davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Lloyd Georges French Bad
Famous Candid Speech Was
Made Through Interpreter

LONDON, Dec. l3 by MaiD.-"lt
was more amusing than interesting y
says the current issue of "The Out
look" "to read in Sunday newspaper
that Mr. Lloyd George is speaking
French with greater fuency than ever
The truth is that Mr. Lloyd George does
not speak French at all. or, at least.
not French that can be understood by
any Frenchman Or Engishman. He
travels in France with an interpreter.
"Mr Lloyd Georges famous candid
speech in Paris took several hours TO
deliver, simply because he had to pause
after every few minutes of oratory
while his English WAS rendered into
French.
However, our friends across the
Channel have been trained to bear our
weaknesses. Viscount Grey's French
was almost equally nonresident On
the other hand, VI. Clemenceau, the
French Premier. speaks English with
the greatest ease"
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Voice Over Phone
Leads Police to
Confessed Slayer
Detectives Obtain Clew While
Attempting to Assist Weep
ing Woman

Two detectives from Headquarters
were seeking a dry spot to cross a
muddy street in Gates Avenue, Brook
Ign, last night, when their attention
vas attracted by a woman weeping
hysterically in a telephone booth in a
drug store.
Detective Sergeant Robert P. Gray
entered the store and, exhibiting his
badge before attempting to assist the
woman. was astounded when she
snricked and sprang away from him.
The woman made an effort TO hang up
the telephone receiver. but the detec-
tive rIaspcd Il and held il TO his ear.
so ! Just shot him. ! kept firing
until ne YVES dead. He
The words came over the wire in the
voice Of q man. The detective mo-
toned 20 his companion and gave the
signal 10 have the cal! traced through
an adjoining telephone booth.
Talk to him until we can get there"
'phoned the second detective 10 the
keeper of drug store at Eighth Ave
nue. and Forty-second Street, Brooklyn,
to whose place the voice had been
traced.
There was a chase through the
streets in an automobile, and ten min
utes later the two detectives stepped
into the drug store and CRASHED the
arms of William Caputo, who immeci-
ately admitted that he had killed
Nicholas Paretti. 4 rival in an unnamed
venture, in pool hall at 4Os Canal
Street
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Baker Approves
Aid Crozier Gave
Tauscher in Trial
General Justified in Writ
ing Letter for Accused
German
IStqf Cores Doad6accI

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-The action
OF Major General William Crozier, chief
Of ordnance Of the army, in writing a
character letter for Captain Hans
Tauseher. in the Welland Canal con-
spiracy case. was upheld to-day by Sec
retarv of War Baker. The fact that
two officers Of The Ordnance Depart
Colonels Hoffer. and Mitcham
testified i'm Tauscher's behalf. also was
approved by the War Secretary.
Secretary Baker would not discuss
the merits Of the governments case
against the former American repre-
sentative Of German munitions makers.
lie confined his remarks solely TO the
act Of his three subordinates. lie said
he could see no impropriety in the
letter being addressed 20 the judge pre-
siding at the case.
General Crozier. as the chief ord
nance officer Of the American army,
Secretary Baker said, rs the one oiiieer
who necessarily comes IN contact with
ordnance men from abroad. The letter
he wrote was based on has personal
knowledge of Tauscher. ] see no rea-
son why officers Of the army should not
be permitted TO give their evidence or
should refrain from testifying as char
acter witnesses. In fact, army men
are frequently called as character wit
nesses. IL is perfectly legitimate"
Secretary Baker. speaking as law
YER. said that the letter written by Cen
erai Crozier was clearly inadmissible
testimony. and for that reason. 1t is
supposed. the oral testimony Of Colo
nels Hofer and Mitcham was procured.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Emmy Destinn's Plight
In Austria Explained
Prima Donna Might Have
Come to u. S., but Couldn't
Decide to Do So

ATLANTIC CITY, Dec. 26.-Woman's
indecision is responsible for the intern
ment of Emmy Destinn, famous prima
donna of the Metropolitan Opera Com
pany, in Austria, according to Frederic
c. Penfeld, former Ambassador TO Aus
tria. who explained to-day the mystery
Of the singers absence from the Metro
politan forces.
Miss Destinn was visiting her home
in Bohemia when the war broke. Hay-
ing taken out first papers in this coun-
try. she appealed to Ambassador PEN
,ield. and ne interceded with the gov
crnment. Although the Austrian gov
ecnmert holds a subject TO remain such
until the last American paturalizaiion
rarers are issued, the Austr.ans agreed
10 let Miss Destinn return 20 America
provided she left within for;y-elght
hours.
Instead o. leaving forthwith the
singer wasted he time IN feminine
preparations. and when she attempted
10 AXE the train she was held up, and
rrobably viii be inte-ned for the
fcr.od of the wfr.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
War Department
Unable to Explain
Idle Gun Factories
Couldn't Guess Russia's In
tentions, General Gro
zier Declares
IStof Correspo1aclencel

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-The War
Department was still unprepared to-
day to advance any good reason for not
being able to give orders for American
guns to the New England gun factories
now out of work because Russian OIL
ders have been cut OF. Major General
CroZier. chief Of ordnance, and the
officer directly responsible for the lack
OF knowledge OF conditions which COM
pei the arms plants 20 shut down, tem-
poIarlly at least. declared tnat no
one could guess what Russia was gong
10 do" He intimated that this govern
ment was without any advance inior-
nation OF the action the British gov
crnment has taken, with reference TO
Russian rife orders, and said this wa
the reason for not having plans out
lined for Immediately utilizing the
plants.
The statement made in to-day's Trb-
une by Representative TIlson, OF Con-
necticut, concerning the failure OF the
War Department 70 exercise foresight
in providing all available plants WIZ
work. has been called 20 the attention
OF members OF tAe senate hlAlbdly a. -
fairs Committee. now engaged IN in
vestigatng the War Department. An
explanation will be demanded OF ord
nance officers before the hearing Is con-
cluded.
II is known that several members Of
the committee have not lost sight o.
the fact that the tests OF the Browning
gun were made sufficiently long ago 10
have practically all the plants in the
country not making arms for the Allies
employed in turning out the new type
Of machine gune.
The results Of the tests. il is ac-
knowledged, thoroughly convinced the
War Department OF the efficacy OF the
Browning gun. but no explantion thus
far has been advanced that would cover
the departments delay in actually pro-
ducing the weapons.
General Crozier's statement, made
Yesterday, that no plants except the
Remington and Westinghouse concerns
were TO be given orders for Browning
guns, Congressional investigators point
out. is another example of the War De-
partment's failure 10 provide the army
as quickly as possible with weapons.
This point also is expected 10 be the
foundation Of inquiries By the probers
before the investigation Is concluded.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
White Fortune to Charity
Churches and Hospitals Re-
ceive Large Bequests

OVERHEAD, n. Y. Dec. 20. -
Churches and charitable institutions
received bequests amounting 20 thou
sands OF dollars in the will Of William
II. White, OF Cold Spring Harbor. which
was hled for probate to-day. The full
value Of the estate has not been esti-
mated, but the specific bequests in the
"i.l amount 20 more than 100000.
Among The Institutions 20 be remem-
,1ercd by Nr White are St. Johns
Hospital, Brooklyn. $4,000; Hunting
..oa Hospital Huntington. Long Island,
S,-''eVQ; Staten Island Hospital. New
brghton. Staten Island, 10000: Mas
..u Hospital. Mineola. Long Island
FVVVV; Cooper Union. $4,000; Mis-
sson Of the Immaculate Conception,
sgp9Vg; 81. Lukc's Hospital. San Fran
Usco' $4,000. and numerous Libraries
sne benevolent institutions with
smaller sums. Mr. White also left sew
.Isl $4,000 and $4,000 bequests to
I'isires. friends and employees.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Dilution of Labor
Serious Menace
To Eastern Roads

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 26,-"Dilution OF
labor" is the greatest difficulty Of the
Eastern railroads. and further deple-
ton of their forces must result IN
serious Gripping Of their transporta-
tion efficiency" says statement issued
here tonight by the general operating
committee OF Eastern railroads, OF
which Arthur W. Thompson IS presi-
dent.
The statement deals entirely with the
railroad labor situation, pointing out
shat the roads have given uD many men
20 the draft. while hundreds Of others
have gone abroad to rebuild and reha-
biiitate the European railroads.
whatever steps are necessary, there
tore." continues the statement, ITO IN
sure the full manning Of the railroads
serving great munitions producing cen
tres and moving our army and is sup
plies to seaboari must be taken, and
taken promptly"
Preliminary reports and careful esti-
mates indicate. TIE report says. that
1,l3S,JOJ new men nave been employed
by the railroads represented by the
general operating committee during the
first nine months Of the year 1914 "Of
this number says the statement,
900 were locomotive firemen troad
and yurd). 1l2.700 were brakemen,
$4,000 were equipment repalrmen and
engine house men, $500 were track
repair men, 200 were freight han
dlers and station employees. and the re-
maind,r, ij3,900, were IN all other
branches Of the service.
This turnover for the nine months
represents about twice the number OF
men normally entering the service in
wear This Of Itself does not seem
startling statement, but when IT is re-
membered that there are IN the fiye
branches of the service separately men
toned about 564 300 men in the service
OF all the Eastern roads at any one
time, and that OF these about 3Ol 300
had been in the service at least during
one entire year, most OF them being old
and experienced employees, II rs appar-
ent that 10 keep the other 262 500 places
filed il has been necessary TO employ
"A the nine months 94s, 500 men-or
about three and three-lourths men for
every job.
This has meant the employment,
training. and subsequent loss or man
on each Of these jobs every ten weeks.
ne result mas Deeu Il CONSTANT nlIcdH
of new and inexperienced men with
which 70 carry on the commerce Of the
great industrial section OF the country.
This dilution Of their forces lies at the
root Of most OF the present difficulties
of the railroads"
In the - per cent cases the rail
roads presented figures showing marked
declines in net earnings this year, and
explained that even the increase in
earnings resulting from II per cent
increase probably would not suffice 10
check the decline. This led officials TO
suggest that the government railroad
might look with favor
on higher rates, since they would tend
TO reduce the amount which govern
moat operation will cost the public un-
der the plan Of guaranteeing pre-war
warnings.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27

pictures with tic aid Of the lists OF
missing men already published.
List of Men Taken
The following enlisted men OF the
United States Army Engineer Corps
were taken about November 80, the day
of the German turning movemerE at
Cambrai
Sergeant PAUL VI. SWENSoN, Mr.. J: +.
swcnson (notherl. $50 WadsTorth Ave
nue.. New York City.
Corporal FRANK UPTON, Mrs. Jane Upton
Cwifej. 4ll West Twcnty-fourth Street
New York City.
Priyates
sOIOMAN GOLDWETTER. Miss Roe Perl
stein tfriendl. G. East 1l9th Street, New
York City.
GEORGE ii. J. SEAMAN. Mrs. Anna Sea-
man lmother) Woodhayen. Long Island
New York.
DALTON RANLET. Danlet ". Ranlet
fatherl. 115 Forty-fourth Street Corona
New York. ,,.,
CHARLES 4. GEOGHEGAN, Mrs. Michael
Geoghogan (motherD. I'll West lSoth
street. New York City.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Pneumonia Death Rate
Gains; 1O4 in 2 Days

A slight increase in deaths from
pneumonia in the last two days, as
compared with the same period week
ago. was reported BY DR.. Charles +.
Bolduan. director of the bureau Of pub
lie health education. Department OF
Health, yesterday. The total number
Of deaths from all causes was 462, Of
which l04 were caused by pneumonia.
Brooklyn was the worst sufferer,
forty-tive OF the total Of 1856 deaths
there being due to pneumonia. In Man
haitian pneumonia caused the death of
ta-rtyseven in total of 20S.
The total number Of deaths from
pneumonia from noon Saturday TO noon
yesterday was l76, also slight in
crease from the number reported for a
similar period week ago.
The victims Of pneumonia in the
other boroughs over the Christmas
holiday were twelve in The Bronx,
seven in Queens and three in Rich
mond
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27

the War Department, contained these
names:
Sergeant EDGAR -. HALYRURTON. George
II. HalyOuTton ffatherl, stony Point y. L
Corporal NICHOLAS l.. MULHALL, Mrs.
Bridget AIihall tuoihcr'. lSs Ninth
street. jersey City, =. J.
CORPORAL EDWIN II. IfAiNES, Mr.. Eliza
beth Haines omotherJ, Route No. :, Wood
ward, Okla.
Private HERCHEL GODFREY. william c.
Oberst fathe-l, 709 North RidGeway Ave
nuo. Chicago.
Private VERNON ". KENDALL, SAN Ken
dali (fatherl. Il. T.. u. No. .. Roll. Okia.
Private WILLIAM =. GRlGSBY, ~ Willow
Avenue. Louisville.
Private FRANK h. M'DOUGAL. r. ;. Ne
Dougal Gather). s22 East First Street.
Maryviile, No.
Private DANIEL 3. GALLAGHER, Neil
Gallagher father, Brocidon. Ma.
Private JOHN Z. LESTER, William Lester
ffatheri, TutUiler. Miss.
Private HARRY LANGHAI. Ada =. Lang
ham. 46i Oakwood Boulevard, Chicago.
Private DEWEY u. KERN, Mrs. Eva Iilton
frnotheri. Collins. Iowa.
Private -- RECKON; cannot be Identified.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
l.. S. risoners In.
Germany Will Be
AidedbyRedCr Cross
Captured Americans to Re
ceive Same Treatment as
Other Fighting Men

Arrival in America of actual photo
graphs of the first American prisoners
taken by the Germans yesterday Of
fered a measure of comfort to mothers
whose sons had been listed under the
uncertain heading Of missing"
With the knowledge came numerous
inquiries concerning the manner Of
handling and feeding the prisoners
These questions were answered by rep
resentatives of the Red Cross.
Aemrican prisoners of war in Ger
many are cared for through the agency
OF the international Red Cross which
is located at Geneva. Switzerland. it
was explained. Food and other neces-
saries, including new clothing. are sent
from this country 20 Geneva and for
warded from there TO the German
prison camps. Each bundle contains a
return card which the prisoner fills out
when he receives his package. In this
way check can be kept on the actual
destination Of supplies. Red Cross of
fcials say that the percentage of loss
shown by the English and French sys-
tens is practically negligible.
Already 4.5O0 tons Of food have been
shipped to Switzerland to be distrib-
uted in small packages as the need
arises. The food supplied to captured
Americans is of the same quality and
quantity as the rations for the lighting
men on the line Special rations for
the invalid, comprising matted milk,
broth, jellied chicken, and other aids
10 ,onvaescence, have been worked
out.
Although no ramcs accompanied the
photographs. many Of the faces prob
ably will be picked out Of the group
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27

HAROLD T. ANDREWS. Frank Bradford,
tunclei. Portland. Ne
ALPHOkSO J. MGRATH. Timothy Nc
Grath relative. Chestnut Hill, Mass.
MYRON VAN De MARX. Mrs. 4. Van
De Marx fmo;her). New Paltz. y. /.
FRANK BROOKS. MS. b. Warshopshy ISIS
teri. go FoH Street. New lork City.
ULRICH y. NANCY. John W. Nancy
fntherl. 1898 Amsterdam Avenue He"
York City.
JOHN LALTY. Michael Lslty (fsther). Col
den Bridge. =. y.
LUKE A. LOVELY. Thomas Lovely fatherl,
10i North stevens Avenue, South Amboy
Nj
HARRY !. MASON. Mrs. c. Mason (ulotherl
251 Eighth street. jersey City, y. j.
MICHAEL DINA. James Dina Gather, lif
East Fourth street. Now York City.
PETER J. TINGO. Mrs. Anthony lingo
lmotherl, New YORK City.
HERBERT +. UELTI. Nrs. a. kar
(mother)). IS Union street. Newark. y. J.
List of Missing
The list Of missing after the first
German raid on American trenches in
Europe, on November s, as given out by
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2G.-First hand
information about the equipment and
training OF America lighting men IN
France and in training camps was gwen
the Senate Military Committee by Major
General John +. Organ. commanding
the New York National Guard division
at Camp Wadsworth, SpartanburR, ;. e.,
recently returned from an observation
tour abroad
Most Of General Organs testimony,
particularly that referring 20 condi-
tions at the front. was heard ~ execu-
tive session. lie was questioned for
three hours with the doors closed. but
the public had an opportunity 20 hear
him for an hour. during which he DIS
cussed chiefly the situation at home.
General Organ said his men were
adequately equipped for training,
though not for lighting and that he
would like 20 see them have two more
months OF training before they went
10 the front. He told the committee
that the great need of the war was ar
tillery, and recommended yhat the
troops abroad be supplied with winter
clothing of heavier quality.
More Generals to Testify
Major Generals William Wright and
Edwin st. John Greble, commanders at
Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, and Bowie,
Texas, respectively. who also have been
abroad, will testify tomorrow if they
reach Washington in time. Otherwise
the committee will proceed with the ex-
animation Of Major General Sharpe,
quartc-naster general, in the inquiry
into the clothing, cantonment and trans
portation situations.
Mrs. Grace Humston, OF New York,
who has investigated social conditions
at some Of the training camps and
whose published statements recently
were denounced by Secretary Baker
conferred to-day with Chairman Cham
berlain, who told her TO send IN writ
ten statement if she had any infcrma-
ton TO give the committee.
General Organ told the committee
that he witnessed two important Allied
drives. and that in them the German
artillery was much inferior.
Regarding shoes furnished men AZ
Camp Wadsworth, General Organ said
there has been some trouble getting
proper sizes. In one shipment of 1000
nairs 1000 were returned.
"On what date were your mon ade-
quately equipped" ?" asked Senator
Wadsworth.
Not Equipped for Fighting
"They are not adequately equipped
get" he said, adding, mot to go into
campaign work"
Senator Hitchcock asked if there
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Men Equipped for Training
Not Fighting, Says Organ
His Troops Should Have Two More Months
Drilling Before Going to Front; U. 5. Need
in France Is Artillery, Asserts General

were not enough nurses. General
Organ said he thought there vas no
trouble in that respect az Camp Wsds-
worth. 4 letter from 4 constituent a.
Omaha was read b. Senator Hi.chcocS
declaring that with many men dying az
Camp Cody. Dem.ns y. ". from pnel-
monia eight 20 ten a day, tae letter
said-there were few nurses.
Departmental red tape paper work"
was said by General Organ TO be
heavy
"The general opinion in the army"
he said, "is ,ha, .he paper work should
De reduced
Food. General o'R-an sad. Las been
satisfactory. There was very little
ground fOr complaint. he said. "and
that only regarding preparation, not
quality or quantity.
Senator Hitchcock asked the general
II he heard any criticism Of quality Of
clothing used b. General Pershing's
forces.
"Inferentially, yes said General
Organ, explaining that the British
clothing seemed heavier and superior.
Had ours ought to be heavier"
Il should think so, in view Of the
British experience N three and one
half years OF war"
Blankets furnished the camps, Cen
eyal Organ said, do not seem 20 be OF
as good quality as formerly, although
there has been 10 formal complaint.
Generally speaking. We have ample
property OF all Einds for training pur-
poses" he said. "but not enough for
campaign"
His division is better equipped than
others. General Organ said, because
Of earlier organization and the MeXi-
can border service.
Officers from reserve training camps,
according 10 General Organ, had been
found very satisfactory, Jealous and
interested, although lacking expert
ence."
with your knowledge OF conditions
abroad, DO you think Jour division ia
trained enough 10 go abroad?' asked
Senator Chamberlain.
I'D rather see them. get aother
couple Of months" General Organ an
swered. "The training that Ge,eral
Pershing has established Of accust1m-
ing men to shellfre is very valuable"
DO you think it's possible for US 20
supply too much artillery asked
Senator Weeks.
"No. sir. it's not possible" General
Organ replied.
Senator Kirby asked how long, broad
ly speaking, inexperienced men should
be trained before going into actual
lighting.
Roughly. year should be the mini
mum SAID General Organ.
Senator Chamberlain observed that a
distinguished American had said not
very long ago that million men could
be raised over night.
what chance in this war would such
men have ," he asked.
"No chance at ALL" General Organ
answered "All the officers over there
said there is no get-rich-quick method
TO military efficiency"
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Organists' Convention Opens

The opening session Of three.day
convocation Of the American Guild Of
Organists Of the United States and Can
sda was held yesterday afternoon at the
College Of the City of New York. Ad-
dresses were delivered by Clifford DEM
Arrest. head Of the guild; Pitts Sanborn,
Professor Cow. of Nsssar, and Prosesssor
Charles A. Downer. Later in the after
noon organ reeitals were given by
Charles Henroth and Charles NJ. Cour-
boin. assisted by Jean Collignon. Of
Belgium. and Melchiere Maure-Cottene,
o.ganist at ST. lgnstius Loyola Church.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Says Poles Want Charles

AMSTERDAM. Dec. 96.--I1 an inter
view IN the "Vossische Zeitung' Of
Berlin concerning the new Kingdom Of
Poland, Professor Kucharzeyski, Polish
Premier. says:
The Poles are almost unanimous in
the opinion that 10 member OF the
Polish nobility should be King. I'm
peror Charles commands strong per
sonal sympathies in Poland. and there
are many advocates OF the plan Of hav-
inc the Emperor named King. On the
other hand, many thoughtful Poles
would prefer an Independent kingdom,
with an Austrian archduke on The
throne
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Dinner to Newspaper Man

representatives of the bench and bar
in New York County will give a dinner
on January II, at the Hotel McAlpin, to
Robert K. Wilkes in recognition Of his
twenty-five years OF service as a news
paper man covering the Criminal
courts. George Gordon Battle is chair
man of the committee of arrangements.
Mr.. Wilkes Joined the staff Of THE
World" in 1884 as a reporter. He was
then sixteen years old. In 1898 he
joined the staff of "The Evening
World" of which he is still a member.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
War Raises Cost of Living
106 Per Cent in England

LONDON, Dec. - 10y maiD-The
cost Of living in Great Britain has
risen 1O6 per cent since the war. ac-
cordire to official figures presented in
the House Of Commons.