davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
INTERNATIONAL TIMBER.

Discussing the coming state cam
paign, some Iowa newspapers nave
mentioned c. S. Harper OF Ottumwa
as a possible candidate for the repub-
lican gubernatorial nomination. Al
though Mr. Harper has given no IN
timation of his desire to seek political
honors, this is an appropriate time to
record the fact that the voters of
Iowa would display an admirable
brand of wisdom, should the opportu-
nifty be offered, by nominating and
electing him.
Mr.. Harper is not politician, a fact
which truly is a recommendation. He
is a business man and successful
one, being one of the owners and &C
tive directors of concern which
ranks among Iowa's foremost whole
sale firms.
He takes marked interest in civic
and community affairs and has just
completed two years service as presi-
dent of the Ottumwa Commercial
club. Largely through his efforts the
Wapello County Farm bureau has
been established. brought into COOP
Grafton with the Commercial organ
ization and conducted with such
Marked SuCCcSS ludI lnS JoiAS es~ooo-
citation serves as an example for other
counties throughout Iowa.
He has been one OF the most EN-
cient workers for the Liberty Loan,
Red Cross and Y. M. G. A. war fund
in this section Of the state and has
given unstintedly Of his time and
money.
Mr.. Harper is Al years old. He was
born in Cttumwa and has lived here
continuously except for four years
spent at Harvard. He is of the young.
err generation of Iowans to which the
state must look for much of its prog
ress during the coming twenty years.
This is not an announcement of
his candidacy for the governorship.
1t is written. indeed. without knowl-
edge Of his political desires and with
out even the knowledge that he pos
sesses any, and is inspired wholly by
the fact that he has been mentioned
for an Office which he is qualified
most admirably to fill.
It would certainly be blessing to
this state to have its affairs for four
years under the direction of BUSH
ness man.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
ITALY IN LEAD.

The progress Of the fighting in Italy
during the months that have passed
since Cadorna crossed the mountains
and ventured into Austrian territory
has demonstrated beyond question the
superiority Of the italian soldiers over
those of Austria Hungary.
1t was only when the Germans re-
inforced their allies that Cadorna was
turned back. It was q mixture of Ger
man military strength and German so
cialistic propaganda which drove the
Italians westward in their famous re-
treat. 1t was Italian desperation. brav-
cry and patriotism which stemmed the
Teutonic tide at last and it Is the bril-
liancy Of Italian fighting which has
dealt defeat after defeat to Austrian
forces during the campaign on the
northern front along the Piave river.
The Italians have Jared less FORUM
ately with the Germans than with the
Austrians, and it is we'll that British
and French veterans are at hand 10
help guard Italy and France against
the kaiser's own armies.
The mountain positions taken from
the Austrians this week by the Lattns
have figured prominently IN the dis
patches before. They have been the
scene of other heavy engagements and
were lost by the Italians in stubborn
fighting which was decided only by
the presence of overwhelming num-
bers of Austria reinforcements.
If the dispatches are to be believed,
and there is no reason to disbelieve
them when so many point to the same
conclusion, the Italians would expert
ence little difficulty in accounting for
the Austrian armies alone, could de-
cisive engagement be fought with the
enemies on an equal footing at the
start.
If the score of the armies in the
great war were being compiled like
the standing of baseball leagues
various teams. Italy would top the
second division with safe lead over
Austria.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
LOYALTY.

Iowans Of German parentage organ
lied patriotic society in Des Moine.s
yesterday setting an example worthy
of emulation in every state.
1t draws the line, too. between Ger
man Americans and American Ger
mans. Without entering into the dis
cussion of which nations name should
come first in the hyphenated title.
citizens of Iowa whose parentage is
German can announce their loyalty by
subscribing to the resolutions adopted
at yesterdays meeting and by aligning
themselves with patriotic Americans
who have pledged their loyalty to this
country and its government in re-
nounciug any lingering claim Ger
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
DER TAG.
(N-om Saturdays Daily. J

(FfOn Saturdays DaIy.)
Germany's ruthless submarine var
fare is a year old. Twelve months ago
yesterday It was begun. and Won I1r-
pftz told the German people England
would be forced to surrender within
six months. Der Tag" was set den
nitely for August 1, with the privilege
Of moving the date into an earlier
month.
But when August came and England
still was fighting with no lack OF de-
termination the advocates of ruthless
ness silenced the murmurs OF the disap
pointed German public with assur
ances that success must come soon
and that it merely had been deferred
BY Americas unexpected participation
as an ally OF the entente. Any help|
America could give would be OF a
minor sort, the U-boat's sponsors said;
It could only lengthen the period OF
submarine operations few months
and could not change the ultimate re
suit
From time to time dates were set as
the limit for England's endurance, but
each time a revision was necessary.
Finally, during the winter Won Tirpitz
lost patience with England and Amer
lea and with the Germans, telling the
latter he must refuse to fix the exact
time for the British surrender Still
Now a year has passed. Hundreds
of vessels have been sunk Thousands
OF persons have been murdered The
word ruthless" has taken on a new
and horrible meaning which will iden-
tify it with German barbarity as long
as history shall be read. And yet.
other hundreds Of vessels continue to
sail the Atlantic and to carry food.
munitions and soldiers, and Also ex
pert gunners with penchant for send
ing submarines on their final plunge.
Vessels which carried the German
nag before the war are crossing the
submarine zone as transports, flying
the stars and stripes and helping to
pave the way for American and allied
victory. Scores of busy shipyards in
America and Great Britain are a-clat-
ter with the preparation Of still more
ships.
The submarine did much to bring
America into the war. 1t has served
to record indelibly on history's pages
the fact that the modern Hun multi
plies the barbaric criminality of his
forbear BY the sum Of the minutes in
all the centuries that have come and
gone since Atulla's day. 1t has not
achieved the purpose for which it was
intended, it has not brought the day Of
Germany's triumph for kultur Indeed,
it has gone far to seal the doom of
Germany's autocracy and ensure its
defeat at the hands of union Of
Christian peoples bent Oh defending
humanity against murderous assault.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05

the fact that 1t was not elective I'M
mediately gives ground for the belief
that some time it may fail altogether.
Much as We would like to accept at
face value the maximum figures ON
the number Of strikers and the most
thrilling stories Of the uprising, The
Courier is forced to credit the London
correspondents in Holland who in
cline to the belief that the German
government has taken advantage OF q
condition which Is not actually critic
al and has permitted stories Of an
alarming strike crisis to reach the
outside world in furtheranoe Of the
familiar German plan of encouraging
the empires enemies to believe In q
prospect of revolution which really
can not be realized.
The fact remains, however, that the
semi OH cial reports Of the condition
place the number Of strikers in Ber-
lin at TX, 900 and deny that the move
ment has spread to any other points
in the domain of the kaiser. Unofn-
cial dispatches quote larger figures
and 20 into detail in describing
strikes in Hamburg. kiel and dozen
other oenters Of industry. II these
dispatches are. wrong and the semi
official reports are either correct or
an exaggeration OF the condition, the
publicity campaign must have been
organized with an extreme measure
of care which hardly would seem JUS
titled by the results
For the peoples outside Of Germany,
particularly in those countries which
are at war against the kaiser, are too
well acquainted with Teutonic meth
DDS to permit their Joy over an awak-
ening of the German people to lull
them into an unwise assurance that
victory over the kaiser will come,
after all, through revolution rather
than through defeat at the hands OF
the allies armies.
II we credit the stories Of GeFmany's
internal unrest at even half their face
value we must conclude that the Of
fensive and defensive strength of the
empire and it's armies is touched in
vital spot. Such condition within
the empire can not make for the 10y
atty which an army and navy need at
their backs to encourage them in bat
ties with determined, well-trained
foemen.
Germany, cowed and with the spir-
it of revolt crushed beyond hope OF re-
vival, can not be depended upon to In
spire the German armies. Morale,
the indefinable spirit which imparts
to an army a strength beyond its lead
ers' hopes, must come from behind
the lines as well as from within the
hearts and consciences Of the fighting
men themselves II the support OF
the home folks is lacking, the German
army has little to spur it to heroic
fighting save lust for battle and mon
discipline. Belief in the Justice Of
their cause, which possibly may have
inspired some OF the katser's soldiers
earlier in the war, has suffered some
terribly hard blows since America en-
tered the war and inaugurated a
worldwide, open-minded discussion OF
an that the war means.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
Children's Evening Story

upon one side, and their empty sleeves
Tapping in the winds that SWEPT
through the valley. But old Mr.. Grow
was too wise to be fooled 30 easily.
He would scratch up the corn ct tho
very feet of the scarecroW-Gm
chuckle at the same time.
It must not be supposed that Farm
or Green did not know what was going
on He often caught sight Of Mr..
Crow in the cornf1eld. But II always
happened that Mr.. Crow saw him too
And Farmer Green could never get
near the old rogue.
At last Johnnie Green's father spent
a whole evening trying to think Of
some way IN which he could outwit
upou a plan that he liked.
The newt day, with Johnnie to help
him, he set to WORK 10 build monster
scarecrow. 1t was twice as high -
the tallest man tha1 was ever seen.
And for hat Farmer Green set On
its head a huge tin pan, which gilt
tered when the sun shone upon t.
"ThatM fix htmt' said Farmer
Green, as he stood of and looked at
the giant And as for bis son johnnie
he danced mp and down and shouted
he was 50 pleased.
But Mr.. Crow was not pleased whom
he few toward the cornfeld the NEXT
day and saw the great figure Of . nlan
there, with a terrible giittefing hs1-
met upon his head. And Mr.. Grow
noticed something upon the gtns
shoulder that looked very Ike gm.
The old gatleman sweved quietly
to one side and never stopped his
flight until he had reached the woods.
And that night Farmer Green felt
quite merry.
i've scared that old CROW sway =
last," he said
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05

supply. Excessive cold such as has
been experienced within the past
twenty-four hours has increased the
demand on several occasions and only
the fact that the highways were not
made impossible by heavy SHOWS has
enabled the coal dealers to supple
ment their ordinary stocks by draw
ing coal from nearby wagon mines.
This situation Is more fortunate
than safe. 1t argues strongly for pur-
chases of household coal next sum-
mer. II a sufficient demand could be
created during the warm months this
year to keep the nations mines busy
continuously, there would be little
danger Of a coal shortage in America
next winter, no matter how great the
demand may be then.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
LITTLE BENNY'S
NOTE BOOK
BY LII PAPB
l. - - - -
The Park Ave. News.

Inc fd&k ave- 2NS"o.
Weather. Colder jest wen you think
its going to be warmer. and vica
virtue.
Spoarts. Lew Davis was at Pubs
Simkinses house last Saadday mite
and it started to pour rain and Lew
Davis stayed all mite, and in the morn
ing him and Pubs Simkins had flap
cake eating contest at brekfist. witch
after Pubs had ate II his mother
woodent give him eny more, giving
Lew Davis more on account OF him
being q guest, making him win on a
foul
Leroy Shooster in q Axsidint Vile
jumping hitching posts and fire plugs
on his way to skool last Thersday
morning, Leroy ShooSter fell down
and bert his leg 80 bad he went home
and asked his mother II she thawt
eny bones was broak, witch none was.
and his mother gave him i1cuse
note for Miss Kitty and he dident get
to skool till the Theology lessin was
hatf way throo. WITCH the next day
Sid Hunt tried it, falling 3 times be-
fore he Good make mark on his leg.
and his mother gave him Excuse note
and he iident come in skool till almost
recess time with it, Miss Kitty making
him stay an hour after skool and say
ing the next time enybody tried It
they wood stay hours.
J Pome by Skinny Martin.
The Berd on the TELEGRAPH Wire.
/ The little herd on the TELEGRAPH wire
lCheerfflly sets and swings
It don't give a darn II the wire busts
or not,
And neither wood l il / had wings.
Militerry News. Company 3 had
targit practice last Satidday aftirnoon
| in the bach alley, firing marbils at a
yerlo cat running along the top of
fentses. Lootenant Ed Wernick wood
of hit it il the cat hadent Of lodged
in a cowardly manner, and the marbil
bountsed up and broak Miss Winkels
back setting room window. Comp1nny
B immeeditly retreeted rapidly.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05

6eld service regulations, infantry drin
regulations, signal book, interior
guard duty, army regulations, map
reading, hand grenades, bayonet drill
and other subjects We get good
physical training along with the study
and are off from Saturday afternoon
at q o'clock until Sunday at midnight.
Weather 10 Cold.
I'VE have had only one snow down
here but it Is very cold and disagree
able. We had to shovel snow out OF
barracks one morning where th0
strong wind had blown it in and my
pillow and bed we're covered when
woke up"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
twill serve to support the coming so
cial revolution in Europe"

Twill serve to support the coming SO
cial revolution In Europe"
Truly, this is taking in large bit u
territory, II all Europe is meant. Rus
sia. to be sure, is in the throes OF what
may be called social revolution as
we'll as anything else. Just what a
genuine social revolution might be Is
e little difficult to determine We read
about It in socialistic literature and
apparently it has to do with a miuen'
ium which will re-create all who sur
vive its Inauguration as equals in men
tai, moral, physical and other attri-
butes. In the process. too, 1t Will wipe
out jealousy and selnshness along
with the thought of private ownership
Indeed, 1t will destroy the personal
equation entirely.
OF course, the reign of socialism IN
Russia has not done that Indeed. 1t
has not sta rted to do it, for 1t has sub
stituted chaos for sort of order. an
archy's red flag for the symbol at
authority, mismanagement for sort
of government and survival of the
strongest for a creed that sought to
recognize personal rights. Crime Is
unbridled, murder is too common to
provoke comment, robbery has out
stripped all other arts, and the Russia
of today presents the most striking
picture of anarchy's high carnival the
modern world has been permitted to
view.
Months ago, while still there was
semblance OF order in Russia, Premier
Kerensky confessed to the world at
large the country's inability to con-
tinue a factor in the war against the
central powers. Since then armies
have been disbanded, laws have been
erased, discipline has been thrown to
the winds, munition manufacturing has
ceased, and Russia Is divided into
dozen factions.
The commanderin-chief OF the
armies which exist only for plumber OF
their own land declares war on all the
world. and the socialisic council to
which he owes his commission orders
the mobilization of a red army to
support the coming social revolution
I'm Europe"
The Russian armies, in their most
recent starts, have scored notable VIC
tories-they have shown themselves
able to retreat farther and faster than
their German and Austrian enemies
could move in following them The
speed with which the Russians pro-
crossed homeward was due in part to
their forethought in discardlng weap-
ons and other useless impediments as
they ran. Naturally. these cluttered
the roadways over which the pursuing
armies were compelled to pass and
hampered them considerably in what
might otherwise been a. more nearly
even trial OF speed.
On the showing they have made in
the past year or so, however, the Rus
slams cannot be recommended very
highly for offensive warfare. II
Europe's social revolution must await
their coming. some mental revolution
must take place within the brain OF
the red army and Its recruits must be
taught to believe that home, safety
and immunity from Prussian guns lies
TO the west instead Of the east
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05

prices which may-and may not
be won for the buyer of retail
coal by federal intervention.
A few days after this was published,
DR.. Garfield, newly appointed fuel ad-
ministrator. began tinkering with the
price problem to the exclusion OF
the problem of supply. He even
warned against early coal buying and
intimated that he would force prices
considerably lower. After wasting
several weeks in this manner-weeks
which were too valuable to be wasted
he discovered that after all. price
was the secondary consideration and
his task had to do with obtaining coal.
There is ample time now for consum'
ers to lay aside money with which to
paw for next winters coal supply next
summer. The experiences Of the pres
ent winter should be sufficient warn
inE,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
BOWLING TOURNEY
ATTRACTS MANY

Minneapolis. Mimi. Feb. The
tenth annual tournament Of the Inter
national Bowling association will open
here tonight and continue until Fob
ruary II with entrants rom all paTts
Of the middlewest participating. To-
nights program will be devoted chief
ly to rolling by twin city five teams.
One hundred and fifty-five men, 80
doubles and SO singles events are
scheduled On the program
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
AMERICAS AIM.
From Fridays Daily.0

From Fridays Daily0
In his admirably frank and inspir-
ing address to the farmers of America,
published yesterday, President Wilson
urged proper attention to the necessi-
ty for victory over Germany as a mat
ter of self-protection. This was pc
culiarly an address to Americans, as
distinguished from the addresses to
the world at large which he has read
before congress and that which he
sent to Pope Benedict. 1t was q
heart-to-beart talk among the people
of the United States.
It placed particular stress on the
fact which has been given place OF
secondary importance in several OF
the presidents references to Ameri.
cas- purposes in the war. 1t said in
so many words that we are fighting in
defense Of America and her instftu-
people, her homes. her firesides. In.
cidentally, to be sure, victory over
the kaiser will make the world safe
for democracy" but the fact that ap-
peals and must appeal to every loyal
American citizen was stated thus by
the president:
GermanyS hdnOS OF violence
had been laid upon our own people
and our own property in fragrant
violation not only Of justice but of
the well-recognized and long stand
ing covenants Of international law
and treaty We are fighting.
therefore, as truly for the liberty
and self government Of the United
States as If war Of our own
revolution had to be fought over
again. and every man in every
business in the United States
must know Ey this time that his
whole future fortune lies in the
balance. Our national life and
our own economic development
will pass under the sinister influ-
ences of foreign control il we do
not win We must win, there
fore, and we shall win. need
not ask you to pledge your lives
and fortunes with those of the
rest OF the nation to the accom-
plishment of that great end.
Americas aims are no less high be-
cause they are for Americas future.
They are more understandable, how
ever, more practical and better calcu-
lated to rally to the support Of our ar
mics every patriotic American with
every ounce of energy he possesses,
than If they were described merely as
defenao If democracy in the abstract
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05

many may have had on their affec'
tons.
1t is not asking too much to insist
that this be regarded as the test Of
loyalty at this time. Citizens OF
America either are loyal or disloyA
now. There is no proper middle
Rnound
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05

her life. During the ride the car IN
which she was seated was thrown
down an emhankment and demolished.
Crawling out from beneath the
debris, she spied man who was hsod
down in sitting position by his legs
being fastened.
rs this Pfttsheld?" she anxiously
asked.
NO" snapped the man. this Is
catastrophe"
'Oh!' calculated the old lady.
Then I hadn't oughter get OF here!"
Money Talks" said the man who
tries to be severely practical.
'Better'n that" replied Mr. Dustia
Stax. as he signed another Red Cross
check. my money has quit ordinary
conversation and is learning to sing
The Star Spangled Banner
'Wf,at is more pathetic" asked tho
sen dmental young woman, than .
man who has loved and LOST"
We'll" replied the man of expert
ence, "a fellow who has bet about $50
on a sure thing and found out that he
was wrong is entitled to nook It
the wailing place"
What did you get out Of that viii
case?" asked the first lawyer.
"A hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars" replied the second lawyer.
Good round sum, eh!~
Eyes. but l thought the old man left
more than that"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
SOCIAL REVOLUTION.

Encouraged by the success they
have enjoyed in Russia and by that
which they count as won in Finland,
the bolsheviki announce that the new
workmen and peasants red army
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
DINNER STORIES

The old lady was going to Pittsnefd
to visit daughter. and took her seat
in railway coach for the first time n