davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

stick to help herself over the heavy
siouho' and the big horse would not turn
at Ohe END OF the field until he had rested
LOT such time as he thought proper. Three
younger women followed picking up the
weeds IN their aprons. None lifted their
heads to see the passing show. The sight
was too common, and all were quite heed
less of the wet, which now began to fall
iii drifting drizzle.
We descended the high ground to the
river bottom, if one may describe as a river
rush-frnged watercourse overgrown with
willows and dank osiers. We crossed q
narrow bridge and ascended the high ground
toward mass Of trees that showed green
upon the upland and on the map, and bore
the mysterious name of Eperlecuues.
once more the sun came out and after
lnterminable travelling we found our
bivouac in a level field at the southern bor
der of the forest. 1t was void of buildings
OF any kind. There was, however. in the
near distance chateau, but it was ALREADY
appropriated by battalion of infantry. In
1hls held we unlocked, Embarrassed.
"atered and fed the horses, and put them
TO their lines with the forage which wa
carried
AN ambulance is always in action. It
picks up casualties on the march and cares
lor them at the halts. Tents were pitched
Tor the patients--a small marquee for op-
eratlons, one for An orderly room and one
1or the mess BY this time the cooks, f,ros
were burning and there was a neat renast
for ALL
The light faded with sudden finality. 1t
was time to think of camp and some shelter
ior the night. The horses were happy. The
drivers were already resting under their
wagons. The motor ambulances were con-
verted into boudoirs for those who were
entitled to use them. The men suspected
from the morning rainbow, from the mist
and dr'zzle and sudden bursts of sun, that
there would be wet night. Each pair Of
mates found two short crotched sticks Thew
fastened them in the ground six feet apart
ihey iald long stick in the crotches They
iashed their two ground sheets together
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

precise instant when after much con-
slderation the hoped for league of nations
is created, it is the very partisans of the
league who do just what is necessary to
bring about the crushing of Poland-that
is to say, the nation friendly to the Entente
when this crushing would have for its
almost immediate consequence the recon-
struction of Pan-Germania
That is why there is in France feeling
that If the peace conference aims at the
immediate creation of league of nations
1t will have for result grave iniquities.
while on the other hand, if peace were
made on solid basis maj jority of French
men would be ready to recommend the
transformation of the Entente into a
wider league of nations which, practically
applied, might add yet another guarantee
against the return of war.
In effect, most Frenchmen have in re-
gard to the league point of view ana]o-
gous to that of Senator Lodge They onlv
ask that the cart be not put before the
horse. They say, Constrain Germany TO
repair the immense damage she has caused
before the rehabilitation Of the Allies has
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

100000 inhabitants. A great part of
Frances expenditures also represent debt
owed abroad
Furthermore, French exports have dimin-
ished two-thirds by reason of the war, while
the devastation wrought by the Germans,
calculated upon prc-war prices. which are
below reality, means sixty billion francs
more at least.
Consequently there is no serious reason
for saying that France is profitng by the
presence of the Allied soldiers in any con-
siderable way. The truth is that France
has been absolutely ruined by the war. for
her debts amount to 200 billion francs, with
sixty billion more lost through devastation,
while the national fortune before the war
was calculated at from 25O to 300 billion.
The fundamental differences between the
economic situation of France and that of
Germany are, first, proportonately to popu-
latIon Frances war expenditure was far
greater than Germany's; second, Germany,
having stolen right and left, secured booty
which, in fact, considerably reduced her war
expenditure, while the thefts being from
France added to the ruin of the latter; third.
France had to go abroad for large portion
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

safeguarded. This is impossible if con.
fusion is allowed to arise between the ex
penditures of the aggressos and the vic
tins, as many partisans of the league of
nations propose.
The ultimate, practical result of the
adoption Of such plan would be that Ger
many and her allies would in large measure
escape making the reparations for which
they are legally responsible. In fact they
would derive material advantages from
their aggressions, since their adversaries
would be left with financial burdens rela-
lively heavier than theirs
AS for the conference delays in regard
to Poland: The moment she is attacked bv
Germans, Bolshevists and Ukrainians. not
withstandng the solemn promises manv
times made by the Allies, they force US to
take account Of amazing facts. At the
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
Right to Reparafion
Must Be Safeguarded

AS for the creation of the league of
nations to exercise control over the Ger
man colonies, this decision is not less fer
tile in consequences easily foreseen. It is
considerably averse to the adoption Of the
scheme, unofficially announced, which some
pretend the conference will consider
whereby the war costs of the various bel
Egerents will be Jumped together and
taken charge of by the league. We come
thus to an amazing development when the
war costs of the aggressors and the victims
will be mixed.
AS matter of right the aggressors owe
the victims of their aggression full repara-
tion for the damages caused; that is to say,
also their war costs. The question is not
in what measure such reparaton can be
practically made, but that the principle of
absolute right to full reparation must be
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
rench 1mpatience to See Germany Made to Paw VI

abnormal and exceptional circumstances. The
immense majority Of Parisans suffer more
than strangers from this state of things.
Such excesses, of course, would have taken
place in any great city under similar con-
ditions. What is more, the abuses have
so much disgusted the French that under
their pressure the Parliament has passed
law visiting the severest penalties upon
traders guilty of exploitation.
1t is uncontestable that so much monev is
being spent in Paris that one might con-
clude that France is very rich, but this
money is spent with relatively small part
of the population. Moreover, it is paper
money whose real and ultimate value must
depend upon the funding of French bank
notes, which must await the day when the
payment of reparations by Germany is as
sured If we suppose that reparations will
not be paid, the French banknote will lose
its conventional value and be no more than
scrap of paper, in which case it's purchas-
ing power would disappear with prodigious
rapidity.
This happened in Russia after the COL
lapse, and though the nominal value of the
paper circulation in Petrograd is far greater
than that in Paris, nobody will pretend that
the rubles printed by Lenine and Trotzkv
without limit represent real wealth.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
Dealing With BOIShevists,
Must Also With Germans

1t is easy to see why this is so among
the French people, who are lovers of
clarity and logic. There is not an upright
man in France but condemns the Boil
shevists and their systematically criminal
methods. Thus the peace conference
agreeing to talk and to deal with the Boil
shevists, the most consummate offenders
against law which the war has produced
the logical assumption is that the con-
ference will find no reason not to deal with
other criminals, the Germans, Bulgarians
and Turks, the total of whose crimes does
not exceed those of the Bolshevists
Furthermore, if the conference would
agree to recognize the Bolshevist govern
ment, it apparently means that it would
also be ready to include it in the league
of nations. Hence nothing would prevent
the acceptance also of the Germans, Bull
garians and Turks. This, at least, is the in
depreciation of the league made at the Berne
congress.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
ing france In the Dark With the Canadian Ambulanc

and kitchen stove if he has sufficient reso-
luton.
For the officer things are not made so
easy. He is allowed a weight of thirty-fve
pounds only on the baggage wagon, and very
little on his person. because he rides a.
horse. If he is not mcrciful to his beast
the transport officer is most merciful man,
and will see that the horses are not i'm
posed upon.
And yet, it is delicate way of travelling,
with everything under ones hand for any
emergency of weather. Within certain lin
its each officer devses for himself certain
plan of equipment which will suffice for
campaign. He and his horse are one, and
between them they carry all that is needful
for the composite creature, no matter what
may befall
The bride is in part headstall, which
is really a halter with white rope at
tached to the ring and thrown over the
horses neck in form of loop. The bits
and reins can be removed and the horse Sc
cured by the rope. On the left of the sad
die is picketing peg; beneath the saddle
oianket, made fast by surcingle; on the
right is shoecase, a canvas bucket and
nosebag, in which ten pounds of corn are
carried. And 80 the horse is provided for.
For ones self: In the left saddle bag is
learhern ron, containing all toilet articles
razors, strop, soap, nailbrush, toothbrush,
corkscrew, tin opener, cigarette papers, scis-
sors and nail file. A hairbrush, towel and
steel mirror complete. In the right saddle
bag are pair of socks, metal flask of
rum, which is useful for many purposes;
tin OF tobacco and small cleaning tools At
tached by a strap is mess tin, with knife,
FORK, spoon and silver cup. Upon the cantle
Is carried ground sheet rolled, and in fnc
weather waterproof cloak with hood, all
ample enough to cover horse as we'll MS man
when 1t rains. The officer carries slung
waterbottlc, gas mask and haversack. The
haversack holds food for twenty-four hours
one book, writing material, maps and many
small luxuries
IL one wears n grcatcoat, it matters little
II ting baggage wagon goes astray, although
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

about the final and definite triumph of D..
Germania. Yet this danger, though ra.-
real, very serious and growing daily. n
sist is relatively easy to avoid if the A,w..
perform certain number of acts.
But they do not perform these act. ~,
make decisions running counter to tbs;,
performance. 1t is true the peace corf.-
ence is beginning to realize the danesr :.
the Polish situation, where for the momer,
is the supreme peril to the Allies. hp, =
is losing precious time in coming TO Dan;
sions which are altogether Inadequate.
Finally it will be necessary to moi.
efforts much greater than would have ham
necessary if it had acted at once as ad.
vised by the supreme Allied command
which long since saw the necessity of stor.
ping Hindenburgs troops joining hand.
with the Russian Bolshevists over A..
corpse of Poland
The decision to talk with the Bosbev;s+,
helps Bolshevist propaganda in the west.
notably in England, which otherwise woula
have been impossible. The more ono -.
fleets upon this decision to talk with A..
Bolshevists the more stupefying and mad
mlssibls it seems. In realty the decision
was not reached by the peace conference
but by representatives in the conference ~
the five great Powers, England, America
France, Italy and Japan (what is Japan IA
ing in that affair?), certainly in opposit;or
to the public opinion in the Allied coun-
tries and in violation of the moral principle
which is the fundamental justification Of
the meeting of the conference of peace.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
"POur les
TrancheeS? ?"

The division was again upon the move
every day little further toward the Somne
1t was now 8 o'clock. All the rain in the
sky had fallen, but it took twelve hours to
come down. The blackness vanished and
solid, billowy clouds went before the wind
French children came into the roads ana
cried, "Vous allez partir?" In an awed whis-
per one inquired further, "Pour les tran
cheese" They had heard where their fathers
were. We were going to them, and the chile
dren longed and wondered.
The sun came out and hot steam went
up from the earth The harness was rubbed
dry by sheer force of arm and horses were
groomed until they shone. Chains were
polished, brass wheel caps were Frightened
and the ends of steel axles were made into
shining disks. Wagons were rubbed with
greasy sock and covers drawn tight. Inc
men shook the wrinkles out of their jackets
and with stick and brush made their buttons
te nhina-
Sits were adjusted. A whistle sourS"~
The sergeant major said, "All correct, sir'
The colonel said, Field ambulance column
OF route--by the rght-quick march" We
were on the road again. At the first turn
ing the G. O. c. went by. "You are very
well turned out this morning" he said. he
knew it had been a wet night. We had mao
our reward. He said we were we'll turnes
out
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
Three CafegOries: Well,
Dead, i'm Hospital

Three things to the civilian are a marvel.
Row the soldier under all conditions of the
weather keeps we'll, clean, comfortable. A
soldier falls into one of three categories-
weiis cead, in hospital. AS armies do not
carry sick or dead with them, all soldiers
On the march are we'll. A soldier is clean
II his buttons, belt and boots are clean and
ne himself shaven; his clothes are already
OF the earth earthly. 1t is his business to
appear comfortable, even IL he is not no.
FOR the men. it is all very simple, because
q man may bear upon his back az much az
ne hkes Tor his protection against the
weather, FOR his health, comfort and cIeanli-
ness. Ne may carry abundie of Arewood.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

reached point making it possible for Ger
many to evade peace conditions. Some
months hence these conditions will be ready
on paper but if the wait is too long it
will be a scrap Of paper, like that guaran-
teeing the neutrality of Belgium
10 understand how France looks at the
question of reparatons we must first know
why war has done France infinitely more
economic harm than it has Germany, and
why living is dearer in France than in
Germany. This is the more necessary since
the most francophile of the Allies might
easily be led into error by judging from
appearances which do not remotely cor
respond to realities
left Paris at the beginning of April
last. So l knew Paris in the height Of
war-that Paris admirable, calm and
tenacious of courage under bombardment.
Notwithstanding the great difficulties the
cost of living was relatively moderate, the
reason being the good will of the French
clinging together in the will to hold out
and conquer.
On my return from America at the be-
ginning of January I found Paris trans
formed in consequence of the armistice.
Looking to the bottom of things my belief
is that these transformations were entirely
to the moral and material disadvantage of
the Parisians. What happened was that
after the armistice French and Allied SOL
ders from the front, with considerable
sums saved during their period of privation
In the trenches and with the very human
wish for relaxation, plunged into amuse-
mont and SDpnt money froo1v Thop
there is the enormous personnel accom-
panyng the various peace missions, which
clientele de luxe is also spending heavily.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
SeIf=Defern1inafiou
Method Is Forgotten

call attention to the fact that the deci-
sion to talk with the Boshevists was
reached without consulting Poland. Bohe-
mia, JugorSlavia and Rumasiia. whose verv
existence is menaced by the Pan German
ist Bolshevism of Lenine and Trotzky.
How can we reconcile this method of pro-
cedure with the very principle of the league
Of nations that the peoples must be heard
on questions affecting their essential in
terests?
Thus we base the fact that time has been
lost in discussing the league of nations
even while violating its principles when
we should have exacted from Germany the
reparations without which an irremediable
catastrophe is inevitable If one wanted to
bring about an economic explosion in
France which would balefully affect Eng
land, America and all the Allies, one would
not have acted any differently.
The absolute and urgent necessity of
proceeding logically, putting the horse be-
fore the cart and exacting indispensable rep
arations first, and only turn to the league
Of nations when disarmament permits, is
again shown by the impudent and threaten
ing speech of Ebert in opening the national
German assembly at Wemar There, en-
couraged by the weakness of the Allies, he
did not hesitate to say:
eve warn our adversaries not to push
Germany to the limit. If they do the gov
ernment, like General Winterfeld, will re-
fuse any participation in the negotiations
for peace and leave the weight of the new
organization of the world to weigh upon
our enemies. Confident in the principles
of President Wilson, Germany laid down
her arms. Now we await the Wilson peace
we have a right to claim. The German
people claims nothing but entry with equal
rights into the league of nations and to
gain by its activity a respected place"
That is the state of mind of the Boches.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

cost $50 francs Before the war now costs
$50. 1t is thus with everything.
The return to France of 10000 prisoners
and the rehabilitation Of 100000 men
part of whom will not find work to do, will
increase the demand and cause a further
rise in the cost of living.
The final cause of the rise of prices is
the enormous growth in the circulation of
banknotes. France before the war had
circulation of six billion francs in bank
notes. Now it has thirty-two billion.
For all of these reasons the cost of living
is notably higher than in Germany Another
cause for the error made by many of the
Allies, who mean we'll for France but see
only the exterior of things, is that they
are convinced that the 100000 Americans
and at least 100000 British soldiers in
the country spend enough money to recoup
France in great part for her war losses.
| have even heard it said that because of
the presence of the Allied soldiers France
has made huge war profits. These are enor-
nous errors. At time when the condi-
tlons OF peace are being considered to prop
agate or even credit them is only playing
the Boche game and strike deadly blow
at France
1t is impossible to give the exact figures,
but even supposng that the presence of
these soldiers means the circulation of
three billion francs-though this is prob
ably tar above the truth-it would not mean
three billion profit for France. But sup
posing that the circulation of the three
billion meant net profit, what is that against
the 100 billion francs in war expenditures
made by Frances 4O,OO0,OOO inhabitants?
This is far greater per capita expenditure
than Germany's 200 billion francs for 68,-
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

ary hospital. Tents were struck. Equip
ment was packed and loaded. The camp was
cleaned Of the last shred OF debris. The
horses were put to the wagons and the
transport dragged out Of the mire on to the
hard road, where it was left in column Of
route, with the horses feeding at the splinter
bars ready for clean start. Riding horses
were saddled and the saddery protected with
ground sheet The infantry battalion was
also afoot Under a portico their band was
playing the Peer Gynt" suite The band
master was more musician than soldier, and
the death of Ase" did not add to the
cheerfulness of the morning
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23

1t does carry sleeping bag in which are
oiahkets, ground sheet, extra uniform, un-
oerclothlhg, SHIRTS, collars and sleeping
SUIT There is also dunnage bag for boots.
sweater, brushes, candles and various odds
and ends With this equipment, wet or drv
does not matter.
IL was sullen morning in early Septem-
Der. At sunrise there had been pleam
or light and an ominous rainbow in the
west. The poplars shivered in the garden
and showed the pale under sides Of their
leaves. The pigs in the hidden were carry
ing straw IN their mouths, and the geese
squawked with apprehension Of discomfort.
Inc area was alive with movement The
various units which compose a division
were pouring out of their camps unon tho
little roads and proceeding to the junction
with mann thoroughfare, ready to take
'helr places IN the procession as it passed
An ambulance marches at the rear Of ;ts
own brigade; in all brigades the order il
the same and position can be taken in the
dark.
within an hour the whole division was
IN motion upon converging lines; bands
playing, columns sliding slowly along the
landscape, but all details of the movement
obscured by mist which arose from the
river A division is at standstill for
longer time than it moves. A train is cross-
ing the front. A bridge is closed. A ]orrv
DreaAs oown. team balks at a hill The
movement begins again, but the tale of
miles IS small when night comes.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
Germans Would Reduce
France to Il1pOteuce

To the west the Germans do not need lust
military action to triumph. 1t would suffice
70 provoke an economic explosion in France
which is possible during the coming months,
through the following causes:
Delay of reparation, lack of transporta-
ton for raw materials, enormous and rising
cost of living, unemployment and the sus-
ceptibility of demobilized and idle soldiers
to Bolshevk propaganda.
With France reduced thus to impotence
this social action in the west, combining
with military action in the east, would bring
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
Rye for
Rent

The ram yet kept off, and the officers
manifested a fine unconcern. 1t was all a
pretence. Each one had q design of his
own, but it must be carried out with his
own hands. In field were shocks of rye
in long sheaves. They might not be taken.
they could not be bought They would he
rented for the night, so the owner allowed
He also added that "the grass was very
bad"
In the corner of the wood was an i'm
mense tree, it's trunk wreathed with ivv
The roots had heaved a mound unon the
surface of the EARTH which promised an
escape Tor the waters which were about to
tall. Upon this mound close against the
tree the sheaves were laid in fours, with
space left into which a long low dog
could bestow his slnuous length. The sleep
lng-bag was placed upon this mattress.
Blankets were spread, and spare clothing
formed pillow against the prime log of
the tree. Above the couch a ground sheet
was stretched like canopy from the sap
lings in the thicket, with a nice incline
which would throw the water clear at the
foot. Upon the tree were hung from a
hook haversack, water bottle and such ar
ticles as could be hung in shelter of the
roof.
lovely bell from the tower of Eper
lecques rang out 7 o'clock. 1t was now
dark in the woods, and the camp was soon
asleep This was the first time in wear
that | had heard the night sounds of the
countryside thud of an apple as it fell
from the tree, bird in Distress small
animal in its death agony, a fish leaping
in the pond.
In the still, heavy dark crash, not of
guns but of thunder unfortunately, and
the rain began to fall. At first it fell SOFTLY.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
Workers i'm
The Fields

But these pauses are not tiresome. One
dlsmounts and lies by the road There are
late poppies to look at, which soften tho
lips OF the serpiginous trenches; patches Of
purple kale, golden stacks Of grain, roots
IN yellow piles covered with pale, wilted
leaves And in all fields are the indomita-
pie Hrench women at work, without parade
and without self-consciousness In one
heid Is stout old woman following a
narrow drawn by IA large gray horse and
small nrowTF nuleso slowly. She used