davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
A PREPAREDNESS LESSON

The Hon. George Won Lengerke
Meyer, erstwhile Secretary of the
Navy, and all-round fighting man,
has provided a fine example of prac-
tical preparedness. Being invited
by an old and cherished enemy to
"step out in the street and settle it,"
Mr.. Meyer, fresh from the prepared
ness propaganda platform, put his
theories to the test and stepped.
Modern diplomatic usage in these
matters, displacing the ancient code,
rather presumes that the challenger
doesn't challenge unless he feels
pretty certain of his superior armor
and armament. The somewhat
meager details that the censor has
passed indicate that in this case the
challenged party demonstrated a
fitness which indicated that his OPP
ponent's espionage service had
fallen down on its job. The distin-
guished maritime combatant bore
himself in a fashion that accorded
with the finest traditions of the
navy. He accepted instantly, put out
from the Metropolitan Club port
under full steam, cleared for ac-
tion, and gave, according to all re-
ports, an excellent account of him.
self. 1t appears that the willy foe
had the advantage of a concrete
emplacement in the form of a side
walk, which served Useful purpose;
but despite this the navy gunnery
was highly creditable and the heavy
guns landed broadside after broad
side. Honors seem to have been
well distributed, giving a telling ex.
emplification of both the horrors
and the futility of war.
1t is good to have these practical
disproofs of the charges that oui
navy is unprepared. When a craft
that has been out of commission fol
let's see, how many years is it,
demonstrates such form, strategy
and sheer fighting ability, it cannot
but be reassuring to folks who sus
pect that we are defenseless.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
THOSE .'FIRE STOPS"

Though Washington citizens are
most desirous of faster street car
service they do not desire more
speed at the expense of safety. The
Commissioners should give careful
study to their application for the
abolition of the "fre stops" for
street cars.
The best way to get faster service
ls 70 let the street cars run faster.
There could be no danger in raising
the limit of street car speed to fif-
teen miles in some sections and
eighteen in others. Washington's
streets are wide, and on some thor
oughfares used by street cars, We
hicles and pedestrians are few.
But the "fire stop" provision, by
which cars must come to halt at
streets crossed by fire engines, was
made following an accident which
demonstrated the need of such care,
At many of these stops passengers
alight or board the cars regularly,
At any rate it does not take long
for the cars to pause. There is as
much reason for such stops as there
is for stopping at intersections OF
street car tracks; perhaps more, fol
the tracks constitute their own
warning signal.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
BRITAIN TO PASS DYE
FOR STAMPS IN u. S.
Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing Will Soon Have New
Shipment From Germany.

Someone who is a close observer-tho
sort OF fellow who knows when the oost-
office clock hands need washing or his
neiGhbor has a new necktle--says the
red 2-cent postage stamps aren't as rel
as they used to be. The Scent STAMPS.
which once were of an olive green, he
says, arc now of a yellowiSh green tinee,
Director Joseph +. Ralph, OF tho Bu-
reau of Engraving and Printing. sayQ
the close observer is absolutely riShy
about 1t. Our stamps have been on
color and sckly looking for some eight
dyes is responsible for their faded APP
pearance.
Substitute American or foreign dyes
have not conveyed the bright colors OF
the German product. However, the d.
rector impaTts a rather important bit OF
news when he says that arrancement5
have been made with England and Ger
many for the receipt by this Govern
ment of a shipment of the needed Ger
man dyes. The understanding is. that
the dyes are strictly for the use or
Uncle Sam, and II is on this conditioa
that they are allowed to come through
in these war times.
Mr.. Ralph expects TO get tne oyes
within the next two weeks. and then
the stamps will reflect their oid-tms
brightness.
lit is true" said Mr. Ralph. that the
| lack of German dyes has resulted IN
slight change in color OF our stamps.
! This is especially noticeable in the red
stamps, and the 9-centers will be found
of lighter color than heretofore. There
| faded appearance The Scent sticker Is
probably the best example. 1t used to be
an olive green. and Is now OF moro
| yellowish tinge.
1--WE have been without German dyes
heen forced 10 use what may be called
aduiterated colors, imported or do
nestle. These colors cost more but
have less luster. recently paid 81 pes
| pound for reds. whereas I used 10
| Durchase the German color at "A cents,
| and the latter product seemed 20 be
about four times the coloring strength
OF the dye we are now usln1.'
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
BEL0IUM,S NOBLE RETORT

The German proposal that Bel
gium may be given separate peace
and restored to national integrity, If
she will merely desert the allies who
came to her rescue in the hour of
her horror, has been rejected on the
highest Belgian authority with all
the Indignation that such treason
able suggestion might have been
expected to arouse. A nation that
has proved it's capacity for such
heroism as that of Belgium, is not
going to desert in the midst of the
fighting. The whole nation, from
King to the humblest refugee, has
protested the insult to national
good faith.
This bald suggestion that Belgium
might buy peace at the price of
honor, illustrates the cynical atti-
tude of a foreign Office which lit
tie while ago denounced its sacred
treaty obligations as scraps of
paper" Seemingly the Berlin gov
ernment is incapable of understand
ing that there are some nations that
would not be guilty of such gross
indecency as the German oligarchy
perpetrated at the beginning of the
war. When the allies bound them
selves not to make peace separately,
Berlin sneered; capable of breaking
faith and violating treaties when
ever it should be advantageous, Ber-
lin assumed that any other country
would readily do the same thing
The Indignation with which Belgium
refuses the bribe would be a real re.
buff to any other nation.
To ask Belgium to make a sepa.
rate peace, merely because she was
not a signatory to the agreement
pledging her own autonomy, is like
asking the maker and beneficiary OF
note of hand to refuse its pay,
ment and expect the indorsers tC
meet the obligation. Belgium didn't
need to protest such an imputatior
against her integrity. Only those
who are congenitally incapable Of
understanding what moral obligation
is, could doubt Belgium's loyalty t.
her allies.
Such a peace suggestion, coming
from Germany at this time, serve!
only the purpose of redoubling th'
determination of her enemies to VIII
a decisive victory. 1t impressei
them more than ever with the feel
ing that a government whose IDEAL
are so low that it could suspect an
other of such baseness, is not safeL
to be left in arms and strength.
is a menace to the very safety o
civilization.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
DRILL BEFORE EVERYTHING

President Lowell, of Harvard, has
come out with fervor for military
preparedness and the training of col
lege students to be officers in volun-
teer forces. He accompanies his
declaration, however, with the opin-
ion that drills should be abolished
from colleges and universities.
President Lowell's method of pre-
pairing college students for calm and
deliberate command under the nerve
racking conditions of shell fire, for
coolness and decision in the face of
infantry and machine-gun fire, in
cludes theoretical consideration in
the classroom, of military history
and science supplemented by sum-
mer camps. His objection to college
drill is left-handed one. at would
be WISE" he says, "to confine such
military instruction as can be given
in term time to those elements Of a
college officers duty which are APP
propriate to a college curriculum"
The college youths of England,
shoulder to shoulder with the young
men from shops, from factories, and
from slums, are learning that train
ing for war consists mostly of drill
-drill-drill. The basis of battle
coordination which makes an army
a fighting machine, a team both OF
blood and of iron, with the human
brain, the nervous system and the
body working in such unison that the
soldier does the proper thing at the
proper time by very instinct, is con
tinuous drilling.
Habit and obedience-those arr
tho two prime qualities of soldiers
foundation on which must rest al
else. They are to be had only b!
drilling. Student objection to drill
in those institutions which now hav,
military training largely is based ol
the obligation of getting into uni
form regularly and reporting TO
duty at set time. Such regularit
makes for habit. 1t also makes fo
obedience. 1t makes for prompt aC
tion.
Who can say that such cadet
not far better material for the in
tensive training of a summer cam
than the student whose mind
crammed with the theory of bal
tslions and regiments in battle Q
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
Plays and Players at Capital
TheaterS This Week
POLLS.

The eternal triangle was the theme OF
a thrilling drama, almost melodramatic
I'm spots. which fept capacity audi
ence at the Polls gripping its chair
arms through foi.r full acts last night,
In deiineating George BroadnufsrU
THE Law OF the Land" the Broadway
success of Julia Dean, the Poll Players
had chilIs coursing up and down the
spines OF their audience In true me!o-
dramatic entertainment.
In a ost difficult and tryinP role, tax
ing her emotional ability, Miss Ritton-
house achieved a new sJLeess in the
character of the pivot OF the triangle,
the abused and brow-beaten wife OF
Lawyer Robert Harding. played by Rem
Taggart, and the lover ~ Geohroy
Morton. dashing young civil engineer.
played by A. II. Van Buren.
In tragic first act, almost a Uro-
logue. the play started IN thrilling.
three acts were devoted to Eaving Mrs
Harding from the clutches of the law
and preventing the self sacrifice Of her
/ lover, suspected Of the murder of the
In tho suppressed emotional scenes
| Miss Rittenhouse was seen at her best
Replete with broad, lurid tones of meio-
drama, Miss Rittenhouse. gave a most
natural Interpretation of the murder
stained wife, willing to pay the penalty.
but prevented by a mesh of circum-
stances I'm which ter child, Bennic.
played by Bliss Helen Hayes Brown,
was the moving rh3ther-sacrifice.
Miss Brown, both in pejamas and
MILDLY suit shared with Miss Ritten-
house the liberal applause given the
| two chief feminine roles. In the
comedy scenes. Miss Rrown was
| especially pleasing.
In the minor Tart OF the faithful
English butler, ]. Hammond Daley. in
his canny, but sometimes misguided
efforts to keep police suspicion from
his mistress, scored a new personal
Buccess.
Ralph Remley, as the lawyers secre'
tary, returned once more to a semi-iuve
rile role. and IS the protector of his
employers wife, gave a satisfying in
terpretation.
The final punch" of both melodrsma
and comedy was contributed by Howard
Lang as the brogue-tinged police in
spector. II was one of the most dc
llghtful roles in which Mr.. Lang has
yet been cast. 'The dramatic structur,
called for him TO ignore the guilt ot
Mrs. Harding while overcome with tbs
perfidy OF her husband, and Mr.. Lant
gave a most convincing Interpretation
OF an unconvincing police character.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
STRAND.

The drawing power of THE Battle
Cry of Peace" appears to increase from
the character of the crowds that at
tended the exhibitions of the film yes
terday, beginning the second week of
the production at the Strand Theater.
Among the people in the audience were
many flm experts who came here to
witness the production OF the drama
in the manner it has been changed by
Manager Tom Moore. OF the Strand.
The rearrangement of the film by Mr..
Moore from the original to the concise
story that is being shown here has
caused much favorable comment
among the experts and they have asked
that the film be sent out i'm its present
form rather than In the form in which
1t was originally put together. There
were many scenes in the original pro-
fectiveness Of the preachment in the
least. These have all been eliminated
and the film as now shown is a very
carefully worked out sermon on pre-
paredness Vividily shown, but without
those features which previously gave
The story deals with the family of a
millionaire peace advocate and what
happened to it when a foreign foe at
tackled New York. The pictures show
| in Just what a defenseless condition
the United States is at the present time
and how easy it would be for a we'll
| trained army and navy of a foreign
power TO capture New York city and
destroy most OF the Eastern section OF
| the country.
Capt. Jack Crawford. the poet scout
and lecturer. delivers short address
at each production of the film. Captain
| Crawford is a civil war veteran and
an advocate OF preparedness.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
Tomorrow.

Concert, ballroom Raleigh Hotel, Rubinstcin
Club, y. m.
Meeting Committee on Prevention OF Tuber-
culoss and Medical Association OF District.
George Washington University, D.. IN.
PatrOnRl Feast, School OF Sacred Sciences,
Catholic University.
Lecture, Prof PERTH, THE Essential Teach
ing OF the Sermon on the Mount, ltall OF
the College OF History, American UniNer-
sity, $40 p. IN, -.
E street northwest, S:l5.
Meeting, executive committee, Socialist PARTY,
Meeting, Board of Education. Franklin
Motion Pictures, Y. NJ. c. A.. sI5 p. m.
"The New Minister" playlet, brotherhood
class Grace Reformed Church, p. IN.
Lecture German Drama, Emma Goldman,
Masonic-Harmony, No. II, school Of Instruc-
ton Columbia, No. ], ROYAL ArGh MasonH
Eastern Star-Naomi. No, 8; Brookland' No
u.
odd FelIows-Eastern, No. T., and Federal
city, No. 20: Harmony, No. ?.
knights OF Pythias-Mt. Vernon. No. B; Her
mOine. 80. T.; Unicn, No. y; Columbia,
No. 9s
Pythian Sisters-Frendship Temple, No. :.
Knights Of Columbus Dramatic performance
Carroll Council, anniversary celebration,
Annual dinner. Dartmouth Association Uni-
Nersity Club, p. IN.
Luncheon, ladies OF st. Andrews Episcona
Church. for benefit OF the church, Old
Masonic Temple, II a. m, 10 p M
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
NAVAL GUN PREPAREDNESS

In the matter of preparedness
against danger, probable or possible,
immediate or remote, think of the
way they do it in Europe and the
way we do it.
Because the British navy has had
faster fighting ships, carrying guns
which could shoot further, the Ger
man fleets, as war factors, haven't
existed. From the great guns and
swift ships of the enemy the Ger
man dreadnaughts have had to be
sheltered like cockleshells behind
fields of floating mines and massive
coast defenses.
But rumor has it that Germany
has built and is mounting on some OF
her battleships 17-inch guns which
will outrange the naval guns of the
British. If Germany does get dread
naughts equipped with superior
shooting power, German ships which
heretofore have been helpless car
chase those invincible monsters o.
only the other day off the high seas
as year ago the German navy wai
chased off the high seas.
Now, in the possibility Of thes,
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
CASINO.

In line with the recently adopted pol
icy of the management OF the Casino
to revive a number of the famous emo
tional plays. East Lynne" was pre-
sented last night. and. judging from the
expressions of appreciation OF the au-
dience. the play which made their
grandparents laugh and weep in turn
has lost none of its charm for the pres
ent general ton. The play as it is be-
ing presented at the Casino is slightly
changed in some parts from the original.
and is staged in five acts with sight
scenes, by Elmer II. Brown.
Miss Jane Ware is cast as Barbara,
while the leading mans role OF Archi-
bald is allotted to Louis Ancker. Es-
pecially effective was the performance
Of Louise Kent as Lady Isabel Carlyle.
who handled effectively a difficult role.
The part of the country maid was taken
by Jane Ware, while Maude Eburne.
Mona Kelly Eddie Davis, Gale Satter-
lee. Charles Peyton, Paul Brew, and
Katherine Luce were all effective in
their respective parts.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
NATIONAL.

"It Pays to ADVERTISE" at the Ma
tional Theater last night, without the
slightest difficulty demonstrated to n
capacity audience why 1t ran a year in
New York.
From the opening line of Rodney
Martin, addressed to the stenographer
and his crusty old father, which was,
"Will you marry me2" to the capitula-
ton Of the parent to the all-compelling
force Of advertising" the comedy was
one succession Of delights to the au-
ditors
Last nights production was a bene-
TT for the Working Boys Home.
The battle OF the hcardle.s Dcy who
breaks into the soar business TO 'buSG'
the trust in opposition to his father,
who frowns OH sensational advertising.
forms the basis OF the "faTcical fact
In three acts," and except for two
periods when the pendulum Of JOY
swings somewhat to sadness, rollicking
| fun is dispensed.
The soap king and his stenographer
| cOnspire to l,ut the son to work. the
| incentive being wager OF $50 900
| placed by the Iarcnt with n rival soup
maker. who also has a shiftloss son.
The son falls into the trap and likewise
in love with the typist. Father disin-
| herits tho boy and discharges the girl.
Then enters the wizard who appreci-
ates the power of suggestion. the psy-
chology of print. Named Ambrose
I'eale, the press agent, collaborating
| with the son. hits uDon "lS soap. un'
| lucky for dirt" rs the trademark fol
| their product. Their sensational adv er'
tising campaign staTtles the CONNER
| ciaI world. but when the financial re-
| sources of the son, the press agent
| and the conRpiring stcnographer are
about exhausted. orders for soap begin
| to pour in.
This adds another difficulty. foi
father controls the output OF soap. III
! refuses to furnish the product at
cents a cal1o to be sold at 60 cents
4 without getting In OIL the profits, anC
eventually he capitUlates with thu
knowledge that his sor has business
acumen as we'll rs excellent judCmC n
in selecting the Stcnographer as his lif'
partner.
John Butler. in the extremely talkativ
role of the press agent, proved come
dian of abundant dimensions. He wa
equally clever when fiabbergasted b,
the success of his own powers in tn
final act when orders for the unmad
soap began to roll in.
Richard Sterling's delineation OF tn
son always was humorously natural
The stenographic heroine of Miss Edn
Baker measured up TO the high stand
ard of her clever co-workers. and Will
lam Holden, as the father, was capita
Throughout.
| Incidental parts were well essayed D
Dorothy Foster as the eXcitable Frenc
confidence woman. and Bernard Thorn
ton as the caddish son of the rival soa
manufacturer. Edward MCQuade was
Iboisterous collector.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
BIJOU.

Princess Texico heads the bill at the
Bjou this week with a brand new dance
feature, in a costume that is said to
be one OF the most expensive in the
burlesque field. The bill presents a
number OF special costumes and special
ties in the comedy skit. THE Washers"
Hap Jones has sketch based on a
Mexican arena, and Charlie Egan, blli-
ed as the actor-pugiliSt, sings a num-
Der of songs and gives a monosoguN
with much ring dialogue. Phil Collins.
the Hebrew comedian, and Lew Kikle,
the Irish comedian, with Edith Astor,
have the principal parts in the oomedy.
presenting many original song and
dance numbers through the action OF
the piece.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25

new German guns being what they
are reported, what do they do in
England?
Does the British government pun
ish and disgrace the expert sea-
fighters when they say that if Ger
many is going to have guns OF a
greater range they must have them,
too?
Do the party newspapers charge
that it's political conspiracy for
anybody to intimate that a British
naval gun isn't the best gun in the
world?
Not by a long way! The British
naval officers announce that If the
Germans bring against them 17-inch
guns-which can outrange the British
naval guns, they will make junk Of
the British navy wherever they
catch it and fight it. The British
newspapers agree that if the Ger
mans are going to have such guns
then the British navy must have yet
bigger guns and better guns. The
British ministry doesn't gag any
body for saying that. Undoubtedly
the British ministry gets on the JOB
by providing the guns which the
British naval officers declare are
necessary to do to the new German
guns ard ships what was so easily
and perfectly done to the old ones.
The Washington times., 1916-01-25
THE PACIFISTS' MISTAKE

Right in the front rank of pa
cifists in this country is David Starr
Jordan, head of Stanford Univer-
sity, California. DR.. Jordan thinks
he knows that preparedness breeds
war, rather than staving it off or
insuring that, if it comes, it will
end right.
There are times when the pacif-
lists confidence seems q little too
strong. A year before the present
war began, this same excellent DR..
Jordan published book, "War and
Waste" What he said about war
and waste was true and impressive
enough. War is undesirable, and
it is wasteful. There was no quar-
rel on those points. But in addition
DR.. Jordan committed himself thus:
"What shall we say of the great
war in Europe, ever threatening,
ever impending, and which never
comes? We shall say that it will
never come. Humanity speaking, it
is impossible"
That was the positive assurance
of DIR. Jordan a year before this wal
began.
If he was so mistaken then, is il
not possible that he and his kind
may be equally mistaken now?
They assure us that this country
will never have a great war; vii
never need a military establishment
Suppose the nation takes theil
word, and then finds that they have
been as sadly mistaken as DIR. Jor
dan was in 1913!
The Washington times., 1916-01-25

with anecdotes of Napoleon, but who
is almost ignorant of the duties of a
private and whose summer training
course must be spent in learning the
primary operations of a fighting ma
chine?
By all means have theoretical mil
itary courses in all colleges and uni
versities. By all means have sum-
mer camps. But by all means have
student cadet corps and give the
young men a thorough groundwork
in the business Of fighting. With
out it they cannot be efficient Off
GERS or anything else in the whole
military range of work and duty.