davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
The Draft a Gentle
Breeze

THE storm which might have ap-
Il peared with the draft did not appear.
After a week concerned more with the
somewhat cumbersome machinery of seec
tive conscription than with any theories
attendant upon that subject the only pro-
tests to appear that the June registrations
may have promised are mild declarations
on the part of professional pacifists that
they will get together soon to take further
action. Doubtless the effect of the draft,
in its accumulation of numbers and its pre-
occupation with procedures, was hypnotic
rather than dramatic. Washington corre-
spondents did their best to give meaning to
the ceremony of drawing 10,500 capsules
from big glass bowl, and pictures of Sec
retary Baker and Provost Marshal General
Crowder experimenting the drawing
helped to make it graphic. But the proc
ess itself was so mechanical, so slow and
apt to stimulate impatience that the coun-
try could be forgiven for tendency to
less sight of the lofty feelings appropriate
to the moment for those more concerned
with it's own convenience.
Whispers have arisen here and there of
political influence being brought to bear
upon exemptors. Rich men ask places at
Washington in the government service
for their sons Governors are chidden for
giving preference to political blood broth
ers on exemption boards. All this ap-
pears to be scattering and without enough
weight to actually disturb the faith of the
American people in the fairness of the
selection. Districts with a large alien
population, however, are disturbed at the
burden they will bear, with so many reg
istrants of foreign birth exempt The
burden weighs heavily on New York's
East Side, where preparations are being
made to appeal for a redistribution of
quotas. The McCumber resolution in the
Senate looks to some scheme for equaliz-
ing the burden by asking permission of
Allied nations to draft their subjects IN
the United States. Conscientious objec-
tors and pacifists are organizing in cities
over the country to demand a repeal of
the conscription law, and are making a
fight upon the constitutionality of the
measure. The campaign will culminate in
a mass meeting to be held in Minneapolis
September /.
Meantime, the progress of the war and
the slow development of war mind in
Washington make clear that the draft
will not stop with the half million-odd
men who will go in the first call Men
and money and ships and food are the i'm
perial four of the support America is
called on to give the Allies, and among
these the part men must play in replen-
ishing the dissipated Allied line is by no
means small. Indications are that the
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
The Nav of War

MORE billions is the cry from Wash
1Nl ington. Secretary McAdoo revealed
that the War Department will need another
$4,000 900 at Senate committee meet
ing last week. Much of this will go into
American military preparation. But at
least $4,000 100000 will be needed to give
encouragement TO the Allied forces at the
scene of battle, for the S3,O0O,O00,0 900 loan
to the Allies will not last longer than Oc-
tober.
Washington has no doubt the money is
present in the country. But the problem is
getting at it. The committee was aston
ished at Secretary McAdoo's request for
so much money, and has no notion at all OF
the procedure which will be followed in
bringing the money into the National Treas
ury. The debate, when it comes, will he
between direct taxation of the present
generation or indirect taxation of the fut-
ure by the sale of bonds
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
To FilltheWorld's Stomach

THE sound of many reapers in the
L Southwest marks the opening of the
farm warfare against Germany, for which
the munitions have been in preparation
all spring. The harvest reports are favor
able at this date, and the promise of vege
tables from the multiplied gardens is be-
wildering in its volume. The garden values
are placed at S350,OOO,OOO by the National
Emergency Food Garden Commission.
The Senate food bill, now about to
emerge as an enacted measure, fixes the
maximum price of wheat at 50 bushel,
news of which prompted the Minneapolis
millers to predict drop in -four to Sl2
barrel. But while the Senate bill has to
do with a lowest price, the Board of
Grain Supervisors of Canada announced a
highest price of S2.40 for No. l hard
Manitoba wheat at Fort William.
The wheat spectators threaten to be
curbed at the very moment when the
news from Russia might have served their
game. The Russian farmers, without faith
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

the part of sophisticated peoples to adopt
a comic opera attitude toward the small
countries of the Far East, but in the case
of Siam it is not merely possible discour-
tesy toward willing ally that bids the
United States give some serious considera-
ton to the unsolicited action of the latest
war maker. For Siam was up to few
days ago the last refuge of German IN
trigue in that part of the world, refuge
which Teutonic agents used so extensively
as to influence the nation toward war. It
is OF interest, however, that the real mo-
tive behind the entrance of Siam into the
choir of nations lined up against the Cen
tral Powers was the Allied avowal of re-
spect for the interests of small nations.
Siam is itself an absolute monarchy, but
it is allied against autocracy because IT
heard the cry of Belgium even across all
the waters of the Far East 1t may be
doubted whether the declaration Of war
can promise any military aid Of impor-
tance. AS an indication of the sentiment
of the world observers find it significant.
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
The Desperate Grown
Prince

OUT of the brief statements of war
~ Offices on the fighting along the
Chemin-des-D Danes since early May, mil
itary observers have suddenly concluded
in this region is being fought one Of the
most puzzing and yet possibly most sig
nifcant battles of the entire three-year
period.
In what mas seemed almost blind fury
the Crown Prince has launched his forces
time after time against the French line,
only to see his attacking lines shattered
and broken against the Craonne heights
and forced to fall back exhausted, with
the heights still unconquered. The French
offensive began three months ago and
Craonne was taken May A. The French
line still stands, forced to give slightly
here and there, encouraged by further con-
solicitations of position against the foe at
other points. But the foe has not rested
a moment. In that time there have been
more than forty of what correspondents
call Serious assaults" with enormous ex-
renditures Of artillery ammunition, and
with losses that must total more than 100,-
900 men.
There are several interpretations of this
mad Teutonic fury, interpretations meant
to be subtle because the usual and obvious
explanation of any attempt TO win point
of military importance will not hold good
in the case of the Asne ridge. The heights
the French hold are important so long as
the Crown Princes army wishes to stay in
the Aillette valley, but observers fail TO
find any significance in the valley which
would make its retention worth the ex-
penditures of blood and ammunition it is
costing. Moreover, the famous retreat of
spring was TO a supposed elastic line that
now proves to be paid for as if it were
anything but elastic. One correspondent
believes an attempt is being made at some
kind of military decision to hasten the
pace before America enters the war. An
other finds in the extravaganza of the
Grown Prince an effort on the part of
Ludendorff and Hindenburg TO gain a mil
tary decision TO bolster the militarist posi-
tion at home Color is lent to this theory
by the declaration that the furious attack
of the last period was delayed TO coincide
with the parliamentary crisis in Berlin.
A more creditable theory, in view Of all
the circumstances that inclose the war to-
day, is that Germany is making one final
tremendous effort to bring France to her
knees. If France is at the limit of her
man power, as is stated In some
quarters, she will not be able to stand
much further bleeding. So an assault that
repeats the trying days of Verdun, except
that France is still fresh on the Aisne
ridge and Germany already great loser.
It is a moral test which France faces
now; perhaps, final heartbreaking test
of the inner integrity which is the differ
ence between France and any other nation
that may speak the French tongue.
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

the death penalty for those who prove
traitors to the Russian people and the
revolution.
AS far as Germanys aim in the Rus
sian campaign is concerned, there is an in
clination to believe that it is part of a
final bid for faith at home, as we'll as for
a final decision in the East. Russia
smashed means a new hope of victory in
the West. Russia restored to autocracy
means at least a Russia acquiescent to
Germany in a conflict that daily draws a
clearer line between world freedom and
world slavery. 1t might even mean Rus
sia recruited about-face and set against
England and America.
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
Taking a New Hold on the
Tiller

PROBABLY the Presidents motive IN
his Shipping Board action was to
clean house. Whether the result will coin
eide with the intention is a story the next
month will have to relate. The country
has shown wide dissatisfaction with the
Shipping Board row, and there has been an
evident inclination to side with General
Goethals. who might be called the hero OF
Panama. At any rate, the country has had
the concrete performance Of General Goe-
tbaIs as basis for judgment, while Mr.
Denman has been handicapped by repu-
tation as lawyer, which recommends few
men TO the general public. In the excite
ment of the fight itself much Of the cause
~ the antagonism has disappeared from
npblic view. The split in the Shipping
Roard was not merely a slip between
wooden ships and steel, but was due as
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

MERICA seems to be finding its way
n out of the confusion of buckling
"A on new suit of armor. At one
..-oks the President has cut the shipping
,,ogramme loose. The draft has come and
/, almost on its momentous way, and the
..tonal countenance is still fairly serene.
rrsr the food bill, that worn shuttlecock
legislative debate, has taken brief fight
md found a respite at last beyond the
S.,ste's walls. The American Federation
sLsbor declares for the national welfare
:, against alleged Teutonic whispers of
s.content within the ranks of labor. And
Secretary McAdoo, hitching up the official
-ousers, prepares to send a new S5,OOO,-
i0oOOO war budget through Congress.
Abroad the scene lacks so much assur-
,,ee. The hollow voice of events appears
"a saw oracularly that it is time the young
xarior was ready. Russia, still the su-
,eme riddle of the war, may face the final
isbscle Of her hopes of freedom or new
mad to victory, for all any observer may
az. The German Crown Prince once more
psts the stout heart of France and in a
frenzy of desperation sends his men again
ud again at the guns on the Craonne
pijge. In Berlin the Reichstag has ad-
burned until late in September, and with
he session has gone present hope of par
samentary defiance of the war makers.
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
Sleie of-Hand in Berlin

WHAT the world itself soon recos-
w nized, that the change in the Ger
man ministry was merely piece Of
seight-of-hand, now appears to be recog-
nized as we'll by German progressives,
whom it was meant to deceive. After a
protest against voting war credits which
gave some promise of momentous events,
the Reichstag capitulated to imperial pres
tidigitation as it appeared in the change of
chancellors and voted a war credit of
Is, 900, 100000 marks. At the same time the
Reichstag en- bdnc adopted peace resolu-
ton which had been previously adopted by
the Centre Radicals and the Socialist bloc
with the intention of introducing it in the
body after it had assembled. The peace
resolution was an earnest piece of rhetoric,
declaring against annexations and indem-
mites, and offered with the comment by
| Deputy Fehrenbach that zone must de-
spair of humanity if the people in enemy
countries do not recognize the note OF
honesty in this resolution" After which
the Reichstag virtuously adjourned to a
late date in September.
German editors of radical tendencies
have had their eyes opened, however, by
the editor of the "Kreuz-Zeitung," who
makes it plain that the new Chancellor nor
the Emperor nor Hindenburg will believe
themselves bound in any way, when 1t
comes to making peace, by the language OF
the resolution. The result is that the
"Vorwarts" and the "Tageblatt" at once
demand that the Chancellor make clear the
meaning in his equivocal acceptance of the
resolution. The editor Of the "Tossische
Zeitung," George BARNARD, declares
plainly Germany has received nothing ex-
: cept change of chancellors, which holds
little promise of greater parliamentary
control. Thus is the stamp put upon the
German gold brick.
The Credulous Senator
From Illinois
Foreign response to the German sit
uation varies. Senator J. Hamilton Lewis,
| OF ILLINOIS,, DelleNeS LudI IIe SpSeCu OL IAC
German Chancellor on taking his post was
a bid for peace offers from abroad. Sen
ator Lewis believes the speech intimates
that Germany will look with favor upon
American suggestions to the Allies looking
toward peace proposals. The matter was
debated for two hours in the Senate, sew
eral Senators taking spirited exception.
But if England is to decide, then Ger
many has made no bid for peace. Lloyd
| George has concluded that Germany has
| for the moment chosen continued war.
A sham independence for Belgium, sham
democracy for Germany, sham peace for
Europe" is the Characterization the Eng
lish Premier gave to the proposals in the
Reichstag speech of Chancellor Michaelis.
Supporting English defiance is the
premier's statement that the 19l7-l9l8
food supply has already been secured, and
that England alone will turn out four
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

tain. Captain John B. White, of Kansas
City, who resigned about month ago,
end whose resignation was but recently
accepted, was at most times a Denman
partisan. Bainbridge Colby, of New
York, takes Captain Whites place. Theo-
dore Brent was also Denman supporter
The other two members of the board, how
ever, John A. Donald and r. B. Stevens
have been classified with General Goethals
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
Russia One-Man
Fight

IN ONE sense the Russia which entered
| the conflict against Germany by the
imperial order of mobilization three years
$40 to-day was as great an enigma to the
yorld as the Russia which tears madly at
he German hand on its throat to-day is
n another. Commentators of that breath
kss time were amazed to find Russia,
xsrcely recovered from the Japanese war.
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
Iabor and Patriotism

CAMUEL GQMPERS is dissatisfied with
y the stamp of unpatriotism which labor
agitators put upon labor in the United
States. The American Federation of Labor
faces a problem in the influence which
more radical organizations are beginning to
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

need of another half million men will de-
velop shortly.
As America presses on to war, the
Canadian conscription bill, with Sir Will
frid Laurier leading the opposition,
passes the House of Commons at Ottawa
by majority of fifty-four.
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

MEANWHILE Russian anger against
"I Slays responsible for the impending
min Is growing. Nikolai Lenine, leader Of
se extremists vino preeipitated the crisis,
= hiding, has been hunted down by the
E'srnment. And with the Capitalization
y Power has come a growing demand for
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

The Great War entered its Fourth Year last week.
This is the HIN day of American participation
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

times the new ships she turned out last
year, as against all the damage the wan
ing submarine campaign can do.
Putting Faith in
Lloyd George
And England still trusts Lloyd George,
however apparent his decline in authority
and power may have become since his rise
to the head of the government. A threat
ened general election was averted last
week when the Wardle amendment to the
Corn Production bill was passed by the
Commons, after the ministry had an
nounced the vote would be treated as a
vote of confidence. The amendment had a
large and powerful opposition, but Eng
lish distaste for a general election in the
midst of war is given as the reason for
support of the governments measure.
Many members of Parliament appeared in
the House in khaki, some from overseas,
for the vote.
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

much to a misunderstanding of delegated
authority. General Goethals, so the papers
have declared, believed the President had
geven him the right to go ahead and build
ships, without danger of interference. Mr..
Denman, on the other hand, seemed imbued
with the notion that President Wilson
had stationed him on the board to see that
the money was properly spent. Ships we're
the preoccupation of General Goethals,
the procedure Of getting them that of the
boards chairman.
Only Million
Tons Off
Pressure from across the sea may have
had something to do with reinforcing the
Presidents determination to get the ship
ping programme on its way. Washington
was startled last week by dispatch in
"The New York Times" from its London
correspondent, Charles H. Grasty, disclos-
ing final figures on U-boat losses as
100000 tons a month. Doubt was eX-
pressed as to the correctness Of the
figures, and finally two days later "The
Times" did admit that the figures were in
error by million tons, through fault in
cable transmission. None the less, the
temporary shock was sufficient to turn
attention once more to the shipping ques-
ton as the only method of fighting the
German undersea starvation method and
TO create an instant demand for action.
Rear Admiral Washington L. Capps,
who succeeds General Goethals as mana
ger of the Emergency Fleet Corporation,
was chief constructor of the navy at a
period when most of its present heavy
fighting units were under construction,
and he has had much to do with design
ing the form American fighting ships have
developed. Both Admiral Capps and Mr..
Hurley are men of action, Mr.. Hurley
himself declaring on his appointment that
this was a time to build ships, not to talk
about them.
Whether the ghost Of the wood-steel
controversy will remain at the board to
trouble the new members is still uncer'
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
Not a Comic Opera Ally

Out of the always mysterious East has
~ come the news that Siam, 100000
population country, with an area as large
as France, has Joined the world against
Germany There is always an inclination on
New-York tribune., 1917-07-29

invading Austria on August l8 and sweep
ng Austrian armies away in her advance.
Three months later Russia collapsed be-
fore Won Hindenburg and in the follow
hg year seemed to have become quite hors
i combat
It was the revolution that put Russia
apparently on its feet again, and 1t IS
some of the fruit of the revolution that
now threatens Russia with poison and
iea,h. The counter revolution of week
ago has spread to the point where at the
uonent Of this writing Tarnapol lies IN
uins, Stanislau has been evacuated and
t. Russian line to the southwest, despite
ts victories of few weeks ago, is back
70 tie points occupied by General Brusi-
bfa year ago.
Out Of all the events that are negative
70 Europe's hope Of defeating Germany
es figure Of Alexander Kerensky still In
Pires the Allies TO hope Of Russian
Eznl. Russian Generalization in Eastern
Gslicia through the mutiny Of disafected
Eli:ers listening to the charmed language
d Russian extremists came close upon the
tsdicalst crisis in Petrograd. The reslg-
nation Of Prince Lvoff as Premier fol-
hved, and Kerensky took his place at the
head Of the government. The young Pre-
nier announced a policy Of "blood and
ron" for Russia, rather than any surren-
Ter 70 weakness. The Provisional Govern
rent on Monday Of last week issued
PROCLAMATION calling the attention Of the
Eaiion 70 the fate that awaited Russia II
hternal disorders did not give way TO
uited front against the German armies
u document which proclaimed the sig
tihcance Of the moment in the phrase:
The fateful hour has struck" kerensKy
hmsef hurried TO the front, barely escap-
ng assassination on the way, IN maj
fort 70 inspire the crumbling armies TO
lev unity against the enemy.
II PETROGRAD itself the ministry IS
1 now largely socialistic, with Kerensky
Practically dictator through the vote OF
Unlimited powers by the council TO the
hinistry, in an effort 70 stem national DIS
Hiution. The cabinet is coalition IN form,
Aerensky retaining the war portfolio and
aiding 70 this duty the marine post.
The Russian war losses the past week
q men, equipment and stores have been
6ormous, both through actual fighting
sAe through the losses Of retreat and eVac
1'on. But goyernmentally, observers
appear % believe Russia is stronger than
ner before, an authority that had pre-
n0osiy been uncert1n and divided now
resting on the shoulders, apparently, Of a
Nzen men, actually Of one.
M EANWHILE Russian anger against
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-09-07
COZ Ton CROP
REPORT GOOD
(By United Press.

W ashington, Sept. WET
Weather mterfered with the best
development Of cotton IN many
central and eastern districts dur
ing the last week, according to
the weekly crop bulletin. In Tex
as, however, well distributed rain
fall was beneficial Boil weevil
damage was reported IN some sec
tions.
Satisfactory progress was made
in the development Of cotton III
North Carolina and it improved
where rains occurred and 1t Is
generally fruiting well.
The. bolls were opening fast II
South Carolina and picking is go
ing on rapidly.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-09-07
MI. GABRIELLE
3 4'II'lt RAGING
{By United Press)

London, Sept. 1.-THE arrival
Of fresh reinforcements, some Of
them believed to be German divis-
ions, has increased the ferocity Of
the battle in the Austro- Italian
front.
- What is described us the bitter
est contested battle ever fought
III this theatre of war is now rag
Jag over and around Monte San
Gabrielle.
The capture Of this dominating
height was announced by the ltai-
:..n War office several days ago.
They held it more than "a hours
:. ho7l the Austrian countcred with
terrific force and dislodged them,
since then the summit has
changed hands again and again.
Inceesant artilleryiDg was worn
own nearly all the carefully
blasted out trenches and defense
works So ilat now there is no COW
- available.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-09-07
National Songs
Confuse Lady
(By United Press.)

London, Sept. 7.-They've got
. pianola in the American Y. M.
!. 4. here. Somebody keeps it
.oirg all the time. And nearly
very soldier picks out the same
.oil. one labeled American Med
!ey.' Somewhere in the midst OF
The medley occurs "America."
They've also got an English
ody-capital L-managing the
hooks CT the Y. NJ. G.. A. When
she heard "America the first
.ay she thought it was "God Save
lie King and stood up. In fact,
3hc stood up nearly a hundred
lacs. Finally some Of the man
gers seeing they weren't gong
!, get aav bookkeeping done ap-
coached her automatically and
explained that it is legal to sit
TIL when "America is played.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-09-07
(BY UNITED PRESS)

Washington, Sept. 7.-Investi-
CATION of the defective ammuni-
ton turned out at the Franklin
arsenal by a special committee Of
two civilians and one army officer
was ordered today by Secretary
Baker. DR.. H. T. Talbot, profes-
sor Of chemistry at the Massachu-
setts Institute Of Technology, and
DR.. Parsons, Of the bureau OF
mines, are the civilians. Major
General Scott, chief Of staff, will
name the army member.