davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
How Modern Wars Are Won

SFrom The Philadelphia Inquirer
General Won Ludendorf. who is recognized
a. the brains OF the German government and
the most influential director of its activities.
enunciatcd an important truth in his remark
the other day on the special and distinctive
nature Of modern war. lie said that il is a
war not Of armies, but OF peoples; that there
are no decisive battles in the old sense, when
the issue OF campaign might be determined
BY the result OF single engagement, as when
Napoleon crushed the Prussians at Jena, or as
when he was himself crushed by the coalition
at Waterloo. Nowadays the effect OF battles
is indirect. and an enemy people is defeated
through becoming demoralzed as the conse-
quence of an unsuccessful and disastrous
conflict. From this point Of view he insisted
that the revolution in Russia must not be re-
gsvded as a mere piece Of luck for the Central
Powers, but as the natural outcome Of mill
tary operations kom which the Russian peo-
pie had seriously suffered.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
Superb atriotisml

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: There are those of US doubtless Mr..
Kreisler himself most of all-who agree with
Mr.. Charles j. Rosebault OF the Vigilantes
who. in this mornings Tribune says too
much sympathy has been wasted upon Fritz
Kreisler"). to the extent of wishing that Mr.
Rosebault would have the good taste to re-
frain from further utterance on the subject
II Mr.. Kreiser feels that the United
States has treated him badly" he hasn't,
believe, said SC. On the contrary. he has
publicly expressed his appreciation of the
courtesies and friendly attitude Of the Amer
lean people. Perhaps he is martyr to
American chauvinsm. Who knows? But
sympathy. in the present crisis, is probably
the last thing he desires.
1t would seem 20 the fair minded that Mr..
kreislers own stand in the matter might
protect him from the super patriotic.
ANNE HARTLEY.
New York, Dec. IL, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13

"EOpnion." new weekly paper OF Paris
has lust published two comprehensive
straightforward articles by Diego Angel on
German propaganda in Italy. Much has been
written and talked about German intrigue IN
Russia where it has probably done its worst.
In Italy. fortunately, conditions are very DIFF
ferent and an accurate comparison between
the two countries cannot be made.
1t would be most unjust to suppose that
italy would follow the disastrous example OF
Russia. There is not the least chance OF
such thing. though the food situation IN
Italy, as everybody must know who READS
Italian, is exceedingly grave. There are also
disintegrating forces present, such as cIerl-
calism and anarchic socialism. But 1t does
not follow that these two forces are work
ing together On the contrary, the evidence
leads to a different conclusion. They may
be sympathetic on some points. but the vail
can organ. the "Ossevatore Romano and
the Socialist "Avanti" are at odds on the main
question of loyalty. In fact, making every
allowance for insidious influences. it is not
likely that the combined power OF clercalism
and socialism will keep Italy out OF the war
Il is also true that treason and al tradi-
tore" are extremely repugnant to the ltal-
ian. and. above all. TO the intellectuals OF
Italy. Still. there are dangers, which only
those Britons and Americans can fully un-
derstand who have been associated with ltal-
ians in work or study, in business or unver-
sty training; it would be idle to deny the
existence of these dangers. II is certainly
very difficult for any one who Is not an
Italian. or at least deeply versed in the do
mestic life Of Italy, to estimate Alright the
mower of German influence. il is a Janus
monster with its peace and war faces.
The Moral Thrust
For the moment the greatest danger OF
all is the power and prestige of the German
war machine, which are only too clearly
illustrated by what happened on the lsonzo
front. The members Of the German General
staff are past masters of the art OF mill
tarv persuasion-of the moral thrust. The
high command busies itself not only with the
morale Of its own men, but successfully, as
il seems, with that Of its enemies If the
German General staff could persuade ltal-
ians that Germany was certain winner, Italy
might GO out of the war and follow Russia
into repose. The chief danger is that italy
may give way TO moral and military intimi-
dation. The effect Of the military operation
is. therefore, the chief and most subtle dis
migrating force.
All this is possible, but the correspondent
of "L'Opinion" takes a reassurlng view. Az
first the psychological condition was pro-
.duced which made men unwilling or unable
tn stand up against a heavy and unforeseen
blow. But this is past, and Italian patri-
otism and temperament are too robust to
WELD TO sinister influences. Thanks to this
patriotism and "just sense of realities
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
The Deadly Garage
Beware of Carbon Monoxide, the
Invisible Assassin

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The death Of Nat VI. WIS inc
",ra,,n comedian" who was asphyXlated IN
his own garage by his own car, calls atten-
,;on once more to the deadly peril whlch
threatens all Automobiles.
Prussic acid has great popular reputa-
ton az a quick agent Of death drop on
tho tongue being sufficient to kill But u
is no more deadly than the carbon monoNidc
which is given out from the exhaust OF
motor car when that motor car Is not run
ning with perfect combustion. The man VINO
runs his motor in a small garage with every
thing tightly shut has just about as mueh
chance AS the butterfly that the scientist puts
in Mason Jar with cyanide Of potassium
/. is only when a prominent man like MI
Wills dies that this danger is brought to
public notice; but deaths from this gas are
very frequent. so frequent that scientists
have given it a name. Beware Of petromor-
It's, II is so insidious that the victim does
not know what is happening to him until
he drops unconscious. Carbon monoXide gas
is odorless and invisible. The assassin IN
the dark is a crude performer compared with
Il The victims are nearly always found
living on the floor with the motor stu run
ming.
Leave the door open. That is the pre-
ventive. j. u. NhllNhl'
Travellers Insurance Company
Hartford, Conn. Dec. II, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13

row wilson, is the greatest and only man on
earth TO lead US to victory. There is nothing
that he would request of me which would
not do.
=. believe in the strongest military de-
fence. and wonder at the inconceysble
promptness and efficiency with which Mr.. Will
son has carried out the greatest and SEEM
;ngly impossible preparedness.
3. believe America to be the nobest and
greatest and best nation on earth and the
everlasting example of truth. justice and
liberty.
4. believe in peace only which is brought
about by the policy Of our dear President,
SIR. Wilson.
s. | believe there is one land TO live in
and one land 20 die in, and that is America
6. believe in fighting TO the end and in
trusting God, our President and our gov
eminent Amen, HANS KRONOLD
New York. Dec. Q, 1917
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
The Revolution No Precedent

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: In reply TO Angelina Comport and
Marjorie Rockwell. women OF the Reyou-
ton did not write letters TO the newspapers
either. Perhaps il they had knitted more in
public Washngton's army would not have
been in their bare feet at Valley Forge. We
would have reached fine stage OF civliza-
lion if each preceding generation had pat
termed after their great-grest-grandmothe
With all due respect 10 the men Of the
Revolution. we of to-day do not intend 20 be
governed by them. II any attempt is made
to stop the knitting at concerts. etc, It viii
be treated ss German propaganda. Practise
little self-saerifce and put up with tho
annoyance or better still, kni, yourselves.
and you will be so intent on your own work
that Others will not bother you. This work Is
too common for any woman 20 do II to
"show off," but IL there should be such
one her sweater will prove just as warm 10
the man who receives il as that of the
modest violet who emily knits at home; also
he will got Il sooner. CARL0TTA II.
New York, Dec. z, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
Crash and Wrong-Headed"

A dispatch from London tells of the
profound bewilderment Of Mr.. Lloyd
Georges enemies when. on the sudden ter
mination of the crisis so successfully pre-
cipitated by them, they were forced to see
that they had utterly misjudged the tenn
per both of the nation and Of the Allied
Countries 1t ought not however, to be
difficult for some Of them to recognize that
they overplayed their indignation in pick
ing the Premier's offending speech to
pieces. "The Spectator" for instance, the
most scandalized of all the critics, will
probably understand, when it has recov-
cred sufficiently to consider the matter
calmly. that it expected too much IN de-
handing "the compulsory retirement OF
Mr.. Lloyd George" upon the preteXt 1t
offered.
A few months ago THE Spectator was
talking about the desirability of winning
the war as soon as possible, though with
out taking foolish chances. Gas we see
the situation" it said in its solemn way,
we are undoubtedly winning the war; but
the question is whether we are winning II
quickly enough" On the same occasion,
however, it deprecated useless sacrifices,
such as were involved in the futile gamble
undertaken by Mr. Churchill. "He has
let the nation in before" said "The Spec
tator" warningly, "and he must not be al
lowed to do it again"
Well, it might be supposed that at least
one passage in Mr.. Lloyd Georges speech
would have met with THE Spectators"
full approval. lie said:
Eve shall win, but ! want to win "a
soon as possible / want TO win with
little sacrifice as possible. | want as many
as possible Of that splendid young man
hood which has helped TO win victory to
live through TO enjoy its fruits"
Will it be believed that instead of hail
ing these sentiments as the one bright spot
in a wilderness Of indiscretions THE Spec
tator" fastened on this very passage as
perhaps the worst thing in the whole
speech? More than that: for Eve vent
IRE to say" said "The Spectator impress
sively. chat of all the rash and wrong
beaded things said during the war this
is the worst"
The insane desire to win without sac
rifcing more men than was necessary was
something that could not be tolerated in
Prime Minister, and so doubtless with
pleasant recollections of the less parsi
monious sacrifices under a former admin
istration) "The Spectator" cheerfully de-
clared that it would now "be quite con-
tent to see Mr.. Asquith return TO power"
But though it confessed "to being terri
fed" at the hope that "as many as posi-
bic" would survive the war, "The Spec
tator" might surely have foreseen that
ministry could hardly be overthrown for
so innocent desire. 1t takes
more than that for fatal crisis.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
Small Beer

The order relating TO the absolute con-
tents of malt liquors will reduce our beers
TO the level Of some Of the so-called tenn
Derance drinks, approximating the bev-
erage known to Germans as Weissbicr.
There are beers, however, on the market
to-day that are we'll below the pa per
cent limit, and the new regulation is not
so drastic as to entail serious hardship
on the consumer.
The experiment of curtailing the alco-
holic strength of malt liquors is not new.
1t has been tried on large scale in Eng
land. where the Central Control Board al
lows small beer to be sold at hours when
other drinks are commonly unprocurable.
This small beer, however, contains only
about 2 per cent of proof spirit, which is
equivalent TO not more than | per cent
of alcohol. If it were used generally a
great deal of grain would doubtless be
saved since one ton of barley would go
almost as far as three tons go in the max
ing of ordinary English beer. There
would be an equal saving in sugar. I'm
fortunately, it is not popular, but since the
total supply Of beer is strictly limited
many who find it washy and insipid have
to put up with it for want Of anything
better and it is generally agreed that
government ale is better than nothing.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
a Friend in Need

.itor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Ny attention has been attracted 10
the beautiful article Of Mr. Frank Simonds.
which appeared in last Sundays Tribune.
This article about Poland is most compre.
hensive and quite to the point. Allow me TO
avail myself OF this opportunity to express
to you the heartfelt thanks OF this organi-
zation for the stand which your paper has
taken in regard TO Poland. OF course this
is nothing out of the ordinary for The
Tribune. which is known TO be the champion
of all oppressed and prosecuted people We
feel that We have found in you a friend,
true friend. and in the present hour "a
friend in need is friend indeed
". o. GORSKI
Honorary Executive Secretary. Polish Vic
Tins Relief Fund.
New York, Dec. IL, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
One Musician's Creed
Not a German. Even if Name Seems
.Teutonic

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Cir. Nav an old admrer and follower OF
vcur great paper ask for the publication OF
the following?
am not a German b. birth.
.. never had any German-born relatives
3. am a Pole by birth
| came to this country, as millions OF
Americans know, when | was boy Of sixteen
Gears.
3. Jeremias was my original first name. and
the name of Hans was given to me in pref
erence to long name.
g. In spite of the fact that ! played for
thirty years in America (of which | am a
proud and loyal citizen. and in spite OF the
fact that there is hardly a society, social
club or educational institute or church before
whose vast audiences have not played year
after year, there are still great numbers o.
Americans who take me "by my name"
:. There are many enemies who use my
name also to hurt my interests at these times
S. Being an artist heart and soul, it is diff
fcult to forget or drive out OF ones system
such gods as Bach. Beethoven. Brahms and
Wagner and frequently in political arguments
a real artist is misunderstood, for while we
think Of German art and literature. the Amer
can woman or man mistakes US for pro-Ger.
mans or pacifists. when we have absolutely
TO idea OF politics. commerce or any other
matters OF even such Importance. for the
study and development Of music takes every
second of this short preparation for the grave
called life"
9. To clear up my stand toward this present
chaos, beg the American nation to listen 10
my creed:
MY CREED
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
Christmas Gifts for French Marines

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: There arc always a large number OF
French marines stationed in of our navy
yards, awaiting orders TO sail for some port
in France. in small boats. These marines
receive small pay; some have families with
whom they must divide, and are, therefore,
not provided with warm clothing and little
comforts that make life bearable on the high
seas. particularly at this time Of the year
lie Paquet du Soldat has received from one
Of their officers list Of things necessary
for their comfort, and is arranging to dis
tribute on Christmas morning packages con-
tanning the following:
Sweaters, woollen socks, woollen gloves,
soap, needles, black cotton. writing paper
and envelopes, playing cards, checkerboards.
dominos, toothbrushes, tooth paste, cold
cream, tobacco, cigarettes, pipes and fruit.
lie Paquet du Soidat is also arranging to
give these French marines who are so far
away from their homes and country an en-
tertainment and supper Christmas week at
the Hotel Brevoort.
In order to do this work. it Of course
requires funds, and from those who would
like to share in the happiness of providing
these comforts We will be glad to receive
contributions. If those who would like TO
receive an acknowledgment direct incose
Christmas cards with name and address they
will be put in the packages. Send check or
money to Miss Byrd W. Hsmblen, treasurer,
lie Paauet du Soldat, POI Broadway, New
York City. BYRD W. HAMBLEN.
New York. Dec. H. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
Blu Paul Bartholow

that is to say, facts, Italy will defeat all the
efforts of organized propagandists. Some
measure of the strength of Italian patriotism
occasoned by the Carso catastrophe may be
gathered from a sentence in leading article
Of the "0sservatore Romano" published after
the retreat from the Tagliamento: THE daily
disclosures in the communicates Of the SUI
preme command give with praiseworthy sim
cerity a clear and precise idea of the gravity
of the hour through which the country is
passing; TO disguise the facts would be vain
and harmful, for it is always harmful to
blind ones eyes, and turn the vision Of
others from the peril which menaces us"
Catholics Are Patriotic
No one who reads the Italian papers to-day
will need TO be told that. in these calm and
well-reasoned words, the "0sservatore" speaks
on behalf of the great majority of the ltal-
ian people. To a close and accurate observer
Of Italian opinion there is only one thing
likely TO spoil the Allied cause in Italy. In
private conversation and in their own lam
guage many Italians complain that they are
frequently misunderstood By British and
American visitors with a scant knowledge Of
Italian. It is wrong to assume, as some
English writers are doing, that Catholics IN
Italy are less patriotic than other Italians.
foreigners, who are seldom in position to
pronounce opinion. We shall not be far
wrong in assuming that Catholics and cleri-
Gals are Italians first OF all, and religionists
secondarily. Il would be rather unsafe to
say this of internationalists and Socialists
and the irreligious classes generally.
It is these classes that the German intrigue
will reach, and, most unfortunately, they
comprise a considerable number of the army.
It is wholly probable that many soldiers Of
the reserve, and especially the recent leves,
are more or less affected by enervatlng pollti-
cal doctrines. But to understand the propa-
ganda of Germany il is necessary TO under
stand the italian who has either been edu
Gated in Germany who is under the in
fuence of German professors at Italian uni
versities The liberal Italian law does not
require these men to become Italian subjects,
and they are skilful agents of the Kaiser.
There are a great many Germans, or were, at
least, in these positions, and they did their
work under the fostering care Of the German
government.
For thirty years, that is during the Triple
Alliance, German science and German props-
ganda had combined power which can only
be appreciated by those who have seen its
machinery. Men, for example, who have
made researches in chemistry, in drugs, in
engineering, in architecture and other tech
nical sciences, have received encouragement
and aid from the German government Di-
plomacy professional skill and finance have
all assisted, and the combination has perme-
ated the trades of the country. II is easy
to understand the power of a propaganda that
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
Get at the Truth

1t is manifest, not only from what Sem
ator WadsWorth, himself a veteran Of SO,
saws he has seen of lamentable condi-
tions at five environments but from what
other observers have reported of short
age of clothing for soldiers and an almost
incredible lack Of ordnance, that the in
vestigation to be conducted by the Senate
Committee on Military Affairs is amply
justified. For this investigation there is
good precedent in the inquiry of COM
mittee of the French Senate, under Sena-
tor Clemenceau, now Premier, into hos
pital conditions in the early period OF
the war. Shocking conditions were brought
TO light, but the disclosures resulted in
betterments which unquestionably saved
thousands of lives.
The inquiry as to ordnance, supplies
and general conditions at the military
camps which the Senate has undertaken
may do similar great service for this
country. 1t should not be carried on IN
the spirit of undertaking; it should not be
permitted to degenerate into any degree
of sensationalsm; the country and the
Administration should be given to under
stand that it is not intended to hamper
the government in the prosecution OF this
war. Above all. there should be no YES
tige of politics or political criticism about
it. But it should probe thoroughly and
unsparingly the situation at these camps,
where hundreds of thousands of Amer
ica's young men are in preparation for
the call overseas to make their breasts a
bulwark for the rest of US.
If there are lacks and shortcomings IN
the military housekeeping, the country
wants to know it before it is too late.
Narrowing stories, coming from trust
worthy individuals, have been narrated
concerning soldiers without proper cloth
ing-solders wearing summer undercloth-
ing, summer uniforms, or parts of them, in
the freezing winds of winter. 1t is late in
the day to put on forced draft in the
production of proper winter clothing, but
it is better TO know the truth now, in order
TO guard against mistakes or omissions
in future, than to go on in serene com
placency. Colonel Roosevelt, Senator
Wadsworth and many others have told OF
the drilling of troops with "broomsticks'
wooden guns-instead of the rifles they
will have to use in the field, and also of
the lack of machine guns. Major General
Crozer explains that the original military
programme for the raising of one million
men did not contemplate the country
participation in the war and so what had
been outlined for five years work had to
be compressed into one year.
The shortsightedness which leaves ade-
Quate preparation until too late the coun-
try knows about only too well. What the
present inquiry must disclose to be profit
able is whether the country having under
taken to raise its big army and send it
abroad, the authorities have gone about
their tasks with diligence and wisdom
whether what is now being endured is
only the natural and inevitable heritage
from the days of hesitation and indie
cision, or whether incompetency and the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
Should Be Appreciated
r OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Seldom has there been a time when
the great majority of men so craved that
diversion and temporary forgetfulness that
the playhouse is supposed to offer. Never
theless, we are hearing of great falling off
in attendance at the theatres and the mana
gers seem worried-even plaintive. They de-
plore this condition as ono Of the true hor-
rors of war Yet, on the whole, their agony
calls forth little sympathy. We, most of us,
feel that they richly deserve what has come
to them-we, the patient camels whose will
ing backs have finally been broken BY the
straw of the war tax, added TO an already
preposterously high-prced ticket and coin
Gliding. as il does, with a general straitening
of our incomes.
In all fairness, however, We should recog-
nize and support a manager who has suffi-
cient courage-or common senSe-to meet
these conditions By reducing the prices of his
tickets. When, in addition, he takes this
action in connection with a play that he has
every reason to suppose viii win popular
success-even in this year Of failures-it
becomes a matter Of gratitude and congratu-
lation.
AZ I"ui AA"P"i''' - 4'""'''s ma - =. -.
with his new production. "The Gypsy Trail
II seems that Mr.. Hopkins is reducing the
prices on orchestra seats to $3.50 and 81 for
the first three days Of the week, and is, more
over. advertising the Plymouth as the thea
ire where the best seats are to be had at the
box office. This is. indeed. an innovation
and one that should be appreciated so sub
stantially by the theatre-going public that
those same seats should never have to re-
main long unsold at that regenersted box
Office. d. De +. B.
New York, Dec. II. 1917.