davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
Chall the Allies Declare an
- Embargo Against RUSSIA

"The New York Times" discusses the
advisability of the Allies declaring an
embargo against Russia, and says that
"if the Allies should put into effect de-
cree of non-intercourse the plight of Rus
STA would be desperate" Yet the editor
does not believe that even such measure
would have any effect upon the minds OF
Lenine, Trotzky and their associates; nor
can anything be accomplished by making
representations to the masses of the Rus
sian people or to the soldiers of the Rus
sian army" Hence there is but one sal
walton for Russia, and that is force; yet
this must be Russian force arising
from the body of Russian society" The
editor thinks that Kaledines may be the
man to exert this force.
"The Philadelphia Inquirer pleads for
patience: There is but one thing for the
United States and its allies to do, and
that is to await results"
Other papers put forth gentler recon-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

that the Germans have eighty and her
allies forty divisions on the Russian front,
the same paper says:
These would, indeed, be a formidable
addition to Germany's strength on the West
ern front, and it may be expected that she
will resort to every possible means 10 effect
a separate peace and release L..- e.e-1 "."-!
for use against the Western nations
Yet for all this "The Buffalo Express
is sure that Germany can be crushed
without Russia's aid, and will be crushed"
While some of the papers affect to be-
live Germany is Indifferent to separate
peace, in view of the virtual truce long
in force on the Russian front, 1.-The In
dianapolis News thinks that nothing
would be more advantageous to Germany
than the armistice that is now proposed"
And "The Brooklyn Daily Eagle" after
referring to the large volume of popular
support enjoyed by the Bolshevik gov
eminent, writes: THAT support Germany
is prepared to reinforce by every means
within her power"
The Cincinnati Times-Star" interprets
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

Iuctsnco 70 face facts and 70 declare in terms
tbot all mon can understand the precise pur-
nose of our policy and the things we want and
do not want This is no sign OF courage or
Of craftsmanship. 1t is an obfuscation OF
stale and faltering diplomacy.
"As for the Paris conference America rs
represented there. America, at least, is no
friend to disguise and reticence. She has
come into the war for the great and noble
ends of human welfare and for her honor's
sake She, at least, will not refuse to show
her hand, whatever the hide-bound diploma
lists may say. Rather she will insist on
showing it and will demand no less Of her
allies.
"Mr. Bonar Law treated Lord Lansdowne's
letter as a plea for immediate peace, whereas
il was plea for clearer and more definite
statement of the war aims the effect OF which
would inevitably be TO weaken the war spirit
Of our enemies, while it ought no less to
fortfy the spirit and resolution of our peo-
pie by bringing the policy TO thea OF arms
There appears to be tn extraordinary inabil-
ity in certain minds to discriminate between a
demand for clearness in our war aims and a
demand to abandon the war. The two are not
merely not the same: they are antitheses OF
each other II we wish TO determine more
exactly what are the objects TO be attained by
war it is a preliminary in order that we may
wage it more effectively, because with clearer
aim and with better heart, and, if we should
lose the war, il would largely be because we
have too long refused TO face these essential
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

same time it apparently was favoraoly
received in Germany The Cologne
Gazette" is reported as saying: 1T IS a
remarkable letter and only conceivable
as an exhortation to thinking politicians
in England thoroughly to revise their war
aims" a Christiania dispatch said:
Lord Lansdowne's letter, the Russian oher
Of separate peace and the German Chancei-
lor's speech. all published together here, have
made a great impression in Germany. bord
Lansdowne's proposals are regarded as a sign
Of an early peace Radicals, Socialists and
pacjfsts are congratulsting each other over
speedy ending of the war.
"Others are sympathizing with the British
now that the Germans have beaten them down
on their knees 1t is felt that If Lord Lans-
downe intended to prepare the way for an ac'
Of German victory he has been
ruccessful; otherwise his letter can be re-
gsrded only as a calamity
In England the letter created the
greatest political excitement. 1t was I'M
mediately challenged by the "bitter-
enders" as a pacifst cry betrayal. a
Sian at President Wilson, an unwise act
AT critical time-in short, as the worst
possible calamity that could have nap
pened. in view of the fact that it came
from a man of Lansdowne's prominence.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
Hertline Voices Anew GermanyS Policy

impose upon Europe and the world peace
that will make Germany a gamer by the war.
He is working by devious and dubious means
to do that which the German war machlne
has been unable to accomplish
"The Eagle" regards as the most sig
nificant passage in the speech "the bait he
holds OUT to Russia by "A general renuncla-
ton of annexationist plans in Poland,
LithuanIa and Courland," and it adds:
IF his declaration is to be taken seriously,
this means that the pan-German pro-
gramme is either to be curtalled or post
poned to further negotiations with the
Russian radicals"
THE Springfield Republican" dismsses
Won Hertling's speech as conventional
words" and turns to the ''far more I'M
portant" one of DR.. Won Kuehlmann, which
it regards as extremely clever" 1t pro-
nounces the new Foreign Secretary lone
Ct the most astute of German diplomats"
and says:
His speech is sure to have great influence
in Germany and will be read closely In neu-
trial countries To the Allies it is useful, II
only as a chart of the distractions and dan
gers which they have to avoid
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
From The Dallas Morning NeiCs

mendations. "The Springfield Republi-
can" for example, pleads that even sep
arate peace would be no breach of faith
toward the United States, because the
American government was not a party TO
the treaty of London, which binds the
Entente powers to make no separate
peace. Its advice is "to nurse along the
new Russia in the hope that future de-
velopments and even Bolsheviki expert
ence with Germany will bring a turn for
the better. Let the extremists have their
fling" And in another article it writes
"But it is not for Americans to abandon
hope. II is not for Americans to fail in any
degree to assist Russia through dark days.
In this sympathetic tolerant and patient
spirit our government should proceed UNI
yielding in its high aims for democracy and
the ultimate peace"
THE Philadelphia Public Ledger is
of similar mind:
"But it is the peculiar task and duty Of
the United States in this trying time to
sustain the worlds faith in democracy and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

given precisely what the Kaiser pleases to
bestow upon them and nothing else-conces-
sions that could be just as readily recalled
at the whm Of the imperiaistic Will"
The editor concludes that the speech
sounds to the ears Of the Allied countries
at war with autocracy like something very
much akin to defiance. Kaiserism is in
the saddle and intends to remain there
if it can"
1.-THE Detroit News" summarizes the
meaning of the speech thus:
"Autocracy's hope lies in resisting the ten
denotes of the twentieth century and in
keeping Germany an island of medieval caste
privilege and militarilm in an ocean of de-
mocracy The adjuration to the German peo-
pie TO wait, endure, hold out is plea by
eutocracy for repreye for its life while it
makes one more effort to justify the horror
and boodshed and misery Of this war by
winning the territory and booty which it has
promised the German nation"
1.-THE Brooklyn Daily Eagle" puts its
verdict into this form:
"He is less bellicose and more tactful than
either Won Bethmann-Hollweg or DR..
Michaeis, but he is, nevertheless, merely
trying to do what they attempted to do,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
Wilson Was Very
/ Literally Quoted

Quite as interesting as these comments
was the effort made by many papers on
both sides to prove their case by quoting
President Wilson. In both camps
America was looked to eagerly to express
an opinion.
Meantime, in France the letter received
the strong denunciation of Viscount
Northcliffe. 81 spent half an hour trying
to find out what Lansdowne meant in his
letter." he is quoted as saying, "and came
TO the conclusion that the old gentleman
was suffering from paranoia." Paris
papers inclined largely toward being un-
favorable, possibly in view of the fact
that Lansdowne's proposals for league
of nations embracing Germany were re-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

On the other hand, the moderates hailed
it as the first courageous note of new
diplomacy, "a torch in the darkness" 1t
was freely predicted that if Lansdownes
proposition received much support Lloyd
George and Clemenceau would both have
to 90.
Leading the attack on the letter were
the Northcliffe press and such spokesman
of the Lloyd George ministry as Lord
Cecil and A. Bonar Law, as well as
meeting of the Unionist party, which dis
owned the Marquiss views by large
majority. According to Bonar Law, the
letter was nothing less than national
misfortune" Lord Lansdowne, accord
ing to Bonar Law. represented no I'M
portant body Of opinion in England, but
spoke only for himself: ut does not rep
resent our views, nor has there been any
change or modification in the slightest
degree in the war policy of this country.
J. Austen Chamberlain also scored the
letter.
Opposing the letter, "The London
Times" refused to print it, characterizing
il as "mischievous. "The Evening
News" styled Lord Lansdowne THE
Marquis Of Hands Up" and said that
while he would be the last man to betray
his country, he was "old and in poor
health" 1.-The Globe talked of stab
in the back" Other anti-Lansdowne
papers displayed with gusto a dispatch
from the Continent saying that German
papers published the Lansdowne letter on
their front pages and regarded 1t as the
beginning of England's getting reason
able"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

TIME outstanding fact in the Russian
situation this week was the open
ing Of negotiations between the
Bolshevik government and the German
military authorities, looking toward
separate peace. Even before Trotzky's
note proposing general amnesty was
dispatched to the Allied governments Le-
nine. according to the British Ambassa-
dor at Petrograd, had ordered the mill
tary commanders TO open negotiations
with the Germans. These overtures be-
Gan to be talked about very soon after
the Bolsheviki seized power, but up to
a week ago the news at hand indicated
that the Kaiser would refuse to treat
because he considered the present regime
in Russia incapable Of making peace
that would stand. Nevertheless, the Ger
mans received a deputation from the
Russian armies last Sunday, and a JOINT
conference was held at Brest-Litovsk,
which resulted in agreement to an armls-
tice of twenty-eight days.
This manmuvre on the part Of the Rus
sian authorities has called forth flood
of discussion in the press, with multlfari-
Gus cross-currents Of opinion, which were
often as badly muddled as the Russian
situation itself. OF course, a tone Of deep
pessimism as to Russia's prospective abi-
ity to pull herself together politically,
avoid peace with Germany and continue
valuable supporter Of the Allied policy
prevails in nearly all editorial discus
sions; only few editors still try TO make
a show Of feeble hope, which is generally
pinned to Kalednes, the Cossack leader.
OF course, too, the BolsheviH are de-
nounced in many quarters with an I'M
sparing expenditure Of strong adjectives
to such an extent, indeed, that a soft
pedal admonition was sent out from
Washington, suggesting to editors that
they refrain from any vindctive ar
raignment Of the Russian radicals"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

A TTENTI0N has again been drawn
"A to Berlin this week by the first
Il N speech Of the new Chancellor
before the Rechstag The general YER
dict is that while his speech is pitched IN
a somewhat milder key than those Of his
two predecessors it denotes no substantial
change in Germany's attitude. Even his
expressed willingness to abandon the Rus
sian territory now held by Germany Is
generally passed over by editors without
remark, though it really denotes bigger
bid for peace than Germany had yet put
into concrete form.
A few editorial opinions are repro
duced here as embodying the general
trend of discussion. The st. Louis Re
public" writes:
"As for the German Chancellor there is
no hope for the Allies in his speech 1t is
paraphrase of German statements of iron
held German aims made over and over again.
The note of the conquerors exultation runs
through IT,"
Notwithstanding the readiness of the
Chancellor to give up Courland, 1.-The
Philadelphia Public Ledger" writes:
There is nothing to show a revision Of
military aims or a reputation of pan
German policies" Yet, referring to what
Hertling said about political reforms
within Germany, this paper writes: 1T
is plain from the former that the German
government proposes to strengthen itself
with the German people by yielding to
public opinion instead of opposing it.
"The Louisville Courier-Jo urnal," writ
ing under the caption, "Old Stuff from a
New Chancellor has this to say:
at is pitched in the same key of braggado-
clio invariably struck when any of Germany
spokesman open their mouths, and is at
once the same psan of victory and plant for
reace which all Of them voice"
"The Philadelphia Inquirer" says Of
the speech: "There is nothing in the ad-
dress Of Chancellor Won Hertling to the
Reichstag that is encouraging to the hope
of an early peace" The same paper re-
fers to the promised reforms in these
terms;
"Thc so-called reforms, he took pains to ex-
plain. proceeded from the crown Germans,
he said, should not be caught by catch-words
nor slavishy initiate the institutions Of
other countries. Ii that means anything at
all, il means that the German people will be
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

N HR. C. EAST0N, in a recent letter
wi to Mature" calls attention to
some of the results of his extern
sive statistical study Of winter tempera-
lures in Western Europe, carrying his
Investigations back to the year 759
A. ID. In these 1857 winters there
is periodicity of forty-fve and
eighty-nine years, which in some respects
is quite striking. Dividing the 1,157 win
tiers into thirteen eighty-nine-year periods,
and then totalling the cold and severe
winters for each quarter of the periods,
the following results were obtained: First
quarter, thirty cold and twelve severe
winters; second quarter, twenty-five cold
and seven severe winters; third quarter,
thirty-one cold and fifteen severe winters;
fourth quarter, eleven cold and two severe
winters.
In other words, the chances are that
only one of the last twenty-five winters
in one Of these eighty-nine-year periods
will be very cold or severe, while three or
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

INTO world of surprises the Marquis
of Lansdowne last week introduced
fresh surprise. Himself typical
conservative Of the old Conservative party,
popularity classed as a Glory" member
of Asquith's coalition Cabinet, and yet
the last person in England to be called a
pacifist, the Marquis wrote long letter
to "The London Daily Telegraph" propos-
ing a restatement Of Allied war aims and
an ATTEMPT to secure peace before 1.-THE
prolongation of the war leads to the ruin
of the civilized world" His formula for
CARRYING the war into Germany diplomat
cally was summed up in the following
revised war aims:
1. That we DO not desire the annihilaton
Of Germany as q great power.
2. That We do not seek TO impose upon her
people any form Of government other than
that Of their own choice.
s. That, except as legitimate war meas
ure. we have no desire 20 deny to Germany
her place among the great commercial com
munities OF the world.
T. That we are prepared, when war is over
10 examine IN concert Win bNllfl I"'N'N
group OF international problems, some OF
them Of recent origin, which are connected
with the question Of the freedom Of the seas.
5. That we arc prepared TO enter into an
international pact under which ample oppor-
t1nities would be afforded for the settlement
Of international disputes by peaceful means.
In addition, the writer specifically de-
MED any desire 10 lessen the vigorous
prosecution of the war; cited the declared
willingness Of spokesman in America
England, Germany and Austria to JON
League to Enforce Peace, and IN CON
clusion said:
'If il be once established that there are no
i,surmountable difficulties in the way OF
agreement upon these points the political
horizon might perhaps be scanned with bet
Ter hone by those who pray, but can at this
moment hardly venture TO expect, that the
new year may bring us a lasting and honor
able peace
The reception that this speech received
in Germany, England, France. the United
States and Canada at once showed that
it was likely to bring to an issue the bat
tie between the moderates and the bit
ter-enders" in Allied countries. At the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
This Country. as a Whole. Lines
l Up Against Lansdowne

However, in general, there is a ye,v
wide current Of opinion in this country
unfavorabe to the letter. Both ex.Pred.
dents Taft and Roosevelt denounced Il
The range of unfavorable attitude created
varies from "The Kansas City Journsrs
belief that the letter was animated bv
partisan desires to "The Nashville Ten.
nesseean's" determined desire to crush
Germany utterly to the last man. 'Ths
New York Herald thinks the letter was
made in Germany" and is in line with
the tactics of the Bolsheviki-a compsri.
son which is voiced in many other paper,
To "The New York Telegram" Lansdowns
is "the La Toilette Of Great Britain
"Pacifsm" and "pro-Germanism" are
cries not lacking in some editorial quar-.
tiers, the belief being generally echoed
that coming at the time it did the Letter
could only help Germany and weaken the
Allies.
In addition, there is very considerable
school of American opinion which sub
scribes to the view that Lansdowne, being
a Tory, is reading the lesson Of Russia
and is trying to save Toryism and priv.
lege in England from that total collapse
which must follow if the war is pushed
too far. This view is voiced by such
papers as 1.-The Springfield Republican,
1.-THE Chicago News" "The New York
Herald" 1.-The Kansas City Times" "The
Chicago Tribune" and "The New Orleans
Times Picayune."
In Canada the letter apparently is gen.
orally frowned upon, even though the fac.
that Lord Lansdowne formerly served a
Governor General Of Canada might 10
supposed, possibly, to operate in his favor.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
Coming Winters in Western Europe

four such winters may be expected in
each of the first and third twenty-five
wear periods. and two in the second. Mr..
Easton considers his "periods" "undoubt-
edly related to similar fluctuations in the
suns activity and says that increased
activity of the solar surface corresponds
in general to earlier and colder winters in
Western Europe The forecast for 1917
1898, derived from these statistics, indi-
Gates at least two very cold and one
severe winter, the average winter tenn
perature for these twenty-five years being
generally below the eighty-nine-year mean.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

extent than Russia's collapse has harmed
it already; even the final instruments OF
Teuton troops brought from the Russian
front will be offset by American troops.
But "The New York Globe" takes a more
serious view, contending that 1.-THE defec-
ton postpones peace and calls for greater
sacrifice by the democratic nations"
"The Birmingham Age-Herald" also
sees evil possibilities, thus:
"If Germany could utilize the enormous
nan-power of Russia and her natural re-
sources in the war against the Allies their
chances of an ultimate victory might be
seriously threatened. 1t might be equiva-
lent to starting the war ali'Oyer again"
1.-THE New York Times" refuses to be-
lieve that the armistice will lead to a
separate peace; it writes:
"No nation in its senses would undertake
seriously to negotiate peace with govern
ment that was rocking in its seat as this
one is. Germany is unquestonably IN It's
senses, so far as such things are concerned
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
Signalling on japanese Rail
roads

The safety system on japanese railways
has very much in common with that
use on English roads. Traffic on man
lines is handled exclusively under the o'0e.
system, the manual block instruneA'
being used on double-track lines and '''
tablet controlling block apparatus ~
single-track lines. The electric lines sr
protected by automatic signals of the 10"
type. Semaphores are in general use ~
main lines, while disc signals are USED y
sidings. The important stations are pr
vided with a mechanical interlocking '!'
TEN, while at smaller, intermediate ~
tions, where traffic is not heavy, veg
simple interlocking method is in USE
From The Railwav Age Gasett~
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

Lord Lansdowne on a sour apple tree, or even
to denounce him as a pacifst or a Boio. Seri-
Gus and responsible opinion, which our lingo
do not represent, was weighing
his plea for statement of our war aims
After all, it is not unreasonable to ask our
allies to say what they want. Let us, at
least. be men. Let us not make ourselves
ridiculous by pretending that Lansdowne's
prudent letter is white flag. II IS
merely mild and timid request for sanity"
A typical sample of "The Manchester
Guardians" support of the letter follows;
1--WE have suffered too long from tmid re-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
Trotzky regime, "The neutrality-suspicious.
(Salt Lake. writes:


Germany cannot be assured that any arm
istice or peace contract will endure. AS a
result Germany must feed Russia and pro-
tect her government out of pure great
ness of heart, establish protectorate and
make Russia an ally of the Central Powers
or leave her to overthrow her government
and renew her alliance with the Allies"
Much space is devoted by editors to dis
cussing the policy of the Allies made nee
essary by the armistice. 1.-THE lndianapo-
lis News" delivers its view thus:
whether the Lenine government snail DC
treated as an enemy is solely question oil
policy. OF course, its act of yesterday was
one of hostility to the Entente and the
United States. But it may not at this time
be wise to act on that theory"
"The Dallas News" is even more out
spoken, and declares:
at is certain that the Allies would treat
separate peace, or even an armistlce, as an
act of treachery and hostility. They would
regard Russia AS an enemy. They could ana
would express their enmity by bringing Rus