davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
He Must Have
Equality With England

II is only by remaining in Belgium
that we shall force the English to rec
ognize our equality with them. Eng
land must not remain master of the
Belgian coast. She must be prevented
from controlling an area which can be
used as the starting point of a new
and Overwhelming hnglo-French often
sive. Here lies the guarantee for the
only proper relationship with England.
and so for lasting peace. The same
thing applies TO France, whose policy
Of expansion, pursued since the times
Of Louis XIV, we have now definitely
defeated. As soon as we 20 out Of
Belgium. | am convinced that not only
will English and French influence be
preponderant, but the military union
Of English and French troops will take
place. That means in a coming war
that more than 100000 soldiers will
stand ready on our present frontier or
on the Msusc line for defence or for
attack.
We must keep Belgium, as France
formerly tried 20 keep il against Eng
land. The Importance OF Belgium for
Germany as regards MdchtD0ltik has
been proved for 500 years. As long a.
Germany was powerful she had Bel
gium mainly under her inagenee. For
a stronger Germany Belgium is again
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Threat of Antwerp
Was Obvious

4 Belgium whose independence is re
stored will never be neutral, but will
submit 70 the protection of France and
England. II we DO not hold Belgium,
administer Belgium in future for our
interests, and protect Belgium by force
OF arms, our trade and industry Will
lose the position that they have won
IN Belgium, and perhaps will never re-
cover them. The threat 70 German
interests at Antwerp is obvious, and
the result will be inevitable the mo-
ment Germany gives up Belgium.
There can be no doubt tina. this coun-
try Will enter into close economic
union with England and France as soon
as It feels itself independent once
more. The Belgian government and
the politicians who have fed TO London
are working quite openly for this OBJ
Ject. We shall of course never desire
TO Kill Belgian industry, but by the i'm
position of special laws we must bring
1t under the same conditions of pro-
duction as German industry. We can
incorporate Belgian industry in our
industrial organizations, and so, in our
own interest, make il lever for the
fixing of prices in the world market.
II we lost Antwerp we should lose not
only the port and our influence over
railway rates, etc, but above all we
should lose the powerful influence
which Antwerp possesses as trade and
money centre, especially in South
America. All these forces would mat
urslly turn against US as soon as they
were released.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Then There Were
Her Coal Mines

Before leaving the sphere of mill
tary strategy, must also refer TO the
fact that the Belgian industrial dis
tricts are of great value, not only IN
peace, but also in the event of war. A
neutral Belgium. or q Belgium made
subject TO Anglo-French influence,
with her munition factories, her metal
industry and her coal, strengthens the
fighting force and power of resistance
of the country in the same way as our
industrial districts do for US. 1t is,
therefore, absolutely necessary to pre-
vent Belgian industr. from serving the
armament policy Of our enemies.
The adrantaqcs lcbich We hare
been able du,'ipQ the present pGr to
obtain from BeiGidn iAdUstrp. bu the
rcmOUQl OF mdchineYB and so on. Gre
as iplDortdnt as the Disadvantages
uhich orr enemies hare suffered
tlrouGh lack Of this addition to their
fQhtinQ strenQth.
When one considers the Importance
Of Belgium as the theatre of our
armies advance, and as territory which
favors our further operations, both of
fensiyely and defensively, there can
be no further doubt that frontier
which is quite falsely described as the
line of the Meuse, and is to be pro-
tected by the fortresses Of Liege and
Namur. is inadequate. No, our from
tier-in the interest also of our sea
power must be pushed forward to
the sea.
The immediate Importance of the
Belgian industrial districts for our
conduct Of war by no means eXhausts
the subject. The war Of weapons will
in future be accompanied by harder
economic war than is the case to-day.
Without coal what would have become
OF our policy of industrial exchange,
rot only with Holland, but also with
far distant northern countries? The
annual Belgian production OF 23.-
100000 tons of coal has 0iUen as a
monopoly on the Continent. .1Chich
has heiDed to maintain our vitolitT.
In addition TO these factors, which are
Of importance in a new war, the pro-
lection of our economic interests IN
Belgium, even in time of peace, is Of
inestimable Importance.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Flemings Need
Special Protection

II is also necessary that. by peace
which will secure the linking up Of
Belgium with Germany, We shall be
able to give the necessary protection
TO the Germans who have settled in the
country. This protection will be OF
quite sDecial Importance to Us for the
future battle Of the world markets. In
the same way, IL is only by complete
domination Of Belgium that we can
utilize for German interests the cspi-
tai created by Belgian savings and the
Belgian companies which already exist
in large numbers in the countries Of
our enemies. We must keep under our
control the considerable Belgian ac-
cumulations of capital in Turkey, the
Balkans and China.
Among the German interests in Bel
GUM is also the Flemish movement,
which has already made good progress;
il would be struck an incurable blow II
we do not extend our policy of power
over Belgium. We have among the
Flemirgs many open and very many
still undeclared friends. who are ready
to join the great circle of German
world interests. That will also be very
important for the future policy of Hol-
land. But as soon as we remove our
protecting hand the Flemish movement
will be branded by the Walloons and
Frenchlings as pro-German. and will
be completely suppressed. The Flem-
ish question is not yet settled, and ]
do not entertain any rash hopes of see
ing the Flemings tighten our task of
governing Belgium. We must do every
thing without delay 10 repress bound
less hopes on the part of the Flemings.
Some of them dream of an independent
State of Flanders, with a King to gov
ern it, and of complete separation.
II is true that lOe must protect the
Flemish Increment. but nereT must
1Ce lend a hand TO make the FieninQs
comDletelu indeDendent.
The Flemings, with their antago-
nistic attitude TO the Walloons. will as
a Germanic tribe constitute a strength
ening of Germanism.
BelQi1m must be seized and held.
as AZ nO1C as. and as it must be IN
future. It is only by the most simple
possible solution of the Belgian prob
lem that we shall satisfy an important
condition of our future position in the
world. If we abandon part of Belgium, or
ii we make part Of it, such as the ter
ritory of Flanders, into an Independent
Flemish state, we shall not only be ere
ating considerable difficulties for our
selves, but we shall be depriving our
selves Of the considerable advantages
and aids which can be afforded US only
by Belgium as a whole under German
administration.
If Onlp on account of the necessary
bases for our feet. and in order not
10 CIT of AHtUerD from the Belgian
trades area. Il IS necessary TO hare
the adjacent HinterlGnd.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Church May Be
Used to Advantage

Church questions in Belgium have
often been described as extremely
serious. admit that precisely the
Germanic provinces Of Belgium, which
once defended their Professionalism so
heroically, are to-day far more con-
vinced adherents of the Catholic
Church than are the easily moved
Walloons; any German statesman who
is appointed 10 control the German ad-
ministration in Belgium must realize
that Catholicism is, and will remain. a
strong and living force in Belgium,
and that among the most important
requirements for successful German
work is an intelligent regard for the
Catholic Church and its disciples.
The problem Of our influence upon
the schools can be solved in agreement
with the clergy. il obligatory religious
teaching is introduced in the same way
as the general obligation to attend
school; there are number of points
OF contact and agreement between the
future German administration and the
Catholic clergy, which must learn more
and more 10 understand that the
Catholic Church enjoys, and can en-
Joy. under the power OF Germany, pro-
lection quite different from that which
il will have il Belgium, under French
influence, turns toward a completely
radical philosophy. One knows that
Belgian Socialism is strongly infu-
enced by French Socialism. and Van
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Local Tyrant
Was Now in Jail

But the house OF the tyrant in this
village was now filled by other people.
He had been arrested the first day OF
the revolution, and was now sitting in
the prison TO which he used to send
others.
In his place / found the local Council
of Peasant Deputies sitting. This coun-
Gil is elected from the peasants Of
number OF villages. called a "yolost'
and now controls all the local land al
fairs. was invited to be present a.
the deliberations. In a low room
saw a number of bearded peasants sit
ting on benches against the val. In the
middle of the room before a stable %.
the "starests." village elder, who Of
fered me a place beside him.
They were discussing the method By
which they should divide a neighboring
landlords land. The latter had o0yl
dessatines and the peasants had para
him large rents for the right 20 Us. ~
Now. since the revolution, they had de-
cided that he must give up this land %
them without payment. the land
Gods" said the elder 10 me when
questioned him on the subject tney
were discussing. "No man is wormy
10 hold the land unless he WORKS upoh
il; the fruits OF his labor may 90 y
him. but not the land which gave tno"
fruits"
Then asked how they proposes
10 divide the land among them
There appeared to be some difiealty,
because another village claimed a share
in this land. which they were not pre-
pared to admit. They had, they saia,
worked on this land all their lives y
serfs of the landlord. Now u was
theirs, and they could not admit ms
claim of neighbors to II, even tnoagn
they lived in the same district. AS U.
discussion continued | began 70 s'
soretbinr of the Russian peasant psy-
chology. The peasants will STICK 70
gether when they are all suffering u,
der the oppression Of Landlords sna
"Zemsky Nachalniks.' for conn''
misfortune begets common interest
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Taking a Look at
Hollands s Position

But the present war has also shown
that the possession of the German in
dustrial areas is a vital question for
cur ability to hold out and for an en-
ergetic conduct Of the war; they can
not possibly be protected unless we
hold and defend an area in advance Of
the Rhine. In this respect the present
German frontier is not enough. A
Belgium fortified by the military
strength Of England and France is
definite menace 20 our industrial dis
trcts. whose factories are so important
Tor the provision of our army. If Eng
land continues to dominate Belgium in
times of peace, she will not shrink
from the attempt to force Holland
just as she has now forced Greece-to
abandon her neutrality, or TO make
herself serviceable for the military
operations OF England. 1t is. therefore,
requisite to secure for all time, by far
advanced defensive lines, the auxiliary
resources indispensable for our CON
duct of war, and so to guarantee the
freedom of operation of our right wing,
and TO widen in desirable fashion the
area Of our concentration and advance.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Secession Move
In Quebec Doubted
Dominion Officials Decline to
View Threatened Action
Seriously
Ry Sir Iohn Wilson

TORONTO, Dec. GIT is hardly
conceivable that there will be any
serious movement in Quebec for Sc
cession from the confederation.
Whether or not the draft is to be
resisted will soon be determined.
Throughout the election campaign Sir
Wilfrid Laurier declared that if the
country pronounced in favor of con-
scripton Quebec would submit. The
same statement was made in unequivo-
cal language by Sir Lomer Guoin,
Premier Of Quebec.
That the country declared for con-
scription can hardly be disputed. The
Borden government would have been
sustained if no aliens had been dis
franchised and no women enfran-
chised. In 1912 and 1913 some New
England states refused 10 furnish
heir quota Of troops for the national
service, but no state seeded, nor was
the Union dissolved. The South feared
that the election of Lincoln meant
an attack uPon slavery, but in Canada
there is no attack upon any right or
privilege which Quebec enjoys under
the constitution. II any invasion of
the constitutional rights Of Quebec
were attempted an appeal would lie to
the Imperial Privy Council, which is
the final interpreter of the Canadian
constitution.
The Privy Council has never failed
70. protect the rights of racial or re-
ligious minorities in Canada, as de-
fined by the British North America act
There is no specific provision in the
constitution empowering the Prime
Minister of the government to prevent
secession of any province, or defining
the measures TO be taken for the pres
ervation of the union. But the right
is inherent in every state TO maintain
its unity and integrity. This is the
view on which Lincoln acted, although
state rights were wider and more alb
solute in America than in Canada The
government will unquestionably re-
quire Quebec to make its full contri-
button to the new army TO be raised
by compulsory selection. II the local
tribunals exempt too freely, their de-
cisions will be reversed by the Federal
Appeal Tribunal. II is difficult TO be-
lieve that Quebec will go beyond \
passive resistance, but if it does, no
state can confess itself impotent to ex-
ercise sovereign authority within its
own borders. There is no disposition
in the government to persecute Quebec
or subject its people to any treatment
different from that applied to other
provinces.
The Prime Minister declared over
and over again that ne desires equal
and adequate representation for Quebec
in the Federal Cabinet, but naturally
he Is powerless if Quebec will not elect
French members to enter the govern
ment or support the government.
Arthur Suave. leader OF the 0pposi-
tion in the Quebec Legislature, thinks
the motion for separation does not ex-
press the view of Laurier or even
Bourassa. The mover of the motion is
a Young lawyer, who acted without the
knowledge or authority of the Quebec
government. Those familiar with the
eccentricities of Quebec politics are
not impressed by this last of many
devices to alarm the people of the
English provinces.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

Importance OF Belgium FOR a future
war In order to be able to conduct
the present war Extensively at all, the
German Supreme Command was forced
TO march through Belgium. and in this
process the right wing Of the German
army had TO push itself laboriously
along the edge Of the Dutch province
Of Limburg Strategically. the obJec-
tive of the present war. as regards the
Western theatre, should consist IN our
obtaining elbow room. IN order that IN
any new war whatever we should be
able TO operate with our army against
France and England. II the result OF
tho present war were the continued eN-
istence Of an independent Belgian
state. the operations would have to be
conducted differently and under great
or difficulties than at the beginning
Of the present war: for the aim Of
France and England will be. in con
junction with an allied or strongly in
fuenced Belgium, TO anticipate the
Germany army. L. will, therefore,
rightly be asked whether in such cir
cumstances il can be possible to guar
autee the freedom Of operations of the
German right wing. and whether the
advance Of these groups Of armies TO
conduct a new war Extensively is pos
sible.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Communards Have
New Social Religion

This is really at the bottom Of w
communism of the Russian peasAn~
But as soon as he is free from opprs..
sion il seems that another factor eomss
in II he is communist IN ms'e1,
concerning the land he is a stuooy..
individualist in matters coneefn,ns
labor. Every one, according '. N
view, has the inalienable right 70 o.
the fruits OF mis- labor on the land. ~.
as no landlord has a right 70 e'.,.
rent for holding up the land rom ~
use of man, so also no neighoo'.ss
peasant has the right 70 share ~ ~.
products of the land, which ne hss NV
created by his own labor. 4.
The ideal of the Russian peasant y
not possession of land or OF ms'e''.,
wealth, but the right Of every man ~. :.
labor and enjoy the fruits OF ~ ~
who works upon the land is iuihHlaas
the will Of God and no one has ,s.
right to rob him of the product OF -.
labor. This is the alpha and omsss
of peasant psychology. and mere
lies the greatness OF the Russian r..
pie. And in these days Of war, VIE
the streets OF Petrograd are W.
scenes Of disorder and soldiers -.
mangled and manned fighting on ". W
front for so-called civilization, w.
Russian peasant far in the baek"0SSS;, =,
Of the great plain is working og, nn
simple and noble philosophy OF Isoo.i
He is freed now from the 'error az.
oppression Of Czarism, and whs'e,s.
may be the fate Of the revolution. ".
reasant councils. which the la''..
has created. viii continue 20 give "
the toilers Of the plain comtor, ~.
hone for a new and better social "'
Ac,,
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Making Conquest
Constitutional

The question OF the form in which
the linking up Of Belgium with Ger
many must be accomplished causes
much rackng of brains in diplomatic
circles, and in the studies of the con-
stitutional lawyers, and the question
with whom shall We conclude peace
in order 20 make the right of conquest
into a constitutional right?" has often
been asked. and is certainly not easy to
answer. Hitherto it is true, the royal
Government of Belgium and the King
himself have not adhered to the under
takings Of the Quadruple Entente not
TO enter into peace negotiations and
not TO conclude peace except jointly.
But this reserve, which may soon be
abandoned, does not open up any pros
pect that We shall ever be able TO con-
clude with the King Of the Belgians
and his government a peace by which
Belgium will remain in the German
sphere of power, and it is impossible
that the Quadruple Entente, over the
heads of its allies, shall ever accept
our peace demand with regard TO Bel
gium.
II onlv remains for US. therefore.
TO 0UOjd durind the peace neQOttc-
ttDUS Utt utSCbSS tONN NOOUl lLt lbt 20
OF the annexation. and to 0DDLH moth
ina but the Ti0bt Of conquest.
1t is true that dynastic considera-
tions have an Importance which is not
to be underestimated. For, in view
of our Just and ruthless procedure, the
King of the Belgians will be deposed,
and will remain abroad as an aggrieved
enemy. We must put UP with mat,
20 L. IoI 81,
happy circumstance that necessity COM
pels US TO leave dynastic considerations
entirely out Of account A King will
never voluntarily hand over his coun-
try to the conqueror, and Belqium's
Kind can neUer consent to abandon
has sOUereiGntB or TO dtlolC IL 10 be
restricted. If he did so. his prestige
would be so undermined that he would
have to be regarded not as n support,
but as an obstacle, to German inter
cstS.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Find Game Laws Ignored

ALBANY, Dec. 2o-Game protee''"
Of the State Conservation Commiss'0"'
who were transferred to the Ad''V".
dacks as secret service during 'a'
deer season, detected yiolators oi wv
law in more than 100 cases, and ~
ported 20 the commission that nv
is in existence in the AdirondseAs y,.
system" maintained 20 suppress .l
dence Of game law violation ana sn''''
the violators. - ,hs
The regular game protectors o. a,r. s
Adirondacks 90 about with their vi ~.
ing widely heralded, their mosem...rI
being sent ahead by telephone ,As
other means Of communication, s.r
new men reported. The men rom Us :,
parts of the state were disgulsea .s-
sportsmen and had little diiheuiV
tanning evidence. . Cen
George Thrssher, OF Salisou'! ,,,rs
tire, a guide, was arrested FOR se.Is sesI
A forest fire, which he said was 70 pr.
good deer hunting next year a.v.
John J.. Hartran and Wilton ~. S'ioo sioo
son. OF New Rochelle. were nned -
and $50. respectively, for tskih1 {
deers than the limit. egl
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Russian Peasantry Desire
ONLY Peace and Sons Return
Villagers Imprison Former Officers and Attempt
Distribution of Land-Austrlan Prisoner Maries
and Waits for Free Farm
By M. Philips Price

deep in the interior Of Russia for n.
last three years. They are slowly bei,s
absorbed By that extraordinary poss,
0f assimilation possessed By the Rus.
sian people. Before my eyes vss
living example Of the truth that Pas.;s
can never be conquered. for the soul a.
the Russian people is might.er than n.
military power OF the greatest va,
lord
Next day 7 walked down tie villa,.
street. The wooden houses we're piet.
urcsquoly surrounded by Little paS.
docks Of grass. wherc silyery birebe,
stood qUiycring ia the autumn breeze
! reached a large open space where ths
"ambar' stood. This was tie yillav.
granary. 0 which each pearant bring.
a part Of the years produce 70 stor.
AGAINST bad years. Now, o. course. In,
war had emptied i.
Near by was a large house. Her,
used 70 live the "Xemsky Nachalriks
in the days before the revolution. tn.
officials we're always the tyrants OF the
village under the Czarist regime.
Alexander iiI first introduced then
and SET them uD IN the rural districts
all over the empire. 20 act a. tax-gS,h.
erers and political spies. They held
the peasants in the most unspeaksble
condition Of moral serfiom. used d
remember in the days before the reyo.
luton how suspicious the Russian peas
ants always were 90 a stranger. They
would rarely tax about anything ex.
cept the weather and the crops. Abou.
the land question and politics in gen.
eral they kept 4 stony silence. found
out after time that this was because
they we're in terror that anything thsy
said might get 10 the ears Of the "Zerl.
sky Nschslnik." II they displeased hin,
in any way he would arrest them and
put them in prison without trial. He
had the power TO impress young mea
into the army, and he always sent the
most intelligent Of them % work under
the worst conditions in the fortress
towns or the dockyards. That is why
these places and the fleet have alsay,
been the most revolutionary part Of
Russia. in war times the "Zemsy
Nachslnik" always sent the best youth
10 the places where they would be sur.
TO be killed, in order 70 leave only the
weaker and most slavish 20 retura 70
the village.