davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1917-04-07

Tomato Plants For Sale.
+. G Wilcox. 81 FFancisyille,
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
The German View
The Halifax Disaster Draws
Quick Aid from America

plies, but Maine and Massachusetts. a,
the nearest neighbors, were naturally IN.
leaders. Governor Mccall, Of Mass.
chusetts, at once assured the authorities
at Halifax that, as "The Boston Tuu.
script" reported it, 'the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts will 90 to the limit IN
extending every sort Of succor that d
open to u.s." Acting upon this order, Of.
ficers detailed by the Governor proceeded
to buy supplies and arrange for the.
transportation, cutting all official red
tape. They went to merchants, withou.
any formal authority, and ordered encr.
nous quantities of Observation-Disclosures.
for instance, alcohol at SO gallon-snd
told them to charge it to the State Of
Massachusetts,. And the merchants did
so, without question, with the result ths,
relief trains got away and fought their
way through the storms to Halifax with
out the loss Of an hour.
simultaneously with the action Of the
Red Cross and of the various state a.
thorities President Wilson officially sr-
tended the sympathy Of the United States
and called for any aid that might Be
needed. A bill was introduced in Con
gress for the immediate appropriation d
$5,000,000. Popular subscriptions were
opened everywhere throughout the u
ton. "The opening of the treasures
and hearts of the people Of the United
States to the needs of the afflicted peopis
of Halifax" said "The Christian Scieres
Monitor" will involve neither effort NJ
strain, but will come, as it is ALREADY
coming, in response to a spontanecu,
generous and natural impulse" Asking
what can we do for Halifax and II: pes'
ple?" in their emergency, "1he Nev
York Sun" answered: Whatever may b
needed will be forthcoming with syn
pathy quickened by the common intersa
that now animates the Dominion af
Canada and the United States The
disaster has served to draw the two coun.
tries closer together.
The difficulties of transportation were
very great. While Halifax is ne1
neighbor, it is not ready of access except
by water. Moreover, the succession Of
storms, heavy snow and blizzard wiads
hampered the railroads. Terminal fseih'
ties in Halifax itself were wrecked };
the explosion. Yet in the face Of all oo-
stacles it appears that adequate imrnedi
ate relief arrived in time 20 save many
lives.
Much remains to be done-a large sec
tion of the city must be rebuilt, and man!
thousands are homeless; but most OF then
have at least been given momentary re-
lief. With so good a beginning 1t seems
certain that the necessary work will n''
be allowed to slacken.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

ERMANY seems to be mobilizing It's
4 women, along logical lines OF
Teutonic efficiency, to counteract
the tendency toward falling birth rate
The results appear in tentative expert
ments in the encouragement Of births out
side of wedlock and in polygamy, which,
il not openly approved by the govern
ment, are at least being tolerated. i is
not yet possible to get much well-authen-
ticated official information as TO the
movement, but the seepage Of news from
Germany is large enough and apparently
sufficiently verified to prove that such a
movement does exist and that experiments
are being made.
For the first time in its history Ger
many is facing an actual decline in its
population, due to war losses, disease and
q heavy fall in the birth rate. Recent
reports from Hamburg, for instance, show
decline in its birth rate of over 13 per
cent, in contrast TO the rate before the
war. The reasons are obvious. And TO
the practical German mind the cure seems
also simple. 1t is found in such projects
as that of so-called Lateral marriages" in
Official pregnancy" and several forms of
trial marriage" Moreover, it would ap-
pear that all these are being welcomed
by a great many German women. The
only indication Of counter movement of
any formidable weight is found in the dis
approval of the Catholic Church.
NJ. Van der Klute, a Dutch journalist
who has recently returned to The Hague
after long residence in Germany, is spon-
sor for Il widely published report that
"a number of medical and scientific men
in Germany have formed themselves into
a league for the promotion of what they
call the double household deliberate
encouragement Of polygamy." The guild
ing spirits Of this league are Herren Pro
fcssors Ostwald and KARL. Their efforts
are aided by the practice of the military
authorities in sending soldiers upon fur
lough to part of the country remote from
their own homes. This is done partly TO
keep knowledge of the privations OF the
soldier from his own family. and thus re
strict the 'war WEAKNESS" which the gov
ernment so breads and partly TO encour-
age the "double household plan.
Commenting on the falling birth rate,
NJ. Van der Klute said:
"Kultur's remedy for this state Of affairs
is an elaboration Of promscuous intercourse
which is a serious subject for debate among
the German clergy. Encouraged by the free
dom with which the subject is discussed and
by the toleration Of the authorities, an amaz-
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
Germany Turns to Polygamy

age has jumped from 10 to 40 per cent a
year ago. As a corollary to this and TO
wide recognition of many forms of near
marriages" he also claimed that Hamburg
has no longer any "red light district" thus
supporting the argument of the theoretical
advocates Of poygamy that a reestablish-
ment of some form Of respectable" con-
cubinage would go far toward eliminating
was given publicity in New York a month
ago, when "The Evening Telegram" pub
lished an interview with Mrs. Susan Young
Gates, a daughter of one of Brigham
Young's score or so of wives, in which she
predicted that the polygamous doctrines Of
her Mormon ancestors would be "openly
countenanced by some countries and
winked at by others" after the war, and
added that "a tremendous moral effect Of
polygamy would be the instant
solution of the social evil
But TO return to Germany, where the
matter seems of concrete Importance in
stead of a mere academic question, there
is no lack of evidence that many German
women are not disinclined to practise these
theories. Here is an advertisement (said
TO be typical of many frequently appear
ing in German newspapers) from the
Breslau "Volkswacht." II reads:
81 am twenty-five, not bad looking. |
have fourteen fowls at my farm, one pony,
six pigs, four COWS, two hams and some sau-
sages now in process of curing; a blind
mother who knows how TO weave and spin, a
small vineyard, twenty-five cherry trees,
fourteen apple trees, ten plum trees, a guam
tity of homespun house linen, and three
casks Of good wine in my cellar. have, be
sides, piano and flute. Injured soldiers are
invited TO apply. No objection to separation
after six months OF trial"
This is not without comic relief" in the
presentation of "a blind mother who knows
how to weave" as an asset; but its serious
significance, of course, lies in the appeal
to wounded soldiers and the mo objection
20 separation after trial"
OF deeper import is a story told Of the
case of two "wohlgeboren" ladies, the
younger Of whom is said to have replied
to an invitation from an American friend
(before the entrance of the United States
as a belligeren). who urged her to leave
Germany and seek an asylum here, that it
was quite impossible, since, as she wrote,
both my mother and | are officially preg-
nant-for the good of the Fatherand." In
this case, it was asserted, the character Of
the women is such that their motives could
only be regarded as patriotic, founded on a
sincere belief ~ TO what constitutes duty.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

tions. involving Egypt, the Syrian campaign
and Mesopotamia. We need only recall how
heavy was the shipping toll exacted when
the U-boats had to operate from the Adriatic
or from clandestine Greek ports under Con-
stsntine's benevolent neutrality"
In any event, this paper would improve
the situation by having more of that
unity Of counsel" that Lloyd George has
been talking about. "a single strategic
plan must be worked out by the Supreme
War Council. and its execution must then
be imposed upon the generals in the
field"
Other comment Of note in the United
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
The New Offensive Which
Threatens France
From The London Daily Mail

cessfully countered only if a responsible
inter-Alled chief is evolved from the
present triumvirate Of generals sitting at
Versailles-a single man who will oppose
a united Allied army to that of Ludendorff
and Won Hindenburg, both Of whom are
reported now on the Cambrai front.
A similar view of the danger TO France,
granted that a new German offensive in
the West is imminent, is that of Frank
Simonds, in The New York Tribune, "for
German victory in this war hes in an
offensive which shall dispose Of France
before the United States can arrive" Lay
ing the blame for the renewal of German
strength upon Russia, as does France, this
authority continues:
"The Russian collapse has provided Ger
many with strategic reserve in the west
for the first time since Verdun. il is pos
sible now for the Germans 70 repeat the
Verdun attack upon France without weaken
ing their lines at any point on the west
front. II they can defeat the French over
whcimingly, or if they can impose upon the
French such great losses as TO produce ap-
proximate exhaustion, they may hope TO
achieve separate peace with France before
the United States can become an effective
force in the war"
Indeed. thinks this critic, the British
will now have to take over new sections
of the French line, and because of this fact
and the dispatch of troops to Italy the
Allies will not only have to husband their
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

but will even lack men for an offensive.
As a matter of fact:
"For the next year the war is going TO he
question of FrsTce. Sound, if brutal, Ger
man policy dictates that in the time that
remains 10 Germany before the United States
arrives she should concentrate all her energy
and all of her effort on final assault upon
France. Such an assault will be impossible
when the United States has 8 million troops
on the West front. Such an assault would
have been impossible if the Russian armies
Rad retained half or three-quarters of a
million more troops on the East front But
Russia as st present controlled has presented
Germany with the final opportunity 10 win
tho war Germany is bound 10 take sdvan-
tage Of Il.
Germany must now take her gamble. She
must endeavor to break the will and spirit
OF France before tho snow flies next autumn.
II she succeeds, Germany may be able to
achieve the negotiated peace which will leave
her strong on the Continent"
On the other hand, "The New York
Evening Post" wonders If the rumors of
a great offensive are not merely the mat
ural reflex of black week marked by
the reverses at Cambrai, the renewed
Teuton pressure against Italy, the growth
of submarine sinkings, the catastrophe at
Halifax, and. overtopping all, the menace
Of Russian separate peace" Perhaps
public opinion In England is being pre-
pared for a greatest blow. For. argues
"The Post" an attack now by Germany
would run counter TO all previous German
strategy, in that Germany has always in
the past struck at the Entente's weakest
spot. More reasonable to "The Post" arc
operations in two fields where victory over
weaker opponent may possibly be had
10 bolster up German morale---in Italy,
where the Germans are not yet able 10 win,
and in the Balkans.
Granted that Italy continues to hold,
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

The Post" is all but ready to wager that
the next German attack will be against
Salonica. II writes:
"The defeat of Sarrai's army and the over
running Of Greece would not only be another
blow at Allied morale, but would carry with
il momcntous consequences in the ono sphere
OF operations where the Allies can point 20
substantial military success, as measured in
visible returns This is. Of course, Mesopo-
tnmia and Palestine. with the Teuton grip
on the coast of the Hgean. we might look
forward 70 Sslon'cs and other Greek harbors
Transformed into a series Of Zecbrugges and
formidable U-boat menace developing
against Britsin's Mediterranean communica
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16


many ways unparalleled on this
continent, served TO test to the
limit the resources of the United States
for immediate relief work. The response
was prompt and universal. That the re-
suit was satisfactory, and, indeed, beyond
expectation, appears from the fact that
within three days after the explosion
Halifax reported that there were suf-
fcient supplies on hand and that there
were enough doctors, nurses and assist
ants to handle the situation.
This meant that sufficient food, cloth
ing and medical equipment, as well as
the men to handle them, had been found
in a minimum Of time. And this was
done in the face Of billiards, congested
railroad conditions and other difficulties
of transportation. Emergency hospitals
were equipped and manned in a surpris-
ingly short time. BY Tuesday even train
loads of glass to replace the shattered
windows were approaching Halifax.
Naturally the Red Cross, being fairly
well prepared for emergency, was the
first to respond effectually. It's trains
were on their way TO the stricken terri
tory, from New York, Boston and other
points, within a few hours after the news
of the disaster. As "The Scranton Re-
publican" said:
"No finer example could possibly be given
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

States runs to extremes of optimism re-
garding any test now facing the Allied
armies. Let them throw a million Of men at
Cambria tomorrow. declares The Phila-
Gelphia Public Ledger" "and they will 20
down before the machine guns of one
fourth that number of defenders" The
world is massng against the Teutons as
well as they against the French, thinks
The Washington Post" which sees every
German blow followed by new German
enemy.
But that something big is coming almost
every ono agrees.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

:ng crop of bigamists of both sexes are
openly defying the laws of the various Ger
man states. One Of the objects Of the league
above mentioned is to force the state to care
properly for the offspring of these unions
when the war is over, for their temporary
nature is conceded by the propagandists.
"An astonishing instance of the perversion
OF this doctrine Of the repopulation of Ger
many was recently given in the divorce court.
An erring wife. whose soldier husband
sought relief on the ground of her intdelity,
answered with the excuse that he had been
absent from home more than twelve months.
She declared that she had higher duty to
the Fatherland than her duty to her hus-
band and her marriage VOWS. To-day the
Fatherland needs soldiers; tomorrow she
will need children she cried She was heard
sympatheticaly, and acclaimed by the per-
sons in court as a true patriot; and the case
was adjourned in order TO give her husband
a chance TO reconstitute their relations on
an amicabe basis"
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
A Weeks Labor News and Strikes

Buffalo, have already been formed, ana ..
increasing number Of meetings are oe'1s
held.
Congress will grant an increase 10 ~
airy 70 government clerks, 1t is e1pe'
A determined effort will be made in W
House TO force through the larger p'V
gramme of the Federation of Federal ,"
ployes for increases ranging from 20 -
cent for the poorer paid clerks to -
cent for those receiving as high as W"
year.
Conscription Of labor, Secretary WIZ
told Congress in his annual report u
likely to be necessary for the winning
the war.
New York City is experimenting ID ~
employment or women mail carriers. o.
eral are now employed II it proves ~
cessful, it is probable that women WI"
admitted to the postofice psyroiIs o"
equality with men. Women eondu'".
have been placed on the Broadway s''
dola" streetcars.
Three thousand three hundred pese,
piers on the Baltimore & Ohio hshi
we're granted an eight-hour day anu
creased pay for overtime.
Labor troubles winch threaten
ly to interfere with the camps ossP' :
reported from Ala. Utah. al.4
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
"A IANY industries of st. Paul and
M Minneapolis are at standstill.
a - e.ennral strike of I'll unions has

A general strike of all unions has
been called Samuel Gompers wired Gov
ernor Burnqust TO use his efforts for me-
diation. which request he refused. Two
thousand guards are patrollng the streets.
The open shop has been sustained by
the Supreme Court. While the right Of
workmen to organize for lawful purposes
was reafirmed, the court held that en-
ployers legally may operate their plants
as open shops and prevent conspiracies
to bring their non-union employees into
labor organizations.
Postmaster General Burleson, in his an
nual report, submitted TO Congress, de-
clares organizations Of postal employees are
rapidly becoming a menace to public well
fare, and recommends that Congress re-
peal the law that allows such employees to
maintain organization. His statement was
repudiated by many labor organizations
throughout the country.
Two thousand two hundred employees Of
the forty-seyen Chids restaurants in this
city went out on strike
The thirty branch organizations of the
American Alliance for Labor and Democ-
racy, which was recently indorsed by the
Federation Of Labor at its convention at
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

women, along logical lines Of
- Toutonic efficiency. 70 counteract
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
to Visit Certain Women
~ In the Interests Of Population

BY way of Kansas and vouched for by
William Allen White, who published it in
his "Emporia Gazette" (giving as his in
formant George w. Simmons of st. Louis)
comes a story of definite orders found
among the papers Of captured German Off
GERS directing them TO visit certain women,
whose names and addresses were given,
for the purpose of increasing the popula-
ton. Many similar reports have appeared
in the French papers-enough, if we'll au-
thenticated, to indicate this as not un-
common military practice.
As to lateral marriages." dispatch
from Rome some time ago alleged that
pamphlets had been widely circulated by
the military authorities urging upon Ger
man troops this variety of polygamy
which, the message asserted, is "the only
means for the formation of new, power
full armed force and for the cnnoblement
of morality" In this married women were
urged, "in the interests Of the Fatherland,"
TO Secure the necessary permission from
riages, based upon personal inclination
with married men, who, in turn. must OBJ
tain their wives consent. The grimly hu-
morous aspect of this particular scheme
was not overlooked by foreign critics, but
there seems reason TO believe it has met
with approval by at least a portion of
those most concerned-that is, the German
women.
The percentage Of illegitimacy in Ger
many, especially in the cities, has always
been large. But the increase since the war
has been astonishing Carl Alderman
has asserted that in Hamburg the percent
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

TIME great calamity at Halifax, IN
many ways unparalleled on this
- continent. served TO test to the
New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

of the usefulness of this splendid organza-
tion, which exists for extending help to af
fcted humanity, than has been shown in the
celerity with which 1t sped its trsnloads
of supplies and helpers to the city of Hall
fax in the hour of its supreme need"
Every state in the Union responded with
subscriptions Of money and offers Of sup
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-07-14

the air along the battle front by
keeping men and machines at home
to protect their coasts. This would
split the British aerial forces.
May Attack Baadad.
Reports are that General Van Falk-
enhayn is in Constantinople, on his
way to Asia Minor with the intention
of recognizing the Turkish army and
leading it toward Bagdad with the
hope of recapturing that city. Van
Falkenhayn is said to be one of the
really great generals of the German
army, and is said to be entitled to
much of the credit that Won Mack
ensen was given for his attacks on
the Russian front. Bagdad has lit
tie military vafue, but it represents
Germany's dream of conquest in the
east. The weather there now is so
terrifcally hot, that military opera
tions are at a standstill.
Reports during the week, that
Chancellor Won Bethmann -Hollweg
had resigned, appear to have been
premature. Momentous events are
undoubtedly happening in German
political circles, but the censorship
has been clamped down tighter than
ever, and little real information is
leaking out.
Submarine Activities.
The last report on submarine ac-
tivities was most favorable for the
Allies. The total number of boats
sunk was the smallest since the Sec
ond week of the unrestricted cam
paign, and less than third of the
number sunk during the week Of
greatest effectiveness.
Meanwhile America is getting into
the war much more rapidly than Ger
many expected she would, or at least
than the German government an
Eounced. The National Guard is
likely to be the next force sent to
France. The total strength of the
guard is now more than 100000 and
will shortly reach the 100000 mark
1t is not unlikely that this entire
force will be in France early this
coming fall. BY that time the new
draft army of $4,000 men viii be in
training. Germany boosted that the
United States could not get men to
France this year. 1t is now likely
that the United States will have at
least 100000 men across the Atlantic
before Christmas.
One of the most favorable items of
news of the week from a war stand
point, was the report of the rapid
progress being made on the airplane
program. That is the one possible
short cut to winning the war.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-07-14
SOME LIGHT READING.

For light, Saturday evening, front
porch reading when the weeks work
is done, there is nothing comparable
to a women's fashion magazine OF
the smart" type.
1t can be read in a state Of COM
plete mental fiabbiness. Even con-
tinuity is not necessary but like
Pepy's Diary you can open it any
place and begin.
A picture OF Mrs. Sylvester Gott-
rox greets us from the first page.
She is on the canning special, just
visiting around on Long Island and
telling busy women. who know more
than she does about it, how to can.
It's a delightful way to spend the
summer, and so patriotic my dear.
Besides one looks so charming in
leghorn hats and bingham dresses.
Next come a page of drawings of
beings such as never lived on land
or sea, with descriptions of the gowns
they are wearing. We turn hastily,
but not before we grab this fashion
note: I'm Paris, since two Jumps of
sugar represent the daily individual
allowance, the jewelers. have made
small gold boxes so that one may
take ones allotted portion to tea
with, them"
Then comes our rear delight-the
treat to which we look forward. We
are offered four or six pages Of pic
lures of kodak shots at race courses
and polo clubs. We can see just how
Mrs. Will B. limit looks as she is
watching Mrs. David Jayne Pitney's
horse win the Suburban at the Pip
ing Rock course. The gentleman
with her is Mr.. Jack Dashing, we are
notified. We have carefully, but I'M
successfully, searched for a husband
and wife caught by the camera at
the same time. but in several months
careful reading have not yet discov-
cred it. It's proper in smart society,
probably, but not usual. Mrs. limit
looks charming.
The advertisements must be a
great help to poor young girl. We
discovered a biscuit colored satin
negligee, worn once, cost $95" that
could be picked up for a mere $25.
The whole is dished up with such
an air of delightful snobbishness that
it is irresistible. 1t is one perfect
thing of its kind-perfectly useless.