davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
RESENTS
HIT AT LUDENDORFF
Scheidemann Insists, Hou-
eUer, General Is PIunger.
By the Associated Pyesk

BERLIN, Feb. 20.-Philip Scheidemann,
the German Chancellor, who in a recent
speech in the National Assembly at
weimsr referred to Gen. Ludendorn, the
moving spirit of the German military
command, as a "plunger," refused to re-
tract his Characterization of the General
when protest was entered by Field Mar
shall Won Hindenburg Herr Scheide-
mann. in fact, declares that Gen. Luden-
dorff himself had used the word in re-
ferring to his own position last October.
These facts are brought out In the
following letters exchanged between the
Field Marshal and the Chancellor. fhe
former wrote from Great Headquarters
on February 16 as follows:
I'm the session Of the National Assem-
bly, on February 10 your Excellency re-
ferred to Gen. Ludenorff as a 'plunger. >
This word. coming from position OF
high public responsibility. has deeply
PANIED me and many others who arc
faithfully attached to Gen. Ludendorfr.
The General is a glowing patriot who in
his own energetic fashion desired only
the welfare of the German people. The
INSCRIPTIONS and frivolous characters
tics of plunger are wholly foreign TO
his nature. ! cannot bring myself to be-
lieve that your Excellency would deny
to my cOworker. for whose actions I am
jointly responsible. recognition for his
genuine and earnest efforts in behalf of
the fatherland. With assurance OF my
distinguished" &c,
Chancellor Scheidemann sent the fol-
lowing In reply.
Permit me to express TO your EX-
cellency my regret that my reference TO
Gen. Ludendorff should have panied
your Excellency So far as the subject
il concerned ] cannot recede from my
spoken word. I call that man a plunger
who stakes everything on the turn of a
single card without considering the re-
suits that the failure Of that card might
bring on.
"That Gen. Ludendorff proceeded in
this manner have been able to convince
myself during by career as parlia-
mentarlan and subsequently as men,
mer OF Prince Maximilian's Cabinet. II
was all the more permissible for nae to
speak OF the genial piungeI' inasmuch
as Gen. Ludendorff himself, as can be
proved by documentary evidence. person
ally stated in referring to himself or
October l. 1918, 4 have the feeling OF a
plunger.'"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
BRITISH TO CLOSE
u. S. OFFICERS CLUB
Other Organizations Will
Take Up Fraternal Work.
special cable Despatch 10 THE suN.
Lnn,LrinLt ill slaLfn

LONDON, Feb. 20.-At luncheon
'ondered to American newspaper men
by SIR Harry Britain at the American
Officers Club in Chesterfield House it
was announced that this institution,
which iras served as a home for hun
tTods Of American army and navy men
curing the war. would be closed within
few weeks
Sir Harry told the correspondents of
the tremendous amount of work that
Lad been done by Englishmen to i'm
prove Anglo-Amcrican relations. He
said that every possible opportunity had
"een grasped by British officials to en-
certain Americans Of all classes since
lfl,. There have been scores OF Amer
nan parties. commi sslons and organi-
cations in England during that time, all
members Of which received every OPP
1oFtun'ty 70 study England and TO be-
come better acquainted with the coun-
tFs traditions
England feels" he said. that the
o'hcers club has done more than its
.N.i snare TO bring the two peoples to-
Fetaer' and work along this line will
row be furthered by other organiza-
tons"
ore .lch movement was started to-
cay IN the organization OF an Anglo
american press association, which will
be enlarged later to include the colonial
correspondents. This plan to extend the
.aciIlties given to Americans during the
war will. It is felt, bring Americans
Toseiy In touch with the real England.
ny The inauguration of the new move
hent it is hoped the good relations now
'airly established between the British
times
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
MEN IN NORTH RUSSIA
REPORTED ALL RIGHT
Col. SteUart Resents AIarmist
Publications as Siurs.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 20.-Col. George F.
Stewart, commanding the American
troops in northern Russia, cabled the
War department to-day that the reports
of the bad condition of his troops were
not warranted by the facts. His report
follows:
The alarmist reports OF condition of
troops in north Russia, as published in
the press at the end of December, are
not warranted by the facts. Troops have
been we'll taken care of in every way,
and my officers resent these highly eNag-
gerated reports, feeling that n slur is
cast on the regiment and its wonderful
record.
Health OF command Is excellent, sick
and wounded are we'll taken care OF and
the allied command is capable of taking
care OF itself against the whole Bolshe-
vlk army.
ave are closed in by ice until spring
SO mail should not be expected from
members OF this command except at long
and irregular intervals until navigation
opens. Numerous cables are being re
ceived regarding health and whereabouts
Of individual soldiers of the command
causing congestion OF our limited cable
communication and interfering with of.
fetal business.
Request this be given to the press
and especially TO Detroit and Chicago
papers, to allay any unnecessary anx
iety."
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
FLIER SETS RECORD
IN WASHINGTON TRIP
Average of 1853 Miles an Hour
Attained.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20-Sustained
speed such as never before was reached
by man in air, water or on land was
achieved yesterday by Lieut., Ernest f.
Harmon Of the Army Flying Corps when
he made trip between Mineola, L. l.,
and Boiling Field. Washington, in l
hour and 20 minutes. His average for
the distance. of about 235 miles was
l6S miles an hour This was unof-
ficially announced here to-day
The record was made in one OF the
new La Pierre scout planes, designed
by a French officer for American sky
fighters. a four hundred horsepower
Liberty motor furRl shed the power
which shot ~ little plane through Inc
air at the rate OF 246 feet a second
The previous record between New
York and Washington was hour and
81 minutes. established by Lieut. Ockers
in January, when he flew TO New York
with Major-Gen. W. L. Kenny in a De
lIaviland machine.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
EIGHT GERMAN SHIPS
TOBE TRANSPORTS
War Department Advised That
Still Other Vessels May
Be Available.
WILL SPEED ARMY HOME
All Troops Can Be Brought
Back by September if Mill
tary Conditions Permit.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.--Eight German
merchant steamships. including the I'm
perator, had been allocated to the United
States for transporting troops from
France, the War Department was ad-
vised to-day. All these ships, now At
Hamburg, have been inspected and ex-
aiming boards reported they were ready
for immediate service. They Will pro-
vide accommodations for from $4,000 to
so. 600 additional troops monthly.
Sufficient tonnage now liz In sight TO
return every American soldier from Eu-
rope before the end of the coming sum-
mer, II such a policy were decided upon
by the Government.
Embarkations up to March l will
total 400, 900. leaving approximately
100000 men in France and Germany
March emba rkations are expected TO
reach n minimum OF 100000 and April
at least $4,000. The monthly rate for
May. June, July and August is expected
TO exceed 100000.
ALLEGATION of the big German steam
ships has led army officials to believe
that the minimum monthly figures given
above will be exceeded in every case.
The German ships are reported to be
ready to put to sea as soon as the
naval inspectors are at Bremen and allo-
cation of additional steamships is ex-
pected daily.
American ships with a total capacity
Of 10000 men monthly are now In
! transport service. In March American
bottoms will bring 100000 men, and In
April $4,000. As more cargo ships are
converted the American total is expected
to pass 100000 month during the sum-
mer.
Ten cargo ships have been converted
to troop transports and have sailed from
France. Twenty-nine are under CONVEX
sion and fifteen more will be converted
as they appear in home ports. This
makes n total of flfty-four ships ag-
gregatirg about $4,000 tons.
Secretary Daniels and Chairman
Hurley of the Shipping Board at a
conference to-day decided TO remove all
| restrictions on overtime so far as they
affected the work of converting cargo
| craft into transports
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
WARNING BY CURZON
ON A MOSCOW TREATY
Says Allies Should Ignore
Murderous Ruffions.

LONDON, Feb. 2O.--In the debate In
the House q Lords to-day on the near
East and Russia; Lord Curzon sRN. that
the Tschaikovsky Government would re-
gard It as incredible treachery IL the
Allies negotiated with the Central Gov
eminent at Moscow, He described the
Bolshevik soldiers as "ruffianly bands.
inuI derlng and massacreinY wherever
they went" and declared that It was
mpracticable to negotiate with them
locally.
There was plenty of food in Russia.
said Lord Curzon, but the Bolsheviki
utilized their control of arms and food
to terrorize and desolate.
In closing the debate the Marquis of
Lansdowne expressed grave misgivings
over the prolongation of operations, and
said that an honorable termlnat ton
would be generally welcomed.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
TO BAR RELATIVES AT PIERS.
Action Taken TO Facilitate De-
barkation of Troops.

joint memorandum was issued yes
terday by Vice-Admral Gleaves and
Major-Gen. David Shanks announcing
that permission to visit the piers 10
meet docking transports will be denied
relatives and friends OF returning scf-
diers. The only exception is made In
the case of welfare association workers
who are in uniform and are actually
on duty at the time OF docking. The
memorandum was as follows:
with view to carrying out exist
ing orders having in view the preven-
tion of undue congestion on piers AT the
time of deharkation, II is agreed that
the families of neither army nor navy
officers nor of enlisted men of either
service shall be admitted 10 any pier
where deba rkation is in progress. eX-
cept such as may he members of well
fare associations in uniform and are act
ually on duty in connection herewith at
the time
Major-Gen. Shanks is commander OF
the Port of Debarkation, Hoboken, and
Vice-Admiral Gleaves is commander OF
the cruiser and transport force.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
OIL DISPUTE WITH
MEXICO COMPILED
Data viii Be Sent to Peace
Conference in Paris.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2O.-Laws and de-
crees OF the Mexican Government af-
fecting foreign oil interests in that coun-
try and the French and British notes
OF protest against the Mexican Pc
troleum tax with the Mexican Gov
ernment's replies have been compiled
and soon will be in the hands of officials
here. The compilation. It was said to-
day, will be sent to the American and
British commissions at the Peace Con-
ference for use should the Mexican oil
regulations enter into the negotia tons.
The British note. which declares that
the decree of President Carranza i'm
posing new charges on oil bearing lands
was "of an arbitrary and confiscatory
character and the French note charg-
ing that the new taxes "gravely jeop-
ardIze the existence" of some of the for
eign oil firms, are made public for the
first time.
The compilation, officials said, dis
closes that under the new constitution
President Carranza may expel from the
country ANY foreigner when he may
deem such action expedent"
Statements of American. French and
British oil concerns included in the COM
pilation object particularly 10 the use
of the words royalties" and rentals
In the various DEGREES of Carranza and
the new constitution. Acceptance OF the
terms OF the documents containing the
words. the companies assert. would mean
the giving up of titles to the oil lands
and the operation of the properties I'M
der concessions of the Government I'm
der the old constitution. the companies
contend. they were entitled to all the
subsurface products of their property
whereas the new constitution provides
that the subsurface products OF the land
are the inalienable property OF the ma
ton
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
PLEA FOR SOLDIERS
SENT BY STEALTH
Bakers Recommendation
Saved Lives-Accusing Of
ficer Proved Unfit.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-In answer to
statements contained in a letter from
Brig. Gen. S. T. Ansell OF the Judge Ad-
vocate Generals Corps, read to the
House yesterday by Representative Bur-
nett OF Alabama, the War Department
made public to-day the text OF a letter
addressed by Secretary Baker to the
President on May l, 1918, urging that
the sentences Of death imposed on four
enlisted men of the American Army In
France be commuted to brief confine-
ment. Gen. Ansell wrote that he had
found 1t necessary 20 place recommen-
dations for clemency in the hands of a
member of Congress in order that they
might reach the President.
Secretary Bakers letter shows that
the death sentences imposed upon Pri-
Yates Jeff Cook and Forest d. Sebastian.
both Of Company q. Sixteenth Infantry,
for sleeping on post. and upon Privates
Stanley G. Fishback and Dion Ledoyen
convicted of having refused to obey or
ders to drill, were approved by the d.
visional commander Gen. Pershing, as
commander In chief in France; Gen.
March, as chief Of staff OF the army. and
by the Judge Advocate General. The
however. was limited to concurrence In
the technical regularity of the proceed
ing and expressed regret that "a more
adequate conduct OF the defence was
rot provided.
For himself Mr.. Baker wrote to the
President:
LAS I find myself reaching an en-.
tirely different conclusion and disagree
ing with the entire and authoritative
military opinion in the case I beg leave
to set out at some length the reason:
which move me in the matter
Mr.. Baker recommended that the two
men convicted Of sleeping on post be
rardoned and that the sentences OF the
other two be committed to three year.
confinement. The President took thi.
action.
The letter disclosed that Ledoyen auc
Fishback belonged to a company com
manded by Capt. d. A. Henckes. a Reg
ular Army officer, who was returned
from France by order of Gen. Pershins
and who now is serving a prison sen
teflce of twenty-five years on conviction
of disloyalty and lack OF discipline.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
SENATE WILL CURB
REDS PROPAGANDA
Committee Drafts Bill to Ban
Anarchistic Publications
and Flags.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 20.-Legislation to
punish anarchistic activities or propa-
ganda and the display Of flags or other
emblems OF violence. was recommended
unanimously to-day by the Senate Judi
ciary Committee.
The committee ordered favorably re-
ported a measure combining the red
flag" bill Of Senator New OF Indiana
and other bills designed to check un-
lawful agitations.
The committee acted without awaiting
the outcome of tho inquiry into radical
propaganda now being conducted by a
subcommittee headed by Senator Over
man. The new bill. which is expected to
meet the demands OF Senators New,
Jones and others who have insisted upon
action to curb l. w. W. and other radi-
cal activities. follows:
"Section I. That the display or eShi-
bition at any meeting, gathering or pa
fade. public or private. of any flag, BAN
ner or emblem symbolizing or intended
by the person or persons displaying or
exhibiting the same to symbolic a pur-
pose to overthrow by force or violence
or by physical injury to personal prop
erty. or by the general cessation OF in
dustry. the Government of the United
States or all government is hereby de-
clared to be unlawful.
"Section 2. 1t shall be unlawful for
any person 70 advocate or incite or TO
write. or with intent to forward such
purpose TO print, publish, sell or distrib-
ute any document, book. circular. paper,
journal or other written or printed COM
munication in or by which there is advo-
Gated or melted the overthrow by force
or violence or by physical injury TO
personal property. or by the general ces-
-
the United States or all government.
"Section 3. That any person or per-
sons convicted of violating any section
OF this act shall be fined not more than
$4,000 or imprisoned for not more thar
five years, or both"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
SENATORS GRIEVED
BY TAFT CRITICISM
General Belief Is Ex-President
Was Misguided Regarding
League Opponents.
SOME RESENTMENT FELT
Borah Says He Does Not Wish
to Enter Into Controversy
on Subject.
.Speo,ni DcspntcA 10 The SLY.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 2o-More in sor-
row than in anger did the Senate re-
ceive the criticism reported to have
been uttered by former President Will
lam II. Taft in San Francisco yesterday
In the course of which Mr.. Taft is re-
ported to have said: 1.-THE gentlemen
in the Senate who are setting out to
defeat this League of Nations are those
would not trust over night"
The sorrow was tinctured with re-
sentiment, however, and some of the
private expressions of grief were
couched in language not ordinarily en-
ployed to indicate the sadder emotions.
There was also expressed on many
sides the belief that Mr.. Tafts words
had been incorrectly reported. 1t was
considered that this, would be the more
charitable view to take of the unfor-
tunate sentence, particularly in view OF
the fact that among the men who would
fall under the ban of Mr.. Tafts distrust
are Senator Knox, whom he trusted for
four years to guide the foreign policies
of the American Government at the head
of his State Department Senator Ken
yon (Iowa), who served as Assistant
Attorney and Senator Harding
(Ohio). one of Mr.. Taft's most ardent
following.
Senator Borah said to-day that he
would not be hasty in replying to Mr..
Taft. He added that he was not de-
sirous OF entering into a protracted con-
troversy with the ex-President at this
time and on this subject
Senator Johnson (CaL) confined him
self to saying: II cannot say that the
I ne Nat haz n n
tho selection of its chief advocate" Mr..
johnson had been asked for comment on
tho utterances of Mr.. Taft, but did not
explain the partial ambiguity of his re-
marks
Senator Reed (Mo), one of the Dem
ocrats most bitter in opposition to the
League of Nations. declined to believe
| that Mr.. Taft had been correctly quoted
Until I am convinced that Mr.. Taft
| actually mtde that unfortunate state
ment." he said. II shall withhold com
ment, but IL 1t is true that he did say
that will not miss the very first oppor-
tunty to answer it,
The opinion that the eNPresident had
been misquoted was general among Sem
ators of both parties. Senators Wads-
worth and Calder OF New York were I'M
willing to make any comment until some
thing more definite than the news des-
patch was produced. Senators Lodge
| and Knox also withheld all comment un-
til the substantiation of the report was
| at hand.
1t is Senator Borah's intention TO sd-
dress the Senate tomorrow on the
| League of Nations. Senator Reed (Mo)
will speak Saturday in opposition to the
league after Senator Frelnghuysen has
read Washington's farewell address In
accordance with the annual custom.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
Troopships Due To-day
pOCAHONTAS from Bordeaux

pOCAHONTAS from Bordeaux
February 6, with 1884 Of
ficers and men and five civilians,
including the complete Sixty
second Regiment Coast Artillery
Corps Of fifty officers and LII
men, one casual company of
Marines, two of Illinois and Ohio
troops, several detachments of
various services and twenty-three
casual officers.
Orizaba from Bordeaux Feb
ruary IL, with a total of 1881
officers and men, including six
batteries of the 334th Field
Artillery, of thirty-two officers
and 1,340 men, a casual COM
pany of Marines, a casual COM
pany Of Fourth Carolina colored
troops, and casual companies
from Texas, North Carolina, Vir-
gina, Tennessee, West Virginia
and Alabama.
Wilhelmina from Bordeaux
February II, with Bordeaux
convalescent detachments of
eighty-three officers and 1878
men, Company M, 345th In
fantry, New York, and two naval
officers. Total, 1,709.
Cruiser Pueblo from Brest
February 9, with 1926 officers
and men, mostly of the 161st and
162d Infantry, casual COM
panies of New Workers., Penn
sylvanians, Illinoisans, and one
casual company of Regulars.
Woonsocket from Bordeaux
January 81, with one officer and
twenty men of Detachment Cas-
ual Company II from Illinois.
Lost propeller blade on February
10, and may be delayed.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
LA TOILETTE CALLS
HIMSELF PATRIOT
Democracy His Aim Is De-
fence of Loyalty.

WASHINGTON. Feb. Ex-senator La
Toilette OF Wisconsin ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ed his loyalty in the course of long
address tonight in the Senate on what
he pictured as causes for popular unrest
in the United states.
The Senator declared he would no
longer permit aspersons on his loyalty
and declared that his sole aim was to
preserve pure democracy in this country.
Speaking in favor of increasing salaries
carried in the legislative. judicial and
executive appropriation bill before the
Senate, Senator La Toilette attacked big
business interests and especially the
meat packing firms as being largely re-
sponsibe for the high cost of living and
consequent unrest among the people. He
also charged that the Administra tion
had failed to enforce the Sherman anti
trust law,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
SHIPBUILDING LABOR
BOARDS END is NEAR
ptez viii Continue Macy
Commissions Work.
SpetlaI Despatch % Tnr SIS


=, WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The so-called
,4a'y shipbuildng labor adjustment
"o"fd Is TO expire by Limitation March
, 90, No effort will be made by the
cupp1ng Board or the Emergency Fleet
corporation 10 continue this board. Its
Work CorN viii be continued by the Fleet
tolporation through "A labor division
'"aer General Manager Piez.
announcement to this effect was made
Sy chairman Hurley to-day. The Macy
u'ard' II Ia said. has completed its work
:" Grafting a general schedule of ship
nIuihs wages based on the cost OF
.'"g. u %as war organization de-
,,s"el 10 meet war needs and Shipping
noard officials believe its continuance
Unnecessary.
CHAIRMAN Hurley will confer to-mor-
TOW with representatives OF the marine
Underwriters Of New York on marine in
tlTsnce rates.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
JOHN REEDS WIFE
EXTOLS BOLSHEVIKI
Boasts She Helped Burn Up
President in Effigy.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.--Louise Bryant,
erstwhfle newspaper CORRESPONDENT in
petrograd. at present propagandist for
tne soviet form of government, otherwise
Mrs John Reed. wife of the four day
american representative Of the Bolshe-
WIKI 10 America. was the first of the
participants In the radical meeting held
IN Theatre here February s to obtain a
nearing before the Senate Judiciary sub
committee which has been trying to
plumb the depths of Bolsheyik tieprayity.
The committee was not gentle with
Miss Bryant but she showed herself well
able to protect herself. falling back re-
peatedly ON the assertion that she knew
her rights as an American citizen.
Miss Bryant particularly resented be-
ing asked II she believed in God and II
she were a Christian" but this was
softened later by the explanation that
the questions were frequently put wit
nesses in court where there was some
doubt as to the accepted burden OF an
oath.
As to her social and political ideas
Miss Bryant was in nowise reluctant to
proclaim them and showed preference
Tor explaining in oratorical manner to
giving prosaic categorical answers.
You helped to burn the Presidents
speechesY' Inquired Democrat.
Yes. and to burn the President In
enigy and 1 went on a hunger strike
for 1t, too"
Asked to name Americans she knew
IN Russia who were working with the
Bolsheviki she mentioned Boris Rein
stein OF Buffalo. secretary to Trotzky
William Shatoff and Alexander Gomberg
She referred frequently to Col. Robns's
work and said the Bolsheviki regarded
| him as the finest American type and
| trusted him as they did not Ambassa.
| dor Francis, who was out of sympathy
with them.
do call Col. Robins" she pleaded
HE could tell you so many things, and
| he wants to come"