davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
Peace on the Pacific.

Decision of the Paris conference on the in
ternational status of the prewar German CO.
lonial possessions carries with it another matter
of really more vital Importance to the United
States. In denying to Japan control of certain
islands in the Pacific, the decision virtually
restores to China the province of Kiochau,
seized by the kaiser as part of the loot in 1900,
and claimed by Japan because of having busted
the Germans from it in 1915.
China has been extremely restless under the
menace of Japanese penetration, and formally
proposed bringing before the council the fifteen
points on which the mikado's government in
sisted when the Chinese were helpessly in
volved in civil strife. Review of these may re-
suit in their modification, and with something
of advantage to the great empire that is slowly
arousing itself from the pacifst sloth of a full
millennium and striving for place in the active
life of nations.
Whether this will have material effect on the
nebulous doctrine of Asia for the Asiatics need
not be considered for the moment The League
of Nations will very likely provide for such
autonomous action as will protect any in its in
ternai affairs, and may even recognize such con-
tinental groups as have existed under the Con
cert of Europe" and those underlined but potent
relations that have grown up around the Mon
roe doctrine
Beyond this, however, is the removal of i'm
mediate causes for dispute on either side and in
the waters of the Pacific Japan will come out
of the war with all its rights preserved, but with
no advantage that might lead to ambitious
schemes containing elements of armed conflict
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
RIGHT TO THE POINT.

st. Louis GIobe-Democrat: The
telephone companies concealed their
troubles exceedingly well before Mr..
I5urleson took them over.
Minneapolis Tribune: It can well
be understood that it Is not easy
to solve a double track transporta-
ton problem with single track
mind.
Brooklyn Eagle: Some people
think we are threatened with all
the horrors Of Russia If our vodka
is cut off. Isn't that assumption an
insult to our reputation for ingenu-
ity? m.
Baltimore American: With the
financial needs of churches on the
increase, even the cost of getting to
heaven has gone up! And as for
going to hell, it takes lot of money
to get there in style.
Washington Post: The German
national assembly, it is announced,
is expected to sit only two months.
And in that time all it has to do is
to select a provisional government
and perfect constitution. Some Job
that with a time limit handicap and
"a women members to boot. .
New York World: Weimar, where
the German assembly is to meet, is
a living proof of the fact that the
smaller German states that did not
aspire to world power or downfail"
once were fortunate Home of
Goethe, Schiller and Wieland, capjtal
of art and music, Weimar represent
ed Germany that still has many adj
mirers and has made few enemies.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
AGAINST Pnroclnial schools.

Omaha, Jan. S1.-To the Editor
of The Bee: To say that I am sur
prised at "Watehful Waiting's" ar
tiele in tonight's paper would be
rather mild. If the writer will take
the trouble to read few issues of
the National Catholic Register, he
will find that Catholics are told that
they must be real active in politics
and go solidly with the party to fur
Their the ends of the great church.
In a great portion Of This country
today our schools are public in name
only and in some districts aban-
doned entirely General Grant, in
a speech in 1865, said he did not
think that the war would have been
fought in vain if we continued and
protected one school, a public school.
What is the ratio of illiterates In a
country dominated by paroehial
schools per thousand compared
with country with public Schools
per thousand? And thousands of peo-
Pile, as you would say, insane, never
theless earnestly desire the passage of
this bill Those in favor please let
your legislators know your wants
and that you are back Of them, so
we may remove the insidious infiu-
ences that are undermining the hull
warks of civilization, viz, the public
school, G. B. THOMAS.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
Death in Battle and in Peace.

Practically complete reports on major cas-
ualties sustained by American forces in Europe
are now given out. The War department an
nounces that 27,762 American soldiers were
killed in action II, 1876 died of wounds, 1869
are missing in action" and 2,785 were taken
prisoner, total of 56,592 major casualties. The
roll is impressive but loses little of its terror
on comparison. Actual number of deaths in
proportion to the combat troops engaged is
we'll under per cent. In the three days battle
at Gettysburg the Union losses in killed,
wounded and missing were 26,00l, or almost
half the total for the battle that lasted without
cessation from June IA to November II, and in
which we had many times as many men en-
gagged as were present at the great struggle in
1868. The total death loss from all causes on
the Federal side in the Civil war were 1924
the total number of troops in service during
the war being 2,7724O8 In 1900 in the United
States the deaths caused by tuberculosis alone
preventabe disease, totaled 111,0s9, while the
death roll of the country for 1909 was 732,5 38
During the last four months the single scourge
of "fu" has claimed 10000 victims in the United
States. The grim destroyer is certainly present
on the modern battle field but he does not reap
his greatest harvests there.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
ouR INTERESTS IN EuRopR.

What business have we in Europes This
query is asked from the man in the street up
to the United States senator's, The answer is
not always fair and square; mostly it is
evasive, sidestepping facts and partakng Of
equiyocation. Xxx
Our concern in Europe at the moment is
direct as we'll as collateral. We were forced
into the world-war to defend our rights at home
and abroad The end Of that war did not come
With the collapse of Germany as belligerent.
Some things have grown out of it that are quite
as menacing in their way as was the autocracy
that has fallen.
Boshevism is as dangerous as militarisn.
Free institutions can not survive in the pres
ence Of its threat. This is not 5000 miles away
from us, but it must be quoted in Europe be-
fore it can be quelled at home.
We are pledged to secure recognition and
national rights for small nations in Europe
This promise will not be redeemed until an un-
Outstanding has beeen reached between Poles
and Germans, Czechs and Poles, Jugo-Slavs and
Italians, Greeks, Bulgars, Turks and ArmeniaEs
and all the seething, turbulent racial disputes
have been brought to some sort OF composition
and such order set up as will shown signs OF de-
yeloping civilization.
The white mans burden" no longer con-
sists exclusively of the savage races; it has
grown materially with the progress Of the times.
Unless we can assist European nations today,
our part in the war has not been completed.
We can withdraw, and let the little nations
continue their age-old process Of cutting one
anothers throats, but that will bring us no adj
vantage, immediate or prospective.
If we are to end war, we must do it by re-
moving as far as possible the causes of war.
Disputes of the past must now be settled and
new and better relations established, or peace
is ilusory, just as it has been for centuries. To
accomplish this, we must make sacrifices, spend
some money, and show by example as we'll as
precept that we are in earnest.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
Scientists and the aFlua Germ

One of natures little jokes on man came in
the form of the FLU" 1t was not very pleasant,
for the grim results of the visitation quite eff
fectually destroyed any outward sign of humor.
The doctors tackled the problem with vigor
and determination and worked heroically, not
only to combat the scourge, but to discover its
origin. Much was said about the disease being
contagious, infectious, transmissible, ETC., and
all sorts of devices were adopted to prevent its
being spread through personal contact "Cover
up each cough and sneeze" up to quarantine
and isolation were resorted to- and the people
faithfully followed all advice in hope of mitigat-
ing the terror and avoiding the danger And
now, that the "hu" has subsidized quite as mys-
.teriously as it arose, the doctors admit that
rigid tests have shown the malady is not trans
missible. They are cropping now, just as they
did at first, in hope of discovering the secret
nature has withheld from them. The new
knowledge does not lessen the deadly nature
of the "hu," but it does show that most of US
were on the wrong track.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
American Rovs and Forelgn llirIs.

Spalding, Neb., Jan. 2S.-To the
Editor of The Bee: saw in The
4, Bee an article about Belgian and
French girls being so much more
charming and celf-centered than the
American girls. Were not the United
States soldiers mothers, daughters
of America? If so, why not come
home and marry their own kind and
have a wife who will work side by
side with him, instead of being led
by him. A man will mighty soon
grow tired of woman who slaves
and follows him, instead of work.
ing with him. It's the everlasting
team work that helps.
The French girls may be very
charming, but let the boys think of
their own mothers and sisters in the
United States and how they await
their Homecoming. And if they
have not any, let thema come back
anyway. The United States is large
enough for all the American boys
to find a wife and If not let them
return to France and marry the
bright-eyed foreigners If they like
them better than their own Ameri-
can girls.
And if an American boy is in
love with "Frenchie," let him
bring her here, but, boys. remember,
the country first and then your wife.
Many an American girl encouraged
him to join and If she only knew
that he might forget her, she would
have done so anyhow. So, remem-
Der, America first, and other matters
afterward. NJ. r.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
State Press Comment

Beatrice Express: The prohibition
question having been disposed OF,
where, oh where, will William Jen-
nings Bryan find a paramount issue
upon which to stump the country
in 1920?
Grand Island Independent: A
couple Of years in the penitentiary
for one of two of our worst food
profiteers wouldn't be bad. 1t might
get it out of the heads of a few at
least, that there is, in America, an
ideal still higher than to become a
multmillionaire at the expense of
the hungry men, women and chill
dren of every large industrial CEN
ter.
Harvard Courier: When the rail-
roads are under private control we
can kick on the treatment they give
us with some chance, slim It is true
but still chance, that our kicking
will do some good. Now that they
are under government control it
does no good to kick. All there is
for us TO do is take what we can
get and dig up enough taxes to make
up the deficiency in the cost of their
operation.
Kearney Hub: The Nebraska state
railway commission is putting up an
energetic fight against the extension
of government control over tele-
phone systems. The commission
makes some charges against the
postmaster general that are pretty
stiff but are apparently warranted,
for instance increasing existing
charges and making changes of rates
without investigation. If there could
be public referendum on the ques-
ton we do not doubt that govern
ment operation and control would
end very abruptly.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
BALLADE OF THE WEST WIND

over the vineyards that cover France,
Brown In the cold December days
Eddylng, making the dead leaves dance
Parting the curtains in misty hazel
Rocking the boughs in the forest ways
Bringing tang Of the salty foam;
Steadily. softly, a zephyr plays
And the West Wind blows from Home.
Over the wastes where the war lords lance
Splintered and broke in furious trays
Over the ruins OF Prussias chance,
Scene Of an Empires hopeless craze.
The hate-made desert where Freedom s
rays
Shine on the shell-churned calk and loan
Sensing the breezes. a soldier prays,
And the West Wind blows-from Home.
Aiding Riviera trance,
Warm in the azure southern bays;
Lashing Atlantic shores, fits glance
Rolling the fog from the soaking clays
Touching the Rhine, through It's chill
dismays
The saddened burgher, far may 1t roam;
An army Is minded Of whence It strays
And the West Wind blows-from Home.
LiENVOI.
Prince, 1t is little that serves to enhance
Visions Of hearthstones In Key West or
Nome;
Why does a camp fire quicken and prance
When the West Wind blows from Home
Jack Barrows in Stars and Stripes
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03

be lesson to you," the rabbit was
saying Had they attended to their
own affairs and not chased me they
would be safe and sound outside of
the woods, Now they are lost and
1t serves them right. I'm glad"
This was more than Billy Belgium
could stand.
why, you impudent rabbit" he
cried, making a jump for the hole.
| The instant he moved, however, the
whole rabbit family popped out of
sight.
Peggy laughed at the way the rab-
bit had turned the tables on them,
but her anxiety made the laugh very
short.
"what are we going to do?" she
asked.
Get out of here" answered Billy
bravely my compass will tell us
how to go straight"
But when Billy looked for his
compass he couldn't find it. Iu-
stead he found a hole in his pocket
through which It had been lost.
I'VE will have to try without a
compass" declared Peggy. ut
would be awful to be caught here
by the dark"
"aow silly" squeaked the rabbit,
bobbing up suddenly; the dark
doesn't catch anything" and at that
he ducked quickly out Of sight
again.
Seems to me this should be the
right way" said Billy leading Peggy
toward an open part Of the woods.
Fear sped their feet and soon they
were running.
Hi vi, get out of my woods!
Hurry along before I bite off your
toes"
Looking back Peggy saw the rab-
bit bravely chasing after them, and
in his train were hopping all the
little rabbits.
what nervem cried Billy Bel
GUM, and he halted long enough to
send a stick whirling at the rabbit
Before it could land Mr.. Rabbit and
all the little rabbits turned tail ana
raced home as fast as they could.
Thicker and darker grew the for
est the deeper they went into IT,
Finally they came to dark spot
where they appeared to be walled
in. There was no sign of an opening
in any direction. Even above them
the trees grew so thickly that there
was no sign Of the sky.
I'VE can go no farther" said
Billy in despair.
Peggy at that moment felt some
thing beneath her feet. STOPPING
down she picked it up.
Look" she cried. TTere's a golr
ball! We must be near the edge of
the woods"
There came a queer chuckline
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
Smokers, Watch Out.

Not all smokers are convinced of the wicked
ness of the use of tobacco. Because they like
to seems to them good enough reason why they
should smoke But no matter what beliefs they
hold they are going to be rescued from sin
A learned professor of Syracuse university
has started a nationwide movement to bring
them to redemption and the logical method
of course, is an amendment to the constitution
Of the United States. The Anti-Saloon league
has lust saved the American people from per-
dition by securing the prohibition of liquor
Why should not the Anti-Tobacco league save
it over again by forcing total abstinence from
the noxious weed? III
If you are a reformer and disapprove of
most things that people do you consecrate
yourself to the cause of goodness by calling
yourself moral worker. If you are a person
of superior virtue who knows no rule of private
conduct except your own rigid code of pro-
priety, you are bound by your conscience to
prescribe laws for all other people that shall
make them as pure and moral as yourself If
you reach the dignity of a paid lobbyist you
are qualified to speak for the organized moral
forces of the country, without revealing who
they are or where the money comes from to
pay your salary. After that, no individual no
community has any rights you need recognize.
Another amendment to the federal constitu-
ton banning neighbours pipe and his sons
cigar will mean the final routing of the devil.
Then mankind will be forever happy and
blessed-until some other hideous form of vice
is discovered that shall excite the horror Of
the moral forces of the country. 1t may be ice
cream sodas, it may be chewing gum, it may be
candy, It may be tea and coffee, and SO on until
this old world crumbles to dust. The 18th
amendment is a long step on the road to sal
walton. With the 10Th will disappear the curse
Of tobaccos-New York World
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
d1SS8oe5;f II: zZ29szzzdddzz8oae

tween the two systems. They (pa-
rochial schools) are not in line with
the idea of religious freedom; yet
they really, where they get the pow
err want to supplant the American
public schools. The two cannot exist
in the same country indefinitely. 1t
is we'll to keep this fact in mind. If
the parochial schools were held only
during the time that the public
school is not in session there would
not be the objection to them there is
now and the argument of religious
liberty in their favor would hold
good.
Away with sham and camoufage!
If you are in favor of the American
public school, the cornerstone Of our
nation, get behind the legislation
proposed in the legislature at Lin
coin, which outlaws the enemy Of
the public school. The public school
is the great melting pot that is TO
make this country an intelligent,
free and enduring democracy.
Il NJ. y
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
Control OF the Schools.

Oxford. Neb., Jan. S1.--To the
Editor Of The Bee: 1t is to the
credit of our legislators that they
are giving attention to the peoples
wishes that the foreign language
evil should be blotted out. One of
the most fertile fields for cultivating
the foreign language propaganda
was found during the war to be the
parochial schools and churches that
supported foreign preachers. This
has led to a strong advocacy for
making the compulsory school law
apply to all children alike, both on
the grounds of justice and as dis
couragement of the parochial
schools.
1 hardly think it absolutely neces-
sary to abolish those schools in or
der to Danish the foreign language
or educate the children in true
Americanism, but If those schools are
to be tolerated, they should be under
our county and state superintendent
with teachers holding certificates
just on par with our public school.
The course of study should be the
same and the superintendent
should have reports of the grades,
as is now required from public
schools. On the other hand, no re-
strictions should be placed against
their teaching their religion, except
that the instruction should be given
in the American language. 1t should
also be made clear that no public
tax shall be used for the support of
these schools. The opponents of
anti-foreign language legislation are
getting busy and our legislators are
to be tried out as to their courage
and firmness. The hoax that such
legislation conflicts with the con-
stitution and restricts religious free
dom is absolute foolishness, yet
that is one of the main arguments
given by foreign language preachers
and teachers why they should be
allowed to silence the American Ian
guage. "By their fruits shall we
know them" No man can desire to
supercede the American language in
church or school by a foreign Ian
guage, especially the language Of the
Huns, without publishing to the
world that his heart is not right with
the American cause. If you are an
American speak the language, is
slogan adopted during the war that
is still more appropriate now as a
respect to the memory Of the thou |
sands of our men who have given !
their lives to prevent the foreign |
ization of America.
A. C. RANKIN.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
For the Public school.

Omaha, Jan. 500 the Editor
of The Bee.-I have read most of
the letters anent the parochial and
public schools in the daily press
lately, showing the state of public
mind plainly; how one group is
against the public school system and
the other for this one great corner
stone of our republic. These cham
pions Of the parochial. state church
system should point to the fruits of
their system in countries where 1t
has prevailed for centuries, such as
Mexico, Central America, southern
Europe and like places. where it has
had full swing and where education
is so far behind that it is O joke.
This is not saying that parochial
schools in this country are as inefii-
cient as in those countries. where
they have fourished unhampered;
they have to be better here
Further, it is the intent Of these
paroehial schools to supplant the
free, nonsectarian public schools. as
witness those sections of our coun-
try now where they have the power.
So, naturally, there is eternal, insid-
ious, il not outspoken, enmity be-
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03

Kansas City, Mo, Jan. 3O-To the
Editor of The Bee: I read re-
Gently your able editorial in the is
sue Of the 18th inst. with reference
to the peace conference. / want to
express my high appreciation of it
and only wish that more editors
would take up arms for an open
forum. / notice this encouraging
sentence - Americans will be
prompt to join with the British pub
lie in protest against the policy Of
secrecy adopted for the peace con-
ference"
Secret diplomacy has hitherto
worked incalculable harm and we
ought not now to repeat such an
international, serious mistake. Wish
ing you continued success, I remain,
yours for Christian reforms,
E. H. PARKINSON, D. D.,
2S05 Park Ave.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03

them and awoke suddenly to the
fact that they were deep in a path
less forest.
I'VE are lost" declared Peggy.
1T surely does look that way"
admitted Billy Belgium after taking
careful look around, II had SO
much fun chasing that rabbit 1 for
got all about watching where we
were going"
From the hole under the log came
an odd squeaking. Turning that way
Peggy and Billy saw the rabbit they
had chased pointing them out to a
large family Of big-eyed young rab-
bits.
Let the plight Of these children
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
"Some Administrator"

Neigh. Neb., Jan. 29.-To the Ed
itor Of The Bee: / am beginning to
wonder what this country is coming
to. George Creel, the official bill
poster for the administration, is over
in Europe hammering the bass
drum; Wilson and Colonel House
are in Versailles laying the founda-
ton for a league of nations to for
ever prevent war: Baker is clamor-
ing for a standing army of 100000
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03

The county commissioners are initiating a
very pretentious good road scheme for Doug
las county, which is all very we'll But the
taxpayers will want some assurance that it
does not go the way Of other road projects
when left to the tender mercies Of democratic
poltical schemers. ~.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
CHAPTER 1.
The Bnnny's Revenge.


II 0W Peggy and Billy Belgium
IL got there they didn't know
All they remembered was that they
were walking along a country road
when scurrying rabbit drew them
into a gleeful game of hide-and-go-
seek. Bunny raced from one, brush
pile to another and they chased
merrily after him until with a
farewell flip of his stubby tail. he
dived into a hole beneath an old log.
Then the children looked around
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03

Congressman Gallivan's war on the regular
army may or may not save the National Guard,
but the American people will some day demand
an answer to the question as to why General
Wood was sidetracked
Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
oDAY
The Day We Celebrate.

DR.. Herbert E. King, dentist, born 1882
Rt, Rev George A. Beecher, Episcopal
bishop Of Western Nebraska, born 1868
A C. Troup, judge of the district court born
1853
T. P. HOLSTER attorney, born 1874
James G. McReynolds associate justice Of
the supreme court of the United States, born
at Elkton, KY, 81 years ago.
William ]. Harris, United States senator
elect from Georgia, born at Cedartown, Ca, 81
years ago.
Porter ]. McCumber. United States senator
from North Dakota, born at Crete, ILL.,, Oh
years ago.
Judson Harmon, former governor of Ohio
and attorney general under President Cleve-
Rev. William F. Perce, president Of Kenyon
college, born at Chicopee Falls Mass, 81 years
ago.