davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
Germany's Pathetic Truthfulness.' y

The mendacious manner In which the re-
cent battle in the North Sea was dealt
with by the official chroniclers of Berlin
has made so painful on impression on the
friends Of Germany in this country that
the editor Of "The Fatherland" may be
excused for his elaborate effort to explain
it. He is forced in so desperate a case to
use desperate means, and what he under
takes to demonstrate is that the official
admission Of the original lie merely re-
veals the almost pathetic truthfulness Of
the Germans"
To begin with, he explains that the lie
was literally true" because the Lutzow
did not sink at once, and he guesses that
the original report may have been given out
while she was still afoat. "No explana-
ton" he says, was needed" and the eX-
PLANTATION ultimately given was in fact
wrong. The official explanation was that
the loss had been concealed "for military
reasons" but Mr.. Viereck knows better.
Germany did not deny the loss of the
Lutzow for military reasons" he insists;
"she merely for military reasons concealed
her damaged cor<iton." 1t is a pity that
in order to account for one lie he is obliged
to discover another, but it was the only
way.
However, his well meant effort to estab-
lish the pathetic truthfulness Of German
officialdom will not do. He forgets the
Elbing. he forgets the Rostock, he forgets
the quite definite official statement of June
that "the German High Sea Fleet re-
turned to our ports in the course Of the
dav." Two days later, after some men
from the Elbing had been landed at Ymui-
den and it was no longer possible to con-
ceal the truth about her, it was reluctantly
.admitted-in a statement beginning I'm
order to prevent the spreading of fan
tastic reports"-that her name must be
added to the list Of losses. 1t took the
pathetically truthful Germans a full week
to make up their minds about the Lutzow.
Then at last the enemy's claim was admit
ted-"in order" it was again explained,
"to frustrate English legends" For the
same singular reason it was admitted that
the Rostock had also been sunk. Only the
German admission came four days later
than the British Admiralty's announce.
ment.
Mr. Viereck is justified in regarding the
official German way of breaking bad news
as almost pathetic" But it is not clear
that truthfulness is one of the strong
points Of this entertaining series Of con-
fessions.
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
The Origin of Flag Day.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The observance Of June Il as Flag
Day was suggested twenty-six years ago by
the Connecticut Society Of the Sons Of the
American Revolution, as is shown by the fol-
lowing extract from the year Book of the
Societies Composed of Descendants of the
Men Of the Revolution" by Henry Hail. pub
lished in 1891:
"An annual observance Of June 14th
throughout the United States, the anniver-
sary Of the adoption Of the Stars and Stripes
by Congress as the national banner, was sug-
gested by the managers Of the Connecticut
society early i'm June, 1890 II was proposed
that the anniversary should be known as
Flag Day and should be observed by a gem
eral display of the national colors on public
and private buildings in every state of the
Union. In consequence of this timely and
happy suggestion American flags were
spread to the breeze quite generally through
out Connecticut on June II, 1890, as well as
in New York and other cities; and new
anniversary was added to the list Of annual
patriotic observances in America"
The suggestion of the Connecticut soci-
etv was communicated by Judge Lucius p.
Deming. Of Connecticut, TO the board Of
managers of the national society. S. A. R.,
at a meeting held in the Office Of Dr.. William
Seward Webb, President General, in the
Grand Central Station, this city, and Henry
Hall and Walter s Logan, among those
present by their personal efforts, secured the
display Of flags in this city on that anniver-
sPry. EDWARD HAGAMAN HALL.
New York June II, 1916.
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
THE CITIZEN ARMY
An Example Drawn from the History OF
Ancient Rome.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Does not the experience OF the great
est nation Of ancient times furnish an argu
ment I'm favor Of general system Of military
training? Rome could not trust her sub
jects: hence, she dared not train her man
hood as n whole in the use OF arms. Instead,
she maintained the most powerful standing
army In the world and in the end It failed to
seve her.
The Roman idea favoring professional
army but opposed to n democratic system ot
national defence is set forth in the address Of
Mecenas to Augustus, which the historian
Dion Cassus gives in these words; "A stand
ing army should be supported, drawn from
the citizens, tho subject nations and the
allies, In the one case more, In another less
province by province as the necessities Of the
case demand; and they ought always to be
der arms and make practice Of war con-
tinually. If we allow all those of
military age to have arms and to practise
wGrlike pursuits, quarrels and civil wars VIII
always be arising among them. However, II
we prevent them from doing this and then
need their assistance in battle, we shall al
ways have TO face danger with lneNpeItHCe"
and unframed soldiers at our back. For this
reason, submit the proposition that most oil
them live without arms and far away from
the fortifcations, but that the hardest and
those most in need of a livelihood be reg
istered and kept in practice. They themselves
will fight better by devoting their leisure to
this single business, and the rest Will more
easily farm. manage ships and attend TO the
other pursuits of peace if they are not forced
TO be called out for service, but have others
to stand as their guardians. The most active
and vigorous element VIII be sup
ported without harming others, and all the
rest Of the people will lead life free from
danger"
Rome had the system which Mscenas so
much admired and at the last 1t proved pow
eiless TO defend her, because back OF the
legons there was no loyal citizenship able TO
do it's duty in the field when occasion re-
ouired The system of government was not
one TO inspire patriotism, and the men VINO
were forced to be content to allow Others
to stand as their guardians" in time came to
shun military service, and when disasters
came TO the army it was with great difficulty
that soldiers could be secured. Is there not a
lesson here that the best safeguard for
country is citizen body willing and fit to
take arms for the common defence when the
need comes? And they will not be fit If they
are not trained. l. H. CON IN Ihl'
New York, May 81, 1916.
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
Foreign Men and Native Women.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In a recent letter "P." stated she was
afraid if women voted they would add diff
fculties and dangers" 10 the problem Of
government. The United States is the only
nation in the world which allows foreign
born men to decide whether native-born
women may have a voice in government.
Men born in the following countries have
been naturalized and are legal voters in the
United States: England, Scotland. Wales. Ire
land, Germany, Norway Sweden, Denmark.
the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg.
France, Switzerland, Portugal. Spain, Italy.
Russia, Finland, Austria Hungary. Rumania.
Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro. Greece. Tur-
key, Canada, Newfoundland Cuba. West In
dies. Mexico Central and South America.
These are the men who decide whether
American women shall be enfranchised
"P" sometimes stands for Preparedness
women are demanding the vote that they
may not only be in position 20 defend
themselves from foes without, but from dan
gers within the gates.
Native-born women should have an equal
representation with foreign-bo men.
VIOLA KAUFMAN.
Washington, d. c., June 13, 1916.
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
Do They Want Roosevelt's Aid?

Is it the desire Of those who are advis-
ing Mr.. Hughes to enlist Theodore Roose-
velt's support for the Republican ticket7
The difference between Mr.. Hughes and
Colonel Roosevelt seems to The Tribune
imaginary, since it is convinced that Mr..
Hughes holds with the ex-President in the
matter Of the Hyphen. If this be true,
could there be any greater folly than TO
permit personal pride to prevent union
between all the forces that are natural
enemies of Mr.. Wilson and his methods?
Colonel Roosevelt will not support Mr..
Hughes, The Tribune believes, unless Mr..
Hughes makes statement on the Hyphen
question which is in agreement with what
the Colonel has been saying and fighting
for in recent months.
No one would even think Of asking Mr..
Hughes to make such a statement if he did
not believe it, but to The Tribune it seems
incredible that he should not believe it.
Colonel Roosevelt's help in the present
campaign would be of incalculable ad-
vantage 10 lue IepuDllCdH NoINlN"NN'
Without pretending to speak for Colonel
Roosevelt, The Tribune is satisfied that his
help could be had if Mr.. Hughes would
but say squarely what we all believe he
feels in the matter of the Hyphen.
Those who hate Colonel Roosevelt more
than they desire to see Mr.. Hughes elected
will take great delight in using Mr..
Hughes to punish their enemy, no matter
at what cost to the Republican nominee.
But can Mr.. Hughes afford to be used by
these people?
If Mr.. Hughes disagrees with Colonel
Roosevelt in the matter Of the Hyphen,
there is an end Of the whole matter and
all chance of getting support from the
Colonel disappears. But if he agrees, II
he believes Colonel Roosevelt is right, why
does he not say so frankly and have done
with all possibility of another party split
and of another third ticket?
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
Weaknesses of Women.
DR. of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir saw an article written by "P,' OF
Stratford, Conn, in The Tribune, headed
of that article apparently does not think
women should have the vote because some OF
her acquaintances are vain. | think every
woman owes it to herself and family to look
as we'll as possible under all circumstances
Is that vain? Can trump" vote more in
telligently than a well-dressed woman?
Jealousy is also given as one of women
faults Is jealousy confined to the female
of the species? Or am | correct In my
former suppositon that it is human nature ?
Eagerness for Office is given as another fault
of women. Why is that a fault? Do We
want Indifferent oAiceholders? II people
we're not eager for Office, the offcehoder
would have no incentive to do his or he-
best for the public.
copy from that article "sharp detrac-
tion of rival uttered in shrill feminine
tones How about the deep bass tones >
Does sharp detraction of rival uttered 81
deep bass tones make a man less competent
TO vote? That article was closed with the
statement that Suffrage would add Difficult
ties and dangers" For instance?
Personally, | am neutral on the suffrage
question; but II that was intended for an
anti-sufFrage argument IL is very weak I:
contains absolutely nothing Of any weight
Perhaps "P.." OF Stratford Conn. can DO
better for her Cause; in the mean time,
am still neutral. X. Y. 2.
New York. June II, 1916
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
"The Masque of Power"
From me Boston Trdnscript)

tFrOm The Boston TrGnscrptl
Roston and New York have made within a
month tbeir first ventures into the fashion
able art Of pageantry-the one city with The
Nlasoue Of Power" in the court of the new
Institute Of Technology last evening; the
other with the masque Of "Calban on the
Yellow Sands" three weeks ago in a conven-
tional stadium. As the setting Of the pageant
beyond the Charles surpassed in beauty OF
architectural line and mass the wooden
walled and sign-belittered oval on the Man
haitian hills, so in many an essential 70 such
symbolic and stately spectacle MI Grams IN
vention had the better Of Mr.. MacKaye's. The
Bostonian stunned altogether the spoken
word the rock upon which the New Workers.
masque almost foundered, while he was wise
ly wary Of a complex and obscure symbolism.
Lucid throughout, shrewdly diversified and
contrasted, uncommonly animated by the
Young energy Of many Of the participants,
"The Masque Of Power" served equally well
the purpose Of an occasion that was 10 cele-
brate a great adventure by school of science
not without spiritual impulses beneath all
its preoccupation with material things. II
in some respects the illusion OF the actual
spectacle hardly matched that which profes-
sional producers and players of the theatre
gained in New York. the imaginative and
pictorial manipulation Of the lights-the chief
essential TO artistic and stimulating pageantry
proved Mr. Pevear's new hand nearly equal
70 the older skill Of Mr.. Urban. The beauty
Of light and the Complementary beauty Of
darkness played over the circle which was the
mimic world Of the pageant, while the blend
ngs and the contrasts OF color upon dances
and procession, conflict and pictorial pose,
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
Stateroonns.

We ceased long ago to engage cabins
for our ocean travels, and began to ask for
staterooms instead. The obvious explana-
tion would be the increase in luxury of
passenger accommodations on the great
liners-that, with a sense of the fitness cf
things we sought a stateier word for the
statelier surroundings which so swiftly,
within comparatively few years, did away
with all the discomforts of ocean travel
and transformed the oldtime steamer into
the floating hotel of to-day. Once We
donned old clothes for the trip; now prime
dome, at least, change toiettes three
times a day, and dress clothes are de
riguc1r for dinner.
The disruption Of the transatlantic se--
vice by the war, especially in its early
days, with their frantic rush of Ameri-
cans homeward bound, has considerably
relaxed the modern ceremonies and con
yentions Of the floating palace. Million
aires are known to have made the return
trip without change Of linen, and glad
to borrow cigarettes from negro minstrels.
But, although they put up with steerage
accommodations, they clamored for state
rooms all the way across. The word has
come 10 stay. Only officers have cabins
nowadays.
However, staterooms have nothing 20
90 with stateliness. No analogy with
apartments of state on shore need be
sought. The word is an Americanism.
So, at least, contributor to "Notes and
Queries" informs us, and his explanation
is plausible.
And, sure enough, we in this country
have always travelled in staterooms in
home waters. While we were still put
ting on our old clothes and seeking other
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19

homely comforts, TO compensate for the
hardships of ocean travel in the cramped
cabins of sailing ships and the early, slow
steamers, we were already accustomed TO
travelling in state In staterooms on our
river boats-up and down the Mississippi
for instance.
They were staterooms, indeed, for each
cabin on these steamers Of a picturesque
day that is past and lives alone in litera-
ture was named after some state OF the
Union. II was far filter custom thus 10
designate them instead Of by mere num-
bers, Just as in oldtime inns and taverns
travellers were assigned, not to number
hut TO the Lion room, or the Angel room'
as witness Goldsmith and Dickens. A voy-
ager was booked for the Georgia state
room on the river boat; and the State
room became in course Of time state
room. The demand for 1t, by that name,
must have originated in this country when
good Americans in increasing numbers be-
gan to 20 to Paris before they died, some
time about the middle of the last century.
In the adoption the word, while drop
ping the name of the state, has Of neces-
sity acquired the number which once 1t
was intended to avoid. Still, the naming
Of cabins is not entirely unknown on mod
ern steamers. One of the German boats,
for instance, had, and no doubt still has,
its Prince Henry suite, occupied by him
on his homeward trip after his visit to ds.
1t was greatly in demand for several sea-
sons thereafter, as it promised additional
stateliness in keeping with the status Of
its exalted occupant of a week-a sort of
reflected glory.
The American stateroom has ousted the
English cabin in the passenger offices Of
the British liners. 1t is a good word, with
4 picturesque American derivation, back
ground, history, and yet-an aroma Of
romance continues to linger about the
cabins of earlier, simpler, more advent
urous ocean travel.
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
Daylight Saving.
or of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The writer notes with considerable
interest that there has been some discus
sion recently with reference 70 moving the
hands of the clock forward an hour during
the summer months.
While there is no doubt that this method
would effect certain economies, it seems to
me the prime benefit is that which would be
derived from the additional time that could
be devoted to outdoor sports
There is very little doubt in my mind but
that the great majority of men would make
it practice to play tennis, golf, baseball or
20 swimming. sailing, riding or indulge in
some other good healthy outdoor sport The
benefit this would give to the community in
building UP a healthier and more efficient
class Of men cannot be denied
As a newspaper that I am very much inter
ested in. and as one that is making efforts
20 serve the public, | trust that you can sec
your way clear 70 give this subject the pub
licity and backing which | believe il. should
have. B. W. DYER
New York. June ~. 1916.
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
A Plan for New York.

= The news that sixteen story Office
building is 20 be erected at the southeast
corner Of Thirty-eighth Street and Madi-
son avenue is reminder of the urgent
problem now for the first time crystallized
in the city districting plans, on which pub
lie hearings begin to-day The fight to
preserve Murray Hill as a residence dis
trict has been a long and for the most
part successful one. The spot has a touch
of time and repose very precious in a city
of chaos. Yet now, owing 10 failure Of
the original Murray restriction. business
is TO effect an entrance well into its pre-
cincts. The courts had no power to con
slider the interests of the community in
reaching their decision; as in every case
under our present happy-go-lucky system,
the sole question is the legal force os such
voluntary restrictions as property owners
of foresight have seen fit to impose upon
their grantees.
1t is quite another theory upon which
the report of the Commission on Build
ing Districts and Restrictions proceeds. In
that view city does not DO its best by its
inhabitants if it permits itself TO grow
without reference to a general plan. Indi-
vidual efforts TO control the use Of streets
and sections are held, as they have in
variably proved, inadequate TO produce
orderly development. 1t is the commu-
nity's duty not only to plan streets and
parks and keep them up, but so 70 regu-
late the character of the buildings upon
them that the maximum Of comfort and
convenience will result 70 all concerned.
The present hearings are Of very great
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19

selfish:
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: l used, in the old days, to be reason
ably sure Of a place in the Broadway cars.
Ny plan was TO hail the motorman. and then
offer 10 step on board whether he chose 70
heed me or not. Usually )either out Of com
passion or for some other reason he hove
TO- But since the introduction of the pay
Observation-Disclosures car ! find the
motorman is at great liberty TO stop or not,
as he will | stood latelyfor ten or fifteen
minutes at the corner of Twentieth Street
in q torrent Of rain while the cars whirled
bv me. and gained admission at last only be-
cause q car happened 10 let a passenger out
there. Tonight, between S:15 and $40, two
half-empty cars passed me contemptuously
al the corner of Nineteenth Street, IN spite
of my frantic signalling The third car was
open. and I stopped it at once by adopting
nv old tactics. Il proved, unfortunately, to
be a Lexington Avenue car, which ] did not
want The next was Of the improved pat
tern no. 5.OS5), so, while il was yet great
wav of. I stood in the middle of the track
and. having brought it to a standstlll' j
jumped in amid torrent Of abuse from the
motorman Can you suggest safer way OF
getting seats in public conveyances?
New York, July l6, 1916 r 3. T.
The correspondent evidently regards
the matter as a problem that concerns the
passenger only. He disregards the inter
ests of the driver, to say nothing Of the
company. 1t is true that in the present
state of Broadway it is sometimes incon-
venient to stand in the mud waiting on
the pleasure Of motormen. But there IS
an easier way. His own story shows nc
is pretty sure to get seat in time If he
will only be patient and wait till can
happens TO stop, and he might just rs
well wait on the sidewalk. Besides, IN
time crowd will collect, and many motor
men stop when they see a dozen people
waiting in the rain. For one who happens
to be in a hurry it is, of course, often BET
ter to walk The motorman can hardly
be expected to divine his particular needs
New-York tribune., 1916-06-19
The Guards Day Arrives.

For the first time in its history the or
ganized militia Of the United States has
been drafted into the Federal service by
a mere stroke Of the Presidents pen. 1t
has been drafted also for possible service
outside the limits of the United States-a
duty from which state troops, as such, are
exempted by the Federal Constitution.
Yesterdays call, therefore, signalizes
novel departure in American military
methods, and the mobilization and en-
ploynrent of the state organizations for
use as such, but under complete Federal
control, except in the matter of naming
officers, will furnish a prompt and search
ing test Of the "Federalization" expert
ment which Congress recently authorized.
In our early wars the state militia
were more than once called out by the
Federal government "to repel invasion"
In the War Of 1912 raw state troops made
an unenviable record on the Canadian
border Some regiments refused to cross
the boundary line, even to 90 to the re-
lief of hard-pressed volunteers or regu-
lars engaged with a superior enemy. At
Bladensburg they fed the field, though at
North Point, near Baltimore, they con-
tributed TO prevent the landing Of Brit
ish army.
In the Mexican War, fought on alien
territory, state militia were unavailable
Volunteer United States troops supple
mented the regular forces. In the Civil
War also state organizations were used
only in emergencies. Some were called
out to help defend the line of the Sus-
ouehanna when Lee invaded Pennsyl-
vania Others helped to pursue and capt
ure the Confederate cavalry raider, Nor
gan, when he crossed from Kentucky into
Indiana and Ohio.
But the rule in all our wars up to date
has been to call upon the states for volun-
teers, and the states in filling their quotas
have used militia organizations in part
but have surrendered entire control of
the new formations to the United States
government. In the Spanish war many
state militia regiments were converted
practically in bulk into volunteer United
States regiments. But the principle Of
individual volunteer enlistment and com
plete Federal control was insisted on.
Now there is no need of reenlistment to
create a new status. The "Federalized"
guard passes automatically into the ma
tional military establishment, and can be
employed for service on the same terms
as the regulars.
The Presidents call if the policy Of
using about 75 per cent Of the organized
militia Of each state is adhered TO, ought
to produce about 10000 officers and men
for border service. The militia of Texas,
New Mexico and Arizona are already out.
There will be some deficiencies, of course,
in the paper strength Of the national
guard. But mobilization will not be un-
duly rushed. and under the new army law
the states have been authorized TO increase
their militia forces more than 200 per
cent. Recruiting under the new law has
begun in some states, and additions from
this source will make good most defcien-
cies under the old organization.
The guard is to have its day. May it
live up in efficiency 10 the roseate prom
ises Of the militia lobby which had so
much to DO with passing the Hay army
reorganization law.