davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
Forcing Mr.. Wilson to Act

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The editorial page of to-day's Tribune
reflects so clearly my own feelings as to the
Administration and its conduct OF the war
and. | am sure the convictions of so many
thousands beside myself that ! cannot re-
frain from a word of approval The letters
If Mr. Langdon. of Democrat and Of K.
are admirable
Has il not by this time been conclusively
proved that Mr.. Wilson will not act until ne
has been pushed into position where lie
must act or submit to something which ne
dislikes even more than action? Inc prop
lem then is, is it not, how can the great
body of the people, who want something
done. and at once. force him into action?
Mr.. Wilson has carefully surrounded him
self with men who are weaker than himself,
and by whom he feels he is in no danger OF
being pressed to act Furthermore, he Is a
master of the art of waiting until the last
moment to do a thing. When matters had
reached a breaking point he made his won
derful speech, and he doubtless feels that
this has gained him respite, and that the
people will be content 10 trust him upon the
strength of the sentiments he then eX-
pressed until another crisis arrives, when
with maximum of expression and mimi
mum of action he will again endeavor to
gain time.
Now what we want as so clearly is shown
by your correspondents, is such an over
whelmng demand for action on the part OF
the people that he will not dare TO disregard
it. but will be forced against his Will, to
place about him at the heads OF departments
and in his Cabinet. men who will do some
thing; men who will not come to him for
his O. X on every question which arises,
but will act on their own initiative; men who
will move with such irresistible force as to
carry him along with them.
Can he be forced to do this, and how? II
not. God save the Allies, for they will have
no substantial help from this country during
the next four years. r. l.. H.
New York, May "a, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
False History
The Ugly Side of Volunteering" and
Other Items

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: For one | am very glad that you
printed the "Ugly Side OF Volunteering"
from an Grafton at Lincoln, Mass, made by
Charles Francis Adams.
| went with the 7th New York on April 10,
1861, for the defence of Washington, while
the rs 900 volunteers for three months were
organizing. Broadway was ablaze with flags,
and the streets and the windows were packed
with enthusiasts.
In June, 1862, the 9Th went to Baltimore
for three months to free the garrison at
Fort Federal Hill for service in the field.
There was very little interest in their de-
parture. On my return joined the three
year volunteers. Regiments were marching
down Broadway on their way to the Jersey
City ferry in column of tours, close to the
curb, SO as not to obstruct traffic. In 1868
the government resorted to a draft to fill
depleted regiments. This draft occasioned a
riot in New York City and several negroes
were hanged, as the mob associated them
with the whole trouble.
In 1864 volunteers and substitutes got
81 900 bounty. OF course, this was a great
incentive to desertion. Some men deserted
and reenlisted many times, getting the
bounty each time. Massachusetts had more
difficulty than any other state in filing her
quota The assistant surgeon of Massa-
chusetts regiment told me that he was in
the Office of the provost marshal at Norfolk
one day. He saw negroes enlisting, where
upon he asked the captain and p. M.
who got credit for these enlistments
why, no one" "Could you credit them
to any state?" Certainly" Then the
surgeon said: "The towns in Western
Massachusetts need men to fill their quota
will get leave for ten days and fill them
ur, and We will divide Sheffield, Great
Darlington, Lee, Stockbridge. New MarIbor-
ough, North and South Egremont and Afford
were filled and $4,000 divided
Our school histories ought to be rewritten
without delay. They are full of nonsense
The trivial matter of Paul Revere's ride has
become history. II was not written with
any such intent. Longfellow simply wrote
some verses for Harvard banquet in 1863
and, in looking for a subject, fell upon the
incident of two messengers, William Dawes
and Paul Revere, carrying the message that
the British had moved out from Boston
Their destination was Concord, where were
stored some patriot supplies. Paul Revere
went to Lincoln, ten or twelve miles; Will
lam Dawes went to Concord, seventeen miles.
DR.. Prescott, brother of Colonel William
Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, took the
message TO Groton, eighteen miles further
OF course, William Dawes's name is not so
euphonc as that Of Paul Revere, so the
Mans Of the latter was substituted.
There were 100000 enlistments during the
Revolutionary War; and Washington seldom
had mere than 5000 under arms. This was
the result of Congress having no power; the
states furnished troops or withheld them;
the same was true Of supplies.
ROBERT W. LEONARD.
Mount Kisco, N. Y, May "a, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
The New Entente
Alliance Based on the Declaration
Of independence

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The three leading democracies of the
world--the British Empire, the French Re-
public and the United States-do not need
and could not possibly enter into a Drei-
bund Of the Teutonic "scrap-of-paper" type,
such az the Tripartite Alliance that was
secretly made in 1888 by the Hohenzollern
and Hapsburg dynasties and crafty and
ambitious politician such as Crispi became
under the hypnotic influence of Bismarck,
who wished simply to use Italy as a cats
paw for the Prussian "Mitteleuropa"
schere. Fortunately for Italy's reputation
for faith-keeping, the Dreibund was not an
oifensiye-and defensive alliance; it only
bound each of the three contracting nations
to come TO the help of the two others in
case they were attacked. AS the present
Misunderstanding war was begun by Aus
tria brutaly taking the offensive in her
wanton attack upon little Serbia, Italy
could honorably denounce Crispps secret
treaty as no longer binding upon her.
But, whatever may have been ltaly's obli-
cations and rights in the old Dreibund, what
the british Empire and France and the
United States want-and what will doubtless
be evolved along the lines of the political
ideals and methods which they hold in COM
mon, and in accordance with their mutual
interests, which will always be substantially
parallel and never seriously or permanent
ly antagonistic-is not a formal, hard-and-
fast alliance, but an unwritten understand
ing or "gentlemen's agreement; in other
words, a new entente cordiale that will be
all the stronger and all the more permanent
because it is free and elastic.
Now that the United States has at last
taken its place alongside of the great
Motnerland and our ancient ally in our War
for independence, the epoch making visit of
Balfour, Vivian and Joffre has crystallized
and deepened the feeling among our citizens
that America, in entering this war, is only
fulfilling its destiny and its worldwide mis-
sion as a protagonist of the fundamental
principle of that. Declaration of Indepen-
dence which is to America what the Magma
Charta is to both branches of the English
speaking people, namely, that all government
derives its just powers from the consent of
the governed.
Since President Wilson's immortal mes
sage of April 2, and the action taken by Con-
gress IN declaring war between the Imperial
German, government and the United States
every American that is true to type must
feel that his beloved country, in thus taking
her place, at last, alongside Of the British
Empire and France in the terrible struggle
they are making not only for their own ex-
istence. but for our safety and for our prin-
ciples. is in the goodly company of free pco-
pies 10 which she belongs.
RICHARD d. HARLAN.
Warrington, d. C., May %, 1917,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
No Time or Money to Waste

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: am heartily in accord with your cor
torial OF May %, Abandon the State 0e''
sus." We have neither time nor money !"
waste on duplication of work, which IS reI'
all that this state census will mean a. Wv
present time Let US in New YORK '"'
work with the Federal government, aidihs :.
in work that is badly needed, and pos'PoIII
the taking of the state census, as you
wise. until such time as the Federal Couhe''
wants it taken; thus we will have more m0a.s
and more time to devote to the really p'.I
ing things of the present time. have AM
with a number of people since reading w.
editorial. and they all agree that It woul' :.
for the best interests of the country " ~.
lease us from all this heavy work ana NV.
with the whole country in using ths' IN ~.
and money for the best interests OF s''
Federal government. A. "iLLhn
New York. May "a, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26

substitution of zone rates for the present
single fiat rate, belong in postal admin
istration bill rather than in tax bill.
That is a merely technical objection. The
establishment of zone system and zone
charges for second class matter is postal
reform long needed. 1t should have been
accomplished in peace times. But war
economies certainly Justify the stoppage at
once of the leak in postal revenues caused
by gross undercharges on second class
matter.
Here is an opportunity to check waste
and secure an intelligent readjustment OF
postal rates. There is no good reason why
second class postal matter should not pay
its own way. At time when all business
interests are being taxed so heavily the
government should not hesitate to cut oil
an unjustifed subsidy to the shippers oil
second class mail matter.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
Along, Desperate Struggle
What American Imaginations Must
Realize in the War

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In referring 70 our taking part IN the
war. YOU say to-day in your excellent little
editorial: at has been a hard test for the
Imagination of Americans these thousands
Of miles away" Suppose to various reasons
given. we added these: We are at war with
Germany to punish her for killing American
civilians. who were travelling on the high
seas. as they had right to travel-murder-
ing is the correct word to use, really we
ere Joining with England to save France from
utter ruin-France country to whom we owe
the only debt we ever owed any country lot
her help in the Revolution. And we are with
France and England to rescue Belgium ana
reestablish that little country as well as IL
can he reestablished. II hardly requires
IMAGINATION to comprehend these points ana
are they not the real reasons why we are at
war with Germany?
What we need to further understand TO the
fullest extent is, that we are at war with
the ablest, fercest, most resourceful and
least scrupulous enemy this or any other
country ever encountered. Germany is Tar
from being defeated, and we shall have to use
every ounce of American grit to beat Ger
many to her knees II will be long, hard,
desperate struggle, but we arc sure to win'
GHERARDI DAVIS.
New York. May "a. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
The Good Birds Do
Keep Down the Multitude of Ina
Most of Which Are Harmful
To the Editor of The Tribune.


Sir: have read the article by Arehil.,,
c. Weeks in your issue Of May 10. in -
sition 70 the policy OF licensing cats. in M
he maintains that cats are more helpf,, /.
mankind than birds. He states tina, |. I.
"mooted question whether birds do ma.
good than injury"
II he has followed the work Of the h.,.-
zeal survey OF the United States Depsr,u.s
Of Agriculture and read the reports mad. :
the experts Of the survey on the food Of k;,l
he must know that the birds ordinarily I'm,
by cats are in the main much mora usss.
than injurious. These Investigations ~ u.
food Of birds are by far the most painst.k;,.
and thorough Of any ever undertaken in n.
history of the world, and their results sho,u
be accepted as authoritative. They estahl;,.
the utility of most Of the common Amer;,,.
birds of the farm, which are shown Ia a.
stroy tremendous quantities Of destructive n.
sects.
IL is matter Of common knowledge a.,
Mr.. Weeks's assertion that BY far the la,,,.
rumber Of insects are beneficial is untrs& n
his statement were true, the beneficial in,,,..
that feed on injurious insects might h !,
pected 70 exterminatc all injurious sv>e.,
Economic entomologists, whose live, A..
spent in the study Of insects, tell Us that a.
destructive species far outnumber the b,s,.
fetal ones; also, there are some predseisu,
insects which are useful so long a. th.,,
numbers are kept in control, bu. when The,
become too numerous they may attack mai.
or fruit and become injurious. as they hav.
in some cases. Birds are useful not onlv I,
keeping injurious insects in check, but i,
keeping some of these so-called beneficial IN.
sects in check which would otherwise become
injurious.
Mr. Weeks repeats an old error in q state.
ment to the effect that "in many instance,
the insects that are really injurious are pr..
tected by irritating hairs or poisonous spine,.
or live underground" and that birds wiz
few exceptions never touch them" have
shown the error Of this statement IN nv N.
port on useful birds and their protection. 4.
which long list of common birds is give,
that feed on just such insects as he spesks a.
II the majority of insects were benefeii
It would be unnecessary for the United Stat,
government and the states to expend million,
Of dollars in establishing and maintaining
chronological departments and experiment
stations and in keeping large numbers II
men at work to suppress outbreaks Of inssss
pests. Neither would il be necessary fer
the farmers in the country to expend millions
of dollars in insecticides and labor for the De.
structon of insects to protect their crops.
In the controversy in regard to the cat Il.
cense, many articles containing false and
misleading statements have been published
on both sides of the question, but hsv.
never seen one containing so much misinfor
nation as this article from the pen OF Mr..
Weeks. E. II. FORBUSH.
State 0rnithologst
Boston, Mass May 81, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
An Explosion Coming

from inc bOotD' ff""o'''Ftf
Washington will be the scene within few
fortpights of an explosion the like of which
the nation has not witnessed since the war
with Spain. 1t will blow the lid off the
public delusion that ours is to be placid
participation in the great conflict, "a little
and long distance war" II will blast away
the barriers which ineffectives In high
places have erected against the efforts of the
ablest business men between the two oceans
to help the nation get ready for war-busi-
ness men who have arrived in Washington
only TO find that the work of the Advisory
Council Of Nations is viewed with petty sus-
picion by members of the Cabinet, who are
afraid of being overslaughed or of having
their infrmties become public property. II
will disclose condition of defencelessness
on land and sea, lack of coordination in the
War and Navy departments, a mean and
jealous political prejudice, an attitude
toward men of affairs which is dishesrtening
and disrupting.
When the explosion comes the country will
be told that all criticism of the Cabinet is
aimed at the President and emanates either
from the rams Oi tHc oppoSlllOU party OF
from bankers and business men who want
to reap rich harvest in war profits from
the government. Every device known to the
demagogue will be employed to hoodwink the
people in the effort to protect the group OF
mediocrities who for the most part make up
the Cabinet. If the espionage bill becomes
law without too much amendment it will
enable the Administration TO Jail leaders of
the press and the public who dare to tell the
people the truth about the government; but
war is time when patriotic service is linn
tied neither to armng nor farming.
The sooner the explosion comes the better
it will be for the country. The fathers and
mothers who are giving their sons to the
army and navy have right to know what
the government is doing and to criticse
what is badly done OF lodged altogether.
The brains Of America must be modified
and used before we can win the war, even
though more than one medocrity who is to-
day blocking progress loses his job.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26

efficiency is TO put children to work at
adults jobs and TO plunge men and women
into a state of industrial fatigue and Ill
health and DISEASE. The proposal to wipe
out any law safeguarding labor Is one
which can benefit only the producer-the
exploiter who puts the condition OF his
purse before the condition Of his country
or its people. In its inevitable effect on
industrial preparedness it comes perllously
near to treason; for assuredly the slack
ening of production which would result
would aid the enemy.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
The Bottom Reason

So many excellent reasons for investing
our money in the Liberty Loan have been
stated that there seems real danger that
the first and last and best reason of all
will be overshadowed. That reason is SIM
ply and fatty that our country needs our
money.
The economic campaign in support Of
the loan is a fine thing. 1t is urgently
needed not so much as matter OF per-
suasion as of education. We are not
familiar with government loans in Amer
lea. We are. as a country ignorant OF the
whole business of investing. 1t is one OF
the excellent by-products of the present
loan that it will teach us not only how to
save. but (which is quite as Important
how to invest. We are learning what gov
eminent credit is, on what it is based, why
government bond is the safest form OF
investment. as well as the whole routine
of bond buying and holding. Cutting
coupons will cease to be a mere phrase OF
the Joke writer's and will become ma
tional sport.
But this excellent by-product, this incl
dental benefit to ourselves, is only a by
product. lucky chance. The real appeal
to Americans is not that they will make a
clever bargain for themselves. 1t Is that
their country is in danger, that all the
precious things their country stands for
are in danger and that she asks their help
Let US waive the whole economic basis
Suppose the finances of the country were
so depressed that the payment of interest
was likely to be defaulted-that instead OF
31a per cent interest, likely to become Az
per cent interest, there was no interest IN
sight whatever. Suppose that the credit,
the very existence, of the country was so
gravely menaced that the safety OF the
whole investment was in doubt. Let us
assume that while our faith in our coun-
try's salvation was still undaunted the
facts, the military and economic probabll-
ties. were all against us. Would we for
any such reason hesitate? Would we hold
on to our money in the vain hope of saving
our skins and our property and letting our
country be destroyed? Not unless Ameri-
cans have become very different breed
from what they have shown themselves
over and over again in the past,
As matter of cold fact our America is
threatened. No man can state its peril IN
accurate terms. But the danger is real
and visible, and growing. The nation
needs the help of every one of her citizens.
Those who can are to fight. Those who
cannot are asked to do their utmost be-
hind the lines. In that utmost, as small
beginning, comes financial help in the form
of this loan. 1t is loan Of fresh savings,
of money assembled through new self
denial and a patriotic economy, that is
asked. And thus asked we shall give. We
shall give because we are anxious and
eager to do our best, whatever it may be,
for the country we dearly love.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
Tax Unused Lands

To the Editor Of The Tribune. =.
Sir: The article by Stoughton Cooiey ~
rearing in The Tribune of May 20 is wi'n0s,
doubt the best article bearing OF the ".
question that has so far appeared in any '
the great daiies Of this city.
The exemption of labor values from ,,.
ton and the laying of one tax upon ~ I,
values would Immediately bring into use -
unused lands now held out Of use Tor 49,
lation and other purposes; the result
be an enormous increase in all forms OF -
duction, resulting in substantial dee =,
in selling price Of all commodities
upon labor values is added to selling pre-. y
the commodity, whereas tax upon -.
values is not and can not be added 70 ss'"-'
price. Miss hp'in
New York. May "a. 1917. -
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
More Like Him Needed
n of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: | have been greatly pleased to read
the articles in The Tribune in reference to
Mayor Mitchell. During the whole course
of his administration he has acted and
spoken like an honorable gentleman. With
out partisan or sectarian bias, ! consider he
is one of the best Mayors New York has ever
had
Like many others. would like TO see him
continue in Office for another term He has
risen above party lines. and his patriotism
and ideals of what is just and right are mani
tested in all his speeches and acts. Would
that there were more men like him
HENRY PENNINGTON.
Stamford, Conn, May "a, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
Boycott Them

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: believe boycotting is the proper
reproval for the use of the national colors
on advertising matter. Don't you think the
names of individuals, firms or corporations
using the said colors for pecuniary purposes
should be kept before the public's eye?
BLAST THEM.
New York, May "a, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26

Entered =. the ros;o-c. At New York " Second Ol'''
Mall Matter
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-05-25
To Help the Sailors i'm the Navy.

! A meeting of the women of West
minister was held in Firemen's Hall
| Friday afternoon, May is, to awaken
interest in a movement Of the women
OF America to supply comforts for the
sailors of the Navy during the present
war. Mrs. Herr introduced Miss kar-
many, representing the Navy League
of the United States, as the speaker
of the afternoon. Miss karmany de-
livered a splendid address. outlined
the program OF the Navy League and
urged the formation of local branch.
At the close of the address a local
branch of the Navy League was form
ed to be designated as the "Westmin-
Ster Branch of the Navy League of the
United States
The program of the local branch is
to undertake to furnish needed ar
ticles of clothing, equipment, comfort
and hospital stores required by the
exigencies of the service and at this
time not furnished by the government
and in the event of war to undertake
to raise and distribute a Navy League
war relief fund
The following officers were elected:
Mrs. Joseph Smith, president; Miss
Margaret Bennett, treasurer.
1t is anxiously desired that as many
of the women of Westminster as pos
sible join the branch. The associate
membership fee of 81 should be sent
to Miss Margaret Bennett, treasurer.
This gives the opportunity for all Wo-
men in Westminster and vicinity to
have some part in aiding the govern
ment to carry on war in the cause
of freedom and such an opportunity
should not be neglected. Any one
who desires to help without actually
becoming a member of the club may
easily do SO by applying to Mrs. <. o.
Grimes, Jr., and the wool needles and
instructions for the making Of the
various articles will be supplied free. |
As the Westminster branch of the |
League has only recently been formed !
it has at present no supplies on hand !
but it is expected that within a week |
there will be enough available to sup
ply the demands of all applicants.