davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Suffrage d Menace?
.itor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The letter in this mornings Tribune
by Miss Dorman, headed Suffrage Menace" y
demands an answer.
When Miss Dorman says that woman SUI
frage would be a menace 70 the nation she
is either giving the lie TO all the experience
OF the countries at war or she is saying that
American women have less patriotism, less
courage and less ability than the women Of
England, France, Germany or Russia.
There have been columns published in The
Tribune about the patriotic work of English
women and telling how man after man, for
mery an opponent of woman suffrage, has
been converted because OF the active and
efficient work Of women in defence OF the
nation
England is about to give the vote TO her
women; Canada, at war and with the votes
OF her soldiers. has already done so; in
France the Chamber Of Deputies has just
announced that the municipal vote will be
given to women at once; in 1915 Denmark,
surrounded by war. gave the vote 10 all her
women, stating officially that the country
needed the active support of all it's people,
both men and women; Russia is said to be
suffrage; it is recognized even in Germany
that the country could not have carried on
the war without the help Of German women
in every part of the nation.
Since this is universally acknowledged to
be true Of all the countries already engaged
in the conflict, any one who still argues that
woman suffrage in the United States is a
menace is everlastingy insulting the women
Of this country Probably Miss Dorman
would feel the insult herself if any one said
that her vote was a danger to her country
In arguing as she does she probably thinks
that she herself is the one exception and
that she is more patriotic and efficient than
other women are. Suffragists know that this
is not true.
The women Of the United States are
as courageous and patriotic as men or else
they are not fitted to be the mothers Of men.
GERTRUDE FOSTER BROWN.
New York, April 10. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
can Aggressive Sea Policy"

1t is predicted by the military CORE
spondent Of the "Basler Nachrichten" that
our entrance into the war will sooner or
later lead to a revival of an aggressive
sea policy against Germany" and he pro-
ceeds to speculate on the likelihood of "a
gigantic battle which will put the Darda-
nelles fight in the shade
This is an interesting speculation. but 1t
is not quite clear upon what reasons 1t is
founded. 1t is obvious, indeed. that the
destruction Of the enemy's feet is among
the most desirable Of the possible condl-
lions Of complete victory, and that the
task should be accomplished as thoroughly
AS at Trafalgar or Quiberon Bay. This
truth has been recognized from the first
and above all. as is natural, in Great
Britain. THE price may be our own
navy" said Professor Spenser Wilkinson
in the early days Of the war. 1--WE must
not grudge it. The purpose Of our navy's
existence is to destroy the enemy's navy
But to speak of "a revival of aggres
sion is misleading. inasmuch as there is no
reason TO suppose that there has been any
relaxation of the original naval policy It
is true that the British navy has been
tainted, especially in the German press, on
the score of inaction and passivity. Only
the other day Captain Persius was telling
his readers that Beatty, no less than Car
son. had failed to satisfy the hopes placed
in him, and he predicted that IAN offensive
strategy" would never be used until those
in authority were convinced that the sub
marine menace could not be overcome by
"the feeble, mainly passive, and thorough
" inadequate means adopted"
The manifest truth is, however, that
such an enterprise as Mr.. Churchll's cele-
brated gamble on gigantic scale would
be difficult to Justify in the conditions that
have hitherto prevailed. Amateur strate
gists," said Sir Edward Carson recently,
ARE always impatient and amateur strate-
gists are always ready for gamble. tell
you we cannot afford to gamble with our
fleet When you hear and read of men
processing that they are able to teach the
navy what they ought TO do and what they
ought not to DO remember that to gamble
with our fleet. If the gamble fails, would
be the end of your empire; whereas, if the
Germans like TO gamble with their fleet it IS
not even the end of the war
The only supposition upon which huge
gamble of the Dardanelles type could be
justified at the moment is, therefore. that
our navy is sufficiently strong TO provide
satisfactory margin Of safety. Since that
is highly questionable, there IS no good
reason 10 expect marked change at sea.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Enlist Farmers

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your cartoon in Mondays issue show
ing the American farmer in battle array
against the hunger Of the world is full Of
wisdom and presents the serious question,
How is the army Of the American farmer TO
be recruited?
own a farm and know something OF the
scarcity Of farm labor.
II the United States issues a call for volun-
teers, will not the mind OF the farmer boy in
voluntarily turn to the Minute Men Of 1I75,
who LEFT their ploughs, took down their rifles
and fought the battles of Concord and Lex
ington? VIII he not think that the only way
to show patriotism is TO leave his home and
carry d gun at the front? History shows
that the people and the laws Of a succeeding
generation revere mostly those men Of for
mer day who fought, bed and died for their
country.
This war will be won when we'll fed troops
drive hunger and starvation into the camp OF
the enemy.
Let the farmer boys be enlisted on terms
Of relative equality during the war with the
soldier boys and be detailed TO work on farms
near their homes.
Give the farmer boy some government rec
IGNITION, so that when the war is over his
record is as good officially as that Of the boy
who had the glory and excitement at the
front. CHAS. L. KINGSLEY
New York, April 10, 1911
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16

tage the entire strength Of the nation yet
without sacrificing the spirit OF democracy
We must present TO the enemy an aoso-
lutely united front. yet without SURRENDER
ing the independence Of personal Judgment
We must keep an eye open not only Tor
dislovaltv in our nudst. hut also for those
who. either as reactionaries or professional
reformcrs. come in the name OF patriot
ism with an "axe to grind for their own
interests. Our patriotism Is our national
salvation. and we must save IT from that
paranoia and softoning of the brain which
have long sought to cheaper the whole
emotional life Of the American public.
Patriotism must be effectively directed
toward rational ends. We must make 1t
impossible henccforth for quacks to find an
easy path to leadership and public favor
by fattery Of special groups among our
people or by sensationalism, misrepre-
sentation and exaggeration.
This war is neither Mary Pickford
movie" nor a Harold Bell Wright novel.
It is battle Of the peoples against an UNI
scrupulous and brutal Machayellianism;
it is a test Of the brain power Of freemen.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
How to Hang the Flag

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: VIII you have the kindness to 80
through your columns the following qussss
as to the proper method Of displaying .
colors when not run up on a STAFF
A contends that when the flag is hung 3
against wall. with the stripes ruisz
horizontally, the union, or blue field. sh'i'
be in the upper lefthand corner, and rs
when hung with the stripes perpehdie.f
the union should be in the upper rghia''
corner.
B AYERS that in the latter case the w
should appear in the upper lefthand eefs
while c insists that there is no rue
precedent governing the matter.
STARS AND sTRlPE
New York, April 10, 1917.
There are no official regulations gc's''
ing the position Of the flag except wh'' I
is flown from a staff. There appears I
be, according to The Army and NT
journal of April IA. a growing custon 1
hanging the flag against walls, etc, "
relation to the points Of the compass =
union being either to the north or TO >
east.-Ed.l
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Prisoners as Messengers
,d;tnr OF The Tribune.

To N. Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t has been stated at different times
that the German people were not aware OF
what was taking place outside OF Germany
,xcept what news the Kaiser and his imme-
diate associates wished to have published.
Has i, ever occurred TO you that one pos
sibe way Of giving the German people AnowI-
edge Of what has taken place. and for what
the Entente and now the United States are
f ghting-i. e., the overthrow OF the German
government and not the German people
would be for the Entente 70 release about
one hundred thousand or so OF the German
prisoners and help them to return 70 their
native land, without giving them any instruc-
tions or requiring any promises from them
in regard 70 their future actions.
The knowledge that these prisoners have OF
what has actually transpired in the world
outside OF Germany would be sufficient, II
circulated throughout their own country, to
awaken enough people to cause the overthrow
OF the Hohenzollerns.
II by any chance this plan has not as yet
been thought Of. and you think it is at all
feasible, use your own good judgment in for
warding it to the proper authorities.
d. A. REINBRECHT.
N.u yoyL Anril 1qi7
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
The Deserted Soil
The Nations Present iardships Due
TO Rush TO Cities

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Americans arc hard TO be convinced
OF certain facts unless they affect them IN
the pocketbooks. The prevailing uncaIled Tor
high cost Of commodities now IS causing
much discomfort. a nations backbone IS us
agricultural work This has been in the last
twenty wears neglected 20 almost the Grim
insl degree. Our population is So per cent
urban the country boys and girls nave all
focked TO the cities and towns.
This has caused millions OF productive
acres to lie idle. The abuse Of freedom ana
liberty and tho disease Of Wallingfordla arc
mainly responsible Not until laws with pen
atics attached and government officials VINO
will execute said laws and penalties come
into vogue will VIC be spared the slght OF
nation Of lo0,OOO,O0O being plunged INTO
bankruptcy and starvation. Country tolKs
should be protected and encouraged to stay
there and not crowd into the urban centres
and displace city workers IN city occupations.
City folks are not fitted BY nature or neces-
sity 10 perform country work Japan WIN
50, 100000 has So per cent agricultural work
crs Other countries are likewise situated
and are on a sounder basis than We
Immense manufacturing plants are not the
prop Of a nation or country nelther are
cities from C.O00 600 to $4,000 conducive TO
the national welfare. Agricultural commu-
mites kept in hourshng conditions are the
solution 10 the present evil. Producers must
be protected by law against unscrupulous
conscicnceless manipulatOrs Of the fruits OF
the soil 1t must be felony. accompanied
by Imprisonment, for any one or combination
of persons to dictate what the producer snail
get for his labor and Investment IN ms SOIL
The Transportation companies must he made
20 give the small producer the same rates 10
ship his stuGs 10 the city markets and the
public m general az the fellow who has large
tracts Of land to work. Then and only them
will the agricultural folks be in position TO
realize on their labors and the city folks TO
get produce at proper rates.
Having one branch Of my family IN
Northwestern state and another branch IN
Southern state, and having sojourned in botn
localities long enough time, can speak WIN
precision on this topic. Between railroad
charges and soulless spectators and market
commission men (whO should be IN JAIL IL
g no wonder country property is IDLE ana IN
productive and no one can be had 20 till our
many acres OF land that under proper gov
eminent care could support a population Of
300 100000 and at prices 90 per cent
lower than now obtain. It - my earnest
hope that our government Will now ener-
getically pass laws to be kept, and thus pre-
vent us going into food bankruptcy.
?. FREDERICK LOESER.
Maspeth. y. y, April 10, 1917
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Unorganized Policing

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: One can scarcely follow the trend Of
world events in these days without being
and civil problems of single state or COM
munty the difficulties OF the whole world
have become.
We have running amuck in the world
breaker of international and moral law and
a disrupter Of the peace Of all mankind The
nations contiguous TO the renegade have been
striving desperately for thirty-odd months 70
quel the disturbance Distant nations. be-
lieving themselves not Immediately concerned,
have been simply watching. Almost daily the
representatives Of one or another. faring past
on business bent have been sugged by one
Of the fighters.
Now the consciousness seems to be dawn
ing on the peoples of all the Outstanding coun-
tries at once that the knitting and brass
knucklc work is all being perpetrated from a
single small but powerful source. The peo-
pie Of our own country, slow TO anger, have
at last started out 10 get the bandit, and
in the days news we learn that Cuba Pan
ANA. Brazil and even mayhap Mexico are
buckling on their "bilies' and getting their
reyolyers. The unanimity Of world sentiment
became marked some time ago: now It looks
very like unanimty Of action.
As yet all this is more or less unorganized,
but cannot help comparing IL with a little
bit Of organized policing witnessed at the
Barge Office at the Battery the other evening.
trough" started something up on the plat
form Of the elevated. There are three or
more stairways up to this particular plat
form, which adjons the Staten Island Ferry,
and IN no time at all there were brass but
tons with sticks in hand bounding up in all
directions and the fuss was over
How soon will the world have its interna-
tonal police force comparing in efficiency
with the able organization under Commits
sioner Woods, and will there not be some
one in the congress Of the nations sure to
follow the world war able 10 start and put
through this measure OF insurance against
ell war? BARRETT SMITH
Boston, Mass, April :. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Pining for the Soil

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: was brought up in the COUNTY, !,
was my husband and our son. Nothing ~
please US more than summer on -,
where we could raise potatoes, yege"-
milk cows and care for chickens. ! ho1'-
believe We could render efficient help N =
batting the food shortage. but We are SCI.
in the city. We pay our way from n..
TO month. but have no reserve OF or,
with which TO move into the country pH ~
and provide food while a garden IS g'V.-
ard when we leave the city our income ~
II we could find a place where eovD -
entire charge Of the housework ard GU
could put in full time on A farm we -.
gladly do 50. My husband Is too Cd !"
slant work. but could be Of materisl
ance in many ways. II would mean CIV,
place where the wife has died and "s
owner is left with no one 10 care io' a., u
che where the farm could be "o'I' u
shares, with no rent 70 be paid o'' OH''
land produces it. .~ptof
New York, April Il, 1917 PAlN'''
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Exempt Men with Dependent,

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir; From an economic point OF view the
order Of the War Department for the release
Of married men with dependents from the
National Guard should apply whether they
are to receive salaries from their employers
or not
In actual fighting the number Of men killed
would be enormous, and naturally on their
demise their salaries would cease, leaving the
dependents charge on the state for years
after the war had ended
All men with dependents should. as in
Europe, be called to the colors last when the
draft comes WM. J. ROTH.
New York, April o, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
The Mind of the Nation at War

More attention should be paid to the
modifying of the national mind. How can
this nation mobilize successfully its mill
tarv and industrial resources unless its
citizens think right-unless public opln-
ion is responsive to new ideas and Is will
ing and able to learn the lessons of recent
events in the worlds history? There is
degree of mental preparedness in the pres
ent high pitch Of loyalty AID patriotic
fervor. Such devotion is the minimum de-
manded of every one. But mere good in
tcntions are not enough. The time has
come when citizens must do some clear
headed thinking for their country.
Germany is hoping that we shall proceed
with the war in the manner of the "idiotic
Yankees" which Won Papen considered
US; that we shall cling to our old prefer
ence for a volunteer army, waste time with
sentimental Roasting and laundering eX-
element, and begin the war with series
Of tragic mistakes which will give our enc
mics at least temporary advantage of us.
Germany must and will be dsillusioned.
And to that end Americans must first dis
illusion themselves. The Kaiser does not
intend to sit down and wait until the Amer
lean people gain comprehensive notion OF
what this war means to Us.
The sooner we develop the habit of look
ing strange, hard facts squarely in the face
the better it will be for US. Public opinion
must renounce its traditional illusions Of
easy optimism. aloofnesS and false sense Of
security. 1t must settle down with grim
determination TO real mans task. It
must accustom itself 70 certain restraints
and irksome duties which war always
makes necessary. We must abandon the
hysteria. obscurantism and cheap parti-
sanship with which we have often been
accustomed to deal with public questions.
We must put a premium upon intelligent
leadership as never before. The day Of
the professional agitator. the doctrinaire,
the poseur and dealer in broad generaliza-
tons is over in this country. This is no
time for the man with the parochial out
look Americans must learn to think in
terms Of world problems.
We are going TO avoid, If possible,
repetition Of that kind of panic and con-
fusion Of tongues in which our energies
are wasted in mutual recrimination, such
as England had to pass through in 1918,
or that which bcfel our own nation in the
dark days Of the Civil War.
We must socialize for military advsn-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Well Done. Canada

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR Thank you for your splendid editorial
"Well Done, Canada" appearing in yester-
days issue. Too great praise cannot be given
her. To those Of US not Canadians who
have long looked with admiring eyes and
with some envy, as you say, upon her
your editorial is doubly graft
flying. May it not be long before we stand
beside her! H. II. Robe.
Cleveland, Ohio, April II, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Conflicting Sentiments

The tornado Of 1S4S burst over Europe, bat
to what issue? In February the Republic
was established in Paris without struggle,
and France from end to end accepted the re-
suit. In June the republican government
fought, and fought seriously, insurrectionists
il. the same city Of Paris, and set UP a die
tator to restore order.
When this was practically accomplished
and elections came 20 be held the diversity
Of opinions among Frenchmen became mani
fest. 1t soon appeared that not a few
we're not enthusiastic about any change, and
again, that not few had something more
than a lurking admiration OF military glory
and we're aattered by the suggestion of hav-
ing a Bonaparte at the head of affairs. Ihere
was as yet no appearance of devotion TO Louis
Napoleon. who had to clear himself from a
certain cloud of ridicule, and 1t may be sur
missed that if Guzot had been less unbendlng
IN opposition to progressive reform, and
Louis Philippe had gratlfied his countrymen
with a little more military display, an Or
leanist dynasty might have held its own for
some time against all corners. Nothing, how
ever, is more idle than specializing upon what
might have been. The first elections that
DiOQENt LOUIS NdpOIcOu INV plOih'iiN'NN W. =
certainly free from improper influences; and
l. for one feel bound to admit, despite the Crime
Of December, that it was a nation he had
satisfied and was satisfying that advanced
him. step by step. to the elevation of En-
peror He amused them with elections. he
was sufficiently lavish Of splendor, and his
military diversions were not very costly, and
rot as yet failures. The republican out
break of 1S4S was, however, undone, and re-
publicans again took their turn as refugees
in a foreign land. The Italian collapse was
even more depressing. Lombardy remained
with Austria, to which Venice reverted; King
Bomba was reestablished in Naples and
Sicily; the Pope returned to Rome; the grand
duke lived once again in his old fashion over
against Casa Guidi; only Victor Emmanuel re-
NAMED with a semblance OF constitutional
government in Piedmont, waiting for the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Identify Those Rejected but "'i'''

To the Editor Of The Tribune. rs
Sir: A great many young men, a.. ~
say number Of young women 'l'o $50, =
offered their services 20 the go'e' TT ~ y
for some reason have been reJee"1 4, n
medical examiners How are they -
,inguished from the "slaekers' Is 70 !. .ss
10 be condemned because the ness a.. ~
When any young man or woman V.sosn y
vices at a recruiting Office eseA - 80
PRESENTED with some sort OF s" -. 40
or button to distinguish them fro" INV
kneed variety. ,-..,, ar, :
Unless some measures o. lue"',. Linz Z
tablished the "slackers' VIII DC
the armament Of rejected heroes oy.Hax
WILLIAM 4. NoSAh"
Brooklyn, April IL, islL
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16

You can purchase merchandise advertised
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TRIBUNE guarantees 70 pay your money PACK
upon request. No red tape. No clubbing. we
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