davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
Americas Golden Chance

WE MAY look forward, when the
w war is over, to government owner
ship of the merchant marine, with its at
tendant evils of lack of initiative and
higher cost of operation, unless the pres
ent seamen's law is repealed, according
to writer in THE Americas" He SAYS
in part:
perhaps, without regard TO the wav
shipping economies go, the stage will be set
Tor decentralization, of the merchant marine.
Standardization of transportation is in the
air all over the world. Denmark is said 10
have definitely decided upon national con-
troll or shipping, because it is regarded as
so AFFECTED with the public interest as to
be vital to national welfare, and so logical
ly matter for national control. In Eng
land it has been all but decided that tho
railways shall remain in national control.
and it is significant that the British Com
mittee on Commercial and Industrial Policy
After the War has devoted long report on
shipping in which it calls attention to the
dangers of private monopolies and injurious
rate making in British ocean lines
Our government will own the great ton
mage, and there may be demand that this
shall not be leased to private interests. or
sold, but be formed into a worldwide Unit
ed States transport system man who Is
taking leading part in our present activi-
tles-a man who is a believer in the su-
perlor efficiency of well-managed private
enterprise for shipping, as well as other
kinds of business-says without any re-
serve that if the competitive conditions in
international shipping after the war pr,-
clude our beng able to operate ships on an
equal basis of costs with our chief com
peutors, the government must natonalize
the ships.
The language test that La Toilette put
INTO his seamen's act, law, was devised
so as to let in the scum of Europe and shut
out Oriental seamen The very presence Of
either acts to nhibit clean, healthy IN
terest on the part of good-blooded Ameri-
can boys in the sailorman's career
Seasoned shipping who have oper-
ated vessels for years continue to affirm
that foreign tramp ships, operated by men
who know all the detailed methods of nick
ing up cargo, finding good ports and saw
ing voyage by shrewd judgment, will make
impossible the private operation of the
great tonnage of our ships in the future un-
less the present law is fatty repealed and
they are allowed to be the judges Of the
size or crews needed, thaeswages and the
CONTRACT. Ihey pre &ct government
ownership at loss and the ultimate sale ii
our ships into foreign hands and
they declare that government operation will
not compete successfully in point Of service
with certain efficient foreign companies:
the government service will lack initiative
OF Ideas, 1t will be infexible and uncivil.
and the chief purpose of having merchant
marine will be lost
II the war lasts thirty-six months rono-
er there is very little doubt that by the end
OF that time the people of the United
States will own the greatest TONNAGE ~
merchant vessels owned by any single na.
ton IN the world, and in all probability our
tonnage VIII be more than half that Of the
whole world" - ""S
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28

When things get hot he'd much rather 20
over the top and get em than do down in
dugout and wait for em. He wants to
take chance. few nights previous
rading party had started out from the
American trenches just behind where
stood that morning. The lieutenant leading
the party selected twenty men to accompany
him. They were to go across No Mans
Land establish contact with the Boche and
bring back prisoners. On trip like that
It's better than an even bet that some of
the party are not coming back. Don't mag
inc that the men who go out on those trips
don't know that. They know it better than
any one else. The lieutenant led his men
over the top and out through the wire. It
was inky black. A man couldn't see his
hand held before his face
"They crept through the wire single file
each man with one hand touching the foot
OF the man crawling in front of him. Out
side the wire they stopped to take tally and
make sure that all were present
"'One,' whispered the lieutenant. Two
said the man Immediately behind him. The
whispered count went down the line and
CHeH DdCk again TO the lieutenant, starting
with No. at the of the line. Twenty
three, said the man in back of the lieuten-
ant when the count came back. Twenty
FOUR whispered the lieutenant Whats
wrong back there? There's only twenty
one of us. Try that count over again
"They tried it over with the same result
Three men Who might have stayed safely be-
hind in the trench had surreptitiously added
themselves to the rading party. 1t was too
late to go back, they advanced A few
minutes later they took the count again and
the lieutenant was No. 26
We're doin' fine, SIR the man behind
the lieutenant whispered, sitting a giggle.
We got five prisoners aready'
ut means something spirit 1t is
small thing as applied to that particular lit
tie raiding party, but it is typical of the
American army. Being typical, it is i'm
portant. The ultimate purpose of the
American army is offence. And when that
offensive begins the men will go eagerly.
hunting for trouble, not because they are
driven forward by merciless officers, but be-
cause trouble is temporarily their only bust
ness and they are Karin to be about it,"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
THRILL Of pride such as Amer
lea has not known since it's
history began is sweeping


~ history began is sweeping
= the nation. The German drive
toward Paris has been DETECTED to as
sumo Berlinward direction, and Amer
lean soldiers are carrying on brilliantly
alongside their French and British al
lies.
When newspaper extras blazed forth
the news that the Americans had capt
ured twenty towns spontaneous cele-
bration broke out from coast to coast
In New York the bell in the new tower
on the City Hall rang for fifteen min
utes by order of the Borough President
In Boston the bell on Faneuil Hall also
rang out the glad news. Whistles were
blown in industrial centres. A wave of
patriotic feeling reached new high crest
throughout the country.
Our boys there at the bend of the
Marne have made a successful debut in
real European warfare on a big scale.
The message of their commander at Gil
vray to General Pershng tells the story:
"Met Boche on his line of resistance.
Sharp fighting. Boche turned tail and
ran like hell, pursued by our troops.
Hope to have more prisoners"
The Americans launched their counter
attack after they had been driven back
by the Germans against the advice of
the French commander, who suggested
an hours rest for the troops But the
anonymous American general replied:
I'VE regret being unable on this occasion
to follow the counsels of our masters, the
French, but the American flag has been
forced to retire. This is uncomfortable and
none of our soldiers would understand their
not being asked to do whatever is necessary
to reestablsh a situation which is as humi-
iatng to us as unacceptable to our coun-
try's honor. We going to counter at
tack"
Not only did they recover the lost
ground. but they took an additional half
mile for good measure. And since then
they have had the Hun on the defensive
when not on the run.
"The Huns officially recognize the fact
that Uncle Sam is stripped for action"
says "The Hudson Observer" enthus-
astically, which adds that "they are no
match for our fearless, enthusiastic Yam
KEGS, whose sole plea when under re-
straint is, ooh, hell! let us get at them! p"
Moreover, 1.-THE Observer" believes that
Con to the Rhine!" and Son to Berlin!"
should be theit battle cry.
1t is surely a time for optimism, thinks
"The Baltimore Sum-" which concludes:
"The Hun has found his master AS surely
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28

can soldier Is far better man than the
German. This has been demonstrated when
ever they have come in contact with each
other. The men who according to Berlin.
could not or would not fight have shown
themselves the masters Of the Germans at
their own game"
Perhaps '"The Rocky Mountain News"
sums up the prevailing American atti-
tude in the following comment:
"As we become convinced of the truth and
inevitableness of the reports from overseas
our pride swells almost to the bursting
point. We are proud of our boys We glory
in their achievements.
at is great to be an Americana"
Nor is the enthusiasm by any means
confined to the United States. "The To-
ronto Globe" styled "Canada's National
Newspaper states the case in legal
terms:
"Foch has served notice that writ of
eviction is about to issue against the Ger
man armies occupying the Valley of the
Marine in the region of Chateau Thierry. He
has host of husky men at his back who
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
Keeping i % on the Magazines

comprehension of an 'unkultured' intelli-
gence like mine.
- UT that is what they did. 1t was
~ not that they dehled the place as a
parting testimonial of their appreciation of
its hospitality! 1t could not have been got
into such a state by any hasty effort after
they knew that they were going 20 leave it.
They must have lived in the filth they made
AS for my desk, with it's naive appeal to
their chivalry, that must have delighted
their peculiar sense of humor They had
hacked and split the wood; and my love let
tiers and the photographs of my friends were
scattered from end to end of the village
street
there arc so many dreadful things for
which, nevertheless, one can admit an ex-
cuse in the bitter rules and results of war
But certainly no military necessity no mat
ter how remote, can explain the things
which were done in my home.
"For instance, if they felt called upon not
only 10 disregard but also to destroy my
American f1ag--in spite of the fact that in
September, 1914, this country was absolutely
neutral might not have seen any excuse
for it, but l certainly should not have found
the act as incredible as what they did do
FOR when, IN cleaning out the pipes of the
bathrooms-as had to be done!-we founo
the flag there, felt that my home had been
occupied not by the flower of a great ma
ton, but by strange beasts who were utterly
beyond my comprehension. And am glad
'hat American men, under that FLAG. are
now lighting the creatures who desecrated
it SO vilely."
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28

ave entered the war with the most hon
orabe object in the world-to overthrow
brute force and to vindicate right among
nations. But history is replete with wars
in which belligerent detectives have under
gone rapid evolution for better or for
worse. How does it now stand with the
American objective? 1t is clearer and more
widely accepted than at any earlier day
Men who at first sneered at world made
safe for democracy now believe in it With
out reservation. What the war may still
bring forth no man may predict. The recent
exhibitions of German strength threaten a
long struggle, and the course of 2 long war
cannot be charted with certainty But
Americas faith in the principle Of interna-
tonalism and her readiness to stake her
whole resources upon its realization pres.
age that in the field of international policy
also America will meet the test of war"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
''America Is Standing the Test

friends will charge America with lack Of
vlrility and fighting spirit. In what per-
tains Immediately to the armed conflict
America is standing the test"
But what of those that stand behind
the armies, the civilian population? And
how are we as a nation living up to the
democratic ideals with which we en-
tered the war? 1t is not too early to
judge, the writer continues:
"Our prophets of evil have been warning
US against a wave of mob outrages when
the casualty lists came in. They are com
ing in now, and wnere the instances of
American communities turned into raging
beasts? Day by aav the danger grows less
that the honorable record of our men in the
field may be sullied by the cowardly VIC
lence of civilian mobs at home.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28

as the sun shines or the ocean tides ebb and
flow we shall beat him back with fire and
sword to Berlin, like cringing man eating
tiger to his cage. The Lord God Omnipotent
reigneth, not the Kaiser and his hell
hounds"
In another issue the same paper points
out:
Optimism may easily outrun the facts.
But this is the time to 'holler,' and, no mat
ter what happens, we have right to 'holler'
now
And "The Cleveland News" decides it's
about time to let the American eagle
scream; because, it asks
what is the American eagle going to do
when reports keep coming of American SOL
dlers gaining many miles of front, hurl-
Ing the enemy back with such and such
losses in killed and captured, taking eigh-
teen German guns in one town, signalling
their first great trial by fire with a disas-
trous rout of the most highest war lords
picked veterans, attaining their detectives
too fast to count, giving the Hessian baby
killers merry hell all along the line with the
lovely hued bayonet, filling the good old ne
passeront-pas French brother and the good
old reliable British brother with new pep
and punch and will to kill off Boches, win
ming the greatest victory yet in all our glad
young war; and few other little things
like those?
80 far as we are concerned, rather than
strain his chest to the bursting point the
eagle has our cordial permission to let her
go!"
1.-THE Denver Labor Bulletin" ad-
mlts that while its editorial headline,
American Yanks Getting the Huns
Goat" may not be considered classic
In some editorial departments, it ex-
presses the American idea held in this
Office" And "The New York Evening
Post" in more polished English, agrees
that
there is every reason for rejoicing in this
country. The American troops have again
covered themselves with glory. They have
SHOWN that they can advance with a dash
and brilliancy which we all hoped for. Their
ireshness in the war is counting now as
we'll az their dauntless spirit. Unlike our
ailes, they are not war-worn nor stale. The
game Is new to them, but they have the de-
termination to play it for all it Is worth.
nence they do not stop when their object
ives are reached. but push right on; to hold
'nem In leash is likely TO be the greatest
o'iaculty Of their generals and Of the French
Commanders. Their cooperation with ths
ssnch and the French with thsm WAS {eri-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28

But there are also notes of warning
and pleas for caution. 'The New York
Times" for example, thinks this mo
time for optimism" Indeed. according
to this paper
cit is unfortunate that a CLEAN of success
turns the heads of many of our people So
and that they in it the growing dawn of
victory and the sunburst of peace. The
enemy is less imaginative; whatever his sue
cesses are, whatever advantage he obtains,
he continues to plan military triumph in
the west--in the east he considers that he
has won the war;
NO optimism could be more foolish than
the auto-intoxication of the Americans and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
Taking Over En-.
envy Property

N ARTICLE by A. Mitchell Palmer,
Alien Property Custodian, app ars
i'll the June number of "Munseys" AL
most every day now one finds in the
news columns fresh reports of the death
grip on German commerce, which is
ever Tightening. Mr.. Palmer declares:
"The business being transacted by the
alien property custodian is beginning to
amount to hundreds of millions of dollars,
and is steadily increasing. 1t is not yet
possible to state the gross value of the
property taken into custody since last Oc-
tober, when the Office was established but
the total is very large, although it repre-
sents only part of the enemy owned wealth
in the United States. 1t does not include
the property of law abiding resident aliens,
which under the present law is not seiza-
"The test of enemy character of property
is solely one of residence, fact not yet
understood by everybody. Nationality cuts
no figure in the matter. Within the mean
ing OF the act the property of American
citizens can be seized if those citizens are
residing within the enemy lines, while the
property of unnaturalized German citizens
residing in this country, if not engaged in
any pernicious activity against the gov
ernmcnt of the United States, NAV not be
molested.
"All aliens interned by the government
are regarded enemies and their prop
erty is treated accordingly The purpose is
to enable the alien property custodian to
take over and manage the property of alien
enemies of large means who have been
permanently interned, and to eliminate any
possibility of their carrying on, from the
lnternment camps, trading activities which
might be inimical to the interests of the
United States. 1t must be noted. however
that this provision does not include in it's
scope an alien enemy under arrest in
local jail who has not been transferred to
the War Department, nor an alien enemy
already released on parole, nor the great
body of alien enemies subject to regulation
by the President.
The government of the United States
does not intend to interfere with the prom
erty of the ordinary resident alien, be he
German or Austrian. The seizure of prop
eioy 10 oCllCCly lnlteu IN It's operation to
those who have been found to be danger
Gus and who have been transferred to the
War Department for permanent detention"
His conclusion is
1T is hardly necessary to say that the
United States government has no inten-
ton or desire to profit from these foreign
owned holdings. 1t only insists that these
wealth producing properties, making their
profits in this country, shall not be utilized
against America, either in the form of ma
terlal or of money The trusts are secure
and are under the jealous care Of the
Treasury Department. and, as have al.
ready said, no industrious, peaceable Ger
man or Austrian resident need have fear
that his property will be interfered with"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28

are, almost without exception, keen for ar
tive, dangerous work. / suppose, of course,
that statement will be misunderstood
interpreted. ~Oh, do they like warp some
one will say in shocked voice. is it pos
sible chat our boys can like war? Enjoy
bloodshed?
"Only fool or a savage likes war or en-
joys bloodshed The American in the line
is neither a fool nor a savage. He hates
war and boodshed as nice, sensitive people
who have never seen either can never posi-
bly, hate the horrors they but sniff from
affair." He hates war, but temporarily war is
his proper business, and he attends to that
business with nationally characte ristc
whole heartedness. He is keen to fight
and ever ready with courageous fippancy
to camouhage the suffering and horrors at
tendant upon action. Not long ago l was
speaking with an estimable gentleman over
here Investigating something or other
there seems to be about one investigator in
France to every ten soldiers-who was much
disturbed because the Y. M. C. A. was put
ting on light amusement in it's huts
"'Our boys should be made to realize the
seriousness Of their situation, he declared
ponderously. They have no conception of
it. They're facing death every minute Of
the time they are in the trenches. and they
speak lightly of terrible battle as "a show"
and talk of an attack in which many Of
them may be killed as putting on party"
They should be made to realize that this is
life-and- death matter!'
II believe if that man went scouting about
out in No Mans Land every night, his life
in one hand and grenade in the other, he'd
get crawful of realization of the serious
ness of the situation. If he saw his chum
pecked off by sniper or blown to nothing
ness by she'll ne might understand-even
more thoroughly than he now does-that it's
life-and-death matter. 1 can't help won
dering if, under those circumstances, he'd
have the grit to grin and carry on, as do the
men he worries about If the men of the
American army refuse to gloom and groan
and burden the air with doleful cries ex-
pressive of their realization of the Obvious
let the Boche fret. He has cause
IS \ ND SOME critics say that the Ameri-
"A can soldier is reckless To GER
tain extent he is. His motto is, Let's goi'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28

their allies when a German thrust is par
ried, drive checked stopped, in Elan
ders, Picardy or the Champagne.
"In honely phrase, winning a round-and
that is just what General Foch has done in
the scissors sector-may be, and generally
49, very different thing from winning
fight. In this war Germany has won most
of the rounds so far and shows few, if any,
signs of waning skill and strength in the
field.
The war can surely be won with our
enormous resources and man power and ma
terial, but not unless prepare for the
ordeal confronting US and give of our best. 3"
"The Philadelphia Public Ledger" also
warns that overconfidence is a peril:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
wv re HAVE ended once and for
M all the delusion that Demo-
cratic nation cannot turn out

says writer in "The New Republic"
who continues:
"That the men composing our national
armies would as individuals display courage
and intelligence has never been doubted by
Americans who knew America. But in the
absence of military tradition such as our
enemies possess, in the lack of an extensive
officer caste trained to war, was it possible
for us to organize armies capable of with
standing the shock of German assaults
Our army is beginning to answer this ques-
ton. 1t is morally equal to the task before
it. When our millions take the field it will
be as one of the most formidable of mill
tary organizations. Neither foes nor
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
LETS Col" Is Sam
my's Motto

w lTH vigor, humor and insight, as
we'll as vividness, William Sav-
ems McNutt writes in "Collier's" for
July q. His subject is an inspiring
one: Under Fire With the Yanks."
He observes:
THE American in the line is keen for &C
tion-not only the occasional naturally ad-
venturous man, but the lot of them They
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
The Filthiness of
Kultur

IN ARONESS HUARD contributes
to the August number of ..'The
H. American Magazine" more of
her "reminiscences covering the
German occupancy Of Chateau de Viii
liers. Zone little thing that l did"
she writes, twill show how naive was
my estimate Of German ideals.
an my desk were innumerable letters
intimate personal ones from my husband
priced them very highly l could not take
them with me. But in my simplicity l
fancied I was protecting them from the in
trusion of strangers when l put this note
conspicuously on the desk:
II swear that the contents of this desk
are purely personal and can be Of value
to no one but myself. l therefore leave
it under the protection of my country's
flag
"Then took a small silk American flag
and shut one end of it into the locked
drawer, so that one could help seeing
that it was The Stars and Stripes. Now that
l have gained, through bitter experience,
proper estimate of Prussian character,
laugh, as those German officers must have
laughed, at my trusting confidence in their
honorable treatment, either of woman or
of flag. But l had great deal to learn
about them then"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28

sees realization of the will to victory,
which it aptly expresses as follows:
1--WE do not expect victory now, but we
see it coming. We are proving b, actual
successes that we can win it."