davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
Irish Babies Week."

A few DAYS ago a rabble of pinchbeck
patriots styling themselves Friends OF
Irish Freedom assembled here, and with
unexampled impudence appointed a com
mittee of patrons TO consider the welfare
of the poor, spiritless, dropping creatures
condemned to dwell in their native land
and to decide for them chow best to pre-
serve for Ireland the remnant of her man
hood"
Since then news has come from Wash
ington of another enterprise "to preserve
the future Irish race in all its strength
and vigor," and the promoters, we arc
told. "look to the United States for the
aid which must be given at once If their
cause is to be saved from destruction"
IL is the misfortune Of Ireland TO be
subjected constantly to the benevolence
of officious supporters who, while talking
very freely about the benefits of indie
pendence, are the last in the world to suf-
fer the Irish to have any part in the con
duct of their charitable undertakings.
How many in Ireland are aware OF the
activities Of the brummagem statesmen
who have insolently taken over the pres
ervation of their manhood? How many
have heard of the begging expedition that
is now in progress and the piteous ap-
peals to philanthropists in this country
"to save Irish babies from starvation?
If the astonishing enterprise advertised
as Irish Babies Week" has the slightest
official authority TO support 1t, 1t was a
regrettable oversight on the part of Lady
Aberdeen not to make it known. If, on
the other hand, it is only an eleemosynary
experiment impulsively promoted here
without the knowledge or consent Of the
Irish people it can only be described as
ill-conceived and grossly tactless. 1t may
he added that this offensive patronage has
already drawn at least one indignant pro
test from ireland, indicating that even
for Irishmen, accustomed as they are To
the interference of busybodes, 1T IS lit
tie humiliating TO see their country held
up to the world as beggarly slut among
tho nations
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
Chance for Another Victory

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Let no one be uuduy excited by the
news that a small Mexican army has invaded
the United States, captured and partially
burned an American town. killed ten Ameri-
can citizens recklessly sleeping in their owr
homes, fought a battle with our troops, killed
six of our troopers and returned merrily
over the Rio Grandc Time was when that
sort of thing would have meant war. Seventy
years APO this May General Arista's army in
vadcd Texas and ambushed Captain Thorn
tons troop Of the I'd Dragons. The day the
news Of that affair reached Washington Presi-
dent Polk asked Congress 20 declare war. and
at the same time old Rough and Ready Zach
ary Taylor smashed Arsta at Palo Alto and
Resaca dc Ia Palma.
But nothing like that is going to happen
in 1916. President Wilson will take the mat
ter under advisement, Mr. Lansing will write
A sharp note 70 General Carrsnza, Carranza
will write back that he is supreme but ire
sponsible and the Democratic newspapers will
announce that the crisis is passed and the
Administration has won a great diplomatic
victory. The murdered men and women OF
Columbus will soon be as utterly forgotten
as the babies Of the Lusitsnia- Nothing will
be done about these or any other massacres
Of Americans till after March 4. 1917. Then,
please God, we shall have man in the White
House FARNHAM BISHOP.
New York, March ., 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
n tho Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Americans in all walks of life have a
very strong regard for the German people.
Everywhere in the United States one can hear
expressions of sincere sympathy for them,
intermingled with deep regret that Official
Germany has brought on the terrible carnage
in Europe.
Since Americans themselves entertain sim
cere sympathy for the German people, 1t is
quite natural that they should in the present
struggle make the greatest possible allow
ance for far more outspoken sympathy on
the part Of people of German blood in the
United States for their kindred in Germany
Americans cannot conceive of any one having
German blood in his veins and yet lacking
deep-rooted affection for the German people
who, without question, will be the greatest
sufferers in this war A German whose heart
does not bleed at the thought of the calami-
ties brought upon those of his blood in Ger
many must be heartless creature indeed
Our American friends know only too we'll that
such man would never be good and desir-
able and loyal American.
While heartfelt sympathy and affection on
the part of German-Amercans for the Ger
man people during the present crisis is TO
their credit, this does not mean that the Ger
man-Americans must carry their sympathies
to the point of defending the German En-
peror his personal government, his Prusslan
military olgarchy and his arrogant bureau
cracy. By doing that they put themselves in
sntagonism to everything dear and sacred to
Americans. Many German-Americans are un-
able to grasp democratic ideas, and in their
minds they still live under the flag of autoc-
rscy and militsrism and personal government
things so deeply imbued in them as TO form
part of their very nature, of their very flesh
and blood. They cannot shake off Bismarck's
political doctrines. Without being conscious
Of it, they believe in might before right"
They know nothing Of Bismarcks double
standard of honor-one regarding personal
and private and the other regarding diplo-
matte affairs. They do not know that the cap
tain of the German ship of state and
his assistants at the helm practise and be-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
Pseudo Irish Traitors.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The sentiments expressed by the
so-cslled Spontaneous overflow Of the Irish
heart at the psychological moment" at the
Aston on Saturday is a sad spectacle OF a
band OF tratorous Irishmcn whose venomou,
outpourings and spontaneous overflow" OF
yndictiveness will make every self-respecting
Irishman in the United States, and some
100000 lrishmen who are fighting side b,
side with Englishmen and Frenchmen for the
overthrow OF the Teutonic peril to liberty
and democracy, hold them in the contempt
their foul sentiments deserve.
Their blatant attempts to cover up their
pro-German sympathies by announcing their
loyalty TO the United States is as disgusting
as it is insincere. That some of these men
hold high places in this country adds only "a
the disgust and astonishmont their troachcry
has created.
~ MEMBER OF THE WASHINGTON
FAMILY"
New York, March 6, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
"A SCHOOL TEACHERS UNION
A Plea for the Members Of an
Underpaid Profession.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I have just read this mornings edi-
torsl in which you attack the New York
City school teachers for thinking of forming
a union. 1t would oblge me if you would
show your sense Of fairness and equity by
printing this letter, which is written by one
who can understand to some extent the feel
ings Of these teachers, as you, who will not
be benefited or injured by any action against
them, most emphstically cannot. You will
thus give the public an opportunity TO see
the other side OF a question which has thus
far been seen by the majority of people in
one light only, and that one prejudicial to
the best interests Of school. teacher and child.
You think it beneath the dignity Of the
teacher TO attempt to take care Of his finances
that he alone in all this world of rushing,
pushing individuals, each eager to get his
rights" each anxious to secure his family
from care and future want, should remain
aloof, meekly allowing grasping politicians or
corrupt administrations to hold his future,
his children's very security and happiness, in
the hollow Of their hands The teacher must
be dignifed, must be an example of lofty
u
reward. to the children of all those other
men who arc out "rustling for the COIN and
getting il, too, by hook or crook All very
we'll, Mr.. Editor, if the public would recog-
nze that this teacher may have children, too,
whom he must protect when his salary is
threatened for why pretend that money is
unnecessary TO one of high ideals?
Why are the papers filled with articles on
"how TO get on in the world"-to get money,
to be comfortable, TO give ones family a
good home? And why is It that a teacher
is expected TO have no thought of this which
al the world is seeking, and why is he
called mercenary when he expresses wish
for security and freedom from financial
worry? Indeed, it is high time that the
teachers awake, cease 10 consider their dig
nifty" as above all other considerations, and
start out like any other real men to defend
their rights. And what other way is open TO
them but TO band together? Don't men do
that in every other walk OF life? DO not the
rich. those whom you honor most. have their
organizations in every known business? Be
fair, Mr.. Editor, and remember that teachers
are some of them men, like yourself
Yes, Mr.. Editor, remember that some Of the
teachers arc men, and not footstoos, and
that a teacher can he perfectly honorable,
upright, sincere in his work and exam
pie to his pupils, and still be anxious 20 see
his family in security and comfort, and man
enough to be up in arms against any foe that
threatens this. He's not bit more mer-
cenary than you arc, or any other man would
be who sees his future threatened. Your
editorial is most unfair, because you have
put your finger on one little pinhcad in q
whole box of pins, which you do not see and
therefore hav. not shown TO the public.
A TEACHERS WIFE
New York, Feb. %, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14

agreement with CarranZa is to be nego-
tiated as preliminary to crossing the
Rio Grande. This agreement may be de-
sirable-in itself. But its negotiation VIII
be due to military necessity rather than
to any original purpose on the Admins
tration's part to defer to Carranza' inter-
ests and susceptibilities.
The aged First Chief is clever and
obdurate diplomat. In extorting this lat
est concession from our government ne
has again shown his capacity for states
manship. For he has played unerrlngiy
in all his disputes with us on the one es-
sential weakness Of the Administration
its unwillingness to exert military press
IRE and-more than that-the inconse-
ouentiality of the military strength at Its
command.
Invading chihuahua with 5000 men
would be an almost farcical military pro-
cedure. II would be difficult for the war
Department to equip even that small force
for service without serious delays. 1t Is
reported that the department is now hunt
ing for a supply Of auto trucks to be used
in maintaining communications. Other
equipment for field service is doubtless
lacking. Real military preparedness on
anv scale, however minute, is something
which the United States has not yet begun
to learn.
War. even against Mexican outlaw
chief like Villa, cannot be conducted by
writing notes. The practical choice be-
fore the President seems, therefore, to be
between accepting cooperation from Car
rama and letting him do most of the work
of catching Villa and calling in some more
Pan-Amercan arbtrators who will judi
ciously syndicate the enterprise by put
ting a joint price on Villas head.
1t is an unpleasant predicament for rea
Americans. Yet it may help in exposing
the idiocy which blocks the way to the
creation of real first line army equal tc
national needs. The lesson of Vera Cruz
of Columbus, of our whole humiliating eX
perience with Mexico for the last three
wears, is unmistaksble. 1t is an unan
swerable argument for the creation anc
maintenance of a minimum standing army
of 100000 men.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
Genius with Wrong Phrases.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The French have an idea that A gov
ernment's success can be measured by its
phrase making ability. Louis XVI failed be-
cause he could not produce mot" and in
dicated the fecbleness of his administration
by this fact more conclusively than in any
other way. His grandfather had brought
forth "Apres moi lie deluge," and demon
.trated his mentality by so doing, but Louis
XVI never had sufficient insight into the
state Of public feeling to coin phrase that
echoed it.
We in this country, too have habit OF
rating administrations according TO their
powers Of expression. The last Democratic
President is remembered and admired more
for his "innocuous desuctude" and condition
rot a theory" than for most other things
that he did, and the creation of an effective
phrase by an occupant of the White House
has always been accepted as demonstration
Of his strength.
Now, how does It stand with the present
Administration in this respect? 1t couldn't
be worse, for We have not mere lack OF
power 20 create effective phrases to deal
with, but there has been a positive genius
for producing damaging ones. No phrase
was ever more of a boomerang than too
proud to fight" and "watchful waiting is
regarded as about as futile as the policy II
characterized.
This weakness is all the more remarkable
when We reflect that the President entered
the White House as the scholar in politics,
the man whose mental equipment and power
o. accurate expression were proved by his nu-
merous writings. Then, too. at the ffteth
anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg there
was something like semi-o1icial intimstion
that Lincoln's Gettysburg speech was to be
superseded by one from better educated
and more talented Executive. II wasn't
superseded. and the attempt to do so was al
most "a blasphemous and quite as ineffective
as the effort by Jewish clergyman of Bos-
ton to write a substitute for the Lords
Prayer. SIDNEY GUM.
Boston, Mass. Feb. 90, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
False to Americanism.
ditor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Next to having an administration
which is American all the time, instead OF
only small part of the time, nothing Is so
important for our country as 20 nave ooh-
cress which is American. The shame OF see
inc any Of those whom We have elected 10
represent US willing to sacrifice the hohor
and the essential rights of our citizens TO the
cxieencies of party politics or the fear oil
Teutoric barbarism brands US as well as
themselves.
| believe that your paper is now earnestly
endeavoring TO be American rather tnan re
publican. Why not publish every day the
shameful list of those moral and political
towards, Democrats and Republicans alike
the O'Gormans. the Kitchins and the MAINS
who voted against the President on one OF
the few American stands he has taken? Hold
I'D TO daily execraton the names OF those VINO
are false TO the traditions of the land that
bred them, who are willing to sell their birth
right for mess of sauerkraut.
BENJAMIN APTHORP GOULD.
New York. March g, 1916.
we should feel as our two correspondents
do if the House machine had had the cour-
age and honesty 70 permit direct action on
the question of warning Americans not 10
travel on armed merchantmen-the sort OF
action which President Wilson requested in
his letter to Mr.. Pou. This the dodgers IN
control of the Rules Committee and the For
eign Affairs Committee refused to do.-Ed.l
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
THE M'LEMORE VOTE
Two Readers Think There Was a
Real Battle, Not a Sham One.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: was brought up in loyal kepuon' =,
family and as faithful reader OF Inc lr'O,
une. and. though have not invariably 'o'eu
the Republican ticket, have as rule oeer
fairly constant adherent Of the party oi
Lincoln. feel. therefore. that | have some
right 10 express to you my deep regret aho
cbaorin at the sorry figure cut by our ne
,rbIican Representatives in Congress during
The recent crisis over the McLemore resolu'
tion. That the rights OF our eitizehs "eie
rnsintained and the honor Of the country
saved is due in very small measure 10 'H'
Grand Old Party. ,.u
II was the Democrats who saved the oHy
The fact will not soon be forgotten tnst ou'
of 1o5 Republican Representatives loZ-ih'
Guiding the leader Of the party IN the Nous
voted on the side Of national disnonor' MI
is it any very creditable excuse Tor their az,
ton that they voted as they did not out OF
conviction. but in order to make poIlticai
capital by defeating a Democratic president
in his att.mpt to save the good name o.
America. Il is to be hoped that the Repuoli'
can voters at tn. next election will know wha'
10 do with those of their Representatives. "no
have done so much to bring discredit Oh the''
rartv. who have allowed the Democrats to De
the real saviors of the nations honor ana
who in a national crisis showed that they
could think of nothing higher than party poll
ties. JAMES bloohl l
Williamstown, Mass, March 9, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
Health Insurance.

The theory of health insurance en-
bodied in Senator Mills's bill, hearing
on which is to be held to-day. is legiti-
mate and logical companion TO that OF
payment for industrial accidents, which
this state has already adopted. This bill
provides for compulsory insurance for all
manual laborers and others earning less
than 500 month. The cost is to be
borne two-ffths by the worker, two-iifths
by the employer and one-ffth by the state
The benefits are medical and nursing at
tendance, sick benefit payment after the
fourth day of illness, continuing for
twenty-six weeks, and funeral benefit of
not more than $50. The administration Of
the funds collected is TO be by joint asso-
citation Of employers and employees, accord
ing TO trades under state supervision.
Such a proposal is essentially no more
radical than that for compensation for
industrial accidents. 1t has in its favor
practically the same arguments as those
TO be made for the older and better known
form of social insurance. Existing IN
some form in eleven European countries,
health insurance has been pretty thor
oughly tested and adjudged successful.
Illness is an economic loss. 1t can be
prevented TO a considerable extent. This
measure provides for sharing of the
burden of insurance costs by employers
and workers, because both must cooperate
to prevent illness; il provides for state
payment because disease means poverty,
and the state inevitably bears good part
Of the burden of poverty, in maintenance
Of clinics, hospitals and state institutions
Of various kinds.
Experience under the workmen's com
pcnsation act has proved, once the en-
ployers were sharply urged thereto by the
cost Of the system, the possibility Of
checking the number Of accidents by adop-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
KNOW EDGE WITHOUT SENoE
To
Of eTeuo anu NV"
Blind Allegiance

has been steadily retrograding as a eh,,.
of humanity and all that humanity impI.."
While the universities instil expert -,
edge about religion into the minds OF tl...1
dents. religion itself-practicsl religion.
lieion with its plea for humanity. "a,
nocracy-remains in cold storage IT,.
manity of Goethe and Schiller and -
and many others of noble fame is beis.S
lected and intellectualism, dominated !,
terialism and militsrism and mailed is, a.
is in it's place. There is danger that N, ..
MARKHAM and Machiavellian cynical nol,.,
philosophy and casuistry are on the Vs.
infect the German pen in this country. :, ~
following lines show. printed in the w..
liche Post" (St. Louis some time ago /, :,
erence to Germany's actions regarding D.,
GUM:
"In such a situation as involves n, "a.
existence of the country many treaty ~
no broken. The weak must naturally "a, ..
price. even at the price of ethical consid.,
TONS
On the evening of the departure Of a,
German expedition 70 China (Pekinsl. \.
July. 1900, Emperor William addressed 4.
soldiers AS follows: "When you meet IA. -.
YOU VIII QeIcdl MIN. NO quartz Will be civs,
no prisoners will be taken. Let all who IN
into your hands be at your mercy. Gain
reputation like the Huns under Attila!"
This same spirit he and his henchmen G,.
nlaved toward Belgium. The Louvain outn,,
was the result. To-day William II decl,,,
that his heart bleeds because Of the l.t,,
WHY did not his heart bleed before! "Ccs
list nit uns," exclaims the German war lo,i
Is God with him in his sacking Of cities,
svmpathze with the German common soldr
who is not to be blamed, for he must can,
out mis- orders.
Abraham Lincoln during the dsrkes. ho,,
of the Civil War, in response to the ques,I.,
whether he was sure that God was on his st,
said: al do not know. | have not though. :.
that But am anxious TO know whether "
are on Gods side" And now listen 10 VII.
lam the Noble: Eve will be everywher us
torious, even if We are surrounded BY "a.
mics on all sides and even II we have to Cd,
superior numbers, for our most powerful IL,
is God. who since the time Of the Gre,
Elector and the Great King has always w:
on our side"
When will il dawn upon Germsn-Amener,
generally? RI
New York, March II, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
The Opportunity for Roosevelt

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In the opinion OF humble observer
the promoters of Justice Hughess Candidacy
for the Presidency are making a grave mis-
take. They are showing up the Republican
weakness against the Wilson deuson. Re
publcans and Progressivcs must be relied
upon together to defeat the very real ianrel
Of Democratic denomination. II they can dc
no better than TO agree upon "safe" man
untried in emergencies and inarticulate or
great issues, they will almost certainly BE-
forced to yield to the many who honestly
believe that Mr.. Wilson has kept us cut OF
war" and that he is therefore wlse enough
to steer the ship of state through four more
difficult years
Mr.. Hughes is trustworthy in every sense
that is purely moral. He is upright, incor.
ruptibe, and in every way fitted for his pres
ent position Judicislly, he is strong lie il
able TO keep quiet in this day OF decisive
conflict between good and evila thing we'll
nigh impossible to an active executive charac.
ter. As matter of fact. he was not .
strong Executive in New York STATE. A.
might have been expected of him. he was
always to be found on the side Of right In
theory; but there is little decisive action "a
his credit
Personally, I believe that Mr.. Poosevel,
is the only man forceful enough and cxperi.
cnced enough to assume the leadership. In
addition. he is quite as upright and 'ncorrupt-
ible man "a Justice Hughes. though some
of his opponents do not believe that. and
others are not looking for those qualities
He is fearless and long sighted: he has the
genius for affairs. lie il the strongest and
ablest American available for the immense
task before us in the next four years no
matter how the war situation turns out. II
we fail TO seize upon his leadership. we lose
one Of the greatest opportunities ever pre-.
sented IN our history. NJ. c. SMITH.
East Orange, N. j., March 3, 1916.