davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

most ominoIs and important Of the
war and its outcome may settle the
question of whether or not Germany is
to betwhipped.
Should Germany succeed in her
plans to overwhelm France the situa-
ton would still be far from hopeless
as regards Great Britain and the
United States. These countries, with
the aid of Japan, could fight on indie.
finitely and the chances would be even
for draw in the end But draw OF
that sort would mean that Germany
would win the main points for which
she started the war which would place
her in position to defy the world for
generations to. come. She could then
turn her large attention to Russia and
restore the order there that the people
of Russia are unable to restore. OF
course Germany's price would be no
pittance. She would take all of Rus
STA that she wanted, and that would be
enough to insure the docility of the
remainder of the Russian empire for
many score years.
The people Of the United States now
realize as they never realized before
that the greatest blunder of the war,
so far as this country is concerned, is
that we did not get into the fight at
least two years ago. Had we taken
the step then we would now be in posi-
ton to render our friends in Europe
valuable assistance and there could be
little doubt of the outcome. But moth
ing is to be gained by deploring our
stupidity of the past except as the
calling attention to it may prevent a
repetition of the same kind Of blunder
in the future. The element of time III
war is of vast Importance and every
day lost demands its price and not in
frequently that price is defeat.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17
THE BRITISH WAY

The capture of Jerusalem had been
delayed to some degree in consequence
of the great care that had been taken
IT, avoid damage to the sacred places
in and around the city.-AssOciated
Press Dispatch, Dec. TO-
This is a very different story than
came from Rheims, Louvain, Ypres,
Gerbeviller, Antwerp and other
towns in France and Belgium taken
by the Germans in the early stages OF
the war. The people Of right senti-
ments and principles will like the
British way much better than the Ger
man way.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17
UNIVERSAL TRAINING.

With the successive weeks of the
war it is becoming more and more APP
parent that there should be some sys-
tenn of universal military training put
in force in this country and there are
fewer DIRECTORS now to such policy
than ever before. Men and women
who can understand the lessons being
taught in the great military upheavel
that is now shaking civilization to it's
very foundations realize that this
country has been very lax in prepar-
ing itself to maintain it's rightful place
among the nations Of the world and
that it must prepare for the future if
it is going to retain it's prestige and
assure the perpetuity of it's ideals and
institutions. Aside from putting the
United States in position where no
nation would presume to attack it,
universal military training would be
fine thing for the youth OF the nation.
1t would improve their physical con-
dition and make of the weaklings who
were not too frail to withstand the
training, men of good physique, fitting
them to successfully combat ordinary
illnesses and making them strong and
self reliant to face the battle of life.
Theodore Roosevelt was frail
youth, but through system of out
door exercise and strenuous life he
made himself physically strong. What
Roosevelt did for himself through self
will and voluntary hardshfps, uniyer
sal military training would do for
thousands of boys who are not at
birth endowed with strong constitu-
tons
Col. ]. A Ryan, commander of the
Fort Sheridan, Illinois, officers train
ing camp, has promulgated plan that
appears to be ideal and one that would
not be burdensome to the youths who
would take advantage of it. 1t is as
fellows:
"First-With universal training at
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

Nineteen young women made their
appearance on Broadway, New York.
few days ago as street car conduct
ors and are making good, according to
reports. They took the places OF
young men who entered the service OF
Uncle Sam AS the war goes on the
loyal women of the country will be
drafted into many positions now filled
by men and it will be found that they
are just as capable of doing the work
as their brothers are. When it comes
to the test the American woman, like
those OF England and France, will be
found to measure up to the full stan
dard OF genuine patriots, ready to do
what they can for the, country they
love so we'll.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17
According to reports from the Euro

I According to reports from the Euro
pean war zone, the Germans are
stripping the eastern battle front and
taking hundreds of thousands of men
from that arena to throw against the
British, French and Italians. This
was to be expected. That is the reason
and the only reason Germany wants
peace or an armistice with Russia. 1t
is going to make it harder than ever
for the, western lines to hold, but if our
friends over there can resist few
months longer Uncle Sam will be in
position to help them. Il is unfortu-
nate that this country did not get into
the war at least a year earlier. That
delay may cost us million men and
ten or twenty billions of dollars. But
the administration and congress
couldn't see the necessity of what
President Wilson called "hasty ac-
tion,' and as result we must pay
dearly for our stupidity.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

Russia must have a bunch of
mighty weak sisters to represent its
interests at that meeting with the
Germans, where an armistice was
patched up The Russ delegates de-
manded, on the start, that Germany
retire from Moon island and agree
not to send, troops from the eastern
to the western front. The Germans
refused and the Russians promptly
acquiesced in the refusal. However,
the results would have been the
same had the Germans agreed, be-
cause they wouldn't have lived UP to
their pledges, anyhow. They would
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

the end OF five years we will have in
our reserve, approximately 1000 600
men, at the end of ten years 100000,
and should that continue no nation
on earth would ever dare to attack
the United States.
"Second-The introduction of uni
versal military training in the United
States will be the force which will
ultimately abolish war in the world
"Third-I advocate three months
service each year for the ages seven
teen, eighteen, nineteen and twenty,
SO that when young men reach the
age of twenty-one they will have at
tended four camps of intensive train
ing during the months of June, July
and August.
"Fourth-These three months are
the months of vacation for all col
leges. They are the months of the
year when men will live out of doors
and are the longest days Of the year.
"Fifth-My idea in regard to the
regular army is to keep its officers
and men as training body, and dur
ing the nine months from September
to June they will garrison their forts
and drill their regiments so that they
can act as instructors for the camps
throughout the United States and all
it's possessions during the summer
months.
Conclusion believe the three
months would appeal to all college
men, as well as to their parents. ]
believe that all great employers of
labor could be induced to make ar
rangements for men between seven
teen to twenty-one to take that train
ing and not lose their positions or
their salaries"
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

!, c. A. Weaver, formerly Of this city,
being at one time editor of the Tribune
and localizer for the Freeman. is now
contributing to the columns of The
Iowa Forum, weekly Journal estab-
lished in Des Moines few weeks ago
by The Forum Company, with w. O.,
Payne, late Of the Nevada Representa-
tive, editor. The Forum contains
many fine editorials and the contribu-
tons Of Mr.. Weaver add spice and
Zest.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

Every vote cast in the United States
senate upon the resolution for war
with Austria-Hungary was in it's
favor. 1t might be recited, however,
that Senator LaFollette showed the
white feather, sneaked away and re-
fused to vote. Thus has this buster
err, who has Dragged about his courage
to stand up against the wall for his
rights, evacuated, retreated, surrend-
cred, turned tail and skunk away like
thief in the night. No further evil
dence is necessary to prove that he is
a pro-German..
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

The Des Moines Capital is insist
ing that men who make public adj
dresses, claiming they have been
soldiers at the front, should be re-
quired to furnish credentials show
ing they are what they represent
themselves to be. Some scalawags
have imposed upon some commune
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17
A Fine Gift Book.

The finest Gift Book printed is
Mount Vernon, the Home of Wash
ington," by ]. E. Jones. Just the thing
for mother, father, sister, brother,
husband, wife, soldier friend-or any,
body, who believes that the United
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17
CONTROL OF WORLD RAILWAYS.

Suggestions of Governmental con-
troll of the railways of the United
States during the war, now being made
by officials of the Government at
Washington, lend interest to a compi
.lation by The National City Bank Of
New York showing government con-
troll or ownership of the railways
throughout the world 1t shows that
about one-third of the railways Of the
world are owned or controlled by the
governments of the respective coun-
tries or states in which they operate
and that in Europe, Asia, Africa and
the British Colonies more than one
half of the lines are government own
ed or controlled. In some cases, not
ably Germany and Australia, the rail-
ways are chiefly the property of the
states or subdivisions forming the
general government, in others they are
the direct property OF the government,
In Germany over 80 per cent of the
railways are classed as government or
state railways; Austria Hungary 80
per cent; Russia n per cent; Italy
70 per cent; Switzerland 80 per cent;
the Scandinavian states A. per ont
and France at present II per cent,
while other parts of her system have
been built in part or whole by the
Government and are operated by rail-
way companies, and will later revert
to the Government OF Europe, as a
whole, 81 per cent of the railway lines
are classed as state or governmental
railways, Asia 20 per cent, Africa IS
per cent, South America 81 per cent
and North America but per cent. In
Australia 80 per cent belong to the
colonies which form the Common
wealth of Australia, in New Zealand SO
per cent are governmental, India 80
per cent and the British Colonies as a
whole SIS per cent, while those Of Great
Britain none is owned by the Govern
ment, though the entire system is now
temporarily controlled by the Govern
ment for war purposes. In Canada
about 5 per cent Of the railways are
government owned In China portions
of the railways are being constructed
under agreements which will finally
make them government property, and
in Japan 70 per cent of the railways
are now classed as government lines.
The principal countries which do not
own or at least control any part OF
their lines are United States, Great
Britain, Spain and Turkey, though in
certain of the South American coun-
tries, notably Argentina, the share of
the lines owned or controlled by the
Government is comparatively small.
The cost of the railways of the world,
including in this term first construc-
ton and equipment, is estimated at
about 60 billion dollars, of which those
of Europe are about q billion, North
America 81 billion, South America az
billion, Asia AZ billion, Africa 2 bill
lion, Oceania ~ billion.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

They say that when President
Wilson, in his late speech before
congress, suggested that the paci-
fists may be left to strut their I'M
easy hour and be forgotten" Senators
LaFollette and Vardaman looked as
though they thought the president
was getting personal
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

! When it is insisted that the world
must be made safe for democracy it
doesn't mean that democracy is to be
-lforced upon those who do not want
: it. It simply means that those WHO
have it anG those who secure it later
on may enjoy<it without the consent
{ of any outsider on earth.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

Z" Inasmuch as Gov Harding pulled
through the last gubernatorial contest
successfully without the aid or con-
sent of the Dcs Moines Register, the
chances are he is willing to try it
again next year.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

The choir of the Universalist church
will rehearse Christmas music at Z
o'clock tomorrow evening at the
church. The Clara Barton Sunday
school class will meet following re-
hearsal at the home of Dr. Fife Nc
Collum Jones at o'tlock for work.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

Let's see, didn't Mr. Kerensky once
upon a time ask where the British
navy was when Russia needed it.
Yes, WELL how would it be now for
the British navy to bob up and
ask, "where is Mr.. Kerensky?"
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-17

violate agreements and then declare
that military necessity forced them
to do it.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16
The Old Family Doctor.

Memphis Commercial Appeal The
old family doctor is now but a land
mark. He is rapidly passing out of
existence. He has been crowded from
the city by the specialist His field of
practice now includes only the small
country towns Time was when the
old family doctor was member of
the household. He was the father
confessor, the family advisor, the
counselor Of the head of the family.
His word was law. He commanded
more respect from the children than
the president ever will command He
was the doctor of all the Ills the
flesh might fall heir to. He cured a
cold and fever; he set broken leg
or arm; he was the physician who
treated troubles Of the ear, throat
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16

and eye he was the good Samaritan
who walked with suffering woman
through the valley of the shadow OF
death; it was he who took the little
red bundle of humanity and an
nounced with patient smile that to
the world another child had been
given. The family doctor of old was
a saint. He was potent factor In
the affairs of many homes. In his
bosom he held sacred the secrets Of
many men and women. His field of
labor was a rugged one. He labored
well and faithfully. But the old fam
lily doctor lived in an age which is
passing rapidly.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16
OUR NEWEST ISLANDS.
People There at Least Favored Our
COMING.

Worlds outlook: The American
people took but little interest in the
treaty authorizing the purchase of the
Danish West Indies, which was rati-
fed by the senate on September 7th.
The questions Of the European war,
the Mexican embroglio, and--worst of
all,-tfe threatened railroad strike
absorbed their attention, and, after
all, what of it? 1t was to them mere
ly the adding of three little islands to
the two thousand already belonging to
Uncle Sam; a cluster of fly-specks,
they seem, on any map in the house
the addition of $4,000 to a population
Of 111000,00U, fewer than Eseu to
pass through Ellis Island in week
before the war. The acquisition of
100 square miles by a country of g.
100000 square miles-why little
Rhody is nearly ten times as big.
That is one side Of the transaction,
our side Of it. How does it look to
the islanders?
And between The interval from the
reading of the result OF the ballot to
the last words of the president it
seemed as il the earth stood still and
the outcome. The president gave the
their vote is considered as the vote
of the people, and, that Fredericksted
at least decides for the sale!"
This is the way the local newspa-
pers reported one of the mass meet
ings held on the island Of st. Croix on
August IS last. At the other city of
that island, Christiansted. the people
took the same action. The two meet
ings together comprised third of the
population of ST. Croix and the vote
stood 5,727 in favor of annexation to
| the United States and against!
Women, of course, voted as well as
men, for Denmark is now an equal suf-
frage country. 1t is to be hoped that
the islanders will not lose their DEM
ocracy in coming under the control Of
the United States.
The other islands, ST. Thomas and
st. John, also expressed their desire
for annexation by mass-meetings and
petition and as we'll as through their
local councils. Practically the only
people who opposed it were the Danes
who hold appointive offices or govern
ment monopolies and the Germans OF
the Hamburg-American line, who hop
ed to make st. Thomas the great ship
ping center for Latin America.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16
Nest Eaa Has Passed.

Clarinda Herald: And now come
modern poultry raisers saying that
the nest egg must go. The time hon
ored nest egg, baked in an oven
along with our cups and saucers,
and finished beautiful shiney
white. The old hen would cuddle 1t
as her own, then proceed to place
another real hens egg alongside of
it: We thought the nest egg a thing
of necessity.
But the modern poultry raiser ar
CUES the hen will lay just as many
eggs without the nest egg as with 1t,
and they say having the extra egg
there makes biddy broody. If she
finds but one egg after she gets
through laying, she says to herself that
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16
The Mystery Of the Greens.

Cleveland Plain-Dealer: Suppose
vo1, are a person who raises domestic
animals-chickens cattle, guinea
pigs. or what not-and that, you de-
sire to give them the food that will
do them the most good. You wish
to feed them scientifically, and you
make a study of the foods that are
necessary for their growth, health,
strength, fattening. And then sup
pose you feed the young Of these
animals on the carefully controlled
ration of grains and mineral sub
stances which your information has
shown you to be. proper for them.
You will be surprised If you find that
they do not grow properly.
But you will find just that thing.
Add little alfalfa to their diet, and
these animals begin at once to thrive
normally.
Science has not yet discovered
what there is in green leaves that
the animal system demands, but ex-
pertinent has amply proved that
such substance exists. In the
seeds of plants (grains) are con-
tanned proteins, carbohydrates, fats,
celIulose and mineral sa1ts-all the
lOOiS iCSCoSelg, ". SJtHi-
istry, to sustain life. But something
else is necessary, and that mysteri-
GUS thing is contained only in green
things.
This explains our cravings for rad
ishes and lettuce and young onions
and asparagus in the spring of the
year. It's not because we are tired
of our winters diet and wish for a
change, but because there is very
real bodily need for these things. In
stinct tells us that nature has put
into the green leaves something that
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16
Chicago Live Stock.

she has left out of the seeds, but
something that we cannot well do
without. And the fact that science
has not yet been able to isolate these
elements has nothing whatever to do
with the case. Science recognizes
their existence, though it hasn't been
able to name them yet. And so sci
ence gives us this advice-we quote
well-known physician:
ANY diet in which the seeds of
plants form the principal part will be
made safe by adding to it milk and
the leaves and tubers Of plants.'
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16

one is not enough to sit on, a or.
madam hen then proceeds TO - coua
and rustic for something to cal. ,,o st
ing back the next day to lay a ~ ths
egg. If she finds two eggs ~ here
nest, she is liable to argue t hatch d
is a good start for another h~ ~ fine
chicks, and down goes Dluuy " hairr
nest. requiring ducEing .. or G sss'
Imprisoned in coop with oIne u rel gst
standing room only
her out Of the notion. -o;sers
The nest egg, say poultry i Ia When
is a left over from the Jay .ost ID
the hen had to choose nel Now
the haymow or under the oal i,liots ID
a the way v they should go, with a,51 ns s
ern henhouse and nests res eau an,
egg laying, leaving no lon ast eggs
reason for hay loft nests or nest 's'
Even the hen is progressive
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16

ed official attention from Germany
to her ally today.
That Austria is becoming more
anxious for peace is borne out in both
official and diplomatic messages re-
ceived here.
German newspaper comment MADE
public by the state department today
was devoted largely to the contem-
plated German suffrage reform.