davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09

tails" the Tagging members of the
class who wete 80 unfortunate as to
fall behind in their comprehension Of
the intricate calculations that they
were required to understand.
Colonel BASS has been described as
ian exceedingly accurate mathemati-
clam; to the third and fourth class
men he was mathematics itself. To
the "plebe" he was represented by
the upper class men as an ogre in
trenched behind rampant of num-
bers, rules and equations; 1t was i'm
pressed upon the young soldier that
even If he passed through the barb
wire entanglenents Of algebra, ge-
ometry and tragonometry, he was
merely on the outer defences, that he
would surely fall when he came up
against Professor BASS in the formi-
dable fortress of differential and in
tegral calculus.
Professor BASS was keen and
very alert man with quick step that
there was no installing as he walked
down the hall Of the Academic build
Ing. He entered the class room with
the air Of a man intent upon the bust
ness Of the moment; 1t was a tradl-
ton that the doubtful cadet could tell
his fate by the manner in which Bass
nervously rolled his pencil between
the palms Of his hands.
The dreams Of more aspiring young
Napoleons were shattered by mathe-
MATES than by all the other studies
at the Academy. But that was not
Professor BAsss fault. Though Il
strict, severe dtsclpllnarian, no man
was ever really more helpful to his
lpupils, no one fairer or more just
He was determined, and in that de-
determination he was eminently sue
cessful, that every West Pointer
should know the mathematics Of the
soldiers profession.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09

of future Republican policy the au-
thority of 10 eminent, 70 even and 10
sane Republican mind as that OF ex-
President TAFT. Writing In the Pub
tic Ledger Of Philadelphia, Mr.. TAFT
urges upon the attention Of the COM
ing Republican, ma jorities in the Sen
ate and House the Importance of
sidetracking partisanship-even the
partisanshlp invited ana provoked by
President WILSON himsel6-and of
contributing on the Republican eide
to a period of wise amity and coop
Grafton between the two coordinate
branches Of the Government engaged
in settling the questions growing out
of the war.
There could be no sounder advice.
There could be no more patriotic ap-
peal. There could he no more sensi-
BILE observation and perception than
Is contained in Mr.. TAFT's remark
that the people will not stand heck
ling of the President merely to graf
ify resentment at past partlsanship.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
The American Soldier in France.

Praise enough has been bestowed
upon our troops in France to turn
the heads of less sensible men. Kings
and Presidents and Premiers and
Field Marshals have paid tribute to
their skill their valor, their discipline
and their fine spirit.
All of this Is fine and stirring.
| But to many mother back home,
nothing FoCH can say will seem quite
so fine as this-that the children of
France love the doughboys. That
speaks volumes, does 1t not? For
while the praise Of FocH is quite
sincere, no doubt, still and all he is
but General praistng soldiers, while
the children, knowing nothing Of their
military qualities, having not the
slightest thought or need Of playing
diplomats, love our men for what
they are in their hearts, fine and
clean and friendly. We have made
them soldiers, but the chlldren's per-
fectly Ingenious testimony assures us
not been spoiled.
The schoOlmaster of an unnamed
French village near the front asked
his pupils to write, without prepara-
ton, little compositions describing
the American soldiers billeted in the
hamlet. A Captain Of engineers OBJ
tanned the artless manuscripts and
sent them along to an English pub
LEGATION. They are great reading, all
thirteen OF them, but few extracts
must suffice:
THE one that I know is tall. well
built. He is very amiable and kind TO
children. Whenever no meets one on
the road he will stop his horses and
take him along. He is horse driver.
When it is raining he does not care, he
will then whistle with all his might
ERSEsTiNE CABANEEs.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
Admiral Wilson, who Commands
ut Brest.

Admiral HENRY b. WILSON Of the
United States Navy, who has promptly
and unhesitatingly acknowledged tho
part he played in the disseminate ton
of the unfounded report circulated by
the United Press concerning the &C.
ceptance Of General FocH's armistice
terms by Germany, Is an able and
experienced officer. whose work In
France and on the waters adjacent
thereto has won for him high respect
from his comrades and from foreign
observers.
Recently Admiral WILSON was
visited by the President Of France,
who made an inspection Of the Ameri-
can base and the vessels operating
from 1t, at the conclusion Of which he
complimented the commandant highly
on the achievements Of our country
men under his direction. Suisse
quently there was conferred on Ad-
miral WILSON the Cross Of the Legion
Of Honor, in recognition Of his impor-
tant services. Admiral WILSON, graft
fed though he must have been by this
expression OF esteem and respect, de-
clined to accept the cross, basing his
refusal on the ground that the work
he was engaged IN was not Of n char
acter justifying him. under the rules
and practices Of the United States
Navy, to accept decoration from Il
foreign Power. The press dispatches
recording his decision suggested that
he conceived the acts Of war for
which foreign decorations may be
accepted to be acts performed In &C
tual combat. At that time THE Sun
took occasion to speak Of the essel-
tial. arduous and highly complicated
task entrusted to Admiral WILSON,
and said that there would be many
who would not agree with Admiral
WILSON'S classification Of his own
duties, but that nobody would fail to
applaud his modesty. as all acknowl-
edged his success in his post.
We have now to add only that Ad-
miral WILSON'S frankness matches his
modesty, ard It Is obvious that his
courage Is not Of that kind which re-
quires the stimulation of battle to
bring 1t to the surface.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
OUR DEBTORS.
We should Go Slow In Cancelling
Their OBLIGATIONS.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir, The
astonishing suggestion has been made
recently in speech by George w.
Wickersham that he would like 10 see
! America forgive our Allies the debts
| they owe US and send receiptcd bills
to Great Britain, France and Italy. Since
then have seen one or two letters an
proving the idea
This suggestion Is one OF the senti-
mental outbursts that sometimes stam-
pede an audience, but fancy the COM
mon sense of the people generally will
repudiate II as not only untlmely but
silly. We don't yet know what indem-
mites and reparatlons are TO be OBJ
tanned from the Central Powers. which
viii certainly have a direct and sub
stanual bearing on the financial con-
dition of our allies, and II il pretty
early for US TO exhibit hysterical beney-
olence and make fools OF ourselves to
the amusement of a grinning world
which, while admitting our generosity,
would surely hide a smile at our mawk-
ishness and crudity.
OnerouS taxes are ahead of us for
many years, and we shall pay them
gladly as a cheap price for what we
have gained. but not only ourselves but
the generation to follow have a right
to the proportionate reduction which the
settlement OF these entirely righteous
outstanding obligations in our favor will
bring about.
America, which has done SO much
toward forcing the present satisfactory
military situation does not need to burst
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
Thrift Stamps for Christmas.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir.
Christmas giving should certainly be
curbed 90 save money for the Govern
ment during the war. but why not SIM
ply give our friends thrift stamps and
war savings stamps for remembrances?
This would be helping the Government
very directly. and 1t seems TO ne It
should carry the Christmas message OF
love TO our friends just as truly as ex-
rensive or useless gifts or even cards,
for l think great deal OF money is
squandered In the latter.
myself intend to give no othar pres
snts and can make my gifts as large
or small as my purse will allow. In
stead of sending cards TO friends I have
not seen for some time / am hoping to
be able TO send each letter which will
cost nothing but a stamp and will be
much more welcome, | am sure.
SUMMIT, y. j.. November s. @. W.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
WALL STREET ON THE NEWS
OF PEACE.
1865 and 1918.

To THE EDITOR OF The SuS-Sr: A
book or letters which passed between
members OF well known New York
family during the civil war contains the
following as to what two ladies' saw and
heard on the day after Lee had sur en-
dered to Grant in April, 1866:
on the day that the news of the sur
render of Lees army came to New York,
IL was impossible for this family to ac-
oept II as matter OF course. The silence
ana iaek or enthusiasm uptown and the
sight OF the women going In and out of
the dry goods shops as usual was un.
eearable. Mother and I said to each
other. Come. let US see what Wall Street
s DOING We took an omnibus, which
was entirely empty but for ourselves, and
grove down TO the neighborhood Of the
Sustom House. As We came near, the
streets were more and more blocked
thousands and thousands of men standing
crowdins upon each other, not n woman.s
race among them-all the narrow streets
winch converge to that point black with
men. thousands more, so,idiy packed.
AZ the omnibus came to a stand. not able
to move step further they were singing
as II their hearts would burst:
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above. ye heavenly host,
fraise Father, Son and Holy Ghost"
young man, half tainting with fatigue
threw himself into the omnibus, saying,
They have been at It for hours"
Ny business took mo into the same
part OF Wall Street repeatedly yester-
DAY afternoon, and am ashamed 10
confess that II there was the slightest
note OF Thanksgiving to God for His
mercy OF peace. failed 20 observe #
there o: elsewhere in the streets OF this
eity VErUsTAs ~ Y.
NEW YORK, November S.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
SOLDIERS PAY.
Renewed Complaint OF the Delays In
Distribution.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: As
to the workings of red tape and appar-
ent indifference In Washington regard
ing allotments to parents:
My son has been in France since
April; the last allotment check sent TO
us was in July for June wages nothing
since. In October I wrote to the War
Risk Insurance Bureau. Quartermaster
General, also to the Adjutant- General
of the Army. To none of these COM
munioations have received a reply. In
letter from France written October IS
heard my son was out OF money" Our
sons gave up much to enlist for Uncle
Sam at 81 a day. and 1t does seem that
the equivalent should be Forthcoming to
them and their parents. have knowl-
edge OF like experiences OF others, but
cite my own.
An Investigation conducted by one
such as ex-Judge Hughes would bring
to light some glaring faults In the pay
end" Of the army,
A. v. c. GENUNd. Jr,
EAST ORANGE, n. j.. November s.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
A New Southern Front

A despatch from the War Office,
Rome, announces that the Italians
have entered Meran and Bolzano, or
Botzen. These two towns are about
II hundred miles north Of the south.
ern boundary Of the Trentino and
half way from the Italian border to
the Bremen Pass on the line mark
ing the Tyrollan territory to be evac-
uated by Austro- Hungarian troops.
This advance indicates the speedy
occupation Of the Trentino. To this
there is apparently no opposition; the
disbanding Austrian armies nre leav-
ing the country intent upon saving
themselves from starvation and in n
state Of great decentralization. The
size of the force which is occupy
Ing the country Is not revealed,
hut that 1t Is of sufficient strength
to alarm the BavarIans Is evident
from statement issued by the Bava.
rian Minister Of War. In note to
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
Mayor Hylan's Order Of October s.

Mayor HYLAN was subjected to a
great deal Of adverse criticism because
of his order closing the subaque0us
tunnels In New York and the bridges
across the East River on the after.
noon Of October 5, the day on which
the Gillespie shell loading plant at
Morgan. n. J., was destroyed by ex-
plosion and fire. 1t was asserted that
he had fallen into panic and was
responsible for much unnecessary in
convenience and not little suffering
on the part of the thousands of per.
sons who were deprived OF the usual
means of transportation about town.
1t now turns out that before issu.
Ing the order Mayor HYLAN consulted
Fire Chief KENYON, and that expert
enced authority on conditions In and
about New York counselled him to
take the path Of safety, to guard the
city so far az human provision could
guard it against the possibility of q
terrible disaster. Fortunately, no ex-
plosion at Morgan injured the tunnels
or bridges; even that an explosion
which might have done so was immi-
nent has not been established. Yet
THE Sun believes Mayor HyLAN was
justified In his order of October 5.
acting, as he did, on the advice of
Chief KENLoN; and we have still to
hear that JOHN KKNLoN is an alarm
list, or that he habitually loses his
head in the presence Of danger.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
General Pershins's Literary style.

General PERsHING's ability to say
the right thing In the right way and
at the right time has never been more
happily displayed than In his fellci-
tous remarks to party Of French
newspaper correspondents on Wednes-
day, reported in the American news
papers Of yesterday. In few more
than 200 words he expressed COM
pletely and eloquently the admiration
he and his comrades in arms feel for
their French associates, a sentiment
shared by all Americans, and which
many of General PERsHING's country
men have -endeavored to put into
words. None of them has succeeded
better than General PERsHING In this
laudable enterprise, and precious few
have done as well as he has.
One impressive quality Of oil Gen.
eral PERsHING's utterances is the alb
sence from them of any shade or
tinge of egotism. He speaks habitu-
ally as q representative, not as q
master. Thus, in his praise of the
French fighting men, the pronoun "I"
does not occur once. and every phrase
that can be construed as including
General PERsHING includes also every
man under his command. The sem
fences quoted from General PER
sHING's remarks contain no hint Of
self-praise, nor even Of a conscious.
ness Of his own Importance in the
organization for which he spoke.
This interesting result is accom-.
plished without that apparent effort
which marks the product of vanity
subdued by circumstances. Instead.
the natural inclination of the author
of the lines under consideration is
obvious in the words he uses, in
which his complete Identification of
himself with the great machine he
has done so much to create and
which lie directs Us Commander in
Chief is made manifest. General
PERsHISG plainly does not think Of
himself alone, but o. his comrades
and himself as fellows in tremen-
dous enterprise.
What we know of General PER
SHINES task in France and the way
he has done his work is fragmentary
and incomplete, but our knowledge
covers number Of the addresses and
writings, official, formal and informal,
it has been necessary or advisable for
him to put forth, and in all of them
the true modesty Of man VINO
neither exalts nor belittles himself
is conspicuous. His utterances are
marked by heartiness, good sense and
instructive recognition of the relative
values Of individuals and organiza-
lions. We have, indeed, been fortu-
nate TO have in the snpremely impor-
tant post General PERsHING fills n
man 50 gifted as the Commander in
Chief Of the American Expeditlonary
Forces In France.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09

the authorities Of Tyrol he says that
Bavarian troops will march to the
Tyrolian frontier. "we come as
friends" the Minister says, "but will
use force II resisted"
The advance from Italy is not the
only menace now threatening Ba.
varia. A despatch from Berne re-
ports the rapid mobilization of men
of military age. In Bohemia. The
force which is being thus collected
Is largely from the Czecho- Slovak
elements Of the population. and 1t is
stated that the mobilization is against
Germany and that the movement of
the army will be against the neigh.
boring territory of Bavaria.
These threats Of invasion give
grounds for the belief that Bavaria
Will be forced to call troops which
she now has on the western front
to the defence Of her own land.
The Temps Of Paris says that 1t has
information from Berne that the Pre-
mier Of Bavaria has sent an urgent
note to the German Government de-
clarlng that IL an armistice Is not
concluded without delay "he will be
obliged ofiicially to order the Bava-
rian troops to return from the front"
The new front thus formed, and
which the Bavarians will evidently be
forced to defend, Is the line marked
by the Tyrolian highlands ahd the
frontier Of Bohemia.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
WAR HONORS WON
BY 100 YALE MEN
Recipients Include Some of
I24 Who Are Dead.

New HAVEN. Nov. S.-According to a
statement issued at Yale to-day. more
than hundred Yale men, graduate and
undergraduate, have been recipients of
war honors conferred by the United
states, France, Great Britain, italy and
Montenegro. according to data compiled
at the university secrotary's office. The
honors conferred include the Distin-
Euished Service Cross, the Legion OF
Honor, the British Distinguished Service
Cross and Military Cross, the CroiX de
Guerre, tho Italian War Gross silver
Medal OF Valor and bronze Medal. tho
Medal OF French Gratitude ana the Medal
Of the Aero club of America
Notable achievements and extraor-
binary acts OF bravery in various folds
nj war service, Including civilian actlvl-
tics, have received recognition. Ma tn-
William ThRw. ex-15, American living
ace, has the distinction of having rn,
celved the DISTINGUISHED Service Cross
(and also the Bronze Oak Leaf, the RAM,
OF CheNnlier OF the Legion Of Honor tho
CroiN de Guerre with i've palms. ana tho
Medal OF the Aero Club of America. q
Em!r Allen, 'lS, recipient OF the Croix ia
Guerre and recommended for the DistIn.
gulshe' Service Cross, is one of several
who either before or after being cited
lost their lives in the service.
Alan +. Winslow, exits s.. credItod
with being the first In the Amer can Nv
ing service 70 bring down an enemy
plane, has been awarded the DIst,n.
euished Service Cross and tho French
War Cross with palms, A conspicuous
recognition for civilian service In thar n,
Laurence " Benet, "a s., OF Paris wha
has received promotion to Commander os
the Legion OF Honor
The university records of war servIca
show l24 Yale men in the service hava
died and ninety-five have been woundaa
taken prisoner or reported prisoner.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
The Man Who Taught Our Officers
Mathematics.

Colonel EDGAR WALES BASS. whose
death in this city vas reported yes
terday. taught mathematics to PER-
sHING, BUNDy, EDWARDS and most
OF the other commanding officers in
the American army, He was profess
sor Of mathematics at the Military
Academy, West Point, for twenty
years, and during that period the
hardest task OF the cadet was to win
victory over "math" with Colonel
BASS lntrenched in the class room.
Mathematics Is one OF the most i'm
portant branches OF study at the Mill
tary Academy; without proficiency
in II cadet will not be graduated,
whatever his excellence in other
studies; upon mathematics largely
depends his class rank and his assign
ment to duty. 1t is a department
remarkable for the few changes in
its professorship; Professor CHURCH,
who was BASES immediate successor,
was at the head Of the department
for forty-eight years he taught math-
ematlcs to SHERMAN, SHERIDAN and
many Of the officers on both the
Union and Confederate sides in the
civIl war. CHURCH was fatherly,
kindly man In his treatment OF the
cadets, with fondness In his later
days for friendly discussions and
helpful suggestions to the 'smmor-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
ARMY RANK FOR TEACHERS.
Would It Increase Their Dignity In
the Eyes Of Soldier Students?

To rHu EDITOR or THE SUE-Sir!: There
is a strange state Of affairs in the
newly organized war colleges OF the
country. The students in these colleges
are duly enrolled soldiers Of the United
States Army. clothed and equipped by
the Government and amenable to the
discipline administered by army officers.
They wear the olive drab OF the army
and are sewing their country rs much
as IL In any one Of the cantonments.
For improving tho capability of these
soldiers the Government has put the
stamr OF its approval on system OF
instruction to DO administered by the
faculties Of these colleges. to whom these
student soldiers are also amenabls in
certain matters Of discipline.
The faculty members do not belong
to the army. though they do have au-
thority over soldiers In the army. Now
the writer OF this communication can
see little or no difference between q
teacher who fills soldiers minds with in
tellectual matter and dentist who fills
soldiers teeth with cement. Both are
Uncle Sam. 1t is very likely that
KNOWS MUCH OF In6 IlAHual ok
arms o. OF I. d. r. in general.
The Government evidently believes
that these teachers, as well as these
dentists, make these soldiers more SER
viceable and more capable OF safe
guarding the rights and privileges Of
American citizens and OF unfolding the
honor OF the flag. Otherwise the
Government would not have nut these
boys under their care. Yet the dentist
Is a duly commissioned officer OF the
United states Army. the teacher IL n
civilian. The teacher NAV be giving in
struction in trieonometry. something
absolutely essential for artilleris,s. or
some phase Of chemistry knowledge of
which is most needtul in gas warfare
or French and Italian. which every one
ACKNOWLEDGE will Increase efac,encv Mt
the front. Furthermor.. even though
these student Soldiers are instructed nv
their officers to give the military sa-
lutte to tbei, teachers and 10 stand NJ
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
HELP FOR HAM.
A Famous French City wants Amcyi,
can Assistance.

To THE rprrop M TIM s,,x-S,r. Mr.
Caltier. Chat a. C.b,ns, ~ the prefect
OF Police on P,ri. has sorvarasd "a
me tn. following Ietta- which trans-
late. addressed 10 him nv Mr. charIa.
o,n,,.. ~. -
somme. France rsnown,S ,or The cast,s
where Nano,con tII mn, onoo . mis-
omar. II IN n locality az a ann ,,bah,-
tant. sct,,.,v ,,n.r.,ss 49,, .,nao.,
entirelv aestroxed NJ ca,,,o- :. ,,, I,
THE suN oan 40 .or,.tn,n,r ,or th,,
unfortunate ,nryn yvu, 4, =. ,o.,,,,o
he ash. IA ara IN tna I,,,,.s e,.,n.
A town or c,tv vi.h,nr e. no ,.s go
mother n, the tom 90 II.r, a., s.,r
her rebuild the hore, q, h.r o,,,..n.,
Mr.. Galtier sent ma the raouest q, tbe
Mayor OF Ham. with the bone that
his appeal will Ana nm ocno a. IN.
hearts az ann. sensrou. n.nn,.
He-e IA the ,rans,a,,on =, ,ho ,.,,.r
OF the Mavor az On. ,or,r ., IIor, 20
Mfr. oel,ier.
For the second finn. Han, {, t,,.no,
agnini
IN IN n small toxn vary ola ena
historical. farnou, Cor 81. o..,,. -.
Napoleon III. wa. onoa a nr,snn.r o.
thu church az fra mo-, ,.r,,,,. ...,.,,.,,
&o. II IA the b,rtnn,.ca =, ~. ,,,,sa..s;
General Folk. the statpe n, xbo,, IA,
bean rsspectea IN, 81. o.rs.s 80.
selves