davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
In the Matter of
Killing a King

On the most Udrious occasions the
EHGlish hare described the riqht Of
conquest as the heGlthiest and sim
Dlest kind Of riQbt. and ne can read
in MuchidUeM thdt he iChO desires
TO take possession Of cOuntI'u tCII
be compelled to remoye the kind or
Recent. eUeH bu killing him.
These are grave decisions. but they
must be taken. for we are concerned
with the welfare and the future OF
Germany, and concerned also with
reparation for the war Of destruction
that has been directed against US.
For years 10 come lCe must main
tain the eristin0 state OF dictatorship.
II is the only form Of administration,
based as it is upon military resources,
which can be chosen, in order to gain
time for the gradual and methodical
building up Of the most appropriate
possible administration.
One must beware of wanting to de-
termine perhaps in a peace concluded
in l9l6-what can only be ripe for
decision after decades have passed. II
we bind ourselves too soon, IL will be
difficult to take measures TO counter
act those binding decisions. We must
preserve patience and method in our
procedure. Thence will proceed, in
addition TO the factors Of trsnquilliza-
tion and eyer-increasing order in the
machinery Of administration, the lin
guistic, ecclesiastical. economic, judi
cial and military regulations, which,
indeed. will make necessary the amend
ment of a number Of Belgian laws.
The completion of the annexation
will be regarded by many Flemings,
and by a great part Of the Walloons,
as a release from uncertainty and from
vain hopes. Both races will be able
to return to the life that will be rem
dered possible by renewed opportunity
for trade and pleasure. During such a
period of transition the Flemings will
allow themselves to be led back from
French tyranny 70 their free, although
not easily controlled, Low German way
of living. The Walloons can, and must.
decide during this period whether they
will adapt themselves to the definitely
altered state of affairs or whether
they prefer to leave Belgium.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Walloons To Be Freed
Of French Tyranny

He loho remains IN The countrv
must declare his allegiance 10 Ger
manu. and after a certain time must
declare has dlleqnnce 10 GerBldnism.
In connection with this it cannot be
tolerated that wealthy Belgisns shall
leave the country. and nevertheless
draw profit from their possessions in
Belgium. appropriation is absolutely
necessary, in order to prevent such a
state of things as exists in Alsace-
Lorraine 70 the present day. ! hope
that zee shall be strong. no, only
with the sword. but also with states
manlike illumination and preparation
and all the things necessary 10 fruit
ful administration. Hall measures
and a middle course must be con-
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Natural Frontier
Begins at Calais

Thus, at the conclusion of peace. We
shall find opportunity, after a century,
TO repair the mistakes OF the Vienna
Congress. In 1871, by the annexation
Of Alsace- Lorraine, which Prussia even
st the time Of the Vienna Congress
wanted to claim for herself, we repaired
the first of those mistakes. II is our
business now TO put aside hesitation
and ideas Of reconciliation, and not to
fall into new mistakes. Gneisenau said:
I'VE must demand the cession Of
all territories and fortresses whose
rivers flow into the Rhine. the Moselle.
the Meuse, the Scheldt and the Lys.
The line Calais-Bale is the only from
tier against France which guarantees
Us security against q disturbed, war
like and capable people"
Blucher complained after the con-
clusion of peace in 1915:
This peace is miserable patchwork.
thanks to which Prussia and Germany
stand betrayed before the whole
world"
The poet Ernst Moritz Arndt de-
manded the natural frontiers from Dun-
Kirk TO Bale. Among German claims
he counted Flanders, Calais, Bruges,
Ghent. Brabant, Brussels, Louvain,
slHNNNlH anu Nht shtuet uioLIlCLS. ne
lessons of a century and the events Of
the present war have proved how right
was the judgment of Gneisenau and
Blucher.
Now We have an unique opportunity
az the coming conclusion of peace to
make good our losses, and we must 90
il because, in consequence of our own
great development, Belgium mas become
still more important for US than ever.
II we do not show ruthlessness and
firmness, in order to wiring the neces-
sary respect for US from England, il
Meuse line or make any agreement
about Antwerp, we shall be exposed to
the world as weaklings, diminish our
great successes IN the Balkans, and
injure our prestige in Turkey and
throughout Islam, in spite of our ad-
mirable successes in arms.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Belgian Congo
Also Desirable

Among such half-measures | incluue
the intention Of treating beIgiuH,
merely as a pawn, which Nigh be usel
10 recover or extend our colonial pos,
cessions. As regards the extension OF
our colonial possessions, the Beiglhn
Congo is certainly 20 be aimed az
md I desire 10 insist that Ger
man colonial empire, whatever rs
shspe. is indispensable for Germany
world policy and expansion OF power;
But. on the other hand. / am OF
the opinicn that only such frontiers
as will contribute 10 the acquisition o.
greater freedom on the sea arc caicu-
lated TO make colonial possessions val
liable. Consequently, the supporters
Of the colonial. movement must aiso
demand the Belgian coast, together
with the Belgian hinterland. II we We,
give up the Belgian coast our Meet VIII
lack important bases for its snare IN
the protection of our colonial empire;
I an, conscious that the demand
that nc shaU retain all Betdium ana
Ink II IN IN one form or another
mith the German sphere Of DO1ger. rs
n 0reat aim. which can be .dchteDed
oply bu determined and sett-Sdcrlhc-
ina couraqe and bu the utmost en-
er0u and skill IN neGotldtion.
Let US apply a saying or olsms sreS. 90
that "in policy, If in any sphere faitI
moves mountains. and courage ana
victory are not cause and effect, out
Identical"
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Austrian Prisoner
AS One Of Family

For some minutes we ate our cab
bage soup and potatoes in silence. To-
gether with US sat prisoner, an
Austrian Slav. from Galicia. He was
now living and working with this peas
ant family, thousands Of miles from
his former home. lie spoke broken
Russian and asked him II he was
very homesick.
lie replied that he liked living in
Russia and that he did not think Of
going back to Austria after the war,
because there was no chance OF get
ting any land there, while here there
was. He had even married a Russian
peasant girl, and had entered the rural
commune. And this is apparently what
is happening TO thousands OF Austrian
Slsv prisoners. who have been buried
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
PETROGRAD, Norember -.


DEOPLE in the West must often
have wondered what has oeeh
going on since the revolution IN
the backwoodg Of Russia. The vas'
plain stretching from the Gulf OF fln-
land TO the Pacific, the impenetraoIe
forests, the wide open steppes. where
one goes for days without seeing
man-all make Russia for us land o.
mystery. to which we look with curios-
ity and wonder. And this is doubly so
when, after the age-long rule oil the
Czarist autocracy, the people OF TINS
immense region have suddenly thrown
over all precedents and started to con-
struct a new political system.
what had happened in the backwoods
since the revolution? None could tell
NE in Petrograd or Moscow. Trains on
the scanty lines Of the interior are
few. and the newspapers print informa-
tion founded mostly on hearsay Of what
goes on there.
Last month I penetrated this veil oi
mystery, for in journey that made
along the Volga stopped at certain
points and made excursions northward
into the unknown. These are the i'm
pressions that derived on one Of those
occasions.
The steamer landed at little quay
and got out with crowd Of quantity
dressed peasant folk. ] was accom-
panied by young soldier who was
member Of one of the revolutionary So
cieties. Together we walked up from
the beach TO the bank Of the Nolga
whence we could get good view OF the
country round. On every side lay
vast plain. Gentle undulations here
and there brought out line of trees
or a group Of windmills in silhouette
against the sky.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
France Might
Gobble Her Up

History has already shown how little
trust could be placed in a neutral Bel
gium before the war and at the begin
ming Of the war, and IL. as one must.
one appreciates the value of such his
torie truths, We can never allow our
selves to be induced to let Belgium. al
the conclusion Of peace. revive as a
neutral country.
yttst as tCGs the case before the
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

dervelde has often proclaimed the
revolution as the completion Of the re-
ligion OF freedom and equality. IL is
known that Social Democracy has be-
come a strong factor for the galliciza-
ton of Belgium. The clergy, however,
will have to associate itself with the
social reforms which must be taken in
hand Immediately after the conclusion
Of peace, and in this the clergy VIII
have to 90 hand in hand with the Ger
man administration.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Only the Aged
Are Left Now

We stopped beside house where an
old woman was sitting linseed in
sieve. well, little mother" said my
companion, "you are working late this
evening" "And naturally | am" she
replied, "only and the old man are at
home now. Ny son is with the eau
casus army and I have not seen him
for two years"
Perhaps" said my companion, "the
war will end and he will come back"
"Glorv 70 the Lord If it would" she
replied. Nicholas could not give US
peace, but neither can the new govern
ment NV boy writes that they have
10 food on the front. And we can't
grow corn here, for and the old man
have no help. Let him come home.
What is he doing in those mountains
over there ~
remembered that | was in the
province Of Yaroslav. The Caucasus
front was 1900 miles TO the south I
wondered what interest that youth
could have in that far-off land 20
which the Car had sent him, TO serve
the dignity Of Russia and the honor
of Europe
But now the spirit of his mother
earth was calling him TO return and
live once more by fruitful labor. And
that, / think. is how millions of the
Russian pessantry are now thinking.
We entered an "isbi" Russian term
for a large peasant house). in a
square room, in the corner OF which
stood a large stove. a peasant family.
or rather all that was left OF il. was
assembled. There was an old patriarch
with a long beard and narrow, glsten-
ing eyes. His thick hair was cropped
above the ears and around the neck
and he made a typical picture of the
Russian peasant with his Tong boots
and shirt buttoncd Up to the neck.
The women Of the household made
ready a meal and we sat down at
long tabl. Turning TO the icon. the
family crossed themselves. And then
noticed that above the icon. where
formerly stood the portrait OF the Car.
.here now was posted 10 the proclama-
tion of the Petrograd Council Of
Workers and Soldiers Delegates call
ing on the people OF all the world TO
lay down their arms.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
The Dangers of
Restored Belgium

Ny confident hope needs. indeed. still
20 be realized that the final military
decision shall constitute victory for US.
whether declared neutral country or
rot. will not only be forced over nat
urally into the camp OF our enemies.
but will be actually drawn over bv
them. Even If one liked 10 cling TO
illusions about reconciliation. and even
II one were able 20 create guarantees
BY treaties ever so good. Belgium will
in ever respect be developed and en-
ployed as a concentration area and out
most position for our enemies.
| shall now indicate the strategic
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
They Had Chancellor 5
Own Words for 1t

The statements made BY the Chan
cellor in reply to questions raised By
the Social-Democrats should also have
ouieted those people who demand that
our war aims be made public, so that
the German people may know why 1t
must go on fighting and subject itself
TO fresh sacrifices. But ! doubt
whether il will ever be possible to
bring conviction to circles which de-
sire an immediate peace, either be-
cause they cherish the illusory idea Of
reconciliation being a matter Of prac-
tical politics, or because they are i'm
patient for peace which, as prema-
ture, could only be transitory one.
In these circles, composed wholly of
Social-Democrats, the determination Of
our people to carry through the task
to which they have set their hand is
overlooked. while the strength Of Eng
lands resistance is exaggerated. These
folk therefore believe that England
will never decide TO make peace until
we have evacuated Belgium and re-
stored II 20 its pre-war condition
Belgium. almost the whole of which we
have managed 20 conquer after fierce
fighting and countless sacrifices.
will not enter into the disputed
question whether England is invincible,
and whether she possesses so much
strength that. Notwithstanding the
threatening Of the English world-em-
rire. and notwithstanding the ever
multiplying signs that England's vital
nerve has been struck in the West and
in the East, she can still stake every
thing in order 20 tear Belgium from
US. in order 70 force US 10 restore Bel
gum 20 Anglo-French influence, and in
order also 70 achieve the recovery by
Belgium Of her original frontiers.
which in future Will not be on the
Channel but be pushed forward TO the
eastern frontier Of Belgium. intend
ORly 10 erDaiId the Uie,cs which I
hare already expressed. and TO sDeak
Of the "d,rd nscesSitas." or rather
the sacred dNtV. that zee shonid re-
tain Bei0iUm for our iafnencc onJ
sDhere. Of DoUer, aud IN the inter
estS OF G6TUlGnu's .SecUritu that noe
should not clUe Belgium UD.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

rar. d neutral BelQium. or an inde-
pendent BelQium based Vpon treaties
Of different kind. lCW succumb TO
the disastrous influence OF England
and France. and TO the effort Of
america to erDlot BelQiGn resources.
4 qGipst all this orr ouly 1cedpOn is
the poiicV OF DOWcr. and this DolicB
must see to IL that the. BelqidH non,
adapt itself and subordinate itself.
II oniu oraduallH to the German
domination.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

vital question. because Belgium as a
free country constitutes, together with
Holland, the English gate Of invasion
on the Continent. We must not IN
rev war again have TO reckon with the
English holding their troops in readi-
ness for Ostend and Antwerp, to sup
port the Belgian army.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Rotarians Urge
Ban on Hearst
Resolutions Condemning His
Papers Stand Are Passed
by Watertown Club

Rotary clubs throughout the natlon
are receiving the resolution passed last
Wednesday by the Rotary Club OF
Watertown, n. Y, condemning the
Hearst and other papers for publica-
ton of articles favorable to the enemy.
Action has not yet been taken by other
clubs. The movement to stamp out dis
loyalty is growing among members Of
the clubs who have seen the resolution.
CLEVELAND, Dec. 22.--The Rotary
Club here will frown on all disloyal
acts, however perpetrated, according to
John R. Bentley, local president.
"We are for tho United States gov
ernment and its allies to the man."
said Mr.. Bentley. "If movement that
has real merit is started by any Of the
Rotary Club organizations throughout
the country to suppress any work or
faction derogatory 10 the United States
or its allies, the Cleveland Rotary Club
will not be found wanting"
Mr. Bentley said no official informa-
tion had yet been received Of the action
TAKEN " lNe :. NLeJtOWn cluD. Nnen
the resolutions stating that certain
newspapers have been publishing arti-
cles favorable to the enemy are re-
ceived in Cleveland they will be given
consideration, he said. The informa-
tion will be laid before the members
at the next regular meeting Other
directors Of the club concurred in Mr.
Bentley's statement.
BUFFALO, Dec. officials OF the
Buffalo Rotary Club are inwardly ap-
plauding the action Of the sister club
at Watertown in openly denouncing the
Hears. brand OF journalism. Nothing
has yet come before the club officially,
but President c. Lsub stated its posi-
tion as follows:
THE board of directors will receive
with keen interest the copy Of the reso-
luton unanimously adopted at Water
town, which is being forwarded. The
board will act upon / promptly, can
say. IL is probable the resolution will
be placed before the body member
ship"
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Gen. Won Kissing Demanded
End of Belgium as a Nation
Amazing Memorandum Reveals Huns Greed and Cruelty
Shows Another War Is Already Planned and Urges Rut-
ssness in Stamping Out Patriotism of Conquered People

nina delight exhibiting n0t the
ahty L
document I Il
CreHms the n md IF
in &opng
ruh Il G
Bduu )uhatu as and LoraHe'
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Churches Cleaned
White in the Villages

The little white spots surrounded oy
dark patches indicated the churcnes IN
the midst Of their villages. Great ex-
nanses of birch and fir forests were
broken by openings where potatoes and
rye were grown. The sky was over
cast and the trees in their autumn tints
stood mournfully waiting for the
winter blast. The mysterious spirit oil
the Russian plain seemed to be saying
at is time for rest, for plant and man
and beast"
Flocks Of geese in long white lines
were slowly vending their way to the
warm sheds in the village near by.
Some women with red shawls were re-
turning from work and a plaintive peas
ant song. the like of which one hears
only in Russia, struck my ear. IL also
sounded a note of resignation and re-
nose. Nature and man seemed 10 nave
taken no account Of the great revolu-
tion. The wheel of life was going
round in the old familiar rut.
With my companion l walked from
the brink of the river over meadow
land TO a village, which consisted OF
two rows of wooden houses on each
side of a wide street. | remembered
the village street before the war. full
of life and gayety. Children played
games there, brightly dressed girls
sang in groups and old men and women
looked or from the doorsteps of the
houses. Now the streets were almost
deserted. A deadly silence filled the
air. A few old women digging in the
back gardens and an old man and boy
driving in a flock Of sheep were the
only signs of life. And then ] remem-
Der that it was war time.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

dsunsd most of all. Lack OF de,
.ermination in the decisive days OF
German fate will be grave wrong 10
,be blood that has been shed.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

Ut Is a curious fact that in enemy
countries. in France and England
particularly. the men at the helm
express themselves quite freely re
garding their war aims, in spite OF the
reverses suffered on tho various fronts.
As AT the outbreak Of this world war;
which is constantly extending It's
scope. so to-day the parcelling out or
snnihilation Of Germany is demandedi
ard this although German armies have
made victory a matter Of habit. as II
we're. and are in firm possession oil
huge expanses OF enemy country.
without paying the slightest heed 70
the military situation. or hesitating
1T the sacrifice Of treasure and men 10
which the powers allied against US
,ainlv committed themselves, the anti
German press is without exception
blinded by a strange kind Of sell
bvpnotism. The extravagance of the
war aims Of our opponents, who set
as little value on our own successes as
on those already won by our allies
obviously makes it impossible 70
dream Of a peace in the near future
which shall be both honorable and
accountable TO Germany.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

In defence or her independence, and
,o assure her future, Germany must
continue the struggle till the moment
when she will be in a position TO COM
pel peace, sword in hand-a peace that
will secure her ends and, if possible,
he a lasting one. Only then VIII IL De
fitting 10 particularize our peace
terms; of this many Germans the I'M
perial Chancellor won Bethmann-Holl-
weg) among them, arc convinced
though our enemies hold the opposite
view.
Ordinary prudence leads US to avoid
dividing opinion at home in regard TO
these serious problems, namely: "hat
Guarantees must we exact from both
the Eastern and the Western foWerS
How shall we best protect ourselves
politically and in military sense
How shall we get what is demanded oy
the exicencies Of our economic condl-
,iorsq Even If our enemies because
thew try TO raise illusory hopes and
10 deceive us as TO their waning
strength Ut is necessary to bear IN
mind the date of the Memorandum.
Won Kissing came to the conclusion
that the Allies strength was waning
in 19l5D and confidence were to IN
terpret as weakness our silence with
regard to our war aims, yet, out Of re
spect for neutrals whom the Entente
endeavors at one time TO influence and
at another threatens, we must persist
in this silence till we are in posi-
ton TO speak categorically (bis 1cir so
,girkungsUoH lcie m0gIich auftreten
k0nnen.)
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

DEOPLE in the West must often
have wondered what has been
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

against the sky.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-23

the village.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-11-15

columns last week. The Hoover
workers article said Mrs. Gargett
was the chairman of the second war
committee, whereas il should have
stated that Mrs. James Gossett was
the chairman OF the committee in this
ward.
The Alma Art club cordially invites
the public to historical program
given by Frs. Ferrey Of Lansing Fri
day evening. November 81, at =
O'Clock, i'm the high school auditorium
Mrs. Ferrey is the state historian for
Michigan and has many interesting
things to relate regarding Doth state
and Gratiot county history.
The high cost of living is begin
ming to hit postal employees, judgipe
from the difficulty which the focal
postoffice recently had to secure a
new clerk. PosUfice salaries have
hot been advancing of late, while the
cost Of living has kept going up. ane
many carriers and clerks rel thal
they are entitled to uIc.e money TO,
the work that tho are doing in view
OF the present day living expenses
Local employees are said to be seek
ing boost in this respect.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-11-15
NEW ARRIVALS
Public Library Gets Number OF New
Books for Local Readers.

The Alma public library al 300
Woodwork avenue has received a
number OF new books. and If i Ger.
tain that everyone will find something
O. interest tn them amonr the list
to which Mrs. Sarah Lancashire has
been generous donor
The Civic Improvement league es-
recially invites the adults Of the city
TO the reading room, either i'm the
afternoon or the evening. Following
is the list Of new books:
The .vric Year edited hv Eafle
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-11-15
WILL DECIDE TITLE
kalamazoo. Alma's Opponent, Is Now
A Favorite For Honors,

I The Alma college footall team ap-
parently has the hardest nut of the
lentire season TO crack, Saturday, when
the Maroon and Cream meets Kalama-
zoo college In the football game which
will decide the Michigan Intercolleg-
late championship for 1917.
Up until this past week Alma seem
irgly had an edge on the Kalamazoo
eleven, but all dope was given a
shatterine when the kazooites went
out and defeated coach kennedy's
Albion college eleven by a score of 2s
to 10. Alma's best against Albion
was 10 3, which indicates that Alma
VIII have a great job on her hands
when she meets the orange and black.
Up until the Albion Kalamazoo
game all dope pointed 10 Alma as
team far the superior of the Kazoo
aggregation. but on the recent show
ing of these two teams against AL
bion. Kalamazoo is certain 10 enter
the eor.iict as big favolite over the
Alr.a college eleven
The Alma fans are still hopeful
that the Helmer eleven will be able to
down the strong Kalamazoo team and
bring home the bacon Saturday night,
but playing on the Kalamazoo field,
Alma seemingly has one great big
job cut out for herself
The splendid defensive work OF the
Alma college team this season is the
one thing which makes the outlook
for winning the game look favorable.
Alma has "A great defense and prom
ises to make the orange and black
fight TO the limit for all Of the points
which il secures.