davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1916-12-25
Nations Capital Prays Good
Will to Men" Will Per-
wade All Europe.
DEEP RELIGIOUS NOTE
MARKS CELEBRATIONS
White House Leads Washington
Homes in Juvenile Revels Around
the Yuletide Tree.

Christmas is being celebrated in
Washington today with deeper re-
ligious note, perhaps. than has been
the case for many years. owing to the
recent talk of peace in Europe as the
result of President Wilson's commune
cations to the powers and the news
of this morning that Switzerland has
announced its support of President
Wilson's appeal for discussion of
peace terms.
On every side the people are talking
of the real meaning of the old Christ
mas phrase, Peace on earth, good will
to men, In the churches special ser
mons on peace have been preached.
The day marks the end of two-and-
a-half-day holiday. in which all gov
ernment departments have been closed.
and as Congress is in recess there is
little official activity. Practically all
members of the cabinet are in the
capital. and, with clear, cold weather
as an ideal condition for outdoor cele-
bration, the people are afoot. carrying
their messages of good will, of fun and
of charity into the homes Of rich and
poor alike.
In Memory of Mrs. Boissevain.
Many persons are planning to wend
their way to the Capitol this afternoon.
where at o'clock suffragists, charity
workers and others are preparing to
do honor to the memory of the late
IneZ Milholland Boissevain. At the
Young Womens Christian Association
open house is being kept this after
noon.
The Associated Charities workers
have been greatly occupied all day
with administering to the needs OF the
poor and serving as the clearing house
for the charitable Washington public
which has sent gifts Of money for the
Fourteen Opportunities in the poorer
homes of the city. At the Gospel Mis-
sion. the Central Union Mission, the
Salvation Army and other charitable
organizations. special efforts are being
made to care for the unfortunate. In
the Jail, the workhouse. the almshouse,
the orphan asylums. the hospitals, the
same care for the unhappy, the sick
and the poor is being exercised
Jollity at the White House.
In the homes of the capital the bless
inRs of peace are being fully realized.
A large Christmas tree has been placed
on the second floor of the White House
for today's celebration. in which Jo-
sephine Cothran. the Presidents grand
niece, and Ellen McAdoo. his grand
daughter. are the principal figures The
President has furnished a good ex-
ample of the common ties which bind
mankind in America at this time by
mingling democratically yesterday af-
ternoon with the public before the
Treasury building, TO sing the old-time
Christmas carols with them. The Pres
ident has no engagements for today
and does not plan to go to his office In
quiet and happiness, the spirit of peace
hovers over the capital. perhaps over
the whole earth. if. in accordance with
the recently expressed hope of Presi-
dent Wilson, in his communications to
the powers. he can obtain from them "a
response which will bring a new light
into the affairs of the world.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
D. C. Men All Remembered.

There is hardly man in camp who
would not have rather been at his home
today. and yet everyone agrees that.
not being able to crafty this wish,
their Christmas has been made as
happy as otherwise could be the case.
When mess call sounded this morning
the men lined up with their mess kits
in record breaking time. for it had
previously been announced that at
breakfast they were to receive the gifts
provided by the citizens of Washing
ton The men of some of the COM
panies found their bags full of pres
ents at their places at the mess tables.
while others were handed theirs rs
they entered the buildings. The COM
pany commanders acted as assistants
to Santa Claus, and as they handed the
bags of gifts to their men as they
filed past they wished them a merry
Today the District militiamen are
speaking in the terms of highest ap
probation for the citizens of Wash
ington who contributed to the fund
raised by The Star. which has brought
Christmas cheer into the camp.
All are greatly pleased with the as.
Men who do not smoke have lost no
time in trading their cigars cigarettes
and tobacco for the candy received by
their comrades. The big bath towel
and the two handkerchiefs which each
package contained made hit with the
men, and the tooth paste and shaving
soap also were greatly appreciated.
ment of gifts from the citizens of
Washington is something of practical
value for which the soldier finds use
every day Of his life in camp.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
Arraigns the United States.

The NovOe Nremya. nintlnS tnat 1feS-
ident Wilson's offer was due to Ger
man influence; severely arraigns the
United States government for what 1t
terms it's unwarranted interference in
the war. the principles of which. the
paper says, it thoroughly misuhder-
stands
THE pressure of German influence"
saws this paper. ION the United States
government. which has been noticeable
since the beginning OF the war, has be-
come so great that America can no
longer remain inactive. The Washing
ton government has shown that il
CARDS the British holding up of con-
traband seriously as the German
sinking of passenger ships and the loss
of American lives. The same tendency
is apparent in President Wilson's note.
It,would seem to be a question now of
deciding which side has violated the
rights of the United States most seri-
ously, but Secretary Lansing is not so
much concerned with the violation OF
American rights as over the question
which party has most justice in aim.
He may still decide to join the side Of
theGerman pirates.
THE American government has the
record of the events of the war and
German aims are again repeated in the
recent proposal from Berlin. After all
this President Wilson declares that he
does not know anything about the OBJ
jects. of the fighting powers. He ex-.
presses the hope that the aims of the
warning countries can be reconciled.
and believes that they will be il the
will only write to one an
other and tell why the war began"
LONDON, December 25-David r.
Francis. the American ambassador at
Petrograd. Saturday handed President
Wilson's note to the belligerent powers
to the Russian minister of foreign af-
fairs, says a Reuters dispatch from
I
Evening star., 1916-12-25
Mr.. Mann's Friends Not Reticent.

While Mr. Mann would not comment at
all upon Mr.. Gardners statement. his
friends We're not SO reticent They said,
in the first place that they did not believe
Mr.. Gardner could influence a single
vote on the republican side of the cham
ber outside of his own" What is more.
they pointed out that the election of a
Speaker probably will not take place until
next December and that the war may be
over at that time. Representative Mann's
advocacy of the Presidents note may
have been entirely forgotten by that time
and Mr. Gardner himself may vote for
Mr. Mann when it comes to show down
if he is the choice of the republican eau
Gus for Speaker they confidently pre-
dicted he would be.
That the republicans must get to-
gether if they are to organize the
House is undisputed. If they have
enough votes to organize the House a
small number of insurgents could up
set the whole thing. which would be
plaving into the hands of the demo-
Gratis and would lose to the republicans
all the patronage which goes with the
organization of the House. This is just
what the republican members of the
House do not wish to lose. and the
prediction was made that every. effort
would be made to get the republicans
together.
The democrats naturally were pleased
with the statement of Mr.. Gardner.
They saw in it victory for themselves.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
COMMENT ON NOTE
TOLERANT IN PART
Russian Officials and News
papers Politely Reject Presi-
dents Peace Suggestion.
NOT THE TIME TO STOP WAR

BY the Associated Press.
PETROGRAD, December -, via Lon-
don, December 25.-President Wilson
note has called forth from the Russian
press and from the nation itself. as
far as can be judged from its effect in
official and political circles in Petro-
grad, torrent of criticism. partly toll
Grant and partly sharply adverse. but
for the most part maintaining n tone
of polite, amiable rejection.
The Associated Press has been in
formed that the Russian government
received the note in the spirit OF
friendlineSs in which il WAS offered.
but while appreciating the humanitar-
ian motives which prompted il. VIII
find it impossible at present to suggest
any terms which could. guarantee q
durable peace.
All the newspapers comment on what
is termed the inopportune moment
chosen for peace mediation and en-
press regret that the favorable inn
preston caused by the American gov
ernments refusal to make recomn,en-
dations in connection with Germany
proposal should now be effaced by pro-
posals of its own. The Retch says
President Wilson would better have
been guided by the negative attitude
which he observed in transmitting the
offer
Evening star., 1916-12-25
WEATHER.

Fair: colder tonight and tomorrow;
temperature tonight below freezing:
moderate northwest winds.
Temperature for twenty -four hours
ending = pm: Highest. A.. at am to-
day: lowest, ~. at am. today.
Full report on page 10.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
Received by The Star.

Additional contributions received by
The Star are as follows:
Evening star., 1916-12-25
Rourse Gazette's Comment.

The Bourse Gazette recognizes that
humanitarian motives are prompting
the government of the United States.
but says that the time for a peace
proposal is most inopportune. since
Germany has already, it claims. sent
her last available reserves into the
field, while the allies are just begin
ming to mobilize their full resources
and take advantage of their increased
power.
''One can be sure. says the Gazette.
that to conclude peace under the pres
ent unfavora bile conditions would be TO
keep. the world in fever of mill
tarism and destroy the dream of dis
entertained by the European
nations The sympathy which the
allies have gained across the sea gives
us reason to believe that America VIII
trust their declarations and their de
cision to continue the war. If refusing
his offer President Wilson cannot say
that American assistance is rejected
wholly and forever. hi the not distant
future we shall he able to avail our
selves of the initiative of the fine
spirited President. but under conditions
more favorable TO us and the growth
of stable European peace.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
No Further Explanation.

Mr. Lenroot did not explain further.
but it was inferred that if he replied
that he would be a candidate for Speak
er, it might be construed that he took
the same stand as Mr.. Gardner in re-
gard to the Presidents peace note and
his opposition to Mr.. Mann. If he re-
piled that he would not be a candidate
for Spea ker. then he would he lat of
gressiveS in the body who have favored
him no matter what circumstances
might arise in the future which would
lead him to be a candidate
Representative Gardner. who returned
to Washington yesterday evening. how
ever. was perfectly willing to discuss
his statement, which he said explained
his attitude as clearly as he could
put it.
Il had intended to support Mr. Mann,
said Mr. Gardner. because of his active
work in the House. but | am wholly
unwilling to follow any longer the
lead of a man who stands for Prussia
consult any other members of the
House. however. before issuing my
statement, and it expresses my senti-
ments alone. But if L am the only re-
publican in the House to oppose Mr..
Mann | will cast my vote. against him
and for Mr.. Lenroot
Il consider Mr.. Lenroot in every way
qualified to make a capable Speaker
of the House.
In reply to question as to whether he
intended to campaign for Mr.. Lenroot's
nomination and election as Speaker. Mr..
Gardner said that would depend upon cir
cumstances. Later he said that he thought
the republicans should get together for a
conference ON principles. but that per-
sonalities should be eliminated.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
Too Early" for Such Counsel.

1T is too early to give such counsel.
says the Reich. Al such time coun-
sci can be more harmful than useful.
He supposes both sides are following
more or less the same objects. W nat
can the people and governments OF the
allies reply after having definitely re-
fused Germanys offer" Does President
Wilson think the offer has been refused
simply on account of lack of con-
crete terms and that if he fills this
lack we can consider peace negotia-
tionso There is no necessity to await
terms which we know beforehand 10
be unacceptable. If President wilson
does not understand that no offers can
be mutually acceptable to the allies
and their enemies, we, at least uhoer
stand it. ,, ,a
Prominent members of the duma ana
all tba nolitical leaders from whom an
expression of opinion could be obtained
concerning the note were united In the
conviction that the American peace
suggestions We're ill-timed and imprac-
ticable
Evening star., 1916-12-25
M. Rodzianko's Attitude.

NJ Rodzianko. president of the duma.
said: My attitude toward the note is
negative. 1t is not time for us or our
allies to conclude peace. There would
not be peace for any length of time.
aud then the war. would have been
fought in vain. The reDly to President
Wilson's note must be the same as that
to the proposal of the central powers"
Opinions expressed by various other
members of the duma were in similar
vein.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
Russians Gain Footing.

On the Molda vian frontier an attack
by the Russians gave them a footing
on a height north of the UZul valley.
British troops, after artillery prepa-
ration, attacked the Germano- Bull
garian lines between the Vardar and
Lake Doiran. on the Macedonian front,
army headquarters announces. The at
tack was unsuccessful and costly to
the assaulting forces.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
Makes an ..odd Impression"

Prof. Paul y. Milukoff. leader OF the
constitutional democrats, said:
President Wilson's offer makes an
odd impression. The President said at
the timerths German proposal was pre-.
sented that he would consider comment
harmful and that the United .States
would take part in peace mediation
only IL 1t received definite offer or
a Irint from the allies that they would
find American interference acceptabie.
Quite the opposite IS the case. inc
allies definitely rejected Germany's pro-
posaIs In such case it seems that
President Wilson's offer of assistance
is futile. The note can only make
negative impression.
THE lack of definite terms was not
the only obstacle to the allies con-
sideration of Germany's proposal. We
can guess what the central powers VIII
offer, and if they offered much more
than was expected. even. then the time
would not be ripe for mediation.
Evening star., 1916-12-25
MACKENSEN ATTACKING
BR|DGEHEAD Of MATCH|N
Russo -Rumanian Forces Subjected to
Heavy Pressure in Northwest
ern Dobrudja.
By the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
BERLIN, December %, by wireless to
Sayville, \. Y.-Field Marshal Won
Mackensen's Dobrudja army, after cap
turing Isaktcha, on the Danube, has
begun an attack on the bridgehead of
Matchin, in the northwestern corner of
Dobruja province. to which the Russo
Rumanian forces have retreateu. army
headquarters announced today.
Evening star., 1916-12-25

;(Continued on Second Page.l
The bee., 1916-08-25
Examination For
Road Engineers

Beginning on Sept. 10, Dept.
of Public Roads will give exam
nations throughout the State for
the position of County Road En.
gineer for a term OF two years
from October 1916 to October
1918.
Certificates will be issued to
all candidates who attain a grade
of at least ISL and the various
counties will then make selec.
tion to fill the above position.
The position of County Road
Eagineer is one OF the most I'M
portant, if not the most import
ant, in the county and at present
this State is expending between
a million and two million dollars
for the building of roads and
bridges, exclusive of the counties
participating in State Aid work,
and it is easily seen that efficient
men are necessary, if wise ex.
penditure of the money is ex-
pected.
The bee., 1916-08-25
jews Of the Poor.

The happiest people in the world
are the poor. Without attempting to
stile the ambition for self-adyance-
ment, religion has always taught men
to be content with their lot, and
shown the folly Of relying upon posses
sions as the key to happiness. Our
materialistic day has worshlped fnan-
cial success, and by hearing this doc
trine constantly preached, those who
are poor have been made to feel them
selves unfortunate and condemned to
miss the great joys of Ife.-Leslie's.
The bee., 1916-08-25
IN PREPAREDNESS THE AD-
MINIsTRATloN HAS FOL-
LOWED, NOT LED.

In the demand for reasonable
preparedness the administration
has followed, not led. Those
who demanded more adequate
forces were first described as
nervous and excited" Only
about a year and a half ago we
were told that the question of
preparedness was not a pressing
one; that the country had been
misinformed. Later, under the
pressure Of other leadership, this
attitude was changed. The adj
ministration, it was said, had
'1earned something" and itmade
a belated demand for an in
creased army. Even then the
demand was not prosecuted con-
sistently and the pressure ex-
erted ON congress with respect
to other administrative measures
was notably absent.
We are told that the defects re-
vealed by the present mobiliza-
tion are due to the system" But
it was precisely such plain de-
fects that under the constant
warnings Of recent years, with
the whole world intent on mill
tary concerns, should have been
studied and rectifed. The adj
ministration has failed to dis
charge its responsibilities. APP
parently It is now seeking to
meet political exigencies by its
naval program. But II has Inn
posed upon the country an In
competent naval administration.
Prom Mr.. Hughes Speech Of
Acceptance.
The bee., 1916-08-25

II have finally discovered how to
have a good deal Of fun out Of arguing
about war, tariff, religion, politics, the
gulf toward which we are rapidly and
inevitably drifting and the various
other subjects o'er which I used to
violently and well-nlgh endlessly con
tend, without arriving anywhere In
particular" confessed ]. Fuller Gloom.
Nowadays / simply own up that
have no sense, anG then walk away.
find that this is the meanest thing /
cdn possibly do."-Kansas City Star.
The bee., 1916-08-25
MAINTENANCE OF
AMERICAN RIGHTS.

Had this government by the
use Of both informal and formal
diplomatic opportunities left no
doubt that when we said "striet
accountability" we meant pre-
eisely what we said and that we
should unhesitatinsly Vindieate
that position am confident
that there would have been no
destruction Of American lives by
the sinking of the Lusitania.
There we had ample notiee-in
fact, published notice. Further
more, we knew the situation, and
we did not require specific no.
tiee. Instead Of whiting away
our formal statements by equiv
ocal conversations, we needed
the straight, direct and decisive
representations which every dip
lomat and foreign Office would
understand. believe that In
this way we should have been
spared the repeated assaults on
American lives. Moreover, a firm
American policy would have been
strongly supported by our people
and the opportunities for the de-
Velopment of bitter feeling would
have been vastly reduced.-From
MIR. Hughes Speech of Accept
ance.
The bee., 1916-08-25
WlfeIy Whimsies,

Married life" says a woman's page
writer, "wOuld be infinitely happier
If married men would obey the whims
of their wives with half the alacrity
they displayed when their wives were
their sweethearts." Why not make
allowance for the fact that a bache-
lOr isn't eternally worn out humor-
ing his sweetheart's whimsical idea
that there's a burglar in the house
and hunting for him with a flash
light2-Louisville COurier-J Journal.
The bee., 1916-08-25
TRY, TRY, AGAIN
ADAGE WINS OUT
The Stronger Never Say Die.
While the Weaker Be.
come Disheart-
ened

The old adage, eff at first you
don't succeed, try, try again." has
worked wonders for most of us.
Some time in the lives Ct everyone
we imagine things are going against
us. The weaker become discouraged
and give mp, while the stronger face
this great game of life with staunch
hearts, clear brains and steady hands,
and with this good old adage as their
slogan.
Probably more persons become
discouraged over continued i'll healts
than from any other cause. The rec
ords of every city will bear this out.
Others, who probably suffered as
much physical pain and agony as
their mentally weaker brothers, will
not give up the fight, but will do all
in their power to gain relief.
Difficulties are the test of the man.
Hundreds of people testify daily
that they had suffered years Of tor
ture and agony from stomach or kin.
dred troubles and had tried every
thing before they heard Of Tanlac.
These people did not give up the
ship" after the first remedy failed to
cure them. When they heard of the
wonders that Tanlac, the new recon-
sructIve tonic, was working, they
did not lose this opportunity to he
aided simply because other prepara-
tions had failed. tits this 'stick.to-
itive-neSs" that has won happiness
for thousands.
The truth of this is clearly brought
out by the fact that business men.
professional men, artisans and wo-
men, too, in all walks of life whoss
common, practical judgment guides
them in all acts and conclusions, are
daily lying to the merits or
Tanlac.
Improper food, poor digestion, ov
er eating and lack of healthful exer
else have cut short lives of thousands
from the lowest to the highest in the
land. Tanlac, the famous vegetable
preparation, has proven invaluable
for stomach troubles, which, after al
are the base of most ills. Tanlac
overcomes poor digestion, restores
normal appetite, brings good restful
sleep, and banisheS that tired, nerv
Gus feeling-in short, it restores the
stomach to the habit of doing full
days work and doing it well.
Tanlac may be obtained in the fol-
lowing nearby towns: Darlington,
Geo. King & Sons; MadiSonville,
Gardiner & Bowmer; Mortcns Cap,
B T. Robinson; Nortonville, CITY
Drug Store; White Plains, Dr. Bal
ley; Warrington, Walter Mcintosh;
St. Charles, George King & Sons;
Carbondale, G. A. Woodruff; Daw-
son Springs, Coleman 4 Wallace
Crofton, Brasher & Croft; r. F.'D.
Orofton, Rance & Mcintosh; Prince
ton, Wylie & Walker,
The bee., 1916-08-25
Insanity and PxromanIa.

1t used to be considered a possibility
for an insane person to be pyrOmani-
ac and exhibit his insanity in no other
way than by setting fire to places, but
this has been disproved, so much so
that any firebug who pretends to py-
romania impulses must have other in
sane history or he cannot pass muster
among alienists as permitted to swim
die insurance companies with pretense
of incendiary irresistible inclination
Washington Post.
The bee., 1916-08-25
THE. COMPELLING PERoRA-
TIoN TO MR.. HUGHES
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH.

We live in a fateful hour. In
a true sense, the contest for the
preservation of the Nation is
never ended. We must still be
lmbued with the spirit of heroic
sacrifice which gave us our
country and brought US safely
through the days of civil war.
We renew our pledge to the an
cient ideals Of individual liberty,
Of opportunity denied to none
because of race or creed, of un-
swerving loyalty. We have a
vision Of America prepared and
seeurej strong and JUST equal
to her tasks; an exemplar of the
capacity and efficiency of a free
people. indorse the platform
adopted by the Convention and
accept it's nomination.
The bee., 1916-08-25
FAVoRs WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

Some time ago a consideration
Of our economic conditions and
tendencies, of the position of
women in gainful occupations,
Of the nature and course of the
demand, led me to the conclu-
sion that the granting Of suf-
frage to women is inevitable
Opposition may delay, but in
my judgment cannot defeat this
movement If women are to
have the vote, as 1 believe they
are, it seems to me entirely
clear that in the interest of the
public life of this country the
contest should be ended prompt
ly. l favor the vote for women.
From Mr.. Hughes Speech Of
Acceptance.