davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
THE GERMAN HOPE.

Whatever may be the somewhat Cd
scrre reasons for the political crisis
IN Germany, it is very evident that a
desire by any considerable portion OF
Germans for peace on terms Wh'cn
the allies could accept is not one OF
them
r. Is noticeable that although the
radicals in the reichstag make much
of their demands for peace without
annexations and without indemnity
the limit of the demands they make
IN their government at this time is
for restoration of the status quo
ante
A return to the old conditions that
existed before the war and lead up to
the struggle would be intolerable &c
the entente and to the United States
It would be a very distinct victory for
Germany. for 1t would permit the mill
tary powers of the empire to continue
in the saddle and prepare for another
war against the peace of Europe and
the peace of the world.
1t is increasingly evident. as the
world comes to know more about the
upheaval which rocked Hollweg out OIL
his chancellor's seat and put Mich
aelis in his place. that the changes
have been dictated by the army's lead
ers. with whom the kaiser ia in com
plete accord.
Until the public in Germany arises
Ito realization Of its powers and its
duty to itself and civilization, the
military rule Of Germany cannot b.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
---------
NOT GERMANY'S DAY.

Tomorrow is to be a big day in Ger
many, but present indications are not
that 1t will be particularly big day
for Germany. AS the time for Chan
cellor Michaelis' speech to the reich
stag draws nearer, there is evidence
that the radicals are becoming less
radical. and that the militarists will
emerge from the present situation with
their hold on the reichstag, and the
German people strengthened.
The iron sway OF the kaiser and his
war lords is not weakened. There may
be reason to believe that the tighten
ing of its grasp now will hasten a rev
olution at some future time, but there
seems no indication Of an upheaval
now
The reichstag may adopt the peace
resolutions proposed by the radicals.
and still fail ito change the situation.
II is increasingly evident that under
the present system of government in
Germany, anything the reichstag does
or thinks can have little real effect
on the course of actual rulers except
to make their domination more abso-
lutte.
Nothing could illustrate more strong
ly the deep-seated and overpowering
fear of the kaiser than the declara-
ton issued by the Catholic centrists
yesterday, apologizing for the speech
of Deputy Erzberger in which he as
sailed the pan-Germans and the subma-
rine campaign. After Erzberger's i'm
passioned outburst, the statement by
his party provides a distinct anti-cli-
max and serves as sweeping dis
avowal. This is part Of the declara-
ton:
Certainly our fronts stand I'M
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20

arate Shock" troops. Their plan is to
train behind the front officers, N. C..
O.'s and men temporarily drafted from
their proper regiments as specialists
in the various weapons Of attack, and
then, before they rejoin their units as
instructors. to put them through q
kind of final examination in what they
have been learning by posting them
for a short time to some section of the
front line where, as separately organ
acquired knowledge of the handling Of
hand grenades, rifle grenades. machine
guns and machine rifles on the corpus
vile of the enemy. That was what hap
pened at Mont Cornillet.
On the ridge between it and Mont
Blond. little to the east, the Germans
had still one observation post, the only
one left to them on the Moronvilliers
Massif. from which they still COM
manded view Of small part of the
French lines on the plain. The object
Of the newly trained detachment was
to take this post and two lengths Of
the front trenches communicating with
It. That was their test examination.
Only SO Of them were employed
squads of grenadiers and handful Of
fusil mitrailleurs. supported by ma
chine guns and 37's, and followed by
four sections Of infantry ready to taRe
over the trenches when they should
be captured. They were opposed by
two companies. all young men, COM
manded by Guards officers. The attack
was to begin at $3.50 a. M At o'clock
f1o frvq{f nk% Az ~
his own. which lasted half an hour,
and then the 81, who in the whole en-
gagement lost only killed and II
wounded, made their dash. In half an
hour the four sections had Joined up.
and in very short time, ar,er stout
resistance. the enemy were In fun re-
treat from the disputed trenches, leav-
ing 200 dead behind them.
The action, which was described to
me by an officer who trained and COM
manded the men who carried 1t out.
though quite small, was exceptionally
brilliant, and all the examines, includ-
ing the young lieutenant. who fought
through it all in spite Of the fact that
he was twice wounded, go back to re
Join their regiments, not only as
heroes. but as men, who. having first
learnt their job and then put II into
practice. are the very best kind Of In
structors.
AS for the difference between the
two systems, it seems to me that tho
French plan of having no special
"shock" troops. but of, instead, train
ing all regiments to act in that capac-
ity when the effort is demanded Of
them, is decidedly better than the Ger.
man method of creating a special
corps d'elite for special occasions. Tho
one makes the best use Of regimental
pride and esprit de corps, the other
tends to weaken that invaluable quail
ity by stripping individual regiments
of their best fighters and giving almost
inevitably to the residue a feeling Of
inferiority. But no duobt the Germans
need no teaching as to the method
which best suits the genius or the linn
itations of their nation and the neces-
stiles of the case
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20

Not many hours after the publica-
ton In The Times of June 20 of the
dispatch in which I gave some account
of the organization of German "shock'
troops, detachment of these same
troops gave typical exhibition of the
way in which they are employed in an
engagement on the Mont DIES Singes,
near Vauxaillon, little way west of
the western extremity of the Chemin
des Danes. On the same day. between
Mont Cornillet and Mont Blond, a
small body of French troops, some
what similarly organized, though with
quite different object. gained bril-
liant victory over the considerably
larger German force by which they
were opposed. The two stories may
we'll stand side by side. They illus
trate, in my opinion, very clearly the
difference between French and Ger
man methods of fighting and the racial
characteristics by which they are die
tated.
The affair on Mont des Singes,
which was much the bigger operation.
began with German success. entirely
due to the action of the Stosstruppen.
and ended in the recovery of the whole
of the ground lost in the first surprise,
with the exception Of one small length
of trench. Up to the moment of the
enemy attack both sides held trenches
just below the plateau on the summit
of the hill The French had. however.
managed to push forward a short COM
munication trench ending in an obser-
walton post. from which they com
manded some view Of the enemy's
positions beyond BY sudden rush a
body of Stosstruppen, carrying only
erenades and working in their shirt
sleeves, carried this post and trench
and swept on down the longer com
munication trench below It, the French
retiring before them as they advanced.
Having rushed along 1t as far as they
could without mourning heavy losses.
they made way for ordinary troops be-
hind belonging to division which had
lately come from the Russian front,
and fell back to the rear, after duly
carrying out the Job for which they
were intended. The result was that
French troops in the front trench a
little way east Of the one which had
been rushed. seeing the enemy behind
them. were obliged to retire. and quite
nice little block of entrenched
ground fell into the hands of the
enemy.
A counter-attack was. however. car
ried out almost at once. but, though
the first attempt to drive the enemy
out succeeded on the right. the posi-
ton on the left, from which the Ger
mans were able, owing to the lie Of the
ground, to drop grenades straight
down on the heads of the French
troops. was too steep and difficult to
be regained by direct frontal attack;
and it was not till, at another attempt.
it was stormed from two sides at once
that it fell once more into the hands of
our allies. But the point is that 1t
was so retaken with little loss of time.
and consequently that all the work OF
the special "shock" troops, effective as
it had been as coup de main, was
wasted.
The French have none of these sep
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
GuMMINe THE CARDS,

Just what may be the inside facts in
connection with the squabble between
General Goethals and Chairman Den
man The Courier does not attempt to
say, but this much is certain: the
whole country is becoming Disguised
with the quarrel itself and alarmed
over the useless delay to the very nee.
essary plans for providing ships for
the TRANSFORMATION of food and supplies
to our allies.
If, as Mr.. Denman intimates very
broadly, General Goethals is in league
with the steel manufacturers OF the
country to buy steel ships at high
figure and to ignore wooden ship build
ers as much as possible, it should not
be difficult to establish that fact
quickly and force the builder OF the
Panama canal either to mend his ways
or surrender his post.
If, Mr.. Denman is pursuing policy
of obstruction for any other than a
good reason, that fact should be evil
dent to the members Of the administers
ton who are charged with responsible
ity for early construction of the emer-
gency fleet.
For weeks this quarrel has been
blocking the progress of what the pub
lie was assured was the biggest pro
ject in connection with Americas en-
trance into the war. Both Mr.. Denman
and General Goethals have been III
their present positions since the wal
missions from France and England
were in America. but little real WORK
has been done in more than few
shipyards and nothing has been done
on several of the big contracts.
Because of the admirable record he
made in Panama, General Goethals
has enjoyed a remarkable measure of
the American public's confidence for
years. 1t is difficult to believe he would
forfeit that confidence at this time,
when all his training and all his
achievements have been of sort to
stamp him as loyal American citizen.
If he was to blame for the unreason-
ably high prices that were to be PAID
for steel under the contracts which
Mr.. Denman refused to approve sever.
al weeks ago. it seems strange that
this should not have brought about
General Cocktails dismissal. There
was no specific charge that this was
the case, and with that lacking there
is every probability that not more than
the least interesting half OF the story
has been told.
Without attempting to judge either
of these men, it is very evident that
they cannot work together on the i'm.
portant shipping problem in amity and
with the best measure OF quick sue,
cess Therefore, one or both should
step down and out Neither is OF
enough importance to be permitted 10
delay so big project.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20

when Erzberger made his sensational
reichstag speech for peace after visit
to Vienna during which he was re-
ceived by Charles.
At first, Berlin's junker press de.
MED, the story of this audience, but
later dispatches repeat the story and
the denials have been silenced.
The next few weeks should decide
whether the kaiser's power over his
own people and his allies has been
weakened or remains unimpaired. 1t
is evident he believes he still holds alb
solute sway, is determined to silence
for good the mutterings of all the cri.
tics of his war policies.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20

was discovered with large bouquet in
his arms on the doorstep OF the back
entrance to the picture palace.
Magistrate-Did he give any reason
for his extraordinary behavior?
Policeman-His speech was very in
distinct, your honor. but from what
could gather he was waiting to see
Mary Pickford home &
With pardonable pride a lady dis.
played very ancient piece Of house
linen to her servant. saying:
Look, Bridget, at this tabsecloth.
1t has been in the family for over 200
years"
Bridget eyed 1t carefully. and then
remarked In a most confidential tone:
Sure, never mind, Mrs. Arthur
dear WHO would know but that Il
was bought BRAN new out Of the
shop?"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20

democratic government. That, in a
broad way, is what Germany's numer-
GUS sorts of socialists want. Their de-
sire for governmental reform has
made them socialists, and because So
cialism in Germany has definite, con-
structive aim and real reason for ex-
istence, it has grown in spite of the en-
nifty of an autocratic and oppressive
government
Socialism in America, on the other
hand. is founded on creed of destruc-
ton, of opposition to the one govern
ment among all those in the world
which grants its people actual liberty
to an extent not realized in any other
nation.
The socialists in America have chos-
en- to espouse the pacifist cause at this
time true to their policy of opposition
to organized government as it affects
them. They have adopted resolutions
condemning their governments action
in entering the war; their literature
repeats and amplifies these resolu-
tons; their speakers and their propa-
ganda oppose CONSUMPTION and prac.
tically every other means this govern.
ment has adopted to win the struggle
against Prussian autocracy-against
the same unjust government which is
being opposed in Germany by German
socialists and radicals
Socialists in America have opposed
the Liberty loan; some of them have
sought to discourage young men from
volunteering for military service !:
many of them have defied the law and
refused to register for the army draft.
In short, the socialists in. America
| have done about everything they could
do to reduce Americas efficiency as a
nation at war. And in doing so they
have done everything, they could to
aid the cause of the kaiser.
Perhaps these American socialists,
If they lived in Germany, would be
hand in hand with the German social
lists. The extent of their doctrine, SO
far as 1t goes In practice, seems to be
the destruction of whatever govern
ment they chance to be living under.
And this is why the loyal, patriotic
American citizen is out OF patience
with the American socialist. If the
latter were sincerely an ally of the So
cialists in Germany he would be sup
porting America in the war by volun.
teering for service Of some sort, just
as the loyal American men and women
are doing.
Instead, he is devoting all his ener
gies and all his illogical oratory to an.
ti-American, pro- Russian activity. He
is decrying Americas efforts to over
throw the greatest military autocracs
the world has known during all It's cen.
turtles. He is doing all he can, without
openly counting arrest for disloyalty.
to prevent an American victory and
make possible the domination of his
nation and all the world, by Prussia.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
SENDING PLOWS
ON RIVER BARGES

Davenport. July 17.-Four barges
each loaded down with plows from the
Moline Plow Co.. are being shipped
up the river from Moline to st. Paul
Mimi. the latter half Of this week.
The barges. which started from Moline
last night are being towed by the U S.
steamer Minnesota" The barges are
part of the U. S. fleet.
The large shipment consisting Of
$50 tons of plowshares. shipped into
the northwest. is significant in that IL
shows what the farmers in that sec.
ton of the country are intending to do
to promulgate the welfare Of the coun.
try. According to rivermen. If this con.
signment were shipped by rail. II
would require twenty.four cars.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
orrUMwA sEM1wE1EEdY COURIER FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1917

shakable Our strongest offensive
force, the U-boats, Injuries England
immeasurably Nevertheless no
end is to be foreseen at this mo-
ment. Hope had arisen that the
end of the war might be brought
about by midsummer through the
Uboats. Expectations were
aroused which were not realized.
This statement, however, implies
no doubt in the efficiency of the
U-boats. 1t has occurred to no one
to suggest the stoppage of subma-
rine warfare.
The very resolution which the radi
cal majority has announced, 1t will
adopt tomorrow in defiance of the new
chancellor and his, pan-German ad
visers starts with a lie for it's basis
This sentence as the preface negatives
whatever the declaration contains OF
rebuke for the ruthless campaign fol
world domination: Germany took uE
arms in defense Of it's liberty and in
dependence and for the integrity OF its
territories
The truth, as the whole world knows
is that Germany took up arms to car
ry into effect wild dream of world
empire which had been nursed fol
two score years-a dream which had
been taught to German children with
their alphabets, their Scriptures and
their fractions. Germany took. up arms
to crush every nation that might stand
between German greed--that greed's
satisfaction. Germany took up arms to
subjugate Europe first and the whole
world afterward. Germany took uE
arms to make the kaiser supreme in
the universe by the power Of iron and
fear.
And if the German people have not
realized even yet that this is the true
aim Of the war into which their inhu'
man ruler has forced them, they are
the only people in all the world to es-
cape that knowledge.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20

|overthrown from within. Present con
ditions do not indicate that this can
'transpire soon.
The greatest hope, then, is from the
outside of the empire. And here the
outlook seems more promising. Aus
tria-H Hungary is causing the kaiser as
much anxiety as is the indomitable
Russian army, And the United States
is the cause Of more nervousness than
either or both of these factors in the
world war.
To understand the situation in
Germany it is necessary to realize
that the people as whole are not de-
handing a republican form of govern
ment. They are dissatisfied with con
ditions, not because of the aims of the
kaiser, but because those aims have
not been realized. They believe that
il governmental reforms were insti.
tuted without overturning the mon
archy, new policies could bring about
German victory or at least victory
with honor to Germany and CONNER.
cial power following the conclusion
of peace.
Their demands for parliamentary
reforms are In no sense demands for
overthrow of the Prussian throne.
They want a limited monarchy to re-
place the absolute monarchy that
exists. They want parliamentary gov
eminent in its true sense, with the
executive arm responsible to the legis.
latiye arm. And that is all they want.
That would not satisfy the enemies
of Germany, nor would 1t of necessity
shorten the war. 1t merely would
shift the responsibility for German
atrocity from the kaisers shoulders
to those of the people and their
elected representatives.
It Is evident that pothing short OF
the overthrow OF the militaristic
oligarchy can result iH official accept.
ance by Germany Of peace plans
which the enemies of the empire
would offer. And only by force OF
arms can this be accomplished.
Thus it is easy to see that Amer.
ica's participation in the fighting is
Of major importance right now. Every
day wasted in delay proloIgs the war,
which at best cannot end soon. Ger
many will not quit until her armies
and her rule of absolntisna are
crushed. Despite their bravery ami
sacrifice, the force Of the allies. IN
aided by American troops, can hope
for nothing better than draw And
a draw now means resumption OF
Germany's ante-bellum status, that OF
permanent peril to world peace and
human happiness
1t is encouraging to learn that the
war department officials regard many
of the national guard regiments as
capable of foreign service within a
period of weeks instead of months.
instead of remaining in camp through
the coming winter, some OF the
guardsmen will be sailing early this
fall. This will mean that they will be
fighting by Christmas. perhaps, and
that they will be followed continually
nv other trained Yankee troops until
we have force in Europe great
enought to turn the tide of battle and
finally silence the roar of guns
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
COMMUNITY HEALTH MEASURES

This is the time of year when ii
seems especially easy for numerous
communicable diseases to become cpl
demic. Sanitation experts tell us OF
several reasons for this condition
Flies are responsible for the distribu-
ton Of many disease germs; dust from
the streets and roads accounts for It's
share of summer time mortality ano
failure to observe proper rules OF
household sanitation causes much SICK
ness.
The inheritance Of health measures
in the home cannot be over-emphaslz
ed Neither can the Importance OF
screens to bar flies and mosquitoes,
The temporary discomfort caused by
these insects IS as nothing compared
to the harm they may do as disease
carriers.
II is unfortunate that Ottumwa has
no municipal system OF garbage coiiee-
ton and disposal. The lack OF such a
system makes it doubly important that
each householder make his own provt
sions for disposing Of garbage daily
and for depositing 1t for collection in
closed receptacle which is cleaned
frequently and kept covered ughtiy.
Inadequate sewerage in some sec
tions of the city increase the problem
of domestic sanitation as they increase
its Importance.
1t is of vital Importance to the whole
community that unsanitary nuisances
be abated promptly when they are
found to exist, and that instructions
from the city's sanitation officers be
obeyed in a proper spirit of loyalty te
the entire community.
Ottumwa is healthy city and has
enjoyed that distinction for many
years because of this spirit of loyalty
II is well to keep this fact in mind
that the vigilance which has been Ell
fective in the past shall not be permit
ted to relax.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
IOWAN BACK FROM
WALK TO NEW YORK

Davenport. July 17.-Robert Sindt
has returned to Davenport frcm New
York City and stated he succeeded In
starting military cadet corps in II big
eastern cities.
Sindt left Davenport 80 days ago
and walked to New York. In all he
walked approximately 1900 miles.
From New York he walked westward
to Scranton. Pa. where he took 8
train for Davenport.
Sindt was 80 days on the road. It
took him n days to walk to New
York. He walked from Leesburg tc
Washington. n. c., distance OF 81
miles in one day. This was his best
daily mileage total.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
DINNER STORIES

s;r lanes Murray, the author OF the
New English Dictionary. was one Z.
guest at literary dinner at winch -
member of the company, Sreauy uai
ing. started discussion concerning
the pronunciation of certain "oruS.
Have YOU noticed, Sir James" ne
said chat in the entire Ensilsh
language there is only one WORD De-
ginning with SUI that is pronounceu
as though beginning with n? rms
one is sugar. Having made an eN'
haustive study of the subject you may
take it from me that this Is so,
Bored though he was. the native
holiness of the distinguished oicIloi'
arv maker did not desert him.
Assuming an expression of interest
although his twinkled behind his
glasses, he quietly asked, Are you
sure?"
| 1T would save us much-needed MOOR
, space and considerable money II more
| OF our women customers would use
the stairway when going up only one
flight" said the department store
manager.
Il wish | knew of some way 10
make 'em do it
why not take the mirrors out OF
the elevators and put them on the
stairs9" suggested his bright assist
ant.
! Policeman laiving evidence,--AfteI
being elected from the movie show he