davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Political, Not Prussian

II NAV be that Senator Wagner was
playing partisan politics in his opposition
TO Senator Mills's bill for the transfer of
Rockawav land to the Federal government
for Notifications, but Mayor Mitchell has
not helped his case by the accusation that
the Democratic Senator was working IN
the interests of Germany"
Senator Wagner's opposition to the
original measure necessitated the suosu-
tuition Of a proposal Of condemnation OF
the desired land by the state. This was
a vastly more expensive undertaking than
the basis of barter and sale worked out by
the city government and the owners OF the
land: and TO this. in turn, the land owners
have interposed legal obstruction, based
on the price TO be paid. The resultant
DELAY is undesirable and unfortunate. The
Tribune believes Senator Wagner has been
mistaken in his policy, and If 1t prevails
the people of the State and City of New
York will have TO spend much money I'M
necessarily. But that is long way from
working in the interests Of Germany
What is essential is that the land be
transferred to the. Federal government
with the least possible delay and the least
possible expense to the taxpayers. This,
obviously. must be done without injustice
to the owners of the land. That is all the
original bill sought to do. 1t is to be hoped
that neither partisanship nor untimely
accusations will prevent it from being
accomplished.
If Senator Wagner presses his demand
for legislative action against the Mayor
the resultant proceedings should establish
the truth with sufficient definiteness so
that necessary action may still be taken
promptly and with no fear of rushing
through grab" or victimizing either pri-
vate interests or the taxpayers.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
No Need to Worry

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: There is much said at this time con-
corning the stand the Germans in this coun-
try would take in case OF war. As a German
by birth, but one who during the Civil War
served in the Union army Gas many thou
sands of Germans did, | wish TO say that
this country need not worry about where
the Germans will stand in case of war with
any foe that may attack our country. The
records Of the past give evidence of their
loyalty to our flag and will again prove it,
CHARLES c. BELL.
New York, March 90, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Show That We Mean Business

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: How a nation endowed with the re-
markable resources, population and territory
Of the United States can stand idly by,
"watchfuly waiting" while the Teuton ma
RAIDERS sink our ships and murder our inno-
cent travellers on the high seas is beyond
my power of comprehension. For months,
nay years, President Wilson has sent notes,
doubtless terrifying the Prussians into awe
and sub ection-terrifying them so much that
they have continued their butchery and wan
ton destruction.
The sooner our President puts stop TO
these sea pirates. for they nothing else,
the better il will be for all the civilized
world. The best way to do this, it seems to
me, is TO pattern army system after the
system of the Swiss Republic. and show the
Prussians that we mean business at last.
When that is done. you will find me to be
one Of the thousands of young Americans
who are WILLING TO FIGHT.
Newark, n. j., March q, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Cleaner Boxing

Part of the charges against him having
been sustained, Frederick A. Wenck, head
of the State Athletic Commission, has been
removed by Governor Whitman as unfit to
hold Office This elimination of the series
of scandals attendant on state regulation
Of boxing since the passage Of the Frawley
law should call to the attention of the legls-
lators the desirability of action to clean
Up the situation.
The present law was primarily one for
the benefit of the prizefght fraternity, not
for the benefit of the public-even that
portion of the public interested in boxing
It has become a farce, its administration
notable for evasions and direct violations
of the law in detail and in principle. AS
result of these conditions boxing matches
have sunk into deserved disrepute, becom-
ing rather disgusting and brutalizing ex-
hibitions appealing to an extremely limited
clientele than an encouragement to athletic
proves and manly spirit. The race of
men has no more been bettered than the
breeding of horses was bettered by horse
racing surrounded by crookedness and pro-
fessional gambling.
Manifestly the partnership of the state
and the prizefght promoters has not been
successful. If in the wisdom of the law
makers it is to be maintained it must be
reestablished on a cleaner and decenter
basis, whether this be accomplished by the
repeal of the Frawley law and the enact
ment of a new statute or by the wholesale
amendment and improvement of the ex-
listing measure.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Socialists and the War

There are, moreover, worse Things
than war" assert the Socialist leaders
whose declaration of faith we print IN an
other column. There is tyranny there Is
autocracy, there is the destruction of de-
mocracy, there is barbarous creed, there
is governmental depravity. In fighting
and besting these evils the radicals OF
America have surely not less interest than
any conservatives. The Tribune gladly
prints the document submitted by Mr..
Charles Edward Russell and commends Its
clear sense and high purpose to the study
of all Americans, whatsoever their politi-
cal faith may be.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Twisting the Record

"The Globe" twisted the record when it
intimated the other day that President
Mckinley engaged in acts of war against
Spain in 1898 in advance of any grant TO
him by Congress of war-making powers
1.-The Globe" said: "On April 81, 1898,
President Mckinley, in advance of war
action by Congress, proclaimed a blockade
Of the coast of Cuba and ordered Admiral
Sampson to enforce it. On April %, 1898,
the President issued a call for $4,000 vol
unteers."
1.-THE Globe" adds that president Nc
Kinley was not impeached," suggesting
that he might have been impeached for ex-
ceeding his authority. AS a matter of
fact, he did not exceed his authority. 1t
is true that Congress did not declare war
against Spain until April %, 1898. But it
had passed and Mckinley had signed on
April 20 the so-called Teller resolution
authorizing the President to employ the
armed forces of the United States to com
pei Spain to evacuate Cuba. President
Mckinley acted in entire harmony with
Congress in what he did in 1898. He took
no war measures against Spain until after
Congress had exercised its powers under
the Constitution to direct him to do so.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
In a State of War

Germany is at war with the United
States. She does not shrink from com
hitting acts of war. 1t has become a
matter of course with her to sink Ameri-
can ships. 1t has become a matter Of
course with her to kill Americans. 1t
makes no difference that the only Amerl-
cans whom she has had an opportunity so
far TO kill have been non-combatants-
many of them women and children.
The destruction of the unarmed tank
steamer Healdton, without warning, does
not alter the situation in the slightest. 1t
is only one more act of war on Germany's
part It is not final demonstration of
Germanys hostile intentions. She had al
ready demonstrated her intentions in the
most brutal and unmistakable way.
Il would be a waste of words for any
body to try now to convince Congress that
Germany has at last begun hostilities.
They began weeks ago. Nothing is left
for our government to do but to declare
war and to make war in such way that
Germany will know that we are making 1t.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Relief from Arbitrary Law

The bill passed by the New Jersey Leg
islature amending the full crew law is not
an ideal solution Of the difficulty presented
by that ill-consdered measure, but 1T is
tolerable compromise. Instead of placing
in the hands of the Public Utilities Com
mission the entire question of settling the
number of men needed in train crews I'M
der varying conditions, the amendment
permits the railroads to file complaints
showing that under present requirements
trains are overmanned.
This puts the burden of proof on the
railroads, but that is not a matter which
should worry them greatly If they can
not establish the justice of such complaints
as they make. then their case for the re-
peal of the law has been overstated The
main thing desired has been accomplished
there is afforded ground for relief from
the provisions of an arbitrary statute
which has seemed TO be imposing on the
railroads of the state an economic waste
at a time when railroads, despite present
good business, are finding it difficult to at
tract the capital necessary for extensions
end improvements. 1t would be an excel
lent thing if the lawmakers at Albany
would grant similar justice to the railroads
which do business in this state.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24

possess the highest efficiency that can be
obtained within that service; and 1t be-
leves that division of 10000 men is the
maximum possible contribution that can
be made at this time in troops.
The Tribune heartily seconds the sug-
gestion made by "The World in the mat
ter Of giving financial aid to France, but
it lays most stress of all upon the need OF
care and intelligence now, when it has be-
come a material, as well as a moral, duty
for us to aid the Allied cause, and ques-
ton of safety, as well as of honor, to de-
fend civilization against the German attack.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24

As radicals we are on principle opposed 10
war and hope for peace. But the peace tna'
is only an armed truce, the peace that owens
under the shadow of tyranny and autocracy'
is not peace worth the efforts of intelligent
men.
There are, moreover, worse things than
war. The loss of liberty is worse than war
The destruction of democracy in Europe
which would mean democracy's defeat and
imminent peril everywhere, would be worse
than war. The triumph of a conception oil
society without faith, without freedom with
out respect for the decent restraints OF man.
kind. and without code of morals except
that of brute strength would be worse than
war.
With all Of these illimitable disasters the
world is menaced in the Eruption OF Ger
many.
The nation that has reduced all treaties
and all agreements to the value Of a scrap
Of paper; that has stabbed the cause OF
peace by twice refusing arbitration ana IN
sisting upon the war it had planned; the
nation that made the rights of small coun-
tries its jest; that Reconstructed slavery; mat
has violated every international law, every
human right and every sense OF decency IN
its mad ambition for world-power there can
be no peace upon this earth so long as such
nation with such ideals remains poten-
TALLY among the affairs Of men.
In perfect accord with it's barbarous creed
and governmental depravity, Germany has
now forced war upon the United States.
In this crisis OF our national history, we
affirm that We are Americans; that our
hearts and our hopes are with the United
States OF America; that we support the
President in the position he has taken, and
will continue to support him in what he may
do to maintain the security and defend the
life of the Republic.
We denounce the action of the so-called
radicals in the United States Senate that
betrayed the worldwide cause of democracy
and have given aid and comfort to its enemies
everywhere. We declare that men are UNI
worthy to call themselves radical, progressive
or democratic if in this supreme moment in
the long conflict between autocracy and
democracy they finch from their duty to the
democratic principle, the very life of which
hangs upon the issue Of the struggle now
at hand.
WILLIAM ENGLISH WALLlNG,
J. G.. PHELPS STOKES,
WALTER +. KRUESl,
W. J. GHENT,
CHARLES EDWARD RUSSELL
HARPER LEIGH,
JOHN RUSSELL.
ED. II. COIL.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Our Battle Hymn
Tune a Joke on a Sanctimonious
Brother in-Law

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: PERHAPS can throw some light on
TIE origin of the music of "The Battle Hymn
Of the Republic" partly told by your CORE
srordert Mrs. Florence Howe Hall, daugh-
tor NJ the author of the words OF the immor-
tai hymn.
Twenty years ago met Thomas Brigham
Bishop, perhaps the greatest OF all American
song writer's, unless we except stephen u
Foster. who was his intimate friend. during
an afternoon spent with him he told me how
he happened to write the song, GLORY, Glory,
Halleluiah." the music of which is now i'm
mortalzed in Julia Ward Howe's Battle
HYMN Of the Republic" the wonderful mar
tial. religious song which has so intimately
become part of Americas national history.
"The melody. as far as | can find out, was
original with me-" said Mr.. Bishop, "and the
line which suggested it was spoken to me in
Portland. Me-, in 1858, by brother-in-law OF
mine. Andrew J. Johnson. who had experienced
religion. He took me to task for the gen
eral character of my writings, remarking that
nv songs were all written for the devil. Then
he exclaimed:
"T am bound to be q soldier in the army
of the Lord glory, glory, hallelujah'
Without stopping to think, sang this line
to a melody which seemed to escape from
my mouth, and the chorus followed. In little
or no time the song was written. 1t was done
really as a joke upon my sanctimonous
brother-in-law, and was written in the pres
ence of friend who was always teasing Mr.
Johnson about his religious fervor. This was
it's real origin.
The song, or hymn, was sung by Mr.. john
son a few evenings afterward at a revival
meeting Everybody took to it at once, and
as there was not much TO il to learn, every
body soon knew IT,
81 sang il on several occasions, adapting it
10 circumstances and conditions, and when
at Martnsburg, Va. after John Browns exc
cution at Harper Ferry, wrote the original
lines Of John Browns Body Lies a-Moud'ring
in the Grave | also wrote line with Els
vorth's name, after he had been shot at Alex
andria, Va, and with the exception Of the
Jeff Davis verse, which | dsown, all origi-
mated with me.
"The song was published in 1861 by John
Church, of Cincinnati. thought little Of the
song, or I would have published it long be-
fore | believed it would never amount to
ANYTHING. but it's success was magical.
"Then Julia Ward Howe took the music and
used it for her grand poem, The Battle Hymn
Of the Republic and now who doesn't know
the mcody?' JOHN J. MACINTYRE.
Brooklyn, March 81, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
The First Spring Rains

From The Detroit JourrdG
There is way to make a city die with
hate for itself. This is TO arrange with the
weather man that the town be inflicted for
a series of weeks with Of those cold,
sullen, vicious carly spring rains that seem
devised for crushing the spirits Of mankind.
Nothing else can so make city look the
evil things it has been called.
In the country this rain lacks loneliness.
But il is infinitely more welcome. 1t starts
the frost out OF the ground better than the
sun. II clears the ice out of the bitches and
the small streams, sweeps away accumu
lated wastes of the winter gives the leaves
and fallen bark the soaking that hastens
their transformation into humus. Best Of
all, the rain gets at dormant roots, reaches
down and wakens sleeping seeds. 1t may
be a month or two before the cities can
swear to the presence of spring. But in the
country, thanks to the first rains. the wheat
fields are soon up and doing, trees are bud
ding, there are strips Of green along the
brooksides
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
"Kultur' VS.. Gentlehood
or of The TRIBUNE.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Arion Society is not "insulted" by the
loyal pledge, but the resolutions proposed
by Drs. Baruch and Scholer tried to insult
the Mayors dutiful patriotism. The Mayor
has 10 make these addresses TO all foreign
born citizens, and from sad experience we
may say especially to the German-Americans,
who have proved in these last two years not
trustworthy. As born German-American
citizen | feel the disgrace which some of
these highly educated German-Americans
brought on the whole German nation.
II seems the more they possess of their
"Kultur" the less they gentlemen and the
less they seem to understand what their
duties as German-A Americans are.
GERMAN-AMERICAN.
New York. March D. 1917
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
City College Declared Loyal
President Mezes Contradicts Reports
That Pacihsm Is Rampant There
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Many inquiries have come to me and
others connected with the City College re-
gardng the attitude of the student body in
the present national crisis. These inquiries
appear to have been stimulated by news
item hastily written by young student
stating that pacifsm was rampant here
Their number indicates the interest of the
citizens in the college, and shows that the
article, which was based on transformation,
is likely. if not contradicted, to mislead
many. The statements made were so far
from representing the facts that, until these
, inquiries reached me, had not expected TO
notice them.
The real temper Of the student body is
made plain by the following occurrences:
On February Is. at a meeting initiated by
their own leaders, and at which attendance
was entirely voluntary, some fifteen hundred
students, or three -fourths of the entire body.
adopted the following resolution unani-
mousy and by rising vote:
"The students of the College Of the City
Of New York stand ready now, as ever. 10
do their duty to their country. We hereby
voice our steadfast loyalty to the United
States of America"
Over five hundred students drill five morn
ings in the week from to o'clock many
rising two hours earlier to reach here on
time. In addition, they take three hours of
classroom instruction in preparation for the
examinations of the Officers Reserve Corps
Of the United States Army About the same
percentage of students began military train
ing here as at Harvard University.
Our young men were among the first in
the country to take such a course, and were
the first TO enter upon military training in
New York City Application for recognition
as senior unit in the officers training
corps was filed with the War Department on
March ,.
In addition, over four hundred boys in the
preparatory school of the college are, on
their own initiative. drilling five mornings
in the week on the college campus; and en-
rolment for students in the evening session
in the course opens next week, in response
to repeated requests, with the indication
that another large body of students will be
added TO those already in training.
In general, am able to say that the spirit
of the student body is thoroughly loyal and
patriotic. II represents in satisfactory
and creditable manner the feeling OF the
city as whole
S. f. MEZES, President
New York. March %, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
A German Invention

The editors of Berlin have either been
told to dwell on the British origin of Ger
manys submarine policy or have taken
their cue from the Chancellor's speech in
the Reichstag on February 81. Captain
Persius, following the Chancellor speaks
of Sir Percy SCOTS description of "the
way the English navy would conduct its
future U-boat war;" and remarks that
he British admiral, declared before the
war that it would be quite sufficient TO
warn neutras in a general way not to en-
ter a certain danger zone which was out
lined as a field for U-boat operations"
Sir Percy Scott was not discussing
British plans. What he really said was
that Britain must not count on that vague
thing which one of his opponents called
"the sentiment of the world in the TWEEN
tieth century" The opposite view he de-
nounced as "a dangerous and most mis-
leading doctrine" inasmuch as it led
the British public TO believe that their
food supply would be safe in time of war.
And by way of showing how i'll founded
this confidence in civilization was. he pro-
ceeded TO quote from letter by "a foreign
naval officer" who pointed out very sim
ply and obligingly what his country would
90 if it went TO war with an insular coun-
try. On the declaration Of war, according
to this authority, the enemy would be mott
fed Of blockade by submarines and
if any Of their vessels approached the
island they would be liable to destruction
either by mines or submarines, and there
fore would do so at their own risk"
Sir Percy Scott believed that this "for-
eiga naval officer" was sincere, and IT was
on that account that he fell out with
distinguished soldier who openly put his
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Kindred Peoples

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Miss Rosamond Glider has been good
enough to let me have copy OF the address
prepared by her father, in connection with
DR.. Abbott, alluded to in her memoir, signed
by a committee of leading citizens Of the
country for communication to the Anglo
American Committee in 1893.
1t was thought fitting response to many
demonstrations of good will toward America
lat time OF stress when we did not re-
ceive such eIsewhere), which had been made
throughout the British Empire.
venture to ask for its reprint with a
reinsurance that the clamor OF her enemies
has not disturbed the old and continuing
affection for the "Motherland."
ERVING WINSLOW.
Boston, Mass, March %, 1917.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Dream Restored Voice

From The Glasgow Herald
The power of speech, which had left HIM
for ten weeks, has been restored to Private
George Ferguson, Black Watch, whose home
is at 1876 High Street, Perth Private Fer
Guson. in a dream in a London hospital,
thought he was once more in the charge in
which he lost his speech a result of she'll
shock. He saw the incidents Of the battle re-
enacted, and dreamed that big German was
towering over him, about TO run him through
with his bayonot. The excitement of the
dream was sufficient TO cause Ferguson to
raise himself in his bed and shout aloud
He knew then that he had recovered his
speech. and was naturally overjoyed. In con-
sersaton with press representative who
Visited the young soldier IN his home, Pri-
vate Ferguson rcmnrked: 81 couldn't believe
it, just thought ! was back at the old spot
and the -yyhole affair was as clear as the
actual battle. The nurses and others were as
surprised as myself when shouted"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24

faith in considerations of HUNS Sir
Percy Scott was right. Where he went
wofully wrong was in predicting that 1T
would not take more than one or two ships
sent to the bottom to hold up the food
supply of the country"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24

July II, 1898.
1--WE, citizens of the United States OF
America. desire to express our most hearty
appreciation Of the recent demonstration OF
sympathy and Of fellowship with this coun-
try on the part of the citizens Of the various
countries comprised in the British Empire
We earnestly reciprocate these sentiments
recognizing as we do that the same language
and the same principles of endured liberty
should form the basis Of an intimate and
enduring friendship between these kindred
peoples-a friendship destined TO hasten the
day of peace and good will among all the
nations Of the earth"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24

You can purchase merchandise advertised
in THE TRIBUNE with absolute safety-ior
IL dissatisfaction results in any case lhb
TRIBUNE guarantees to pay your money back
upon request No red tape. No quibbling' we
make good promptly if the advertiser does not