davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19
Still a Doubtful Prospect

It is unfortunate that all attempts to
measure the success of the new submarine
campaign must be based on doubtful re-
turns and imperfect data. Arguments,
more or less elaborate, have been used to
demonstrate either that the Germans have
failed. or that in six months Great Britain
must infallibly be on the verge of starva-
ton; but though these are usually sup
ported by a great display of figures, it is
evident in every case that the writer IS
obliged to depend upon his imagination for
some essential facts, in supplying which
his prejudices and hopes play too strong
part.
1t is interesting to remark that Captain
Persius, the eminent naval correspondent
of the "Berliner Tageblatt," is much more
cautious in his comments than some of our
local German enthusiasts. The Berlin cor
respondent of "The World" draws at
length on some of his recent speculations
on the present state of affairs, showing
that he is by no means inclined to regard
the downfall of Germany's chief enemy as
imminent or obviously inevitable.
The present state Of the British ship
wards is a matter upon which, of course,
he cannot have any detailed information.
But he rightly regards this as a question
of the first Importance, and finds comfort
in the assurance that the conditions are
not so satisfactory as they might be with
better organization.
As to a direct attempt to seek out and
DESTROY the German feet, he is evidently
satisfied that it is not seriously contem-
plated, though some Englishmen profess
to believe it "a task not difficult of fulfil
ment." He is rather inclined to believe
that the increasing submarine peril will be
met with defensive measures, and, without
overweening PRIDE" he remarks, lone can
to-day say that despite the industrious
brainwork of the English and other
genuises the problem has not been solved
Nevertheless, he cautions his readers
against expecting a sudden collapse on the
part of Great Britain. "Who," ne asks,
can DTODNeSN IlOW biiIoiii SHiN''N 49,
ganization will stand up under the test!'
and he goes on to dwell on the almost su-
perhumanly heavy task" that lies before
the submarine commanders and their crews.
For long time past Captain Perslus
has made much of the hardships of life
in a submarine, and dwelt at length on the
extraordinary heroism of those engaged IN
the work of destruction. In all of his writ
ings he has magnified the difficulties to be
encountered and endeavored consistently
to impress on the public the need for pa
tience. 1t is worth noting that he was one
of the first German writers who undertook
to modify the popular enthusiasm for the
Zeppelin. which at one time was regarded
with almost as much confidence as the sub
marine.
Though there is nothing in his discussion
of the question to indicate that he is dis
satisfied with the results so far, there is
enough to show that he regards the out
come as still uncertain.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19
The Fighting Female
Il of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Recently you have published a num-
Der of letters alleging that the west" has
become "effeminate," or opposed to defence
of the country. This seems to be dsproved
by the vote in the House on Tuesday on the
measure to strengthen the United States
navy.
The farthest Western" man TO vote
against the measure was from Minnesota, and
not single man from full suffrage state
voted against it.
"Efeminate' il good. The female of every
species is the natural protector of the nest
and the offspring. From the hen 70 the
lioness the female will face any foe and fight
to death or victory when attacked
"Efcminate' implies protection, bravery,
courage, valor, endurance MERE MAN.
New York. Feb. 10. 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19
When Novels Were Really Long
fryom The London Observer)

ITTOH INC IUHHVH VV'oVTI
Though William de Morgan wrote some of
the longest novels Of recent times, his efforts
were conciseness itself compared with the
works Of some Of the seventeenth century
romsncers. Mile. de Scudery's once famous
story, ia Grand Cyrus" for instance, fills
five folio volumes of 800 pages each in the
English translation, and her contemporary,
La Calprcnedc, was even more difruse, his
running into twenty-three vol
umes. The leisurey method Of the early
novelists Is well illustrated in "Parthenissa,"
by Roger Boyle, Earl Of Orrery, in which the
sO0th page finds the two chief characters
still engaged in the process of introducing
tb.aselves to each other, begun on page one.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19
Suffrage and Philanthropy

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Recently criticism was made by
Mrs. Rowe in The Tribune about the sufrra-
gists. She said they are not responding to
the calls of philanthropic work other than
their own. | wish TO state that in this city
the Votes for Women headquarters was the
first to open its doors TO the Red Cross as
place of enrolment. Prominent suffragists
are there each day urging the needs of the
Red Cross and taking names Of those wishing
to become members. Active philanthropic
workers do not have time TO advertise the
fact ANNA G.. GREGG
Binghamton. N. Y, Feb 10, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19

pacifist illusions, of cringing love OF
material comfort at any sacrifice of honor
and manhood. 1t is the expression OF
mental and moral distemper which has
fastened upon the country in period OF
gross materialism and self-indulgence. 1t
cannot survive the processes of purifica-
ton which the world is now undergoing
It is anti-nationalistic and anti-patriotic.
It needs to be stamped out pitilessly as a
first step toward the recreation of true
American ideals.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19

You can purchase merchandise advertised
In THE TRIBUNE with absolute safety-tor
il dissatisfaction results in any case Ihh
TRIBUNE guarantees to pay your money PACK
ppon request No red tape. No clubbing. we
make good promptly if the advertiser does not
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19
Poor Black Crow

To the Editor of The Tribune. .us
Sir: At bird store on rn'n "a, ID.
hlaek crow was exhibited In one OF 'a. ~
dow. to-day. The poor thing nops .,,b.
one end of its cage to the other eonup' sorf
A. 4, i, not a domesticstsd bird can
thing DC ''"' J.. NATE
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19

ro,.,.a a, IN. Pcs,once q, New York as Second OlAs
' " Mail Matter
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19

Owned and published daily by Tho Tribune Is ys1noS
No Ycrs CORPORATION Ogden Rid. President: V,
RoSrrs vice President: Richard H. WACO, so Nassau
suser Treasurer. Address. Tribune builolnS ~
Street New York Telephone. Beekman SVoV'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19

SUBSCRIPTION RATES.-By Mall. Postage fA'
OF Greater New York: ,s 80
Daily and Sunday. mos IblDAiiy oly. 3 90
r s, ~ SnSS 80, 10 Day oaly. evo
500 r,Iy = months sunday only. year. NV
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Allies Airmen Victims
OF Spies in France

MONTCLAIR, n. j.. Dec. 23.-Spies
have been tampering with aeroplanes
in Allied aerodromes, according to
letter received here by Mrs. George 5.
Jacob. 40 Park Street, from her son.
Serene T. Jacob. twcnty-three years DID,
now flying a bombing machine in a
French aviation corps.
He completed his training at Pau
near Spain. Spies slipped into the
camp. he informed his mother, and hiei
vital parts of some Of the planes;
when a pilot went up wire would
break. (which meant another funeral ;,
Jacob wrote. "They also put tablets
In the gasolene tanks of planes. Ihis
causes the gas 20 explode and sets nre
10 the planes in the air.
Students before graduation are re-
quired to loop the loop, Jacob said
Mechanicians early learned that TINS
overhead circle in the air is liable to
cause nausea. and it became an un-
written law that pilot who so suf-
Tered in making his loop should pay
his mechanician 10 francs. Jacob ADDED
that nearly every pilot has to pay.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
US. Officers Watch
Sham Attack Made
By French Division
New Arrivals Learn of Work
at Front; Our Troops
Train in Snow

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Friday, Dec. 21 Delayed
Virtually al the officers attached 70
the recently arrived divisions com
posed Of former National Guardsmen
to-day watched French division
esrry out an intricate theoretical at
tack over hills covered with snow.
The officers attendance was for in
Sruction purposes. and they gained
fiuch valuable information.
Later French and American gem
erals, including General Castlenau,
Entertained az luncheon az the Franco
American Officers Club in a nearby
village where unit Of guardsmen
are billeted.
In another section Of the American
zone United States troops began ma
heuVres involving the theoretical de-
renee OF an important railroad heao
sho Junction against greatly superior
FORCES Of an advancing enemy. Feld
ssrhiiery and airplanes participated
enemy" planes being distinguish by
ion!g black streamerc. Aver spending
day locating the "snemy" the Amer
cans spread out along the line and
made all preparations 20 meet them
zen they arrived.
The weather is very cold, the roads
severed with ice and the ground with
ssnos, but the troops have become so
ditions.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Fiske Again Urges Air
Attack on Teuton Navy

Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske IRE
tired) urged again yesterday in a let
ter to Alan r. Hawley. president of the
Aero Club of America, that Immediate
preparations be made for an aerial at
tack of vast PROPORTIONS upon the Ger
man feet at Kiel and Wilhelmshaven.
The most decisive battles in history
have been naval battles. he said. and
tremendous air offensive of this kind
would deal Germany mortal blow.
Bombing planes and torpedo planes,
he said, would soar TO their detectives
regardless of mine fields and cripple
"the continuing menace" Of Germany's
feet. Already, he said, there were
aeroplanes almost powerful enough TO
carry full sized torpedoes from Eng
land 10 Kiel, and zone of the most
competent aeronautical engineers in the
world" he added, had informed him
that il no machines capable CT the at
tack were in existence they could be
manufactured.
"Germany's entire fleet is concen-
trated in the region of KEEL and Will
helmshaven," he concluded. "All her
naval eggs are in one basket, and those
eggs are vitality essential TO her exist
ence as a nation. IL is my profound
conviction that We can smash these
eggs by torpedo plane and air bomb
attacks II we prepare and deliver them
on a scale sufficiently great
''If we do this. We shall win the latest
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Beaten Teutons Realign
Army to Attack Asolone
New and Huge Onslaught Against Key to Vene-
tan Plains Expected by Italians, Whose Assaults
Redeemed Lost Positions Thursday and Friday

counter attack which recaptured the
great Asolone positions.
Immediately after the regaining OF
the Asolonc heights the correspondent
found it possible 90 proceed to
vantage point slightly south and west
Of Grappa and almost due south OF
Asolone, which at the time was being
viciously bombarded with shrapnel by
the enemy. who had lost il few hours
before. Had the enemy been able to
hold il and conquer Monte Coston, be-
tween il and Monte Grappa, which lat
ter is the cnemy's objective as. the
completely dominating position OF me
entire range, this key position would
have been seriously menaced.
Their rebuff at this important point,
however, keeps the Austro- German
forces not only at a considerable dis
lance from the plain they are seeking
but makes their progress toward II
extremely difficult, now that the
weather conditions, unfavorable for
several days, are rapidly increasing in
severity.
A single day spent with The italian
forces in this mountain section serves
TO show c3nvincingly what stupen-
dous task the Austro-German invaders
have. Whilc German shrapnel was
viciously pcppering the lost Asolone
heights. countless light and heavy
Italian batteries, honeycombing and
dotting the two adjoining mountains,
were hamering the enemy increasingly.
Every Pass Disgorges Troops
Every path in the mountainside dis
gorged troops working under the So
called rotation system, by which the
men In the first lines, after serving
there for some Gays, fall back into
the reserve. being relieved by reserves
and then gradually working their way
forward 20 the first line again.
At many points lay piles OF ammu-
milton. and the way here and there was
almost impossible, by reason OF the
batteries that were making their as
cent more slowly with their horse
power than the automobiles. Masses
Of troops lay waiting to relieve the
first line fighters troops obviously
cheerful, well fed and confident that
the reconquest of a great part Of the
Asolone positions had brought to a
final halt the AustroGerran progress
toward the plain.
Prisoners say the condition of the
troops is terrible and they must at all
costs secure a line on the plain and
control the Brents and Piave valleys, so
that they will not have to endure the
winter in the mountains.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Germans Advance
In Sudden Raid
On Ypres Front
Forward Posts Seized From
British on Half-Mile Line,
Haig Admits

LONDON. De-. 23.-Field Marshal
Haig reported ,o-day that the Ger
mans, by sudden local attack, had
taken the British advanced posts on
a front of a little less than half a
mile due north of Ypres, the scene OF
considerable British advances and
severe fighting last summer.
The German official statement said
thirty prisoners were captured
The attack was made in the neigh
borhood of the railway from Ypres 10
Staden. The enemy advanced protect
ed by an intense barrage fire. The de-
tenders, however, retired only a short
distance.
The ground here is marshy and diff
cult. In the British advance Hsig's
men had to take numerous pill boxes
or concrete redoubts, the roofs OF
which stand little above the ground
level. 1t is presumed from the nature
Of the terrain that the British were
not in great force here.
The attack seems TO have been Of a
reconnoitring nature. or 10 improve
the foes position locally.
During last night, Haig says, the
German artillery was specially active
further southeast on the Ypres front.
in the neighborhood OF Gheluvelt and
Poelcapelle. No infantry operations
developed. however.
The British night official statement
said that another attempt to raid the
trenches in the neighborhood of the
road from Ypres to Nenin had been
driven off by the fire of the defenders.
The Germans early this morning car
ried British post east Of Epehy
(south of CambraD and carried back
a few prisoners.
Paris officially reported to-day that
in the period from December II to De-
cember 20 inclusive fourteen German
airplanes were downed in aerial battles
with the French, three were forced TO
land inside their own lines after being
damaged, and three more were shot
down by anti-aircraft guns-a total
bag of twenty.
The communique also details raids
in the neighborhood OF Juvincourt, in
the sector of Godat, north Of Courcy
and north of Bezonvaux on the part Of
the Germans. All were unsuccessful, IL
is stated, while a French enterprise
near Limey Melted a few prisoners.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Foe Tried to Get"
u. S. Representatives
Airmen Directed Fire on Del
egation Visiting Front,
Hicks Relates

Congressman Frederick {. Hicks told
an audience at the Mount Morris The
atre Yesterday just how it feels to look
into the barrel of a German machine
gun still hot from the shells that have
been aimed at you in deadly earnest.
He told of STOPPING down into shall
low surface trench while five giant
shells had exploded just behind him and
Of the spatter of sharpshooters' bullets
IN the earth near him as the Teutons
tried to get his scalp as 4 special prize.
Mr.. Hicks is one of the ten members Of
Congress who recently returned from
visit to the first line of trenches in Bel
GUM and France.
but there's absolutely no doubt that
We will win the war in the end" he
said. 81 don't know how long it will
take or how many men we will have to
send over there to do our share in the
Job. but | know from what ] have seen
that we will, we must, win the war;
The delegation of American law
makers called upon King Albert OF Bel
GUM. Mr.. Hicks said, and were given a
hearty greeting by the democratic mon
arch. who forwarded a greeting and an
EXPRESSION Of gratitude 10 America.
"When we crept through the winding
trenches toward the first line, just forty
wards from the nearest German trench,
/ noticed two German aeroplanes CIR
cling over US in the sky" said the Rep
resentative. IL told the commanding
officer that they appeared to have seen
US. He agreed with me.
"A few minutes later we were given
the proof of this statement. There was
a much louder crashing OF shells, and
five giants screamed over our heads and
tore I'D the earth back OF US. Now,
these trenches were built for the Bel
cian soldiers, who are much shorter
than the average American. We ay-
eraged around six feet, and | want 70
tell YOU that il was no Joke TO be
crouching down in those trenches and
hear the shells that one knew were
aimed directly at him come shrieking
through the air.
"The trench that offered us some
protection was built over the ground
instead of under it, because of the
marshy condition of the ground there
The tremendous firing tore great holes
in the defences, making it necessary
for US TO pass numerous gaps without
any protection.
81 told our commander that ] would
like to see the machine gun that had
been firing at us all afternoon. He
told me just where it was, but warned
me that there probably was a sharp
shooter at hand to pick of the first
head that appeared. peeped eau
tiously around an opening in the
trench, and, sure enough, there 1t was
behind a stone fence that had been
partly destroyed"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Deaths Among
Our Troops Abroad

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.--Generai
Pershing reported to-day the loss OF
two soldiers swept overheard and
drowned from a transport at sea De-
cember Il, and the death of two others
from gunshot wounds.
The men lost at sea were:
KEHL. Samuel H., corporal. Engineers;
mother, Mrs. Lefty Andrews, Shen-
andoah, Penn.
SMITH. William f., private, Engi-
necrs; aunt, Mrs. Amanda Taylor,
Chicago.
Those who died of wounds were:
GOODALL. Grover, sergeant, head
quarters train, December 10; moth
err, Mrs. Ellen Goodall, Sharon, Penn.
FAUNTLEROY, William. corporal.
stevedore regiment, December 90;
father. George Fauntleroy, Kings
dale, Va.
Those reported dead from natural
causes were:
TAYLOR. Irving, private. labor com
p&ny. December IS; influenza; wife,
Houston, Miss.
LAWLESS. Richard. WAGNER, Engi-
neers, December II, acute nephritis;
mother. Mrs. Margaret Lawless, New
York City.
WORSHIP, Peter private, stevedore
regiment. December 8; lobar pneu-
monia; wife, Philips, Miss.
PICKENS. Ned. private, stevedore regi-
ment, December Il. lobar pneumo-
MIA; sister, Eliza Johnson, Cruger,
Miss.
SHIVERS. Vincent, private; junior, la
Dor company. December 10, Influenza;
wife, Armistead, La.
DIAMOND. Floyd B.. private. head
quarters train, December 10; broth
or. f. l.. Diamond, Z. +. D., No /,
Winnsboro, La.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Raids on Italian Front;
Guns Active on PiaUe

LONDON, Dec. 23.-Following the
successful italian operations, which re-
took captured ground in the Monte Aso-
lone section west Of dominating Monte
Grappa, a lull has set in along the
front.
II is too soon to say whether the
diminution of activity is permanent or
whether the Germans are simply re-
organizing for fresh assaults on the
barrier mountains guarding the Italian
plains.
To-day's Italian official statement de-
tailed a number of raids by both sides
and said that along the Pave there had
been artillery actions Of moderate in
tensity.
Baron Won Batocki, formerly Food
Commissioner of Germany, is actively
serving on the Italian front, II has been
learned here.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Germany Explains
Fewer U-Boat Attacks

LONDON, Dec. 23.-An official state
ment has been issued in Berlin, &C
cording to a Reuter- dispatch from Am
sterdam, regarding references by
Premier Lloyd George on December 20
TO the submarine warfare. 1t says his
assertion that British mercantile ton
mage losses have declined undoubtedly
is correct. but that it is due to the
extraordinary decrease in world ship
ping in consequence Of the barred zone
warfare and particularly of cargo
space available for British traffic, as
a result of which sinkings by our u
boats must necessarily gradually de-
cline" The statement adds:
Even the convoy system with ITS
progressive extension works in increas-
ing measure in our favor, for 1t means,
especially in consequence OF inevitable
heaping up Of shipping in ports and
consequent delays. such big losses IN
the utilizable cargo space that IT re.
quires very considerable total OF
sinkings TO equal such loss Of avail.
able shipping by the direct method OF
ship destruction"
According to another Berlin dispatch
official denial is given TO the state
ment made by Premier Lloyd George IN
the British Parliament on November 10,
that five German submarines had been
sunk on the previous Saturday. The
statement gives no particulars, how
ever, Of the actual sinkings that day.
In the speech in question, the British
Prime Minister, referring to the sub
marine menace, said: But now of the
submarine have no fear. We are on
its track, and | am glad TO tell the
House that on Saturday we destroyed
five Of them-fve of these pests Of the
sea-"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Bill Would Give Vote
To Hungarian Women

LONDON. Dec. 23.-The Minister Of
Justice has introduced an electoral re-
form bill in the lower house OF the
Hungarian Parliament, according to
Budapest advices transmitted In Reu-
ter dispatch from Amsterdam.
The measure would give the vote to
every Hungarian citizen, male and fe-
male. twenty-four years of age and
able to read and write. 1t provides for
secret voting and the conveyance OF
electors to the polling stations by rail
ways at the states expense. The min
lister announced that he is preparing a
bill for a new division Of new electoral
districts.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Halifax Death Toll
Now Placed at $500

HALIFAX, Dec. 23.-The latest esti-
mate Of dead in the Halifax disaster
December is placed at l,5OO.
Chairman Barnstead OF the mortu.
airy committee declared that about
three hundred persons are missing. In
addition 10 these figures. many per.
sons removed TO hospitals outside OF
the city died Of their injuries, but the
officials here have not yet been able
70 obtain the exact number. During
the last week 1879 bodies were removed
from the ruins.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
Second Air Raid Alarm
In Paris, but No Attack

PARIS. Dee. 23.-There was another
sir raid alarm in Paris last night. Off
cial announcement was made that the
roise 81 a motor had been heard TO the
Northeast at $500 o'clock, and a sec
ondsrv alarm was gwen in Paris i'm
mediately, while Illuminating shells
were fred by defence posts in the out
skirts.
The city alarm was over at 9;l5 p. m.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-24
iceland Raided From Air

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 23.-Fiye bombs
have been dropped on the town of
Goes. in ICELAND. damaging several
houses and seriously injuring one man.
ICELAND is a Dutch province.
LONDON, Dec. 23.-The German air
raid on English coast towns last night
resulted in no casualties or damage,
according to the official announcement
to-day. One airplane was brought to
earth.