davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29

"A = = =
from. British sources. II they are to
be made at all. should be truthful to
the last degree. The loss is made no
less by delay OF twelve or twenty
four hours in telling about it, and. on
the other hand, the delay begets q
lack Of confidence in the reports
emanating from London and the Brit
ish headquarters. .
It is absurd to defend failure to
make a detailed report of the first
days fighting as 1t proceeded BY say.
ing such q report ould have informed
the enemy. Certainly the enemy knew
where the battle line was located, LOT
the enemy was there. He 1t was who
made 1t battle line. :.
The French are more frank In their
reports than are the British, and It
is to be hoped that portion OF the
of warfare which they are
imparting to their American comrades
has to do with the importance OF max
ing truthful reports.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
eERLIN's JOY
(From Tuesdays Daily

(c rom TUESDAY D6&ly)
Berlin, dispatches say, was decor.
ated lavishly yesterday in honor OF the
German victory on the western front.
Church bells were rung and the day
was celebrated joyously, reports as
sert.
But German gala days are not the
glad events the inspired correspon-
dents In Berlin picture them to the
outside world. IL the statements Of
Americans and neutrals who have
spent months within the kaiser's en-
pire are authoritative. Nor could yes
terday have been an occasion Of I'M
alleged happiness for the German
people, if they realize the truth.
Their armies, to be sure. have made
wonderful progress in few days. But
they have advanced, literally, over
the dead and mangled corpses Of hum
dreds of thousands of German soldiers,
and death has shattered wave after
wave of gray-clad troops, marching
stolidly against the flaming British
cannon.
The kaiser has ordered thu slaugh.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
pEvILlsH INGENUITY

TIE latest demonstration Of kultur
A in the form OF q cannon which,
hidden in the forest seventy miles
from Paris, throws shells into the
French cap;tal. The dreams OF Jules
Verne are being outdone by the per-
verted ingenuity OF German scientists
and inventors, impelled by German
hate and lust.
The newest German weapon only
adds to the reasons why the Hun must
be conquered For generations he has
enjoyed communion with civilized
races and has worn veneer Of civil
ization, responsibility and erudition
Now he is unmasked, and the world
stands aghast as he turns into the
channels of murder all the intellectual
strength he has gained as the result
OF concerted study and research In
which Germans have been associated
with students OF other races during
the years of peace in which Germany
was preparing for her present war.
Scientists in Germany learned to
isolate disease germs. Men Of America,
England, France and other civilized
nations employed the new-found
knowledge as means Of saving life.
Now Germans breed these germs to
scatter them among all the peoples
which are not German. to spread
disease and death throughout the
world.
Mechanical knowledge and mathe-
NAUTICAL ability are employed by other
races to promote the comfort, knowl
edge and happiness OF the world. Ger
many employes them in the construc-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
A TINE FOR TRUTH

There is reason to regret that the
millions of Americans who wait so
eagerly for authoritative news of the
great battle in France have been COM
PEELED, thus far, to accept boastful re-
ports from Berlin, in advance OF
definite information from the British
headquarters and from London.
It would be folly, Of course, to criti-
else the British commander on this
score, for in directing his armies he
has on his hands task far more I'M
portant than that Of telling an inn
patient world the details Of TIE fight
ing. But it is unfortunate tfat with
in the first few hours after the bat
tie opened, last Thursday, an official
cablegram came to America which an
nounced that General Haig was re-
framing from giving the new location
of his battle line, to avoid giving valu-
able information to the enemy.
That sentence, dictated no doubt by
a staff censor at British headquarters,
seems to have furnished the keynote
Of the British dispatches throughout
the period of the fighting. which now
is In it's sixth day.
The fact was that the Germans, in
the first rush of their massed attack.
forced the British back from their for
mer line at a rapid pace. Villages and
towns fell to the advancing Huns, but
this was not revealed in the British
report until the following day. Mean
while, Berlin's boasts Of initial vic
tory were sent to the outside world
tory were sent to the outside world.
The anxiety they caused would have
been diminished had they been &C
companied by frank statements from
the British side.
Yesterday. Berlin announced the
capture Of Bapaume as having been
accomplished Saturday night. The
British reports did not mention
Bapaume specifically until this morn
ing. when they recorded fighting with
in the city, which beyond question was
in progress throughout Monday
With public interest at its present
feverish pitch. the truth should be
told without reserve, and the reports
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29

ter of enough men to have made q
victorious army in any war but this.
merely to regain ground which was
surrendered to the enemy year ago
and to give the German war party a
reason to demand from the bereaved
army families show of unrestrained
Joy over a temporary victory for Ger
man arms.
The capture of Paris might well be
worth the lives Of many German SOL
diers, as soldiers lives are measured
by the distorted logic Of the Potsdam
tyrant. But the recapture OF de-
vastated waste land seems poor
thing indeed to balance against the
desolatjon in hundreds Of thousands of
humble homes in Germany, the result
OF tho new battle Of the Somme.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29

lcharee Of the campaign in Iowa have
arranged to canvass the various coun.
ties in accordance with = wen devised
system which is calculated to result
in subscriptions by each citizen who Is
able to buy bond, in accordance
with his resources.
This Is proper plan and eminently
fair. 1t will permit committee chair
men and statesmen to approach each
prospective bond buyer with definite
proposal including an estimate of the
subscription he should make in order
to carry his rightful share OF his com
munity's total investment.
1t is based ON sound business meth
DDS. When a corporation increases
Its capital stock 1t IL customary to
distribute the new issue among the
stockholders Of record. each being
permitted to buy new stock to an
amount proportionate with his finan'
cial interest In the concern.
The purchase Of Liberty Bonds II at
once duty and privilege. Every
citizen Is a stakeholder In the nations
enterprise. The fact that this enter
prise II one on whose outcome de-
ponds the future of the race and the
hope Of all humanity adds to the dig
nifty Of c1tiEenshfp and the sacredness
Of its responsibilities.
IN the SHAMELESS that 10 northern
France, men are laying their lives on
the altar Of devotion In . desperate
EFFORT to protect civilization from de-
struction, to save democracy from
ruin, to protect our homes, over here
O. and e. ~p,ov6 <HnR ~NNv@nT
and children from tho savagery ana I'M
speakable terror which the Hun has
let loose, like a death-dealtng gas, over
most Of Europe.
Over there, too, our valiant little
army Is IN battle array, waiting for
the moment Of test In which 1t shall
meet the onslaught Of the enemy and
serve a. bulwark between his in
human barbsrity and our happiness
and kope for the future.
We are permitted to perform our
share in this historic struggle merely
by loaning money, at profitable inter
est rates. On the one security which
whole world
Can loyalty 70 the government. the
army and the cause to which they
have committed themselves be ex-
pressed in any other way 20 easily or
50 proftably % In the purchase Of a
Liberty Bond? Can any one lay claim
to loyalty who. heing able to obtain
the money, ID not able to exhibit q
Liberty Bond a. his badge Of patriot
ism. Can anyone count himself true
to his country and himself whose
bond purchase shall be less than his
proper proportion of his community's
quota. based on his financial re-
sourcesf
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
.lus1 woNpERr

"Don't get mad; just wonder, Is the
translation Of the German sign which
British soldiers found posted on one OF
the desolate ruins in Peronne year
ago when they marched into the
wrecked city after Hindenburgs STRAIT
egic retreat had left 1t deserted.
There was wreckage and evidence OF
vandalism on every hand. What had
been buildings were but crumbled
bricks. Factories had been disman-
tied, stripped Of all their machinery
and then abandoned to the torch. Or
chards had been cut down wantonly.
Churches had been converted into
stables. Homes in which the Germans
had been billeted were looted first,
then dynamited.
This was what the British found
when they entered Peronne, Ham. Ba-
paume and other cities within the Wide
zone across which Hindenburg lead
his armies a year ago to establish them
alonx the prepared line of defense to
which he had given his name.
Don't get mad: just wonder"
II might be text for the thoughts
that are impelled by contemplation OF
the battle in which the Germans, at
tha cost Of uncounted lives. have
bought back portion of the desolate
terrain which they surrendered In 1917,
declaring that they did not want the
territory and preferred strategic"
retreat rather than an effort to hold
their ground against the allies at
tacks, which just then were quite in
sistent.
Now they are farther from Paris and
Calais than when this retreat was in.
augurated. And in retracing their
steps thus far they have tossed into
the fires of war the bodies of hundreds
of thousands of German soldiers.
Since 1914 France has been q battle
field. Within the early weeks OF the
war the Germans left Belgium behind
and came so near to Paris that the seat
of government was moved for a few
weeks. Then occurred the battle OF
the Marine, and the line Of conflict be-
gan to move eastward again. Since
that time 1t has shifted back and forth,
each minute change adding anew to
the score of deaths on both sides of
No Mans Land. The present struggle
, prom ises to end In continuation OF
the deadlock with only the location
changed.
Gust wonder" Is the German taunt.
And indeed. the world. In its moments
l OF contemplation devotes more mental
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
THE THIRD LOAN

(FTOm Wednesday's Daily
Official announcement Of the salient
terms which will govern the sale of
bonds Of the third Liberty Loan was
made yesterday by Secretary McAdoo
for the nation and by Chairman
Hutchison for Wapello county's cam
paign committee.
Within a fortnight the campaign
will open and the call viii go forth
for a showing of concrete evidence OF
every citizens loyalty.
Z Prcfiting by the experience gained
In the first two campaigns, the men In
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
SANTA FE SUED FOR
$4,000 DAMAGES

Fl. Madisan, March 27.-Damae0
to the extent OF $4,000 are asfed By
William Spec. plaintiff, in IN ace1na
filed against the Santa Pc Railroad
company in the district court hafA
The damages are based on injuries a
legged to have been suffered By tne
plaintiff when an automobile In which
he and several others were riding was
struck by q Santa Fe train on Q GROSS
ing east Of the Des MONIES river, in
this county. ON August IL OF last year.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
oTTuMwA's BAND CONCERTS

For the sixteenth time, Commits
sioner T. J. Phillips Is soliciting funds
to finance the weekly band concerts in
the city park In all these years Mr..
Phillips has been the staunch patron
of the representative Ottumwa band.
no matter what its name or Its person
mel Both he and the musical organ
ization which now serves .Ottumwa de-
serve the loyal support which has been
given In the past.
This year, more than any other. In
deed. Ottumwa should maintain Its
band at the highest possible standard.
Its members and director are finding .
part Of their war work in keeping
alive the name and fame OF the organ
ization which has been called to mill
tary duty. In way, the band Ii q
connecting link between Ottumwa's
citizenship here at home and all the
khaki clad boys who have gone from
our community into the nations serv-
ice. 1t was in the band that Captain
Ed Steller obtained some Of his milf
tary training following his return from
the south. where he served as q men,
Der OF Compay G during the Spanish
American war. The relations between
the infantry company and the band al
ways have been intimate and fraternal.
And It was the band which will play
each week this summer TINT escorted
Captain Steller and his command to
the train when they left on the first
stage Of the journey which has taken
them to the front line in France and
which, God willing, shall continue east
ward until they occupy Berlin and ST.
ence forever tho blatant. blasphemous
butcher who seeks conquest Of the
world and destruction of civilization.
Ottumwans will have need for Just
the sort Of inspiration the band and its
patriotic music can bring to US this
year. The weekly concerts will be-
come patriotic rallies, where loyal cit
liens may meet to renew their pledges
of fealty to their fighting men and to
repeat the prayers for their success in
battle and their safe return from war.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
energy to wonderment than any other

e00I8y " WOAuoImSuI SAaA any OeASA
process.
That a nation comprising millions Of
people could have become completely
obsessed with that browning sophistry
of egotism which taught that they
were q race Of supermen is wonder
enough. That these millions should
permit them selves to be forced into q
war against Christendom In an effort
to prove their superiority is equally
wonderful. That, this same nation,
once at war, should be blind to the
most elementary principles Of human
rights defies those who seek an ex-
PLANTATION. That its people could divest
themselves OF conscience, decency and
the slightest regard for their fellow
men would have seemed past belief
but for the repeated proofs that it is
all too true.
In the abstract. perhaps, we are not
at war with the German people. But
we are at war with those individual
Huns who have made shambles Of
Belgium and France, filled it with
death and desolation, strewn Its she'll
torn acres with mementoes Of wantOn
lust and unreasoning hate Practiced
ulspeakable crimes on helpless cap
tives and non-combatants. tricked
their gross mentality with confiscated
liquors to deaden whatever lingering
sense of right and wrong they may
have possessed against their wills. and
finally. directed their every thought to
the conception Of new crimes that call
down the contempt and hatred Of
every being who worships God and re-
spects the rights Of His creatures.
The London Standard, commenting
yesterday on the German offensive.
said: "A people that can be thrown
to tho slaughter like the German peo-
pie, as submissive to its rulers as 1t is
ferocious to its enemies, Ia too terrible
an engine OF destruction to be left
operative. g
This states the fact admirably. 1t is
the German people whom we must
fight, along with the German tyrant.
Prussianism must be crushed SO COM
pletely that 1t may never enjoy re-
vival. Kultur must disappear from the
earth. The Hun must write. finis to
his work OF hate and destruction.
While he remains strong enough to
strike blow there can be no peace
and no security in the world.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
AS 70 JOHN SMITHS MOTHER

In General March's statement de-
tending the incomplete form Of Ameri-
can casualty lists there are points
which impress q fair mind az well
taken but the telegraphed summary
Of his reasons for refusing to identity
men named among the dead and
wounded leaves ono question un'
answered.
It Is not dtmcult to believe that
should the ohlcial casualty list give,
in addition TO the names Of the sol
diers, their home addresses and the
names Of tl.eir nearest Of kin, TO.
gether with details a. to the manner
in which they were wounded, the 10
cation Of the engagement and the
date, German agents would be able to
convey the information to their gov
eminent and the enemy would profit
by the knowledge that this or that at
tack was effective or not.
It IL not easy to believe that the en-.
envy would be benefited II the cas-
ualty list named the army unit to
which the men were attached. This
would simplify the task OF identnca-
ton considerably but it would not re-
veal the home address nor the name
of the soldiers ncxt of kin.
It Is conceivable that some dincul.
ties might arise from the activities OF
fraudulent claim agents seeking com,
missions for the collection Of war In
surance and similar claims, but the
victims Of these law breakers would
be few and the machinery OF the law
itself would deal with them AZ 1t does
with other confidence mon.
Thus the reason advanced by the
acting chief Of star for refusing to
give home addresses AZ part OF the
casualty list falls short OF meeting the
objection which is urged to the incom
plete form on the score that It makes
for confusion and subjects anxious
relatives OF soldiers to needless worry
There Is an easy method for defeat.
ing the activities Of the claim agent
but there Is no law which will com
fort the mothers Of SCORE OF John
Smiths when they are mourning for
their own boys because ono John
Smith, without further identihcatiou
il named IN q casualty list.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
FACING THE CRISIS

(FrOm WedneSday0 DAliy)
Because this 10 . Tina for united and
determined loyalty and because 1t II
decidedly not q time for permitting
differences or jealousies 10 retard N
the slishtest degree the efforts OF the
government to win tho war, 1t II re-
srettable that the United States ssn-
ate should witness such revelation OF
Americas unprepared condition as
that which brought shock to the
country yesterday.
Senator Lodge ID not an aAEmist.
Partisan he may be, but paftiSanphtp
has had distinctly small part In the
widespread criticisms Of the war de.
partment since Senator Chamberlain,
democratic chairman OF the sanate's
military committee, uttered his ar
raignmenf Of the Baker regime. Par.
tisanship could not be said to have In.
Huenced Senators Hitchcock and
Thomas yesterday when they echoed
Senator Lodges declarations. Indeed,
It Is high time for members Of the
dominant party TO abandon the foolish
contention that politics and partisan
ship are behind every criticism Of the
deplorable delay and indecision which
have brought America face to face
with the world wars crisis without the
ability to help the hard-pressed armies
Of our allies.
Even the number of soldiers we
have in France number far too
small to be Of effect In battle such al
is raging now-is not the measure OF
the strength OF America in the war.
The artillery for our army IL supplied
by France. The airplanes to guard
our army's sector In the western line
aroksuppl1ed b. Hranoo, -Uha tAsyAre
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29

ton of gun which sends shells
seventy miles to do murder and chill
human hearts with fear.
The Hun must be crushed. The
people of Germany have been warn
ed by Christendom's humane con-
sideration for four years. The aim
of the allies now must be merciless.
Only by fighting the Hun with some
such weapons as his own can victory
be attained
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29

the offensive the western
the Ukraine too Odessa the R sea
Rus
Nikoayev, by the blsheiki
10th
din
ARE making nonet too a Il
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
ArrsMPrs SUICIDE IN JAIL

Fl. Dodge. March T.-Ffank c.
Stevenson, held In the county jail on
charge Of robbery with asgravation.
attempted suicide Sunday BY drinking
iodine.
Prompt attention by physicians
saved his life.
Stevenson was formerly = police
man. He retained his star and claim
ing to be federal officer entered the
rooms Of Mrs. Rose Meyers hero. o.
tanning from her $3.50 at the point a
revolver His arrest followed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
WINNER TO SPEAK IN orruMWA

WINNER TO SPEAK IN OTTUMWA
Abba, March 27.-The sub district
contest was held at mdianola last FRI
day evening, at which time Homer
Abegglen carried off the honors. Next
Friday evening he Will go to Ottunp
~ TO -txy Cor district henoRs.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-29
BEWARE THE CHEERFUL LIAR


(From Mondays Daily
Yesterday was day Of uncertainty
IN the small towns surrounding OF
tumwa. and some of the rumors which
we're living thick and fast found their
vay into the crowds on the streets
here only to be revealed as untrue
when nut to the test of comparison
with authentic dispatches from the
front.
Throughout the day The Couriers
4 Associated Press leased wire serVlce
was maintained. and two extra eal
lions were issued to give the PUBIC
or the city and the surrounding coun-
ties the truth about the greatest
battle in history. Hundreds OF teie-
phone calls were answered. PRAGUE,
ally every town and village IN several
nearby counties was served with Iacts
TO counteract the effects OF the ter
grifying rumors which can be iaid At
the door Of none but conscienceless
pro German. agitators ana cowaroly
pro-German sympathizers.
Only those who have sons or ofotn-
ers. husbands or sweethearts faclng
tha fame of German hate and shell
fira can know the awful suspense OF
: day like yesterday. Their courage
and patriotism are the targets for the
ahafts of the insidious o-German
liar. with His stories Of disastrous de-
feata for American soldiers and their
allies.
It was to support these loyal men
and women in their brave devotion 70
Americas cause that The Courier de-
voted Its efforts yesterday, and the
efforts of the men and women OF lts
star who worked through the DAY 70
give the public the truth and to end
the feverish uncertainty with which
every loyal American waited lmpa.
tiently for each new word that told
the progress Of the lighting
EARLY today the tables were turned
On the pro-German prevaricatOrs. Re-
ports began to reach Tho Courier of
flee. for confirmation or disproof, that
the German crown prince has been
captured. along with uncounted hun
dreds OF thousands Of his soldiers, In
: sudden counter-attack which had
netted the British all the ground they
had lost during the first four days OF
fighting.
or course this was untrue. but Its
deunl brought disappointment to
scores who had taken sudden conf
denca from the silly story.
There is but one course for the pub
Lie to follow at this time. Beware the
cheerful liar. Do not believe the
stories that are tossed about from
mouth to irresponsible mouth. Do not
believe stories which are not pub.