davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27
SECRET DIPLOMACY

The Bolshe Wiki, in their campaign
of "pitiless publicity" have been
recently exposing some of the secret
diplomacy in which the European
chanctlIories exce1led before the war
Among the interesting documents
they have caused to be published in
the Petrograd newspapers appeared
one in which America was deeply
interested. This was the secret treaty
entered into by Japan and Russis,
forming an alliance for the purpose
excluding all and each Of the other
powers from participation in the
commercial exploitation of China.
This treaty between recent enemies
constitutes a puzzling anomaly to
Americans, who are accustomed to
perpetQating their feuds, IS for in
stance the one between England and
America (until America entered the
war and the one between Mexico and
the United States. However, that
phase Of the affair is trifiing what
amazes, and angers, Americans most
is the knowledge that these two gov
ernments, both protesting friendship
and the one accepting financial as
sistance from America, should 10
such two-faced manner meanwhile
plot against the United States
American diplomacy has been ridi-
culed by European diplomat ts for it's
straigtforwardness. Double dealing
has had no part in our intercourse
with other nations and never viii.
Therefore when our supposed friends
are convicted of deceit the resentment
is all the more bitter.
Despit the eloquent and vouble
protestatlons of Viscount Ishii Amer
ica and Japan can never become
friends. On Americas part there
will never be more than tolerance,
from Japan we shall never have
aught but jealousy. The letters ex-
changed by Secretary Lansing and
Viscount Ishii Immediately prior to
Ishii's departure from America, IN
the light of recent developments,
means nothing at all. On America s
part there was good intention. On
the part of Japan there was nothing
but diplomacy"
America owes a debt to the Bol-
sheviki, whatever we may think of
them, for opening our eyes to Japan
ese trickery. Having been awakened
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27
RUSSIA.

In the opinion of the PetroPrad
correspondent of the London Post
the real aim of the Bolsheviki is
monarchy, at least, and possibly
despotisn. For a. month or more, he
says. the Bolsheyiki has been openly
preparing public opinion for accept
ance of what is, after all, the only
fit form OF government for Russa?"
The popular rumor at present, he
adds, is that the former heir to the
throne, Grand Duke Alexis, is to be
be made emperor.
The Russian situation is one that
is Questionable. We do not believe
that any man can safely venture a
prediction from one day to another of
what will happen there. Russia to-
day is medieval 1t is still dark
est Russia and anything Is possible,
even the return of depotism.
Russia, fo1 all that is the largest
country in the world within a single
border, contains fewer large cities
than any major power. 1t has pop
ulation of III 600 900 and has less
than ten cities of more than 100, 900
population. Only two of these cities.
Petrograd and Moscow, are large
enough to be i'm portant and control
of these two by any political party
| t,,a Df No 10
Outside the cities the people are for
the most part densely ignorant, ready
to follow any leader, the majority OF
them probably still secretly loyal to
the "Little Father" who was deposed
by the revolution. The majority of
the Russian people were not prepared
for the sudden freedom they achieved
by the revolution and do not ever
now realize it. Because of this they
are dominated by few demagoguea
who lead them blindIy into strangE
highways Remove these demagoguet
and the next leader who turned up
whether republican, king or despot
would md them eager to follow,
Russia today is passing through
the same evolution as did France
century and half ago. Its situation
a today is exactly similar to that o
France following the revolution, eH
. cept that its leaders are more tolei
r ant OF tte lives of those they hav
oyerthrown This is possibly becaus
though autocratic, those rulers wer
not SO cruel IS the French aristC
, Gratis.
1t will be interesting, indeed, t
watch whether Russia will folio
France through all its yenturin
steps, back to monarchy, absolutist
and final democracy.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27
THE SOLDIER AND
SAILOR INSURANCE

Theinsurance offered by the United
States Government to members of
its military and naval forces has been
called the most just and humane pro-
vision ever made by any nation for
its soldiers and sailors
That Its value and advantages are
appreciated by .the Army and Navy
evidenced by the extent which it has
been awaited of Secretary of the
treasury McAdoo officially announc-
ed on December IA that 23S, ,924 appl-
cations had already been received,
representing s2.075, 723, 500 of insur
ance.
The average amount for applicants
is SIS. .679, which is very little less than
the maximum of $10, 600. The Amer
lean forces in France were prompt in
availing themselves of he insurance
Gen. Pershing himself subscribing to
the maximum of $40 900.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27
DEPENDS UPON ALLIES

Petrograd, Dec. l9.--According to
press reports, Russia has been in
formed by the central powers that
they intend to make peace proposals
to the allies.
The report is published in the Eve
ming Post which says the representa-
tiVes of the central powers at the
first preliminary peace conference
with the Russians held yesterday,
announced that their government in
tended on principle to put the ques-
tion of peace before all the powers
and they had asked their allies to do
likewise. Russia was requested to
take similar steps 1t is stated that
Rnsslans are endeavoring by ali
mean to sound the allies.
The Evening Post says the Ger
mans have officially Informed the
Bolsheviki headquarters that the
central powers are ready to consider
the arrangement Of peace on the basis
of no annexation and no indemnities,
but pointed out that self definition Of
nations was impracticable.
The representatives. of the central
powers informed the Russians they
were ready to discuss peace prelimi-
nares but desired to chow the result
OF Russia's efforts to indnca tha
allies to join in the negotiations be-
fore proceeding with them. They
said this point of view might be
changed, however, and that they
might be willing to discuss peace
with Russia alone. The Germans
were of the opinion that the Russian
armistice might influence the other
fronts.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

be lost in putting it into practical
effect.
We must win the war and it is the
universal wish in America that the
victory be gained as quickly as pos
sible. Any measure that promises
to bring nearer the dav of victory
will receive the Endorsement of every
one who has the best interests of the
country at heart.
Germany is recognized as very
dangerous and a very powerful foe.
1t may be necessary to raise quickly
an army of several million men. The
withdrawal of so many workers from
productive employment even in peace
times would be serious blow to the
nations economic fabric. To take
them away from the factory and the
farm just at the time when our allies
are making unprecedented demands
upon us for food and weapons of war,
while we ourselves must feed and
| equip vast armies, is bound to pre-
cipitate most critical situation.
| Nothing seems clearer than that
the early winning of the war demands
the utmost effort on the part of every
American, The time approaches
when not to work will itself consti.
tute crime. Why then should con-
victs be idle? Why should they con.
tinue to be burden on the commun-
ity when they might instead be
making it little easier for the rest
of us and incidentally shortening
this horrible war?
No objection to the proposal from
organized labor need be expected,
since organized laber is as eager to
win the war quickly as any other
class in the country. The laboring
man realizes that giving employment
to convicts during the war will not
deprive him of work, since there is
more work tosbe done than can pos
slbly be accomplished, no matter
how many hands are offered.
If we forget that the war is being
} fought on our farms and in our fac
J tories at home as we'll as in the
trenches abroad we may lose. Put
the convicts to work!
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27
FARMERS ARE WITH
PRESIDENT WILSON

Omaha, December "a The criti-
cism which has been aimed at the
president, accusing them of being ont
of sympathy with the government
war program, was dlsproyed again
at the recent meeting of the the Ne
ka Farmers congress in Omaha.
was the first meeting Of farmers
since the promnlgation of President
Wilson's recent message to congress,
and many were interested in learning
where the farmers stand on the vital
questions of the hour, including rep
representatives. of the government.
The deliberations of the congress
were devoted almost exclusively to
wartime problems. 1t seemed as
rs though the farmers had come to
Omahe to find out how they could
| help Uncle Sam to win the war, and
they found plenty of expert advisers.
The concluding session of the con
| gress was in many respects the most
interesting because it was devoted tC
q round table discussion of the reso.
| Iutions which had been introduced
The resolution on price liking was the
| hardest one to draft There were a
few who wished to petition the govern
ment to abandon price liking and al.
low the law of supply and demand to
prevail. Their lack of numbers was
offset by their earpestness.
The price liking resolution finally
adopted by large majority was to
the effect that since the governmen,
had set the prlce on some of the far.
mers' products it should on the res,
and also on all other commodities
particularly those which the farmer
has to purchase. In this respect the
farmers were directly in line with
President Wilson's own suggestion
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27
AMERICAN TRUCKS

Thirty three-ton trucks, twenty.
seven of them built after the stand
ard government specifications for
army duty, two OF them tank cars
carrying gasoline and one kitchen
car are on their way overland, under
heir own power, from Detroit to an
Atlantic port. All of them are con.
signed to General Pershing in France.
These trucks are the advance guard
of the thousands of trucks this gov
ernment is planning to send to France
to move supplies from railroad ter.
minal points to the fighting front.
They are manned by enlisted men
from Ohio camps who volunteered
for this service in their eagerness
to see active service in France. The
army could have had ten times the
men required if all the volunteers
had been taken.
The trucks are averaging ten miles
an hour over roads chOked with snow
where they are not deep with mud.
All are covered with khaki and are
in charge of seventy eight enlisted
men and four officers.
How soon it will be before the
thirty trucks will be multiplied to
three hundred and the three hundred
to three thousand America can only
conjecture. Certainly, though, it
will not be long, for if there is one
thing in which America excells it is
the production, at high speed, of
automobiles Of any sort. This is to
be Americas greatest part in the
war, furnishing the mechanical equip
ment and American manufacturers
are vieing with each other in doing q
little more and little more each
time to help the government.
Out of the showing made by these
trucks the automobile industry and
merchants in cities may draw valu-
able lessons The truck makers will
learn the needs of cross country
trucks. The merchants, if they
watch closely, will be able to learn
of the feasibility of auto trucks for
rural delivery service. From the con-
sideration both will give subject
there ought to come strong impulse
for good roads, from which the far
mer will benefit. Altogether tho
trip of the auto trucks on their way
to war makes their mission really
more constructive than later they
are to be destructive.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

Every mill, elevator and warehouse
in South Dakota ought to be guarded
every night. In some towns this is
being looked after and it should be
given attention in all. In some In
stances members of the Home Guard
are being used for the sentinel duty
and in others watchmen are employ
ed. In either case. they should be
armed with something besides Are
axtinxuishars. Hnronite.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27
LET CoNvICTs WIN THE WAR

The proposal to give employment
to all convicts in the country until
the end of the war is thoroughly
sound and not a momant's e time should
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

''Lightless nights" are planned by
the Fuel administration as an addi-
tional measure for saving coal.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

The shortage of sugar will teach
some folks how good many things taste
without it,
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

America in the past has had but
one military policy; To hope for
peace aud take chances. 1t should
change that policy III one vital re.
spect: To hope for peace and take
NO chances.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

The return penalty envelope mailed
to registrants by the exemption
board with their questionnaires re-
quires no postage. Some of the boys
are spending their money for postage
which is not necessary.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

Gasoline production in the United
States has increased from $4,000, 600
to 10000, 900 barrels a year since 1914.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

Total acceptances of recruits for
the army December 13 numbered
more than ID, 4,300--the largest number
accepted in one day in the history of
the country.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

Fly a flag on the farm and teach the
children what it stands for.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

Discarded civilian clothing of Ma
tional Army soldiers will be shipped
to Belgium for relief of sufferers
there,
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

i'll be our own fault if we are
ca It again with fair promises from
fal hearts.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

The number of men now being
served by American Red Cross can
teens in France is more than $4,000
a day.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

The business of government is not to
make men virtuous or religious, or to
pre serve the fool from the consequences
of hi own folly. 1t is to secure liber-
ty by protecting the equal rights of
each from aggression on the part of
others. H enry George.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

The business of government is not to
make men virtuous or religious, or to
prs serve the fool from the consequences
of hi own folly. 1t is to secure liber-
ty by protecting the equal rights of
each from aggression on the part of
others Henry George.
G Recent reports Oh health conditions
at the various environments show the
epidemic OF measles to be rapidly de-
creasing. In several camps where
measles have prevailed the number
of cases of pneumonia has decreased.
Many politician who guessed wrong
on the loyalty question is now taking
his foot in hand and covering the back
trail on the double quick, but the vot-
ers will remember and will never al
low him to forget-that he is politi.
| clan, and not a patriot.
Willow Lakes News: One thing
that should be made clear and this is
| if any resident of the United States
prefers the slavery of Germany to
Free America let him in God name
go back there; let him no longer give
lip service and heart treason to the
Stars and Stripes,
Mrs A. f. Core has been laid up
for several days with an injured
spine caused from fall. Mrs. Core
was delivering milk to the European
hotel and in turning to leave the
hotel stepped off the steps into an
open cellar way, the fall injuring her
head and later settling in her back.
To make meatless days more effect
I've it may be necessary to picket the
meat markets throughout the coun-
try. This wouldn't prevent the con-
sumption of meat entirely, as those
who are not in accord with conserva-
tion for the soldiers would doubtless
buy the day before, but it would be
possible to get many on the record.
Such a proceeding would be blow to
some of the politicians Of this city,
and they are of the same politica
faith as the president.
The first reason for having good
milk cows on the farm comes from
the fact that they provide the cheap
est, best and most wholesome food
| for the family. Their value is hard
to estimate when we consider the
amount saved on the bills. Their
| produce is a superior substitute for
many foods necessarily purchased at
| high prices. 10 fact, there is no
economic way of doing without plenty
of good milk cows on the farm.
No matter how the deficient labor
supply on farms in 1918 is patched up,
with old men or boys or city men or
tramps, there will still be a serious
shortage of help. This at a time, too,
when both patriotism and the desire
for maximum profits should encourage
one to plan system that is as we'll
worked out as possible. If the fact the
farms are going to run shorthanded is
accepted now. and the best possible
plans are made to meet this condition,
we shall get whole lot farther with
Our farming operations.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

{ Recent reports Oh health conditions
at the various environments show the
epidemic of measles TO be rapidly de
creasing. In several camps wher'
measles have prevailed the numbe
of cases of pneumonia has decreased
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

Many politician who guessed wrong
on the loyalty question is now taking
his foot in hand and covering the back
trail on the double quick, but the vot-
ers will remember and will never al
low him to forget-that he is a politi.
clan, and not patriot.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

Willow Lakes News: One thing
that should be made clear and this is
if any resident of the United States
prefers the slavery of Germany to
Free America let him in Gods name
go back there; let him no longer give
lip service and heart treason to the
Stars and Stripes.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27

Mrs. A. f. Core has been laid up
for several days with an injured
spine caused from a fall. Mrs. Core
was delivering milk to the European
hotel and in turning to leave the
hotel stepped off the steps into an
open cellar way, The fall injuring her
head and later settling in her back.
New-York tribune., 1917-07-10
Dutch Ships Held Up
For Safe Conducts
Officials Declare People Are
Starving While British
Delay Action

Between thirty and forty Dutch
freighters. Of from 1000 10 l2,50O tons,
are awaiting sailing orders in Atlantic
ports. In the Port of New York six
teen are held up with cargoes of grain
and foodstuffs for their home ports.
A prominent official of one OF the
Holland steamship firms stated yester-
day that many of his company's vessels
had been loaded for six weeks, await
ing assurances from the British author
tiles that they would be given safe
conduct.
"The delay is costing the shipping
companies thousands of dollars a day.
this official stated. while several of the
consignees in Holland have filed petit
tions of bankruptcy occasioned by the
non delivery of their purchases.
"In addition. many people are actual
~ starving, having used up their mea-
gre supplies and having depended on
the delivery in early summer of sup
plies from America. Holland is not
only endeavoring to feed her own peo-
pie, but also thousands of Belgian refu-
gees who have hocked across her bor
ders"
The shippers of grain and foodstuffs
70 Holland are particularly anxious for
their co1signments TO leave American
ports before July 10, when Americas $
embargo on foodstuffs goes into effect.
An English diplomat was questioned
regarding the delay in giving the nee
essary permission for food to be sent TO
Holland.
THE question of allowing food into
Holland is serious" he stated. "Ac-
cording to the most reliable informa-
tion obtainable. the Dutch people are
not so badly off as has been repeatedly
stated. The present shortage of sup
plies in Holland comes as result of
the merchants smuggling all their
available supplies into Germany on sc-
count of the high prices paid"
New-York tribune., 1917-07-10
Fear Coercion by y. 5.

but upon which side was said sun 70
be problematical.
The neutral European diplomats as
sert that the situation OF Scandinavla
apd UoIland is far less favorable even
than was that of Rumania, lnasmuch
as Rumania had the promise and the
expectation Of receiving assistance
from Russia. a possibility which couid
not be realized now in the case OF the
Northern European neutrals.
One neutral diplomat stated that
there were three considerations prompt
ing England TO attempt to persuade tne
United States 20 take coerclve meas
ures against the northern European
neutrals, these being: First, for the
moral effect Of their joining the En-
tente allies: second, for the preven-
ton of all trade between the neutrals
and Germany, and. third. because Eng
land is determined to bring them into
the war. and, when settled upon pol
icy. does not recede from 1t.
The first two considerations were
said to afford the utmost of political
and military value the Allies could OBJ
tain from compelling the neutrals 10
fight, whereas. after very careful
thought. the neutrals themselves hold
that such action would be disastrous
for the Allies themselves. Defence
by us against Germany is not only i'm
possible, but it is to jest to suggest
it," one diplomat declared.
Might Side With Germans.
II was denied emphatically that tho
German submarines are using the
Scandinavian territorial waters.
These neutral diplomats stressed the
danger of attempting to force the neu-
trails into the war, urging the perils
which would confront the neutrals
themselves if faced by the probability
of a German invasion, and they created
the impression that there would be
serious consideration given by them TO
an invitation from Germany to join the
Central Empires should they be forced
to make a decision as TO war or peace.
These diplomats also denied that
they were giving material assistance to
Germany by selling war supplies and
foodstufs to her An unmerlted
tribute was paid to their Importance
by attributing TO them capacity for
so assisting Germany, it was stated.
II was admitted that in the fall or
1914 and until July, 1915, until the
supplies in the neutral countries be-
came quite low. Germany did obtain
considerable quantities of exports from
them. During 1916, and at the present
time, it was insisted, the help Germany
has been able to obtain through eX-
ports from Scandinavia and Holland
has been at minimum.
The disposition of all the northern
European neutral countries was said
to be to submit to any economic policy
affecting them the United States might
see fit to put into practice, but there
was a warning that while governments
themselves might be agreeable TO
hardships in preference 10 war, the
people might and probably wou ID rise
against starvation conditions and force
the governments to act.