davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
final reward above.
In France And Belgium.

Christmas in the French hospitals
Is made one round of music and feast.
ing wherever the soldier Is in condi-
ton to bear the excitement. The.
atrical performances and concerts are
the order of the day, the various art
lists going from hospital to hospital
singing and playing and even dancing
to amuse the men. The French
priests take an active part in getting
UP these entertainments. Even in the
shell ruined towns these noblemen,
twenty thousand of whom are serving
in the ranks of the French army,
gather the convalescents about them
and try to make the day a happy one
They always contrive to find a suit
able place to hold religious service
first, and last year one priest used an
old fountain in the center of the town
for an altar and gathered the conva-
descent soldiers about him in the shell
wrecked town and celebrated mass,
while a German aeroplane was flying
overhead. After mass he gathered
the men about him and the girls Of
the village came over and cheered the
men by singing songs for them. Then
there was q christmas Olnner ana the
opening of boxes from home. This
goes on all over France. Down in
the southern part of the country
where the air is balmy and the
wounded may sit out in the sunshine
band concerts are given while cigars
and sweets are passed around.
In Belgium the scenes are repeated
for although this little land has been
crushed for the time being her people
have never lost heart and although
saddened by the loss of so many Of
her brave men those who are in the
hospitals are made to enjoy their
Christmas through the kindness of
the Allies including the Americans
who have done so much to relieve the
sufferings Of King Albert's people.
And so it will be seen that even in
this war Of blood and hate the spirit
of Christian charity still spreads her
wings over those who have suffered
in the cause of right and the message
of peace on Earth good Will to
Men" still shines through the dark
| ened sky.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

part of the English Christmas and
parties of young girls go from hospital
to hospital on Christmas morning
singing carols to the soldiers. At the
convalescent homes the men have the
genuine English Christmas dinner
with its Paron of beef and steaming
plum pudding. Sometimes when the
convalescenr home is in the country
the men bring in the Yule log in true
English fashion ard it Is burned Oh
the hearth. Games of ali sorts are
played and it is surprising how men
who are minus a leg can manage to
get about on crutches and for a time
at least forget the price they have
paid in their efforts to crush the auto
cracy of the Kaiser. Many of the
theatres invite the men to the Christ
mas matinee and when the men are
practically we'll except for being Grip
pied the good people of London who
have automobiles send the cars to
the hospitals and take the men to the
theatres as their guests. The relatives
of the sick men are invited to visit
the nOSDlIalS OH 1IlTlSlIldS iHQ tuey
come in droves to enjoy the day with
their heroes" Those who are too
i'll to receive company are tenderly
watched over by the nurses who
strive in some way to make Christmas
little brighter for them than other
days.
King Georges Tea.
King George always entertains hun
dreds of wounded heroes (who are so
far in their recovery as to be able to
Walk, at tea on Christmas afternoon
at buckingham Palace. Here the men
are waited upon by the royal ladies.
The Princess Mary acts as head wait
ress and is assisted by such we'll
known women as the Duchess of De
vonshire, the Duchess of Switzerland
and the Duchess Buccleuch together
with a number of warehouses; and
countesses. Queen Alexandra always
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
How the Wounded reMade Happy Atthe Holiday
Season Elaborate Plans for the Yuletide In
the HOSPITALS of the Allied Nations.
fN2N~ (E0~%2E>1S @ ~
6~s<<IS2 <A5>2NI1T

International syndicate.
this year it is our war as well as those
OF the people lover there" and the
touch of the American woman's hand
will be found in the Christmas festivi-
ties of the hospitals of France, Bel
GUM and England.
All sorts of amusements are pro-
vided in the hospitals, the inevitable
talking machine being one of the
Christmas gifts in every ward.
AT times on Christmas morning."
said the nurse, "one cannot hold
conversation for it seems that hun
dreds of machines are vieing with
each other in playing familiar airs.
The men love the canned music and
IL the people who send these machines
and records to the hospital could only
see the happiness it brings to tho
manned and helpless it would do their
hearts good. 1t drives away the mel
ancholy which comes to some men as
soon as they are unfit for SERVICE"
The women of England arrange
various kinds of entertainments for
the sick men, the Princess Augusta
Victoria, the wife of Manuel, the for
mer King of Portugal, is unusually
active in this although she is of Ger
man blood being the daughter of the
brother of the King of Roumania.
| This princess is especially interested
in the London hospitals and is really
a nurse of remarkable ability. She
has a winning personality and Is
greatly beloved by the men. Her
Christmas days are spent in the hos
pital and last Christmas, as a photog-
rapher was passing through one of
the big British military hospitals, the
princess called him and requested him
| to make q picture of her with a pa.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

In addition to the regular diplo-
matte work there was much helping
Of the poor and the starving of all
faiths and nations. The American
Embassy established purchasing and
manufacturing bureau and fed thou.
sands daily. All the funds came
through the American Embassy and
it was no simple task to make re-
turns for all the money expended.
1t is therefore apparent that Mr..
Elkus' task at the Turkish capital was
by no means a light one. It was his
first diplomatic post; prior to his ap.
pointment by the President he was q
New York lawyer and the senior mem.
Der of law firm in that city.
While obviously, one can but APP
proximate the handicaps and difhcul.
ties with which our representative in
Russia, David Rowland Francis, has
had to contend during the past dis.
tressing weeks Of turmoil and revo-
luton, with each days cable bearing
its doleful message, it is safe to state
that diplomacy Of the highest sort has
been necessary to meet the changing
and, at times, hopeless conditions.
One false step, where SO many are
possible. might, for example be eager
ly used by the German propagandtstS
in Russia, distorted by them to furth-
er their own nefarious ends and to
undo in the minds of the Russian sol.
diers and peasants all that Uncle
Sans representatives. both diplomatic
and consular, have striven so care
fully, so sincerely. to accomplish for
ho nF
cause.
Francis, In Russia, Faces Big Odds.
David Francis, upon whom this tre-
mendous burden of diplomacy rests,
is as nearly suited to his position as Is
possible for any man to be. While he
has only been in Petrograd since
March s, 1916. he Is nevertheless.
we'll acquainted with Europe and
knows the people like fellow-country-
men. He has been decorated by the
principal countries of Europe and
Asia and has lived among these peo-
Piles. Mr.. Francis Is sixty-seven years
of age. a native of Kentucky and was
Secretary Of the Interior In the Cab.
met of President Cleveland.
His main difficulty at present IL to
| know with whom to deal. Between
shifting governments and German
propaganda, the task appears we'll
nigh impossible. The work OF the
German agents in Russia, by the way.
has been and still is, truly remarkable
remarkable. that is. in regard to its
effect upon the plastic mind of the
Russian peasant. They shave finger
in every pie" so to speak, and they
stir that finger around vigorously.
A diplomat. one should remember,
Is supposed in general to do his ut.
most honorably to create in the coun-
try to which ne Is accredited q senti'
ment favorable to his own country;
and to see that his country IL not
falsely represented or misunderstood.
Add to this the multiplicity of detail
resultant from the fact that both ma
lions are at war as Allies, and i'm
agine, in a vague way at least. the
really appalling burden our diplomats
and consular agents are shouldering
in Russia. and in the other Allies ma
tions. where the great guns never
cease their laundering and where
knowledge of the war is a matter OF
personal experience.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
lleo2 XNz~Nc ~HNH112H1AHA zyI>7S
~ CS~@ox>zH% ZI9WNL5e Ml<xSNS4
puts in an appearance and greets the

puts in an appearance and greets the
men. The King and Queen come in
and spend some time talking with the
soldiers and congratulating them on
their great work. After tea the men
go to the big Riding School where
there is an excellent variety show
given. the performers being selected
from the best talent of the London
theatres These theatricals are al
ways greatly enjoyed by the men.
The tea parties extend throughout
the holiday week in order that all
the men may have part. Cigars and
tobacco are given out as the guests
leave. Various noblemen make up
parties of convalescent soldiers and
entertain them at the theatre for the
Christmas matinee or by taking them
on long automobile rides. The indoor
circus Is one of the great Christmas
entertainments in London as we'll as
the pantomime and both of these
amusement halls are crowded with
convalescents who are guests for the
occasion. All London is wide open
to the wounded hero who can manage
to get about on Christmas.
Theatrical Performances.
Theatrical performances are one of
the Christmas treats at many of the
military hospitals. Last year a stage
was erected in hospital at Birming-
ham, England. Scenery was painted
for tho occasion and the entire com.
pany, including the orchestra, moved
to the hospital for a Christmas mat.
inee. The cots Of the men were moved
to the front and three hundred bed.
ridden fighting men witnessed an en-.
tire performance of the "Babes in
the Woods" given with all the appur.
tenances Of first class theatre. Fifty
of these men were unable even to sit
up, but their Christmas was made
happy by the mountain coming to
Mahomet when Mahomet could not
go to the mountain" This year the
performance is to be repeated and
although it will be the same with
practically the same caste a new SET
of heroes will be present at the show
the men who composed the audi
ence of last year have either gone
back to the front, been discharged q:
unfit for service or have gone to theil
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
- IPLOMACY IN TIME of peace
demands from it's followers the
exercise of extraordinary

~ 1PLOMACY IN TIME OF peace
demands from it's followers the
exercise of extraordinary
~ finesse and the possession of I'M
limited knowledge of the intricacies
Of civilization; in time of war, the
diplomat needs to be almost a super
man, so exacting and complex are
the services which he is called upon
to perform for his government.
Tact, courage, patience and many
other cardinal virtues combined with
.capability to do good, hard work and
to bear in mind a million details are
the qualifications of any of Uncle
Sans ambassadors and ministers
nowadays.
Especially among our Allies at war.
countries where the diplomatic offices
are enlarged to accommodate UMPIRE
cedented activity, do the representa-
tives need the aid of all the available
sterling virtues. For, If the govern
ment is working overtime in Wash
ington and at every other Federal Of
flee in the states, it Is working extra.
overtime in the capitals of Europe,
where activity in representing this
nation and looking out for its inter-
ests is combined with much other
work that Is outside the realm OF
pure diplomacy.
Do Work Other Than That or Pure
Diplomacy.
Helping the oppressed, distributing
relief funds, aiding in feeding thou
sands of helpless. prisoners and per-
forming all the tasks connected with
the operation of war far away from
the nations main office, constitute a
few of the demands made upon our
ENJOYS
While the broken relations with
Germany, and the strained relations
, with Austria and Turkey, have dimin-
ished the actual number of our rep
resentatives abroad, they have also
affected an increase of work at the
capitals of the Allied nations. And
while it is true that these official rep
resentatives of the administration are
simply obeying instructions from
home, 1t is nevertheless a fact that
they are often. perforce. entrusted
with the country's destiny and that
ofttimes their actions influence the
welfare of every citizen in the States.
Great praise has been accorded our
present ambassadors In Europe. 1t
has been said by members of foreign
missions visiting this country and by
Americans writing from abroad that
the men who are filling the diplomatic
posts in these strenuous times are In
deed citizens of whom America may
be proud.
Gcrari's Work In Germany.
James Watson Gerard. our former
ambassador to Germany, has been
called one of tho ablest diplomats
America has ever produced. In those
trying days before President Wilson
discovered relations with the German
nation, affairs had to be handled with
the utmost delicacy and tact.
Mr.. Gerard displayed a diplomatic
acuteness that was never bafiied for @
second by the methods employed ir
the Wilhelmstrasse. He handled al
the diplomatic notes which President
Wilson addressed to the Kaiser and
never allowed the German Chancellor
and his associates to put one over or
him" unawares.
Besides looking after the American
interests. which the Kaiser though
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

little of jeopardizing, and undertaking
to help all American citizens to leave
Germany. Mr.. Gerard was also in
trusted with the affairs of Great
Britain. When it was said that Mr..
Gerard was the most hard worked
man in Europe there was little exag-
geration in the statement.
Mr.. Balfour said of his work that
he handled n difficult situation with
zeal, efficiency and tact" and this
was deemed a great tribute; for the
British work at the outset of the war
formed an extraordinarily heavy bur-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

ador To Italy.
den the most important part Of which
though by no means the only part
was obtaining decent treatment for
British prisoners. His efforts along
this line were fruitful of results that
no ono else perhaps. could have OBJ
tained so well. His task also included
the care of British civilians in Berlin
and other German cities and he super
vised the dispensing of all American
funds for relief of his countrymen.
On Mr.. Gerard's recall from Berlin
the British work was taken over by
Baron Covers, Minister from The
Netherlands to Berlin and the Ameri-
can interests were given to the charge
of the Spanish Ambassador there.
Mr.. Gerards success with the am
bassadorial post was especially note
worthy because II was his first.
Though his diplomatic career began
with his appointment as ambassador
to Germany in July, 1918, he had
held many prominent offices in his
native state, New York. From 1908
to 1911 he was associate Justice of
the New York Supreme Court, and
was active In political circles. being
chairman of the Democratic Commit
tee in his state for four years.
While Mr.. Gerard was having a
strenuous time in Germany. our min
lister to Belgium. Mr.. Brand Whitlock,
! was passing through the most trying
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
at Brussels.
WhitlOck's Trials In BELGIUM.

at Brussels.
WhitlOck's Trials In BELGIUM.
During those summer days when
the German troops invaded and raw
aged tho country Of King Albert, Mr..
Whitlock was doing a hundred things
at once. Besides hustling American
citizens out OF the danger zone-for
it was vacation-time and many were
summering at Ostend-he was pro-
tecting the Belgians In so far as pos
sible and helping to obtain justice for
them at the hands of the Prussian
governors who had them in charge.
He Got Food For Dcported Men.
During the deportations, which Won
Kissing inaugurated in October, 1915,
dreadful scenes were enacted which
called for MIR. Whitlock's help.
Though he was able to do little to-
wards the alienation Of the terror
that spread among the Beigians, he
did obtain In many cases permisso
to send to the deported men in Ger
many packages of food similar to that
being sent to the prisoners of war.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
Increased Work At Capitals of Our Allies More Than
Doubles the Diplomats Burden Tact, Courage and
Patience Are Essential Personalities of the
Men Who Represent Us Abroad
Copyright 1917, by The International Syndicate

y
Mr.. Whitlock writes enlighteningly
Of the early days of this terror and
adds detail to Germany's list Of black
achievements. He says: 1.-THE rage,
terror and despair excited by this
measure all over Belgium were be-
yond anything we had witnessed since
the day the Germans poured into
Brussels. The delegates of the Com
mission for Relief in Belgium, return
ing to Brussels, told the most dis
tressing stories of the scenes of cruel
ty and sorrow attending the seizures
And daily, almost hourly. since that
time, appalling stories have been re-
lated by Belgians coming to the Lega-
ton"
At Havre, where now are estab-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20


III when our thoughts turn to
\ deeds of charity and good will
~ towards others. 1t is especially
Incumbent on US this year to remem-
Der those who are fighting our battles
and those who having foughtare recup-
Grating from their wounds in the mil
itary hospitals.
Those of us who are in bright and
cheerful homes amid pleasant and
comfortable conditions do but a small
part of our patriotic and christian
duty by contributing toward the hap
piness and relief of the men who have
risked their all for the welfare Of
mankind. This Christmas from hun
dreds of thousands of hearthstones
will go up prayers for their safety and
from millions of hands will go forth
little tokens of the love and affection
in which they are held by the heart
bleeding ones left behind.
This is the fourth Christmas of the
world war and while thousands Of
men have gone to their deaths, thou
sands more fill the hospitals in various
stages of recovery. They have been
made as comfortable as possible in the
big hospitals and convalescent homes
but Christmas Is one of the saddest
seasons of the year unless one is
remembered and the good women of
the Allied nations will see to it that
the wounded men are not forgotten.
This year the preparations for the
holiday season in the hospitals are
even greater than in previous years on
account of the United States being
actually at war. In former years our
people sent aid and our nurses were
at the bedside Of the wounded, but
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

experience of his life. Mr.. Whitlock
had witnessed some battles during his
life as newspaper man and had
participated in one when he ran on
the Independent ticket against four
other candidates for the mayorship Of
Toledo; but he never had seen, nor
will see again perhaps, such q con-
nict as that which ravaged peaceful
Belgium during the first year of his
residence at the American Legation
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

lisbed the headquarters of the Belgian
government, Mr.. Whitlock continues
to represent the United States and to
administer the work of Belgian relief
which Is going on; at Brussels. the
Spanish Ambassador is looking after
such American interests as are called
TO his attention.
Page Wins Thanks OF British
Government
walter Hines Page in London, who
represents the United States at tho
court OF st. James. looked out for
German interests prior to our en-
trance into the war besides his many
functions connected with his routine
n mbassadorlal tasks. Mr.. Balfour
made DR.. Page the recipient OF tho
thanks Of the British Government for
the ..promptitude. efficiency and cour-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

James w. Gerard, Ambassador 10
Germany At Outbreak or The War.
for his own return to the States.
In France. this country has been
represented by william Graves Sharp.
who was appointed by President Will
son to succeed Myron Herrick. The
post at Paris marks Mr.. Sharp's en-
trance into the diplomatic field. He
was lawyer and a member from
Ohio of the sixty-frst and sixty-third
Congresses.
Stovall In Neutral Switzerland.
One of the hardest worked REPRO
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
Copyright, 1917, by TIT

" HRISTMAS is THE SEASON
H. when our thoughts turn to
deeds of charity and good will
~ towards others It is especially
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-08-06

Mrs. William A. Prunk and her moth
er, Mrs. Charles Cooder, were to arrive
this week, Mrs. Prunk to stop few
days, Mrs. Cooder to settle for the sea
son hoping to be benefited by the hot
springs.
DR. Sam T. Rogers, his wife, DR.. Lara
mie Leet Rogers, and their small son,
Brady, are season guests at Belknap,
coming up each summer. Mr.. Rogers
has been here since the opening of the
springs, Mrs. nogers and son, accom-
panied by Mrs. Dee Gholson and the
latter S mother, Mrs. Ida Nooner, ar
irving the first of the week for a
month S stay. Mr.. Gholson is looked for
during the week, and will bring with
him A. H. Hunt and Miss Mary Hunt
of Salem for short stay.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Bernardo and Mr..
and Mrs. George Harley of Salem have
been enjoying a several weeks outing
at Belknap, planning to leave for home
sometime this week.
Mr. and Mrs. George Viek and fami-
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-08-06
Some Suggestions About
Drying Vegetables
By George Marlin,

Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
Washington, Aug. 6.-In this article
we outline some of Uncle Sam IS ideas
on drying methods for various products
4 In drying sweet corn, select very
young, tender corn and prepare it right
after gathering. Cook in boiling water
two to five minutes, cut kernels from
cob with sharp knife, not cutting bits
of the cob. Spread thinly on trays and
place to dry. Stir it occasionally till
dry. Dry in oven 10 TO Is minutes and
finish drying in the sun. A pound of
dried corn to dozen ears is a good
yield. After dry, pack in cartons a
few days for conditioning.
Select string or snap beans in ideal
table condition. Wash, remove stem,
tip and strings Cut or break into
pieces IL to inch long. Or run them
through the slieer. Very young, ten
der beans will do whole. Cut your
beans rather than snap them. Thread
them into necklaces on coarse, strong
thread and hang over stove or in the
sun. Dry young beans two hours, old
or ones three hours. Wax beans are
dried in the same manner. Condition
them as you do the corn.
For lima beans, take them from pods,
remove surface moisture and dry from
3 to 3 l-2 hours. This same method
answers for other beans. 1t also in
eludes cow peas or other field peas.
Older pods should be cut into Ia
inch slices These may be strung as
with string beans and hung over the
stove. If so dried, heat in oven before
hanging up.
Peppers may be dried by splitting
on one side, removing seed, drying in
the air and finishing the drying in the
drier at l40 L. A more satisfactory
plan is 10 place peppers in biscuit pan
in oven and heat until skin blisters, or
steam until skin softens, then take out
seed and dry at ll0 to l4O +.