for some Of our Legislators
giving support 10 so irrational clause OF
the Baltimore platform "a the Philippine IN
doncndencc declaration by voting for that
consummatc piece of folly, the Jones bill, and
its Quxotic amendment. We prefer 10 W
liove that were the Philippine measure maze
strictly non-partisan, rs in justice TO 'nc
Filipinos il should be, these same sponsors
for the bill would prove their craftsmanship
By voting it down.
To grant independence, or even greater
participation in their government than they
now enjoy. TO the Filipinos amounts to shirk-
Of the mass Of sober minded, practical flll-
pino citizens who fear independence since
they know full we'll that the 'politlcos' VINO
agitate for independence are doing so because
Of the excellent opportunity 1t would aHoru
them to exploit their unfortunate countrymen
for their own ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
II is dcplorabc piece Of shortslghted
craftsmanship which allows 30 valuable
commercial asset a. the Philippines to be
practically fooled away. The resources al
nresent undeveloped arc enormous. II we
would emulate the example of certain foreign
Governments and establish a firm, RATIONAL
internal colonial government at once, so tnat
commercial enterprise would not be hazardous
fer neither natives nor foreigners, the beneht
not only TO the Fiipinos but TO our citizens
and government would more than JUSTIFY the
action. To let the islands become the prey
of those lying in wait is one with the policy
which legislates our ships off the Pacihc at
. time when our interests require fostering
in that very quarter.
Let US hope that those to whom inc maj
disposition of the bill is consigned will awake
tc the evils that will accrue If it becomes
law and will kill so ill-advised monument
:, our national incfliciency in disposing OF a
trust u. ID. "il.,''
Amsterdam. n Y. r. d. 3, Feb 4, 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
"Old Ironsides" Again.


"Old lronsides' Is not without friends. 4
bill for an appropriation Of $4,000 by Con-
gress to be expended upon the maintenance
of the celebrated warship Of old times In
dcates that the patriotic sentiment revived
by the poem Of Oliver Wendell Holmes is
not extinguished. OF course, it is under
stood that the old Constitution cannot be
made into an effective fighting craft. A
wooden vessel cannot enter into an engage
ment with the least formidable Of the mod
ern battleships. But it does not follow that
an appropriation for keeping the Constitu-
tion afoat will be wasted, for the preserya-
tion of "Old Ironsidcs" may easily be re-
garded as one of the duties Of a patriotic
people.
II is infinitely better TO spend $4,000
upon the Constitution. which in the early
days OF the Republic commanded the admira-
ton and respect OF the world, than to waste
the same amount upon Federal buildings
where there is no legitimate demand for
great structures OF granite or marble. or
upon the dredging OF creeks having no pos
siblc value rs waterways The money needed
FOR the Constitution can be diverted from
the pork barrel layout without arousing pub
lie indignation. Indeed. It is reasonable 70
assume that such action would appeal TO the
Imagination OF the people.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
Progress for the Schools.

The election of president Of the Board
Of Education to-day involves more than
the victory of ono of two rival factions in
that body. On whether Mr.. Wilcox or
Mr.. Gillespie he chosen depends whether
there shall be harmony and cooperation
with the central city administration under
the Mavor and the Board Of Estimate or
whether there shall he a continuation OF
the constant pickering and antagonlSm.
TO phrase it mildly. which have existed
under the administration of President
Churchill. There is scarcely room in the
mind of any good citizen for doubt as to
what is desirable.
1t is extremely unfortunate that under
Mr.. Churchill the school system has not
been kept out of politics. BY that Is not
meant politics in the narrow and partisan
sense. although the playing of that, too
has been alleged against the retiring pres
ident and his supporters. But broad ques-
tons of educational policy have not been
treated on n basis of merit, but according
to whether they were acceptable TO the
ruling powers. This has been notably
true regarding the experiments with the
Gary system. The antagonism toward the
effort to create small Board of Educa.,
ton failed equally to commend itself to
the public because of the small and selfish
spirit displayed. The endeavor to disrupt
or readjust-the school system through
the Mckee bills at Albany failed, fortu-
nately, for it was calculated to under
mine the morale of the entire service.
The Board of Education, which should
be the most advanced and broad and in
telligent and unselfsh agency in the city'S
service. is, unfortunately, not up to that
standard in any respect. As it is at pres
ent operated. it is a pretty efficient ma
chine for carrying out personal or fac
tiona policies. That is precisely what
the public does not want it to be. There
is vast need for new spirit of liberality,
of breadth, of progress, in it. Whether
the element in the board which is looked
to 10 introduce this new order Of things,
with Mr.. Wilcox as its candidate, shall
have the opportunity is the real issue
Of the election to-day.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
SELF-HOAXED
The Foolish American Notion That
This Country Is Inyincible.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: listened with considerable interes:
some days ago 20 a discussion % the war
situation; a discussion carried on principally
BY one man with quite decided opinions Of
his own. II was one OF those discussions
which epitomized the acute self-sufciency Of
the average American concerning the sbso'
Lutte invincibility OF this country; a sentiment.
obviously based upon the historical fc'ion
which surrounds the chronicles Of the Unite.
States with a false halo of glory
When it was suggested to the chief rariT
TO the discussion that II is lot a remote
possibility that the United States will find
itself embroiled in the European struggle, be-
with a snort Of disgust and a wave Of The
hand that forever disposed Of the idea as
being quite beyond the need Of refu'silon'
said: "Let EN- come! We can lick anything
or anybody on EARTH"
A brave sentiment, indeed, And one which
met with instant and enthusiastic indorss-
mcnt from every one within hearing
In that statement, so confidently put forth
lies the root Of a great danger 20 this corn'
try. Link that with our utter lack OF pre-
paredness and we are in a desperately pre-
carious condition OF false security TOE
which we are destined 20 be awakened VIVA
a rude Jolt at no distant day
We are the victims Of the greatest sen.
hoax any part Of the human race ever plays'
on itself. Every one who is genuinely cor
cerned for the future Of this country olsn
TO help rouse these self-deluded dresmefS
There should go forth through the m'a'Dm
Of such influential and farreaching ehanhe'
as the columns of The Tribune q clarion es'
OF warning that will penetrate their SENT
ment-drugged senses and bring them 70
realization that this country is rushing 'o"'
ard a crisis which will be sinister me"S''
20 the very existence of the nation. :,
The Revolution, the War OF lsi2' ne pee
lean War. the Rebellion, the Spanish war
all fought under conditions long since an.
quated- all, in varying degrees vs.
Of our rational strength, stamina ana oV.I
age. But they were but outpost skir'''sn .'.
compared with the colossal struggle "N'e.
will. unless a miracle be youchsafed u.s. 1Oin, ,
to this country before many years 10,
passed-a struggle in which one America -
will most emphatically not be the eqaA'
any two invaders. and in which he VIII NV
himself desperately busy giving a proper
HOMER DUNE.
Yonkers. \. Y Feb. 2 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
A Constructive Army.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: note with interest your edltor'a"
First Line First" regarding the Na'iOh'
Guard and the Continental Army and the O..
fculty which is being encountered oy ~
War Department in finding an army se''"'
which is acceptable. .
beg TO suggest that there is sao'''..
plan which ! have seen mentioned freqaenw
Of late and which is described in a pa"pn,.,,
"Invincible America" by II. G. Trayer'
idea Of this plan is 70 invite men mo ~.
army for the purpose Of using them ~ g.
structon work during such periods o. ~,
year as is not absolutely necessary ioi ~. -,
military training. In this way me eo'-',r
would get much greater value from me les
in time of peace. and the men thems'.,
would be benefited by receiving hea'y "a,
door exercise and experience n trades ~. s,
would be useful In civil life after retiie"'.I
II is conceded by Secretary GSI,','" IE.
by the Adjutant General that II VII .. Ne,
cult. If not impossible, 10 get suhleis"' ,.,y
for the proposed increase in the resu'"', 80.
OF for the Continental Army, whereas -,
been informed that recent tests nave -,
made 10 ascertain whether or not h7 IA
could be had for the Constructive Ar,ny
the results have been more than sA'.sl', ,ry
II ia possible that this Constructive ',s.r
plan not only has intrinsic merits owe orly
army plans. but il may prove 20 De 'e -.
scbeme which can be adopted in when ''''
cient men can be had. ,u,oon
Rogota Y J.. Feb 8, 1915. ,z------c
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
Australia's Grand Old Man.

lFrOm The boston Ht'ut"'
Il would be amazing to see a man entering
tho british House Of Commons in his sew
entv-6rst year. we're not the man Sir George
Houston Reid. But he seems to be always
Young for parliamentary work, though ne
rad thirty wears of il in Australia before go
ing TO London. in 1910, as High Commissioner
for the commonwealth. He was but seven
teen when he emigratod from Scotland 10
New South Wales and all the strength OF his
manhood was given to the important under
taking which he soon saw TO be necessary
the rousing of the Australian colonies to the
identity of their interests and the value Of a
federal organization. While Premier Of New
South Wales, 1894 '99, he carried the federal
movement to success. As one OF the fore
most founders of the commonwealth, he mer'
tied the honor which came to him five years
later. that Of being appointed Prime Minister
Of Australia. This naturally led to the Office
Of High Commissioner in which he has just
completed his term Of service.
As a public SPEAKER Australians grand old
man is highly effective, and his humor and
.hrewdness arrest attention, as when, on his
seventeen DlIJhuay' ne mus iei"'eu Ms pun
osophy of lfe 81 have aimed at health and
happiness. and when confronted by a for
midable obstacle ] have first tried TO knock
il over; failing this, to get around it; ii not
then under il. and, if all these maneuvres
failed. have been content to lie down in is
grateful shade, lauding il as beautiful.
blessing in Disguise But those who know
him well do not think Of him as ever lying
down; they always think Of him a. standing
up and working 20 the end.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
A Penalty of Appreciation

u the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: wish | could adequately express
TO you my gratitude for your editorial Of the
Cd inst, lgium-Again." You have said
it all, and said it splendidly, and it is indeed
a stubborn mind which cannot or will not
admit the truth and justice Of your words
! also greatly appreciated Edward Full
ier's verse. Germany" Ii expresses my own
sentiments 10 the letter.
And that was an exceedingly clever little
article this morning Where Is Thy
Sting"
It is getting so that use all my postage
stamps writing 70 thank you for your edi-
torials and for letters from various readers
appearing IN your columns. VI. c.
New York, Feb. {, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07

try's needs II is a back number. 80 Is
its author and champion
If Mr. Wilson's conversion is real theh
all that Mr.. Daniels has ever stood for has
become unreal. Shall he. too. suffer con
version. or shall he lay down his Office, as
Mr.. BRYAN did? That is the unhappy
choice which now confronts the Secretary
of the Navy. That is the nub and kernel
Of the Josephan tragedy.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
For Humanity and Civilization

70 the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: During few weeks stay in New
York | have read the editorial page Of The
Tribune with the greatest pleasure. and would
like TO tell you OF my appreciation. It is
splendid thing when the press stands for
right.
In your editorial Of February ., Belgium
Again" you certainly voiced the sentiments
that stand for Christianity. humanity and
civilization. Every word spelled truth II
was wonderful a CANADIAN.
New York, Feb g. 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07
Following Public Opinion

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Mr.. Wilson at last is showing signs of
true Americanism. | would have much
higher opinion of him had he called Congress
&c gether last February and spoken these
brave words then. He seems to be simply fol-
lowing public opinion-not leading IT,
New York, Feb 3, 1915. GEN.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07

Austria. having admitted women to 'ne
professions and industries because oil the
wars artificial creation Of demand lor
workers. now looks forward pesslmistcally
TO the handling of full-fedged FEMINIST
problem with the coming OF peace -"nen-
ever il comes.
Those German newspapers which are hail
;,c tho Zeppelin raids as masterpieces of
c'ar-oan Genius will find themselves in diff
fc,lties with Admiral Won Tirpitz if they
don't modify their enthusiasm.
Norfolk is now wrestling from Hoboken the
nroud distinction of being considered sub
urb Of Bremen.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-07

You can purchase merchandise advertised
in THE TRIBTNE with absolute safcty-for
If dissatisfaction results IL any case HE
TRIBUNE guarantees 10 pay your money
back upon request No rcd tape, no gum
bling We make good promptly II the ad-
Ncrtiscr does not.