davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30
Story From Holland Says UhIans
Were Sent to Shoot Them
Down.
BEG FOOD AT DUTCH BORDER
Weary of War and Depressed by Hun
ger They No Longer Believe in
German Victory, but Are
Eager for Peace.
BY w. j. L. KIEHL.

Especial Correspondence of the Chicago
Daily News.)
The Hague, Holland.-On the south
ern border of Holland desertions from
the German army occur on a large
scale nowadays. At first it was only a
single soldier here and there, then they
came by threes and fives, later in
groups Of ten and twenty, but now as
many as seventy and eighty come in at
time. A few days ago a little army
tried to desert-some 500 to 600 men,
mostly fusileers, marines and land
sturmers.
The Dutch report says that they at
tempted to cross near Cadsand, but the
German military authorities got wind
of it, and 200 Uhlans with two machine
guns were dispatched from Bruges to
head them back. A formal battle ragged
between the two forces; it was viewed
from Holland. The machine guns got
in their deadly work, and almost all
the would-be deserters were either
killed or captured; only eight wounded
men succeeded in reaching Dutch soil
and safety.
Every fresh arrival, deserter or es-
capped prisoner, tells the same story of
famine conditions. in Belgium and Ger
many, and depression among the SOL
diers, who dread being sent to the
front. They no longer believe in Ger
man victory, but are eager for peace.
Only one escaped prisoner had diff
ferent story to tell, and that man was
a Russian general, who arrived in
Maastricht accompanied by two Ger
man flight lieutenants" who had es-
capped with him.
This general believed the Germans
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30

piece. Though no longer a national
song, it Is still a national air and Sec
ond only to Dixie In patriotic popu-
larity. For $50 years Yankee Doodle
has appealed to our people, and the
tune shows no sign Of passing into
oblivion.
Many words have been spent in dis
cussing the origin Of the title Of this
song, and at least sixteen separate
and distinct derivatiOns of the words
have been seriously set before the pub
lie. The earliest dated reference to
the tune appears in the first Ameri-
can ballad opera, "The Disappoint-
ment," Philadelphia, 1767. 1t was
played in America as early as 176S,
for in the Journal Of Transactions in
Boston, September %, 1853, we read:
"The fleet was brought to anchor near
Castle William that evening there
was throwing of skyrockets, and those
passing in boats observed great re-
ioicing and that the Yankee Doodle
song was the capital piece in the band
of music"
The earliest appearance in print of
yankee Doodle" in Europe has been
traced to James Ards "a Selection of
Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign
Airs" published in Glasgow about
1880, Mr.. Sonneck asserts that yam
kee Doodle" did not appear in print in
America until Benjamin Carr's "Fed-
eral Overture" a medley Of patriotic
songs, including yankee Doodle" and
composed in 1894, was published,
adapted for the pianoforte," by B.
Carr, New York, in January, 179S.
Since then some interesting and now
rare renderings of the piece have been
issued.
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30
SOME POSTSCRIPTS

By means of a secret process a
French scientist converts flowers,
fruit and even animal tissues into
metal.
A Minneapolis inventors adjustable
road scraper has been designed to
serve equally we'll as snow plow.
An entire notebook or a single sheet
oP paper is held equally well in a new
copyholder for typewriters IN Which
+he COPY is advanced as desired by
-,rpssiug lever.
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30

other cities, until it had become pop
ular patriotic song throughout the
country.
In it's original printed form it bore
the title, Defense of Fort McHenry,"
with the following Introductory re-
marks, written by Judge Nicholson:
The annexed song was composed under
the following circumstances: A gentleman
mad left Baltimore in flag Of truce for
the purpose Of getting released from the
British fleet friend Of his who had been
captured at Marlborough. He went as
far as the mouth of the Patuxent and
was not permitted to return lest the In
tended attack on Baltimore should be dis
closed. He was therefore, brought up the
bay to the mouth of the Patapsco, where
the flag vessel was kept under the guns
OF frigate, and he was compelled to wit
ness the bombardment Of Fort McHenry.
which the admiral had boasted that he
could carry In a few hours and that the
city must fall. He watched the flag Of
the fort through the whole day with an
anxiety that can better be felt than de-
scribed. until the night prevented him from
seeing it. In the night he watched the
bomb shells and at early dawn his eye
flag Of his country.
The tune is that Of "Anacreon of Heav-
en-" originally an English club song, pop
ular among the younger set of Baltimore
at the time Key wrote the stanzas.
"Hafl Columbia" is q pure product
Of American soil in. regard to both
words and music, and was written in
1893 by Joseph Hopkins, prominent
jurist, who lived from ITO to 1912.
The poet himself explains the circum-
stances which led to the writing Of
the words as follows:
"Hail Columbia" was written In the
summer of 1898. when war with France
was thought to be inevitable Congress
was then in session in Philadelphia, de-
batting upon that important subject, and
acts Of hostility had actually taken place.
The contest between England and France
was raging, and the people of the United
States were divided into parties for one
side or the other, some thinking that pol
icy and duty required us to espouse the
cause Of republican France, as she was
called, while others were for connecting
themselves with England. -. The theater
was then open in our city. A young man
belonging to 1t, whose talent was high as
a singer, was about to take a benefit. I
had known him when he was at school.
On this acquaintance he called on me one
Saturday afternoon, his benefit being an
nounced for the following Monday. His
prospects were very disheartening, but he
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30
Lonos for Mothers Pies.

Cleveland OhiO.-COOking in the
Marine corps isn't like the stuff that
mother used to bake. Art Lippert, a
Cleveland youth, who joined the fight
ing branch of the service, writes home
to mother:
"The food is good here, but your
pies would retail at about 500 or $25,
and would taste like a million dollars
to me-"
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30

One end of a tool invented by
Frenchman for smoothing rough edges
of collars and cuffs serves as button
hole opener.
An English inventors safety suit for
aviatOrs is covered with parachute
like pockets and the entire garment
can be inflated to help break the force
of Wearer's fall.
An inventor in Nebraska has patent
ed wire netting covered fralAss to
cover open automobiles to catch hats,
wells. or other articles that otherwise
might be blown away.
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30
Youth.

Youth.
There is Gods gift Of youth, mex
pressible, beautiful, glorious, divine. 1t
is for youth that the rest Of us live;
it is on their motions that we hang;
it is for them that we labor, suffer,
and endure; it is for them that we
flout the ills of life; it is for them
that we are blind to death. YOUTH
wonderful youth,-so great a gift to
possess, so infinitely greater gift to
perceive in boys and girls about yOul
H. D. Sedgwick, in the Atlantic
Magazine.
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30
GERMANS DESERT ARMY IN DROvES

can never be reduced by hunger. 'They
will eat grass or the dust from the
street rather than surrender on the
allies terms" he said. He told how
bad the treatment and the food was in
the German prison camps; he had been
in seven, so he could judge. After ev-
cry attempt to escape he had been
transferred to a different camp, but
everywhere the prisoners were treated
brutally, the officers as we'll as the
men, How he had at last succeeded
In getting away with his two compan-
ions he preferred not to say-because
he feared that would make escape
more difficult for his comrades still in
captivity. He did, however, say that
what made escape very difficult was
that it caused great surprise to people
in German towns and villages to see
three able-bodied men walking about,
and he and his companions had been
obliged to invent all sorts of tales
about having been wounded and being
now on leave to account for their alb
sence from ''the front"
German soldiers frankly beg for food
on the Dutch border. The officers don't
60 quite as far as that. There Is sort
of neutral zone along the frontier
where Germans and Hollanders can
meet. There the German officers often
congregate and make Overtures of COM
radeship, to their colleagues on the
other side. Friendly relations exist,
and when the luncheon hour comes,
and the Netherlanders see what poor
provisions the Germans have, they in
vite the Germans to lunch. A picnic
is held and the Germans consume in
credible quantities of rolls, sausages
or ham sandwiches, and loudly praise
the coffee the orderlies of their Dutch
comrades serve. They say they never
get good coffee any more.
Although the Dutch officer often
meets his German colleagues, it must
not be supposed he always agrees with
their methods of discipline toward
their own men. Both officers and SOL
diers in Holland, by far the greater
number of them at least, strongly dis
approve of the brutal and heartless
way in which most German officers
treat their men. The younger officers
show this by chatting the Germans
about it.
Merchant Ranks Over Noble.
How the spirit of caste still rules in
the German ranks is instanced by
little anecdote told me by a Dutch
officer. He had come on friendly "cof-
fee" terms with a German officer, Won
S., the persOnifcation, to the very
monocle, of those "schneidige lieuten-
ants" often lampooned in Germany.
One day Won S. came to lunch bubbling
over with indignation, for a simple
"bourgeois," former Berlin merchant,
had been given the post of captain in
his regiment, and he himself was first
lieutenant.
"Denken sic sich, lieber Kamerad !"
he exclaimed. "Ich! Won S. Unter
einem Kaufman aus Berlin !" He felt
disgraced But officers are beginning
to get scarce in Germany, so the re-
serve officers who have acquitted them
selves creditably have to be promoted
to positions they would never have at
tained in peace times.
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30
1riqiir1 uf ln1r lld FhbbrinHb4g Fhbb Il Snp14|k.
& & & & & & 4 e 4 & 4 & e & & & &

written by Rev. Samuel F. Smith, who
lived until 1895, and has himself writ
ten luminOusly upon the subject. From
Boston he wrote to Admiral Preble
September IL, 1872:
The origin of my hymn, my Country,
IT'S of Thee" is briefly told. In the year
1881 Mr.. William c. Woodbridge returned
from Europe, bringing a quantity of Ger
man music books, which he passed over
to Lowell Mason. Mr. Mason, with whom
l was on terms Of friendship, one day
turned them over to me, knowing that I
was in the habit Of reading German
works, saying, Here, can't read these,
but they contain good music. which I
should be glad to use. Turn over the
leaves and If you find anything particu-
larly good, give me translation or ini-
tatton of 1t, or write wholly original
song-anything, so / can use it,"
Accordingly, one leisure afternoon, !
was looking over the books and fell In
with the tune Of God Save the King"
and at once took UP my pen and wrote the
piece in question. It was struck out at
a sitting without the slightest idea that
it would ever attain the popularity 1t has
since enjoyed The first time 1t was pub
licly sung was at a children's celebration
of American Independence at the Park
Street church, Boston, 1 think, July 4,
1892 If I had anticipated the future Of
1t, doubtless I would have taken more
pains with it. Such as it is, I am glad to
have contributed this mite to the cause OF
American freedom.
IS Mr.. Sonneck had this to say regard
ing the use Of an English tune to the
words Of america:
"The main objection raised against
America has been the union Of the
words with that foreign air of cosmo-
politan usage, God Save the King
Yet there is this difference, which
should never be overlooked: If the
Danes or the Prussians use God Save
the King they have deliberately bor-
rowed it from the British. Not SO with
us. God Save the King was, before
1776, as much our national anthem as
that Of the motherland. Being Brit
ish air, 1t belonged to the British col
onists just as much as 1t did to the
Britons at home.
81
"'Yankee Doodle is sometimes call.
ed a national song-incOrrectly so, be-
cause, with a practically now obsolete
text, or texts, it Is hardly ever sung,
- -
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30

and marine corps. Gifts, received at
the station, she distributes personally,
frequently offering bits of kindly ad-
vice simultaneously.
And when, finally the men are ready
to take their places in the American
battle fleet, each seems Obsessed with
the idea that he, personally, must make
good.
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30

I no time so much as upon
independence day are the
patriotic songs of this
country sung, and upon
the coming Fourth of July,
which finds the United
States at war, the words
and the tunes of the ma
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30
Fused Up Her Hair.

Elyria. O.-Katie Fuss, in her di-
vorce petition, says Steve Fuss fused
up her hair and exhibited bunch Of
it to friends to, prove he was victor
in the brOil.
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30

"'Yankee Doodle is sometimes call.
ed a national song-incorrectly so, be-
cause, with practically now obsolete
text, or texts, it Is hardly ever sung,
but merely played as an instrumental
The Benson signal., 1917-06-30

tional songs will mean more to every
American than ever before.
Realizing that as time goes on, his
tory, which may be probed for truth
now, in another generation would be
too far removed from the links of liv-
Ing memory to certify accuracy, many
men are giving time and effort to ex-
tracing the real historic facts from
the maze Of fiction surrounding the
origin Of many Of this country's ma
tional songs, which have become an
important part Of her integral life.
No man has given more time and
more effort, nor sifted facts more thor
oughly to get at the true history of our
national songs, than has Mr.. o. G. T.
Sonneck, chief of the division of music
Of the library of congress, and he has
embodied these facts in reports pub
lished by the government in book form,
which save them for all time.
Unless he has traced a matter to the
bedrock Of certainty, a report with Mr..
Sonneck is never complete, and a call
at his Office in the music division Of
the library found him with his latest
published reports on the national songs
on the bookcase at his side, and all
heavily interleaved with penned and
penciled anIotations which bring evil
dence down to the very minute. Mr..
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-11
Who Should Pay for the Insane7

Despite the many distractions arising out Of
foreign complications our domestic problems
must not be wholly neglected. One Of these prob
lens we wish again to urge upon the Board of
Control, namely making our state institutions do
more toward paying their own way. To take a
specific instance the duty devolves upon the state
to provide for its insane and this Nebraska has
undertaken to do in three state hospitals. Where
the insane patients are moneyless and friendless
the state must supply their necessities, but where
they have property Of their own, or close relatives
amply able to foot the bills, the state ought to in
sist upon reimbursement Of at least the cost of
food and clothing. This has ostensiby been the
intent of the law right along, but It has not been
carried out, and if there is way to put the fnan-
cial responsibility where it belongs, rather than
saddling it on the taxpayers it ought by all means
to be done
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-11
Kitchin's Estimate of Cost.

The chairman of the house committee on ways
and means, presenting his war revenue bill, in
dulges in some flights of fancy as to the imme-
date future. Unable to think or talk in terms Of
less than billions he allows his vision to run far
ahead to the end of the fiscal year, 1918 by which
time he assures us the war will have cost the
United States five billions Of dollars This is only
a bagatelle of $l40O0,0O0 day, which is not much
as war expenditures 60 these times. Great
Brtain's daily drain is put at $370O0000, but the
British are not only supporting an army Of 4,000,-
900 men in the field but have navy more than
twice the size OF ours in active service, and are
also furnishing enormous sums for their French,
Italian and Russian allies. The United States is
ready,to stand for very considerable war expen-
dturc but II is quite likely that until we get into
actual contact with the battlehelds, some objec-
ton will be made to the lavishness on which Mr..
Kitchin proposes to start spending. The need of
national budget in lieu of the Anticipated method
Of making guess work appropriations is being
made clear now II never before.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-11
FRANCE IN BATTLE FLAME.

Edwin Markham In the Art World.
o, France, rose hearted France,
You seemed Of old-the spirit Of winged
dance
Light as a leaf that circles in the sky,
Light as bubble when the pillows fly.
We had forgot that in you burned spark
That lit with dawn the spirit Of Jeanne
dare;
We had forgot that in you burned the fame
With which Corday and Roland wreathcd
your name.
Then suddenly from the summer sky were
hurled
Wars mad incredible thunders on the
world,
To fold your stricken people to your heart.
Erect, imperlous you stood and smiled,
Your eyes divinely Wild
A sudden light upon your lifted face,
A splendor fallen from starry place. +
Debonair, delicate France,
Spirit Of light, spirit Of young romance,
Now We behold you dim In the battle dust,
Reused, retcent, invincible, august.
We see you, mother Of sorrows, where
you stand
The sword of heaven alive within your hand
The lilies In your hair
Blood spat tered from the crown Of thorns
you wear.
Too high you stand for fears
Too still and terrible for mortal tears.
o France OF the worlds desire,
o France new-lighted by supernal fire,
Wrapped in your battle fame,
All nations take a splendor from your name:
All souls are touched to greatness by your
soul.
In you we are reborn to noble dreams
In you we see again the sacred CLEANS
From mans immortal goal.
The faith that rises from you as a star
VIII light the ages coming from afar,
When men shall band in one confederate
fate
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-11
On the Roll of Honor,

A roll Of honor is the list Of names of the
young men who are to go into the training
camps, there to receive instructions and stand
for final examination for commissions in the new
army. The published lists do not contain the
names of all whose applications have been passed
by the examining boards, but the omission Of
these does not signify invidious distinction by the
army officers. Accommodations at the camp arc
limited, and some OF the asprants necessarily
must wait for the second call. The first to 60
are favored by chance rather than choice. 9th
ers will get their full opportunity to make good,
and will be none the worse for waiting little
longer for their turn. The eagerness Of youth
may lead them to fret little under the disap-
pointment, but little patience may we'll be mixed
with their patriotism. 1t will not dampen their
ardor nor check their enthusiasm, and in time all
who have made application will get to 60, for all
will be needed. Plenty Of work for everybody
will be found in war time and service anywhere
il honorable
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-11
A Mon of Vision

AT time when free speech, free publication
and free communication are limited or suppressed
as to all others, Macmillan Harden boldly tells
Germany the truth. Sweeping away the whole
fabric OF falsehood which a reptile press has
reared against the United States he proclams the
necessity for our entrance into the war, eulogizes
the ideals by which we are inspired and calls upon
his countryrnen ito make their house habitable
and not an eyesore to the world"
In his assault upon the military autocracy,
even the emperor is left in no doubt as to the
meaning of Mr.. Hardens words. He pleads for
democracy. as the one hope of peace now and
hereafter, for liberty to speak and to write, and
most significant OF all, perhaps, he demands new
men in government "headed toward the goal in
dictated by President Wilson" Finally, he con-
dennis Gerniany's peace proposals as insincere
and only an excuse for relentless submarine war
fare and, with his mind evidently upon the war
lord, he declares that peace must come on the
responsibility OF the nation and not upon that Of
any prince or family"
Noble and, courageous as these sentiments
are, Americans must wonder why one man only
is allowed to express them and what effect thew
may have upon the German people. Heralds OF
democracy like Macmillan Harden are not COM
mon in any land but how does it happen that he
has no known disciples when it would seem that
even ten such men might be able to redeem ma
ton enslavcd by drillmasters and war-makers2
Where there is no vision, the people perish. .
said Solomon While Macmillan Harden lives
Germany will not be wholly without vision
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-11
Joseph Benson Foraker.

Under other conditions, the death of Joseph
Benson Foraker would attract nationwide atten-
ton and an outpouring OF personal tributes to his
memory. Governor Foraker was man of Pc
culiar personal magnetism, so rare in our public
men, but so valuable an asset to those who pos
sess It, always active and aggressive and with the
unquestioned courage Of his convictions. He en-
joyed the intense loyalty Of his friends and the
bitter hatred of his enemies with the consequent
political ups and downs that always mark such
leadership. True, Mr. Foraker belonged to the old
school Of craftsmanship, but his public career in
title him to more than mere mention in the pages
OF American history.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-11
Be Careful, but Don't Stampede.

Conflicting statements from authoritative
sources tend to confuse people as to the proper
course to pursue in adjusting personal affairs to
meet new conditions of living. A little bit OF
sober reflection will help good deal in reaching
a wise conclusion on this, The abnormal short
age in certain supplies doesn't mean famine il we
are careful Economy should not be translated
into terms of parsimony, for that will bring dis
aster. Factories and stores must be kept open
and in successful operation, or our whole indus
trial and commercial organization will be in dan
ger of breaking down.
What is required at this time is that we cease
to waste using care at all times to see that moth
ing useful is squandered. This is a good rule to
follow at any time, but now it is imperative. If
one danger threatens us more than another, it is
that OF panic occasoned by fear Of extravaganza
and consequent violent checking up OF produc-
ton and consumption alike.
Plenty Of food for all, il properly handled, is
in sight, and the people Of the United States
will not go hungry or naked. Government au-
thorities are expected to prudently exercise con-
troll, to the end that distribution is effective and
that speculation is checked so far as may be. In
the hands Of the people themselves rests the final
solution OF the question. Be careful, but don't
stampede, and the great crisis will be passed in
safety.