davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Mrs. Humiston's Charges
a Libel on Men Who Are an Honor
to Their Country

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Your leader on the charges brought
by Mrs. Humiston against the soldiers Of the
United States is as sound and able as all your
leaders have been during this crusade in
which the civilized races are so deeply con-
cerned.
have been TO many Of the great camps
either to speak on behalf of the Liberty loans
or on war matters Il the troops, and have
carried away from them the highest opinion
Of the splendid morale and forthrightness or
officers and men. The cheerful, keen spirit
universally displayed is one OF the most in
spring things that |, well accustomed to
camps, have ever seen. The arrangements
Tor the very necessary amusement OF the men
of duty after a long days work are beyond
al praise, and the work of the y. VI. {. A.
in their huts is more admirable than ever
Everything is being done to keep these
fine American boys fit, both mentally and
physically, and the boys themselves are meet
ing the endeavor far more than half way
Mrs. Humistons ill-considered charges are
libel on a great and increasing body Of men
who are an honor TO their country.
COSMO HAMILTON.
New York, Nov. 10, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Crafters and the Charity Field

1t is inevitable under existing c;rcum-
stances that clever sharpers should from
time to time take advantage Of the pub
lies sympathy and generosity by solicit
ing "war relief" funds under various
guises, promptly pocketing the money
thus collected. 1t is probably impossible
TO prevent the holding of fairs, bazaars
and the like by well meaning but inexperi-
enced individuals who are able because
Of high or improper expenses to turn over
anything but small percentage Of the re-
ceipts to charity or relief work. However,
this condition, unfortunate as it is, can
and should be minimized. The police and
the prosecutor can get after the actual
swindlers. In the revival of the proposed
ordinance for the licensing and control Of
bazaar promoters and managers there lies
some chance Of checking the wasteful or
improper spending Of money to raise
money! process which seldom nets any
sum worth mention for the needy.
The town is flooded with solicitors for
charities and relief work, good, bad and
Indifferent. A colored badge and a tin cup
arc sufficient warrant for the invasion Of
a restaurant, an office building, any public
place; the street corners blossom forth
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Germany's Esthetic Conquests
it the better,

Rodin was once described by a German
connoisseur as zines der 2CUnderaCertesten
Resultnte der n1oderne7l PARSER kuttur,
but that was before the doctrine of pan
German aesthetics had been thoroughly
drummed into the heads of the unofficial
critics. Else it would be difficult indeed
TO account for the unanimity with which
they join in praising him to-day, for what
could Rodin be but the very type Of cor
ruption, the immortal image of what a
celebrated German divine calls ''the strum-
pet Of the nations?
The paradox is explained by the new
conception Of German responsibility for
all that is worthy in human achievement.
You may talk Of the Kultur of Paris, but
there can be no Kultur of any Importance
that is not German. Hence, if you love
any good thing that comes out Of Paris
YOU must needs love the Kultur that is
Germany, and it follows that you must
love Prussia, for as the profound Herr
Chamberlain has we'll said, "a foreigner
who processes to love a Germany without
Prussia is either an ass or rogue"
"Rodin," says one of the German obit-
uarists, "like Shakespeare and Michel
angelo, belongs to US Germans, for our
claim upon every art creator is one we
will never allow anybody to question" 1t
is no fault of Germany's if this is not yet
clearly understood by other nations, for
il has been patiently explained to them
over and over again, both before the war
and since. els the noble hand Of Shake,
speare fighting against us?" asked Herr
Oscar Schmitz in the early days of the
struggle. "Not at all; for Shakespeare
we have long conquered. He has long
been more a German than an English
poet"
The claim on Michelangelo and Rodin is
no less clear and reasonable. Prussia Is
out for place in the sun, and what nat
ure has not granted must be taken, even
as Shakespeare was taken. Your modern
/ Prussan has an Unsuitable thirst for art !;
! he is the most industrious collector on
earth, the most painstaking student Of
painting and sculpture, the most eager
imitator Of all the newest fashions. Only,
unfortunately, the gods have denied him
the painters gift, and his laborious efforts
in sculpture end in such distressing re-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
The Italian Reverse
1t Will Unity the Nation and Increase
Military Efficiency

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir; Now that the hysteria over the Italian
reyorses has about subsidized, let US take Sc
r;ous view of the situation and its posi-
bilities. No one denies the value Of Italy as
factor in the war, not even the Germans
We all know what efforts she took, what in
ducements she offered Italy in return for her
absolute neutrality. LTtala Irredenta. long
coveted. was to be the prize for her alignment
with the descendants of Attila and GenserIc.
But those who shaped the destinies of Italy
knew the ultimate choice which their land
must make.
The entrance of the Germans into France
caused calamity, but not so much as when
they began to approach Paris with an almost
certain prospect OF taking it. When the
French realized that once again their beloved
Paris was TO fall into the hands of the Huns
they came to their true senses as TO what
they had to contend with. And Catholic,
Protestant, Jew and atheist, as well as Royal
ist and Republican, joined hands with one
solemn bent, that Of repelling the invader.
The result was the Marine!
Italy had not been entirely unit as to
this war. Let US not labor under any deIu-
sion on that score. The Socialists viewed the
matter in the usual light, tie Clercals were
somewhat on the fence in some matters, and
those Italians who had profited by the Ger
man exploitation of Italian industries were
none too keen to have Italy get into the fray.
All Of these divided elements had to disap-
near or Italy was TO be at the mercy OF the
Germans sooner or later. The German prop
uganda in Italy would have only one result
for Italy-defeat and humiliation. Was 1t
~ be?
Let not Americans of Italian extraction
nor the Italians in the United States who are
still subjects of Italy feel that the United
States or its allies are blind to Italy's urgent
needs. They have been So perhaps, but the
public is not always informed of the reasons
for many apparent neglects and will not be
until diplomacy is an open book. As chair
man OF the Italian committee on the Liberty
Loan in this district, ! am in position to
know to what extent the Italians have re-
sponded to the appeal Of this country for
support Of its financial programme. And the
response from Italians has come not from
citizens alone but from aliens. who knew that
in aiding the United States they were aiding
their beloved Italy and her allies in their
fight for humanity and democracy.
Let us not despair. The Italians are united
in Italy, and the Italians of the United States
will be all the more united in the sacred bond
Of sympathy for the land which gave them
birth They will support their adopted land
With renewed vigor. Let US remember that,
as in the days OF its youth, "LTtalia fara da
re-" Italy knows It's part and let us have no
doubts on the score that IL will give good
account Of itself. LUIGI CRISCUOLO.
New York, Nov. 10, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21

with collectors of war relief funds. The
public gives generously, thoughtlessly.
Whether the collector be conscientious,
devoted worker or a crook most glvers
have no idea and no means of finding out.
This, Of course. is not new condition; 1t
is merely vastly accentuated by the war
and the desire of the public TO do Its bit,
giving some money wherever and when
ever possible.
In all probability war relief would get
on lust as well. and swindlers and crooks
be baked to a large extent, if the public
generally mingled little caution with
generosity. Few of the large and trust
worthy relief agencies countenance pro-
miscuous collection of coins in tin cups as
a means of raising funds for their work
OF course, not all agencies which collect
money in that way are unworthy. Neither
are the promoters of all fairs and bazaars
amateurs or crooks. But there is so large
= proportion of sharpers around, so many
small groups of relief workers are un-
economic in the sense of producing little
relief for the investment, that it behooves
The person who wants his dollar to do as
much good as it can be made to do to DO
mighty careful where it goes. There is
need in the vast field for every dollar
every American pocket can yield. When
given it must work its hardest in order to
meet that need There is the greater rea-
son. therefore, for each individuals using
some care TO make certain that his gifts
are not going where they will be stolen or
wasted. And there is the greatest need
for action by the authorities, so far as
they have power. to apprehend the crooks
and erect bars against the we'll meaning
but mschevous incompetents who solicit
mnnnN.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
a True Story

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Concerning the mooted question. TO
knit or not TO knit" may tell you story
Not long ago three soldiers, stricken with
pneumonia while in camp, were hurried to
hospital in an adjacent town. This hospital,
like so many others, was equipped mainly
with Canadian nurses-splendidly strong
young women, and bit formidable as to
size.
During convalescence the soldiers we're
made much of by the other patients and were
completely QUILTED with knitted garments.
Several Of the soldiers comrades called upon
them, one of them a small and timid youth.
An unuttered wish trembled upon his lips, but
he dared not utter it in the presence OF the
Canadian amazons. Finally he had the good
fortune TO encounter small and kindly
looking nurse. Her he approached and to
her he mustered courage to put the question
that had been vexing him:
Say. nurse. how sick does a fellow have TO
be to get a sweater?'
Can you imagine the sequel TO this true
story? NJ. v W.
New York, Nov. 10, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Sedition in the Schools

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: | most heartily agree with the letter
of William T, Hornaday on the schools, which
appears in The Tribune Of to-day.
The Board of Education has been long suf-
fering and slow to anger, but now that it has
taken action it should have the support Of
every right thinking man and woman in this
city. If any fault is to be found with the
board it is that its action has been too long
delayed
There are hundreds of men in the prisons
of this country whose moral transgressions
were not as great as those Of teachers who
poison the minds of youth and that is evil
IDENTIFY what a number of the teachers have
been doing.
agree that this is great opportunity for
the loyal teachers to show their hands. II is
in their power not only TO assist the Board
of Education, but likewise to do a great
public service +. +.
New York Nov. 20, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Too Great Leniency
Over Gentleness With Spies and
Aliens Breeds Mob Justice

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The matter of zones for alien
enemies has been tried and found to be a
farce. Yet it is to be tried again.
How long before the Administration real
ICES that an individual too dangerous to be
Permitted within certain area is too dan
gerous TO be at large?
Every alien enemy as soon as identified
should be informed to work for the country
during the war, his property confscated and
after the war he should be returned to his
country of origin.
We have recently read a dispatch from
Washington saying "the War and Navy de-
partments desire 10 avoid the drastic penal
ties provided in army and navy regulations
for some offences during a state of war.
J he penalty of death is prescribed for some.
Il is the policy of the Administration TO go
as slowly as possible toward such drastic
action"
We have also read a speech recently de-
livered, which stated, IL have been very
much disturbed, my fellow citizens, by some
Of the things that have happened recently.
The mob-spirit is displaying itself here and
there in this country | respect the
ancient processes of justice"
"The ancient processes OF justice" demand
the instant execution Of spies during state
of war We are at war with a crafty and
vile enemy. and We shall be false TO our
trust if we do not use every weapon at our
command to defend over here all our men
who have gone to the front. L. r.
New York, Nov. 10. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Savings for Men

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Thinking of the millions OF women
who have undertaken 20 help in food saving, |
would urge this as good pledge for men:
Not to spend any money for alcohol, for
tobacco or for new clothes during the war
and to encourage with cheerful commenda-
ton those who try to cook cornmeal, potatoes
and oatmeal in various ways TO take the
place of wheat and meat. For sugar we can
remember that physiologically. with pleasant
good mature dness, most of our food sweet
ems as we taste it in our eating. Those who
use tobacco should stop its use, for they
patronize and encourage an enormous waste.
The tobacco plant is very difficult to start
growing and it exhsusts the fertility OF land
as hardly any other crop. It's manufacture
into cigars is very unhealthy for the work
men. Its use certainly gives no nourishment
and is decidedly injurious to the nerve CEN
tres, especially those controlling heart action
and sight. The labor and money for produc-
ing and selling to the consumer this years
tobacco crop in the United States could have
doubled the potato yield or made good the
shortage Of wheat.
FREDERICK PRESTON.
Brooklyn, Nov. IL, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Venice

Down from the Alps with flame and sword
There comes devastating horde
Upon Venctia's plain.
With torches snatched from Louyain's
pyre
The Hun proclaims his fierce desire,
And Venice writhes in pain.
Bride Of the Sea. respondent, fair,
Standing in marbled beauty there,
She rues her shameful fate,
Nor hopes to move by beauty's plea
The band that Scared her spouse, the
Sea,
With murder, stealth and hate.
Before the onslaught of the Hun
Old landmarks crumble, one by one,
Where helpless breasts are barred
The treasured tokens of mans art,
Or holy affairs of his heart
Naught beautiful is spared.
Must genius truckle thus to might?
Must beauty vanish from mans sight!
Does Earth move backward then?
Not while the planets move to laws,
Not while there lives primal Cause;
No! Not while faith breeds men!
When Winter rushes from his lair
His ruthless blasts may rend and tear
The blossom on the hill;
But that same stalk shall breast the snow
Till Summer suns again shall show
That God loves beauty still.
The Hun may kill, the Hun may rend,
His little space of power will end;
The world will pass him by.
And from the ashes whence he flies
New hopes, new monuments shall rise
Where Faith shall see through Valor's
eyes
That beauty cannot die.
STANLEY ]. QUINN.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
A Shivering Soldier
,ditor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: It is somewhat disconcertlng 10 os
women who have spent many hours ana coz
siderable money in providing and msHal
knitted garments for the army and navy
read the news printed in yesterdays In0.
une, quoted from Secretary OF war os'.'
and Secretary of the Navy Daniels, tnst 'a'.
things are superhuous and not needea' Du'
that il is probably good thing for the io,e
women who sit on hotel porches 70 "hn'
away their time with such harmless ANUS
meRt. -.
Word comes from the boys themse'.s
who are not fortunate in having mother "
sweetheart or woman relative 10 mlhis'e,
their comfort, of how sweater, mO.s,
or a pair of wrstlets would be godseho y
their already shiyerng bodies; let'er ~'
been received by me from one OF inc ivy.
"over there" He says: "1t is getting 's -.
cold here; the things which you so AHa';
knitted for me have not arrived YET anu
am shivering around like lost SOUL no-
en-, don't let that article deter you nv"
continuing to do your good work; tSN -
the boys themselves and see how sppree@
tive they will be of your efforts IN ther ~
half.
Secretary of War Baker and Secretary "
the Navy Daniels have not got 70 face hsn~
ing in the trenches, nor be on picket oss
in the biting cold at a. m. II IT IS true ~
Congress would have appropriated 70 "
Gent funds to provide woollen articles
they been considered necessary, nv,
boys, be all the more grateful 20 the 'nos,
sands of sympathetic women who intulu"n
know your needs, and are hardly entitea y
the unappreciaton as shown by the hssu
the War Department. H. o -
New York Nov Is. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Settling Down
That beauty cannot die.
STANLEY j. QUIN

The crisis in British politics has fol-
lowed the course of most previous crises
Of this sort. There is always a close re-
semblance between a political crisis In
British public life and the old "three-
decker" novel that Mr.. Kipling celebrates.
Whatever happens in the early and middle
CHAPTERS, the last chapter invariably sees
everything amicably settled, without casu-
alties and with little surviving bitterness.
Mr.. LLOYD George has faced his critics.
He has met the enemy and once more they
are his.
Probably the main explanation Of Mr..
Lloyd Georges success will be found In
the fact that the House of Commons that
heard him heard Mr.. Asquith also, and
realized that for the time being, at least,
they were condemned TO choose between
these two men. British domestic politics
IS not matter of concern for America.
Yet it is worth remarking that return
Of Mr. Asquith to power would have about
the same connotation for the American
public that the return of Mr.. Bryan to
the State Department would have for the
people of the British Isles.
In Great Britain and in France Cabinet
crises have been settled in a fashion which
seems to the American mind an evidence
Of renewed determination TO continue the
war and Of growing appreciation of the
reed both Of greater effort at home and
q more complete cooperation abroad. The
programme which Mr.. Lloyd George laid
down in the celebrated Paris speech
which came very near being notorious
las been Endorsed by VI. Clemenceau and
follows the lines indicated by President
Wilson's message to Mr.. House. We are
going to have some kind Of getting to-
gether of the general stats of the nations
at war. We are going TO have some kind
Of mutual cooperation in the making Of
plans, and in advance Of campaigns we
are going 10 have an agreement as to
where the main effort shall be made.
More than this it is quite unlikely that
we shall get in the present war. Even
when coalition had supreme general,
ss in the case Of Marlborough, the nations
whose armies he commanded in the field
devoted large part OF their energy To
hanpering him and transforming hi,
triumphs into moderate successes.
No one will pretend that this war ha,
as yet on the Allied eide produced a figure
comparable with Marlborough. At tn,
present moment Petsin is the most con
spicuous soldier ON the Allied side, and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21

suits as the Siegesalee. He is Obliged
therefore, to look abroad, and who can
blame him for fastening on Rodin as his
own?
When the Prussian economist Professor
Werner Sombart says "No nation can give
Us anything in art that we could not
easily dispense with" he means of course
that no nation can give what Germany has
already won by the monopoly OF the
worlds art.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Why, Indeed ?

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Can you inform me why it is impossi-
bic to purchase rye meal or rye four and
Why it has been equally impossible to pro-
cure loose oatmeal? We have been told to
use both these cereals The last rye meal
bought was 10 cents a pound and the only
loose oatmeal procurable. am told, is i'm
ported and IS cents pound After asking
for the latter repeatedly | am to-day, for the
first time. able to purchase loose oatmeal,
but the rye is unattainable.
f. b. PETERS.
Brooklyn, Nov. 10, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Irving Ii on the Soldiers

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Judging by the music progrsm,.,,,
from the various camps, our boys have oess
martyrdom long ere they reaen IS !,
Each amateur vocalist seems suddens
veloped in patriotism since audiences
York City are not so easily assemoieul
oially now with war tax on eompr"I
tsries." A debut must be obtained, ano
the poor soldiers.
New York, Nov 10, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Kamr and Boche
Erom IN. London OutlooLl

There is a proyerb to the effect that no
white man can ever understand a Kafir's
spirit; nevertheless, given kindness and pa
tent understanding and freed from German
rule, the natives OF the late German pro-
tectorates are capable OF developing into a
happy and responsive people. source of
strength and not danger to their white neigh
bors, once fair dealing has caused them to
discard the mstrust sown by Prussian
"frightfulness" and disingenuousness.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Food Fairy Tales

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In Saturdays issue there is letter
beaded, "Where Does 1t Co" speaking OF
Sugar and would like to add, "Who gets
it?" Here in the upper part of Brooklyn
/ have not been able 70 get any for a
month. And eggs, Millions OF them taken
from cold storage. yet We pay so cents
for best and So cents for seconds. Person
ally, | am tired of such fairy tales.
Brooklyn, Nov. Is, 1917. JANE FORD.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
What's the Answer

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: So il seems that Austrians sfo
"enemy aliens" They can so anywhere, v
in munition factories, docks or shipyss,I
protected by Law. And We cannot se,'e tn :,
goods or money. And the same VITA
or Bulgsrians. What's the answer 100
JOSEPH d. HOLhL'
New York, Nov. 10, 1917.