davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

army has been increased by several army corps.
 It is well known that while the rest Of the countries of the world are en- Japan, although supposed to be at war, has held aloof from the conflict, ap- parently saving her strength.
 Those of us who have rezd the life or Baron Won Der Goltz. the young German spy who served in olr courtr- as well as in many others, remember how a special envoy Of F'orfrio Diaz. president of Mexico was sand baggad in the streets of Paris and robbed Of a secret agreement between Japan and Mexico. And" Captain Won der Go1tz, adds, You will remember, Diaz soon afterward ceased to be president of Mexico"
 Those of us who have sny interest in the history of the world have watch ed these past few years the destruction of Russia's power in the Far East and the hurniliating demands upon the mill 1tarv occupation of Korea and China world views with alarm the lately formed alliance between Russia and Japan Needless to say, these two countries will be the greatest powers and having no territory of their own to dispute over, it will be no surprise if the czar and the mikado attempt to divide up the earth between them. nec0SSlCaCe forming of new buffer state in Gen. tral Europe. and this must be Poland, which now proves the biggest stun- bling block to peace.
 Belgium was born on the field of Waterloo with Prussia for her god father and England for her godmother. Belgium was the buffer state between Prussia and all-powerful France, and served as England's landing place on the continent Instead; however, of acting as protection for Prussia. as she was intended, she acted as a pro- lection for France against the all- powerful Germany. for it was the Bel g1an Actresses of Liege and Nunnnr that held up the entire German war machine in its all but successful ad- vance on Paris in 1914.
 With Poland as @ buffer Kingdom between Germany, Austria and Rus sia, western Europe might have no small protection from the Tartar hordes of the Czar. Napoleon once prophesied. within a hundred years Europe will be all republican. or all
 To insure the peace of Europe large states must not touch one another Buffer states are necessary. A free Poland would be Europe's greatest check on the yellow peril"
 And as for our own protection, we can little depend on Mexico to serve as buffer state between the United States and Japan. The western coast oI thdl restless repuDnc would serve as an excellent landing place for the millions that Japan may choose to send against us. and would serve as an impregnable naval base for their powerful battle fleet.
 At one time. a victorious Russia would have served as a barrier to pro- tect civilization from the '.yelrow periP'-but diplomacy does strange things-and with the alliance of the l Tartar and the Jap. we must loSk else where for our protection against the mighty uprising of the yellow races, | which will be upon us all too soon.
 EARLE M WOOD
 Taftvflle. Conn. Feb 20 1917
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

$162, ,sS5, is the smallest on record. Just what forest fires on these re-
 serves mean can be gathered from the
 fact that there were practically S00.-
 900 acres of government land burned
 over, while in addition thereto. and
 with one the result of the other. there were nearly 125,0 ,000 acres of privately owned forest land visited by fire on which timber to the value of over s3e,- 900 was destroyed.
 Some idea can be gained as to what damage might have resulted had there been no organized effort to check the fires when it is stated that three-quar- ters of the fires were confined to areas of less than ten acres. They received the proper attention at an early stage and the saving was worth all the eff fort expended and probably much more.
 That the individual can do much in the way Of preventing these forest fires is shown from the fact that all but about 23 per cent. of them. which were due to lightning, were caused by human agencies. A careless lad of ten in Idaho was the direct cause of 600,- 900 feet of timber being destroyed Much of course depends upon the sea- son, but if those who visit or use the forests were as careful as they should be, even the record of the smallest losses could be greatly reduced and the government hasn't any more tim berland to burn than it has money.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
THE CITY MEETING.

The action which was taken by the
 citizens in special city meeting rela- tive to the additional appropriation for the gas and electrical department was the action that was called for
 There was nothing else to be done un- der the circumstances but provide the commissioners with sufficient money to continue the plants operations through the remainder of the fiscal year, but the real light on the need of the $50,000 asked for appears to have been shed by Cashier Naples when he stated that there were $36,o ,o00 in un- paid bills brought oyer into this year from the last years accounts and that these had been paid out of this years appropriation. That taken in connec- tion with the higher cost of operation through the increased prices of com modities readily shows why the com missionerS need more money, but whiie the claim of increased cost of opera ton was being made, no error would have been committed had the commits sioners set down in black and white the difference in the total cost of coal and other supplies which it was necessary to buy at advanced prices instead of referring to them in general terms and without figures. The department must know to the penny what this ex- cess charge is and 1t wouldn't have in terfered with an understanding of the predicament had the figures been pre- scented.
 Reference was made during the dis cussion to the fact that a contract by a former commission was responsible for the selling of gas below cost. Such being the case, and fnasmuch as that contract has, expired isn't 1t time to block that leak?
 Commendable was the action of the meeting in voting the appropriation for the securing of expert advice on | the needs and workings of the plant | and in that connection it is to be hoped | that the appropriation which was made | for that purpose will be sufficient to | accomplish the desired results. If a | tangled situation can be cleared upl such help would be cheap even if the | amount was much larger.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
SPY LEeIsLArIoN-

It is difficult to understand why there should be any determined or pro- longed opposition to legislation which has to do with the discouraging of spying by giving the government full authority to deal with such cases. This country has had its experiences with was a serious lack of laws After plots against the government had been re- Vealed, suspicion directed to certain individuals and facts obtained to sup port the suspicion. 1t was a rather hu- initiating position in which the author ities found themselves when they were brought to the realization of the fact that there were no laws under which they could be prosecuted in a manner commensurate with the offense.
 There are laws under which they might be arraigned and penalized but only in a minor way compared with what they should be. and the very fact that such a situation exists, is reason enough for taking the necessary pre- cautions at this tine1
 It is entirely probable that there are exaggerated ideas regarding the num- Der tn this country engaged in spying, but 1t makes no difference whether the number runs into the thousands or the hundreds, or even less the legisla- lion will do no harm If there is no oc- casion to use it and it will be of much value in case there is. We have de- layed such action too long already and 1t Is high time that we made up for the inexcusable procrastination.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
TO RELIEVE THE CONGESTION.

In view of the freight congestion which is existing throughout the country and the difficulty which is be- ing experienced in obtaining sufficient cars in which to move urgently needed supplies in various lines, the efforts which are being made by the railroads to relieve the situation and the steps
 which other organizations are finding it necessary to take in order to over come prevailing conditions, there ap- pears to be no little merit in the sug- gestion that was advanced by a rail- road man in St Louis to the effect that there be a fast week proclaimed in the transportation business for the purpose of bringing about the needed adjustment.
 This would permit of the clearing of the terminals, the sending of the idle cars into those sections where they are needed and permit Of the concen- tration of the energies on the handling of the necessary freight while the un- necessary for that period could be al- lowed to lay over.
 Such a plan would not by any means tie up business for there are lines where little or no trouble would be experienced if a part at least of the shipments were delayed. It would permit of the devotion of increased attention to the moving of necessities and it appears to offer a partial soIu- ton of the present congested railroad conditions. The idea doesn't appear to be at all irrational. but on the other hand to be deserving of more than passing attention. Something along that line needs to be done and that would give the largest number an op- portunity to participate in the sacri- fee for the good of the whole country.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

sity of the task of Keeping the armies
 in the field and in fighting condition
 may be had from the statement that
 there are now more than four thous-
 and controlled munition plants in
 Great Britain alone. Of these nine-
 teen out of twenty never produced war
 materials before the war broke out.
 They emp4oy nearly three million men
 and nearly three quarters of million
 women. The Vastpess Of tfie industry
 in England is not out of proportion to
 that in France. Although Germany
 holds seventy per cent of rl1acs's coal
 and some eighty per ce her iron, France has been able, i opening
 up or new furnaces, sIiC immense
 irnportations of ore and pig metal largely to overcome this handicap.
 While it is very difficult to present authentic figures upon the proportions of the munitions used by the Allies furnished by the United States, the figures of the Department of Conn- merce do show something of the growth of thenuDition trade. Authorities
 widely disagree ss to the percentage of Americas contribution to munitions. One authority puts it as low as two per cent, while another says that it does not exceed five per cent. What ever the percentage may be, the hg- ures of the Department of Commerce months of 1914, our exports of horses, mules, brass and manufactures of brass, autos, copper and manufactures Of copper, explosives, india rubber products, iron and steel manufactures, lead, leather and manufactures of leath, nickel, mineral oils, sugar, sur gical apparatus, tin, zinc and manu- factures of zinc amounted to $433,000,- 900. During the first eight months of 1916, our exports of those came mate rials amounted to 1,gS6, ,000, 900. From these figures it would appear that our contribution to the munitions trade of Europe during the year 1916 would ap- proxirnate more than $2,000, ,o00, 900, Our exportation of explosives alone for the calendar year will reach up- ward of $70O,00 900. During the first nine months of 1916 American exports to the Allied nations amounted tD three billion and a quarter dollars as against three-quarters of a billion dol lars for all of the other nations of the earth, bellfgerent and neutral alike.
 'sThs labor demands of the intuition in the United States has reached unprecedented heights. Re- gently one big manufa cturer of muni- tions requested the United States army to give him the names of
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
FOR THE TUBE SERVICE.

In view of the opposition which has
 been manifested on the part of the
 postoffice department to the retention
 of the mail tube service in the large
 cities, and the efforts which have been
 made to abolish large proportion of
 it, it is a strange course which has
 been followed by the lower house of congress in removing the mandatory provision regarding the appropriation which has been made for that service.
 It is of course possible that the house considers that the department will utilize the money in the manner in necessary or advisable to direct the further than to include the required amount in the post office ap- propriation. Ordinarily such an order would not be required. and it would not at this time. but for the fact that the assertion has been made that the money would not be used for the retention of the tube service even though it was provided. This, on top of the fact that the postmaster gen eral has recommended the curtailment of the tubes and the securing of more motor trucks for the improvement of the big city service and his desire to launch out into other changes which nave not been approved. caused the senate to insert in the bill the demand hat the money should be used for this particular purpose %It showed good
 It is what was required in order to insure the carrying out of the object for which the money was in- ended, and this should be impressed lpon the house by the conference com nittee to whom the matter must now oe referred
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
February Predictions Very cerre,t.

February Predictions Very cerre't. MT. Editor: Here is what said was due in February, 1917: This year February is likely to come in with storm but look for pleasant weather the 2nd The month will be a winter month all right but not near ly as bad as last year. Early in Feb ruary one big storm is due. Another between the 7th and 10th. the worst o1 the winter between the 18th and 18th and another about Feb. 24th from then until March i very cold. 9Th ere will he at least eight days o1 zero weather in Februerv. -sTHE CLOUD DIGGER" Packer, Conn. Jan. 22, 1917. Here is what we had:
 February 1st started with thunder storn, at 1.30 g.. m.
 February 2nd, Ground Hog day, was nice ard clear, also cold mercury 50 many telegrans printed in The Bulletin, February 3. was from 10 to 20 below zero that morning.
 February 4th, while the thermometer went only to 4 in Voluntown, zero weather was reported from Maine to New Jersey, and at night the storm predicted for early in February arrfv- ed continuing all day February 9th.
 February 9th zero weather reported in New Hampshire and Vermont, only s above here at sunrise
 About midnight February rain commenced falling. While this storm was not very severe in this immediate section The Bulletin and other lead ing papers report it's reaching from Maine to Florida. with frosts destroy ing millions in Florida.
 Zero weather reported from Maine. New Hampshire, Vermont and New York state and in Western Connecti-
 February 11th three vo1un- town thermometers reported by a prominent lady at zero at sunrise.
 February 18th 2 below zero at 6 a. n.
 February 18th, Bulletin reports 20 below at Putnam.
 February 18th it was zero at sun- rise in Voluntown. according to Mrs.
 The storm I predicted between Is and IS did not arrive. but will. I pre- dicted that storm one month ahead and knew that storm conditions would prevail at just that time. The U. s. weather observers said IS, Is and r, snow or rain.
 The Bulletin printed the U. S. pre- dfction Saturday, February 1T: Fair today; rain or snow tomorrow.
 The New York Herald said Satur- day: Storm warnings are displayed on the Atlantic coast from Savannah to Passport, Maine.
 All the evening papers said Saturday evening, February IT: Rain tonight, turning to snow, Sunday.
 So you see that while my predictions were not certified the entire weather bureau of the United States was not only as badly fooled as I, but much more as they were fooled day by day, only 24 hours in advance. and their bear out my claim one month ahead of time, that storm con- ditions would prevail from February 15 to February IS.
 I mention this at this time in order to keep a certain Voluntown corres- pondent posted. Like taking Postum There's a Rea son. when facts are not always stated.
 THE CLOUD DIGGER
 Packer, Feb. 21. 1917.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
The Yellow Peril.

MT. Editor: Is there such a thing as the yellow peril For years this has been the question before the United States-for a length of period perhaps a joke. When Kaiser Wilhelm took the throne of united Germany as German emperor. the newspapers of Europe were af1ame with mailed fist'' articles. and practically ev- cry European country was driven into a foreign alliance because of this scare. When several years passed and the kaiser had failed to draw the sword. the mailed f1st' became an ob- tect of ridicule. and remained so until it struck the crushing blow in 1914
 Just so with the yellow peril" We have heard 1t harped on so much, so unceasingly and so often that we are not likely to take it seriously.
 It is we'll known there is a strong war party existing in Japan. This party, fortunately, is not in power at the present time, but one can not tell when such will be the case
 It is well known that Japan always looked with the hungry eyes on the is- land possessions of the United States which would be invaluable to her in time of war.
 of the Island of Nippon is increasing much faster than the food supply of the entire empire and that co1on:za- tion will soon be necessary to prevent starvation.
 It is we'll known that several prom inent Japanese newspapers have urg- ed war with the United States from time to time as the only possible man. ner to prevent that starvation.
 It is well known that the Japanese has appropriated several million dollars for the enlargement of her now Already formidable battle fleet.
 It is well known that the Japanese
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

began taking it and I am now in good health and am cured. I took the Com pound three times . day after meals. and on retiring at night. Ialways keep . bottle in the house. ."-Mrs. L. N. BuRNHAM. 2e5 South St., Jamaics, NY.
 Women who recover their health nat urally tell others what helped them. Some write and allow their names and photographs to be published with testi- monisls. Many more tell their friends. Write Lydia E. Pinkham DFe6i- cine Co. (c0nfidentiaD, Lynn. Mass, for anything you need to know about your ailments.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
MRS. BURNHAM
 JAMAICA, N. Y.
Sufferings Cured by Medi- cine Recommended by
 Sister-in-law.
Jamaica, N. Y.-'T suffered greatly with my head and with backache, was

weak, dizzy, ner- |v ous, with hot flashes and felt very miserable, as I was irregular for two years. One day when I was feeling unusually bad my |sister-in-iAw came
 in and said, T wish you would try
 Lydia E. Pinkharnss .Cofnpounds So r
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
FOREST FIRES.

How we'll the work of fighting for est fires in the national forests of this country is carried on is indicated by the report for the past year which shows that while there were more fires than in the average year they were not allowed to go unchecked as they had been in some years, with the result that the loss. estimated at
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
Many Victims.

The chap who went crazy while try ing to invent a method to heat fine high cost of living is no worse off than a lot Of others who have simply taken it for granted.-Phiiadelph in- Quirer.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

Certain sections of Europe will await with keen interest the outcome of the national conference on charities which will consider ways and means this summer of abolishing poverty.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

Those who are including the board of their employees in their wages must realize that a marked advance has taken place without either receiving any additional benefits
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
BULLETINS SPECIAL YALE LETTER
Students Number of POO Have Been Hepin9 on Military
 Census-DuaI Regatta With Cornell Arranged Progress on New Armosy-New Law School Professors.

New Haven, Feb. 22-The Universi- ty crew authorities have announced that plans have been completed for a dual regatta with Cornell on May 19. on the Housatonic river. Coach Nick alls. who has always been enthusi- astic about the splendid opportunities offered by this new course. is plan
 ming to return from England on March 1.-the kaiser permitting to resume his duties as head coach Dur ing MT. Nickalls' absence M- A. Ab- bolt, the freshmen coach has been put in charge of both the University and Freshman squads.
 The HouSatonic river is even more ideal than the Thames in many re- spects, especially in regard to the calmness of the water which is pro tected on both sides of the stream by rather abrupt entertainments
 The annual New York concert of the Yale Giee, Banjo and Mandolin clubs will take place on the evening of March at the Waldorf-Astoria, after which the Academic fraternity Germans will be held at Sherry's on 44th street and Fifth avenue.
 Under the directions of Professor William B. Bailey over two hundred students have been gathering the da- la for the military census lately or dered by the governor. This Is not only one of the many ways Yale Is ex- pressing its willingness to assist in any move which will make for mili- tary preparedness. Besides the off1- cers' training corps which now con- sists of over 250 students organized
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

It is claimed that Germany will look upon the arming of merchantmen as an overt act. but Germany must real ize that any measure is justifiable in driving the pirates off the high seas
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23
They've Got Them All.

across New York harbor at night. We are afraid that this closes the last avenue by which visitor may leave New York before his money is all gone-Grand Rapids Press.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

It looks from this distance as if an- other season would have to go by without Lipton sending over a chal- lenge for a yacht race in order to lift the much coveted trophy.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

The man on the corner says: Some how, either through fear or respect, a fellow cannot forget the particular spot in the sidewalk where he uncere- sat down.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

Now that the Teak" committee has adjourned, isn't it about time that the government got busy on the high cost of living and stopped the stream of dol lars which are being drawn from the consumers pockets?
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

If Colonel Bryan is so anxious to exert his influence. the president might put him in charge of suppressing the raiders along the Mexican border.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

It is impossible under existing con- ditions to criticise man who is plan- ming to convert his lawn into a potato patch during the coming summer.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

It is reported that Colonel Roose- welt will raise a division to fight in Europe if the president will give his permission. That is a substantial if nevertheless.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-23

It is noteworthy that the Mexicans occupying the territory vacated by Fershing are vfllistas, not Carranzis- tas.-New York Evening Sun,