davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-04-06

FTuSs'dn EHH''tJ oH0wH'
even in checking these things and
trying to eXtirpate them We have
sought to put the most generous inter
pretation possible upon them, because
we know that their source lay, not in
any hostile feeling or purpose OF the
German people towards us twhc were
no doubt as ignorant of tnem as we
ourselves were), hut only in the self
Ssh designs OF government that dit
what il pleased and told its people
nothing. But they have played their
part in serving to convince us at last
that the government entertains no
real friendship for us, and means to
act against our peace and security
at its convenience. That II means 10
stir up enemies against us at our very
doors the Intercepted note to the Ger
man minister at Mexico City Is elo'
Quent evidence.
''Wc are accepting this challenge OF
hostile purpose because we know that
in such government following such
methods, we can never have friend.
and that in the presence OF its organ
lied power. always lying In wait u
accomplish we know not what pur-
pose, there can be no assured secur.
ity for the democratic governments
of the world. We are now about 10
accept gage Of battle with this natural
foe TO liberty and shall II necessary
expend the whole force OF the nation
to check and nullify Its pretensiona
and power The world must be made
safe for democracy. Its peace must
be planted upon the tested tounda
tiops OF political liberty. We have nc
selfish ends TO serve. We desire No
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-04-06

Aong Controversy With Germany
Over Submarine Operations Review
ed at Length and imperial Govern
ment Severely Arraigned-Presi-
dent Makes II Clear That No Action
Is Being Taken Against Other Con-
-traI Powers.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
Others Editorials
THE WAY THROUGH THE
NEEDLES EYE.

La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press ]
The supposed insurmountable OBJ
stacles in the rich mans path toward
heaven enga ged the attention of Phil
adelphia clergyman recently. He men.
toned several OF the richest Americans
by name and declared that If they
don't repent they will go to perdition
AS quoted in the news columns, he said
further: 'As soon as men get up in
the world and gather to themselves
riches and automobiles they forget how
to pray. A hog can't look upward until
he Is knocked over on his back. A good
mnay people are like the hog in this
respect. They forget God n their
prosperity, but adversely makes them
remember their Creator"
However, the trouble is not the ac-
tual possession of great riches but the
state of mind and heart to which such
possession do not necessarily lead but
too often do lead AS wealth is not a
crime and poverty not virtue, heaven
can not be closed by riches per Sc nor
be opened by mere poverty, for all the
inspired writer's pointing the way thith-
er have declared that the door is open
ed only to souls purified by life OF
resistance to evil. Poverty can not
help the man who cherishes envy and
hatred nor riches bar the man who
docs justice and loves mercy"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
ALBA.

F.. Greenleaf OF Belle Plaine. Ia,
spent Tuesday evening in Abba.
Albert Mitchell OF Charlton was a
visitor here Tuesday.
Miss Dolly Ahrers WHO accompanied
Miss Wells home from Chicago. has
returned to her home in Atlantic, IL.
Mrs. Amy Miller Moore is visiting
her parents Mr.. and Mrs. Amos A!ller.
She lives near Clarissa, MINI.
H. ]. Cramer and Albert Iiollinss-
head have returned from an extended
trip to New York.
Margaret Young has returned to
Des Moines. She was called here by the
death Of Clayton Humphreys.
Peter Hammond has returned to
Satina. Ia, after visit at the N. c.
Hammond home.
Mrs. G. E. Nelson has returned from
Fairfield after few days visit at the
home of her daughter Mrs. Paul Trim
BILE.
Joe Lewis left for Ames where he
has accepted a position.
Mrs. ChaS. Schroeder will spend th1
week end In Oskaloosa.
Bill Stogel was recent visitor in
Oskaloosa.
Mr.. Williams Of Ottumwa was an
Abba business visitor yesterday.
Mr.. Morrow has returned from a
visit in Oskaloosa.
Frank Brigg after an extended visit
with relatives and friends in Abba has
returned to his home in Colorado.
Eddie Constant has returned from
Des Moines.
Richard R. Thomas, age %, Cincin-
natl, Ia, and Miss Kate Leek, age 10,
Cincinnati, applied for marriage
license yesterday.
Miss Ida McReynolds Of Kansas will
arrive in Abba for an indefinite visit
with Miss Bess Rotten.
Gale Scott has returned from bust
ness trip in Des Moines.
J. l.. Yates is in Centerville on bust
ness this week
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
AGENCY.

Mrs. Candy Of Bloomfield is visiting
at the home of her daughter Mrs. o. C.
Shadford.
Clyde Jones is home from Iowa City
to spend the week end.
Chester Long of Omaha is visiting at
the Jesse Ankrom home.
The Rev. Mr. Winters of Oregon gave
church Tuesday and Wednesday even
ings, concerning his work as pioneer
missionary on the frontier.
John Yeager made business trip to
Des Moines Thursday where he at
tended the automobile show.
The Ladies' Aid Of the Christian
church held supper at the church
Thursday evening, February %.
Mrs. Jane kitterman visited recently
with friends in Ottumwa.
Mrs. Marcella McHugh who has been
a patient at the Ottumwa hospital for
the past three weeks has returned
home.
Miss Leila KILLER visited at the pa
rental E. w. KILLER home this week.
Rev NJ. D. Cox and Rev. Winters
visited the high school Wednesday
teresting talk to the high school
Circle No. of the ladies' Aid So
ciety was entertained Tuesday p. m. at
the home Of Mrs. VIM Foster.
The high school will hold county
fair at the town hall Saturday evening
February "a. Everybody is invited to
attend. Admission free.
c. v. Springer has purchased the
property of the late Mrs. Lydia Hum
bert.
j. NJ Sirles made business trim to
Birmingham Thursday.
Mrs. Clara Davis who fell last Friday
and broke her ankle is patient at the
Ottumwa hospital
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
HIGHLAND CENTER.

NJ. V. Meats Of Ottumwa was BUSH
ness caller here Tuesday.
Mrs. r. Caldwell Of Hedrick spent
Friday at the parental A. Estes home.
NJ. w Christie of Ottumwa was
business caller here Monday.
T. A Summers and 3. Jones were
passengers to Ottumwa Monday.
DR.. F. f. Lawson and Mrs. Lawson
Of Hedrick called at the J. P. Wyckoff
home Sunday.
l.. Sisco is on the sick list this week.
N. Baker transacted business in
Dahlonega Saturday.
Leo Smith of Cedar Rapids spent
Sunday at the H. Emery home.
Master Raymond Garrett who had
his limb broken by a colt kicking him
is resting easy and getting along nice
Iy.
W. Jones called at the r. Denny
home in Dahlonega Sunday.
Mrs. c. Boyd was in Ottumwa Sat-
urday.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. Henson Of Hayes
Vile spent Sunday at the parental w.
II. Grain home.
John Anderson of Hedrick moved
Mrs. NJ. Ragen's tenement house Mon
day from the south line of her farm to
the north line. Her son Ernest will oc-
cupy the house.
Mr.. and Mrs. o. c. Stevens enter
tanned a company OF relatives and
friends Sunday at their home near
Highland Center. Those present were
Mr.. and Mrs. II. Spilman, r. Kelsey
and family, A. Emery and family of
Highland Center and Rev. Victor
Blomquist of Mt. Pleasant.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27

so YOU are asking my daughters
hand in marriage?" said Mr.. Cashley.
well you must understand that my
daughter has always been accustomed
to all the luxuries of wealth"
Eyes, yes" replied the count, brist-
ling up. "Zat is what I am"
An attorney was consulted by q
woman desirious of bringing action
against her husband for divorce.
She related narrowing tale OF the
i'll treatment she had received at his
hands. So impressive was her recital
that the lawyer. for moment. was
startled out of his usual professional
composure.
From what you say this man must
be brute of the worst type!' he ex-
claimed.
The applicant for divorce arose and
with severe dignity. announced:
"sir, shall consult another attor-
ney. l came here to get advice as to
divorce, not to hear my husband
abused"
The visiting English merchant was
talking impressively to the American.
"In my firm" he said, 1.-The, clerks
use $4,000 gallons Of ink year"
"Your office is evidently nothing
compared with mine replied the
American. "Why. we saved that much
ink ,ast year by instructing our clerks
not to dot their Isl
Miss Wilcox had been giving the
class an elementary talk upon archi-
lecture.
Now" said she. '.can any one in
the class tell me what buttress is?"
Little Walter arose. his face beam
ing with a quick fash of intelligence.
81 know" he shouted, "a buttress is
a nanny goat"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27

for letting a battle fleet get through
the canal to meet an enemy. Beach
contends that hostile fleet could lie
in wait at the Pacific terminus Of the
canal and destroy an American fleet
as it steamed in single file out of the
canal, not even permitting the Ameri-
can fleet to assume battle formation.
That is serious Indictment of the
canal plan because the canal is no
good as means of national defense
If the battle fleet cannot get through
it in condition to give battle.
The whole aspect of the Pacific de-
lenses of the Panama canal is de-
scribed by Beach as follows:
Naval men speak of dead area
out of range of the guns on Naos, Peri
co and Flamenco islands, where a
heavily armed enemy ship could lie
while 1t smashed the new Balboa dry
dock, the Mirafores locks and perhaps
even the locks at Pedro Miguel.
"Nor is this the only, or perhaps the
greatest defect of the Pacific defenses.
There are others which, once explain
ed. induce wonder and profanity in the
layman.
Abreast of Balboa. the southern ter
minus of the canal and close to shore
we have fortified the three rocky islets
above named and as Notifications go
/ am assured that the world offers
nothing finer, but about eight miles
further out to sea and lying almost
athwart this entrance to the canal are
three larger and much higher islands
which would afford to an attacking or
blockading fleet protection against di-
rect fire. They form line of high
barricades with openings between, like
the embrasure in giant parapet,
through which an enemy could direct
his fire the while he exposed himself
only in passing from one shelter to
another
Furthermore, the prism of the canal,
l. e.. its dredged channel, extends some
1000 yards beyond our outerrnost fort
to deep water. This means that an
American fleet of war emerging from
the canal would, while in single col
umn, be under enemy fire for mile or
more before it could assume battle for
nation. In other words. each one OF
our ships in turn would be the target
of the enemy's concentrated fire for
the length of time required to steam
that distance. Disaster might well re-
suit from disadvantages less than this.
1--WE are at last moving to fortify
those outer islands. or one of them.
but here. too. no haste is apparent and
years will elapse before it is done"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
PANAMA UNDEFENDED.

Previous articles In this column,
based on indictments drawn by Rex
Beach, the author described two of the
most glazing weaknesses of the de-
lenses at the Panama canal II was.
pointed out that Gatun dam the key
stone of the canal. is in range OF bat
tleships that could lie out of range OF
the protecting forts. Likewise 1t was
shown that the Atlantic fleet, in going
through the canal. would be absolutely
at the mercy of few ships lying in
wait for them on the other side.
So we see that the canal is vulner-
able and that the fleet would be in
danger in emerging from it and now
we must add insult to injury, as it
were, and state that the land defenses
of the canal are weakness rather
than an asset. In fact, the canal de-
lenses make ideal points of attack.
The men who planned the defenses
If it can be said they were planned
conceived the idea that jungle
would be a good barrier against at
tack. so the canal zone was depopu-
lated and vegetation was encouraged
to run riot That is, all except around
the forts and dams and locks where
the jungle was cleared for distance
and made into grassy pastures behind
which systems Of trenches were dug.
Modern strategists have no fear
whatever of few miles Of jungle and
practice has demonstrated that infan-
try can move through jungles at
rapid rate and at less danger to them
selves than would be the case If there
were no jungle The jungle, therefore,
would aid rather than prevent an en-
envy approaching within rifle shot OF
the canal defenses and the vital organs
Of the waterway. 1t requires no mill
tary training to understand that in
this day and age. the canal would be
rendered absolutely useless and COM
pletely at the mercy of foe able to
get within rifle shot. The defenses OF
the canal would work very nicely
against American Indians armed with
bows and arrows, or against Zulus
armed with spears. but one piece of
modern ordnance, established within
rifle shot of the canal, would shoot the
dam to pieces in few minutes. The
cleared spaces serve only to make the
targets conspicuous.
The people Of this nation must see
to it that the land defenses of the
Panama canal include something more
dependable than the mosquitoes,
snakes and fevers that constitute the
terror Of a jungle.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
LITTLE BENNY's
NOTE BOOK
BY LEE PAPE
>>>>>>>>>>,
THE PARK AVE. NEWS.

Spoarts. Last Satidday- Sid Hunt
CHALLENGED champeen Skinny Martin
to game OF shinney, wich in the
middle OF 1t Sids shinney stick broak
and he ran in the house and got his
fathers umbreller and startid to keep
on playing with that, and jest as the
game was getting excitable Sids
father came along and saw wat he
was playing shinney with and he took
him in the house by the back Of the
neck, and Sid was not saw asen till
next day. saying he dident get lick
ing for it, but not awffering to prove
it.
Intristing Facks about Intristing
Peeple Sam Cross can draw almost
as good with his eyes shut as wat
he can with them open. neither way
being exter good.
SHORT STORY.
CRATE AND SMALL.
G., did you see the wind jest blow
the roof off Of that house!
Yes. Hay, wares your hat?
G, the wind must of blew that off.
to!
THE END.
SlSSlety Notes. MT. ,artle AllXan.
der was allowed to give small lem
minade and cake stag party last
Thersday mite in honor of getting good
for conduct on his report for the ferst
time this year. Everybody was very
pullite till Mr.. Persey Viewer got haff
way throo reciting The Chardge of the
Lite Brigade and then the party got
more informal.
Mr.. Sam Cross took Miss Mary Wat
kins to the movies last Friday eevning
looking very stuck up about it and
wunting to tip his hat to everybody
weather he knew them or not, but it
is stated that they only had 5 sent
seets.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
ELDON

Mrs. Will Phillips delightfully."- enter
tanned the Needlecraft club at her
home on Maple avenue Thursday after
noon. Miss Eula Mcclure was the in.
vited guest
Mr.. and Mrs. John Wise are both
quite sick this week.
Mesdames Will Phillips and Orlando
Hendricks will entertain the Needle
craft club and their husbands at the
Masonic hall this evening.
The most stunning social affair OF
the season was staged Thursday night
at the Moose hall by the G. G. T. dane.
Ing club, the event being Washington
masquerade ball. Fifty members and
guests were present. All very correct
~ costumed and very enjoyable time
was had. Music was furnished BY the
club orchestra
The B. of l.. F. & E. will give their
annual st. Patrick's ball at the Moose
hall on the evening of March IS.
David Warren returned home Friday
evening, Feb. %. from a two weeks
visit in Bowie, Texas.
Mrs. VIM. Dooley and daughter Bea.
trice went to Washington Friday to
visit Mrs. Dooley's parents.
Mrs. VIM. HEN and son, Jack, who
have spent the winter at the home OF
her cousin. Mrs. Wm Gaskings, re-
turned to her home in Enid, Okla,
Thursday evening.
Mrs. VIM. Gaskines spent the day in
Washington with her husband.
O. Shadford Of Agency was in the
city Friday
Henry Hancock returned to his
home In, Bloomfield after two weeks
work here. W
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

There are, in the main. two kinds of
wars, aggressive and defensive.
Multitudinous reasons initiate
against this nation engaging in an ag
gressive war. Constitutional limita-
tions, national tradition. public senti-
ment and political expediency all
serve as deterrents to any move
for involving the United States
in war of aggression. 1t is
absolutely safe to assume that this
nation will not be the instigator
of war unless great majority of the
people express an overwhelming de-
sire In an unquestlonable manner, for
such action. 1t is begging the ques-
tion to say it might bs otherwise. be-
cause any unsupported war declara-
ton would sound the death knell OF its
instigator and would prove abortive.
A defensive war might easily occur
without the public wanting it. But "a
defensive war is not matter of ones
choosing; it is forced on one. willy
nilly. A dozen referendums would
not stop war of the other fellows
making.
n the above facts are admitted--and
we cannot conceive of any reasonable
contradiction-then 1t follows that the
talk of taking referendum on the
question of war is much edo about
nothing: it is dealing with the shell
of the question and not touching the
kernel.
NO administration would dare force
this nation into war; referendum
vote might bring that about when
without it a congress would not think
of declaring war. On the other hand,
no referendum would prevent war
if some other nation declared war on
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
!, Came home yesterday. There he

an. Came nome yesterday. mere Nc
is now"
The door of an adjoining Office
opened and a man came out. Peggy
started. 1t was her Samaritan. Then
she understood Paradise flats belong
ed to him.
~ would like to see you a moment,
please" he said. recovering instantly
from his surprise.
Peggy went in.
1--WE ordered that building to be put
into tip-top shape - rent free for six
months I've been away. After this
I'll look after things myself Did you
get a nurse for that woman?
Yes"
And have you little time to spare
me now? I'm dreadfully lonely and
I've taken notion that you are the
only company want"
''I think So" she answered. flushing
a beautiful pink that caused the young
mans heart to pound alarmingly.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
CANAL nm IEOPARQY.

One of the indictments brought
against the defenses of the Panama
canal by the noted author, Rex Beach,
is that there are only about a third
as many men there as are needed to
man the forts and provide mobile sup
port.
Mr.. Beachs indictment is not the
result of his own observations SO
much as those of military experts with
whom he discussed the matter. 1t
seems that there are now some eight
thousand soldiers at the canal, where
as twenty-five thousand is the mini.
mum number that would be required
in case of war.
The lack of men is handicap that
might be overcome by the sending Of
more soldiers to the zone, but even
then they would not be of any great
worth because the matter of providing
them with means Of transportation
from one part Of the zone to another
has been completely neglected. Mod
ern warfare demands mobile armies.
Many experts have credited Germany's
wonderful strokes to transportation
facilities even more than to personal
valor or strategic skill
At the canal zone there are no mill.
tary roads and no road Of any kind
across the isthmus. There are few
trails along which scouts might make
their way, but as far as real highways
for the quick moving Of soldiers or
railroad lines for similar purposes, the
zone is trackless wilderness.
Summing up the situation, Beach
says:
efficient mobile defense demands
throughout the canal zone and beyond
it. road and trail system that will
permit thorough reconnaissance and
the quick handling of troops, for at a
distance of a few miles from the axis
of the canal on the Pacific side the
country is not only free from Jungle
but also consists of open savannas,
and affords an enemy every facility for
landing and reaching the vitals of the
waterway On the Caribbean side, ow-
ing to topography and weather condf-
tons. landing is not quite so easy. a
matter. but there are, nevertheless,
several harbors close by, all of which
are undefended and some Of which
could be quickly converted into formid-
able enemy bases. To prevent an at
tack on either shore opposition should
be made first at the point of landing
Without roads and rails we could not
offer that opposition.
UNLESS we are prepared to build
new forts, new wagon and railroads
and maintain at all times an adequate
garrison, we had better scrap the guns
we have on the zone, remove our sol.
diers and leave the canal to the ten
der mercies of whomsoever chooses to
take it,"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
IoWAN DIES IN MISSOURI.

Charlton, Feb. 24.-Leonard Rebel.
a former resident of this city, died
at Columbia, Mo-. on Thursday noon
after an illness of several weeks with
a complication of troubles. The re.
mains were brought to Charlton yes
terday and taken to the home of his
sister. Mrs. w. H. Bursett, near Oak.
ley. and on Sunday afternoon at 9
o'clock, funeral services will be held
at the Oakley NJ f. church. conducted
by Rev. Armstrong and interment will
take place at Oakley.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27

us. A referendum against war would
in that case, merely act like stimu-
liant to the aggressor. Bullies fight
hardest when resistance is weakest.
To take a referendum ON war would
be as sensible as to take referendum
to see whether president should de-
clare himself dictator, or referen'
dunn to see whether we should revolt
under such circumstances.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
FAILURE OF LOW TARIFF,

The almost free trade policy Of the
administration has not lowered prices
to the consumer, nor has it produced
enough revenue to run the country.
The average rate of duty on all i'm
ports under the Payne-Aldrich law
was about IS per cent. On about S575.-
100000 less imports in 1912 than in
1913-less, mind you, not more-we
collected $109, 100000 more of customs
revenue. In 1913. on 100000. 900 less
imports than in 1916, the federal treas
ury got $93,O0O.000 more revenue than
last year. In other words. with i'm
ports greatly increasing, the present
tariff law has not only failed to pro-
duce enough revenue, but has likewise
utterly failed to lower prices.
The failure Of the tariff makes it
necessary to levy taxes on business
and industry and has not prevented an
even heavier tax being laid upon every
body through the rise in the price of
foodstuffs and the other necessities of
life.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
WORTHLESS DEEENSES.

Rex Beach, the noted author, has
found at least seven reasons why the
Panama canal is worthless as de-
Tense to the United States. The first
of these-the vulnerabiiity of Gatun
dam-was elaborated on in this col
umn Yesterday. The second has to do
with the inadequate provision made
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
MRS. PoUsA DIES,

Charlton, Feb. 24.-Mrs. Joseph
Poush died at her home in the city on
Thursday after an extended illness. at
the age of 56 years. one month and
fourteen days. Funeral services were
held at the United Brethren church
this afternoon at o'clock. conducted
by Rev. f. w. Cprtis. after which In
torment took place in he Charlton
cemetery.