davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
ALLIES CONTINUE AT COLOGNE

After consultation with the French, and examining preliminary reports of trustworthy character, the British have decided to postpone the military evacu- ation of the Cologne bridgehead, which had been scheduled for January 10, until a future date dependent upon what fur ther information develops in connection with Germany's violation of the Yer sailles treaty. The joint action of the British with the French is based upon two causes, neither nation is satisfied with the failure of Germany to carry out her treaty agreement, and the evacuation of the Ruhr is not to be completed until Au- gust 30, 1925, which makes it inexpedient to withdraw the British troops, and thereby isolate the French and Belgian units until the withdrawal is complete.
 There is no doubt that Germany has not been living up to her disarmament agreement. General Walsh, who during the World War commanded the artillery of the American first army corps, re- gently went to Germany prepared to shut his eyes to minor German defaultings, but returned to Paris much disturbed over German preparations. The council of ambassadors, after examining the last fortnightly report of General Walsh, who is president of the interallied control commission to Germany is satisfied that Germany is not trying to live up to her agreement. Vast production and storage of arms and munitions, and other pre- parations which can have no other than belligerent purposes, are going on in that country. There can be no dispute by legalists as respects the action of the Allies. The clause providing for evacua- tion is effective only if and when "the conditions of the present treaty are faith fully carried out by Germany" and pro- vides for withdrawal from the Cologne area at the expiration of five years "from the coming into force of the present treaty." The evacuation of the Ruhr was arranged in a separate undertaking be- tween the Germans, the French and the Belgians. So that there is no official con- necton between the two.
 Whatever claims may be made by Ger man extremists that the Allies, and espe- cially France, had no intention in the be- ginning of withdrawing from German soil, and that they employed their meth ods with the view of dismembering Ger many, the fact remains that Germany, as in many other instances, has sought to evade her obligations, and the Allies are taking this opportunity to prevent her from precipitating a war of aggression for purposes of revenge.
 That the agreement of Germany has not been kept cannot be justified or ex- cused by flimsy charges against the Allies. Nor is the threat by German ex- tremists that unless the troops are with drawn on the scheduled time the Dawes plan will not be carried out to be taken seriously. The Dawes plan has nothing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
THE MARINE HERDS WAY

The "Diary of Lord Bertie," former British ambassador to France, has been published in London, and 1t offers some startling revelations as to Joffre, the French general and chief in command, describing the old warrior as contempt uous of politics and politicians, as shown by his action when Poincare visited the battle front December 25, 1914. Joffre, bored by the presence of the then presi- dent of France, asked to be excused, as he was accustomed to take his daily rest from 1 80 to 3 p. n- The president looked his astonishment, but Joffre added to 1t by saying that he had no political am- bitions and did not care what was thought of his conduct
 Joffre's independence was notorious. When he found it impossible to act with Messimy as war minister, he sent mes sage to Poincare to the effect that he could not resign in the face of the enemy, and that unless Messimy, whose direction spelt disaster, disappeared, he, Joffre, must commit suicide and give his reason by letter. Poincare, recognizing that Joffre would be as good as his word, sent for Viviani with the result that Viviani resigned and reconstituted cabinet, the whole thing being arranged, unknown to the doomed minister.
 Lord Bertie repeats, at second or third hand, a story that the German general in command let it be known in the early days of the invasion that the Germans would take Paris and dictate peace by holding parts of Paris as hostages, to be destroyed unless the French agreed to the terms proposed. The story may be fabrication, but, unfortunately, much of the conduct of the German army in Bel gium and Frnace was on parallel line of policy. The French readily believe every thing of that sort; and this will account for their intense feeling in all their post war dealings with Germany.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
Quiet Trees

After the crush and glitter and glow, Crowds throbbing and the tumult of the town Low fields and shadows, and the chalk-blue
 snow, Silence and space, and twilights waning down The thousand candle-lights of the city
 snuffed- Here only dimness and the frost-white air, Snow, and the quiet fingers of the trees Motionless uplifted into the cold: So still, so still that never a twig doth tear The tranquil pattern of the sunset frieze- Or stir those pink and peaceful filagrees. Never think for a moment, never dream, Never imagine any hour could be Stamped with clearer seal of beauty than
 this; Never covet a moro burning bliss. Peace is enough-drink now this perfect cup This beaker of the foam-pale frosted eve, A little ringed with rose look slowly up To the immobile, solemn sentient trees; There is no lordlier sight than these In any world or in a heaven far Beyond the petals of the topmost star, -Christine Turner Curtis in Contemporary
 VGrsa,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
Brief Nature Studies
DROWN, gray, green, or even white with
By J. OTIS SWIFT

"DROWN, gray, green, or even white with
 winter snow, what is lovelier than a
 Maine pasture with knoll on it?" asks Arthur G. Staples in Just Talks on Common Themes" With goldfinches Hitting in old apple trees along the wall, kinglets lisping in black birches in the edge of the wood, foxes stopping to roll in the snow by way of dis guising themselves while they approach the pasture bars to inspect the barnyard, and woodpeckers drumming in the sun on a dead limb in the rock naples. that pasture is a winter picture that lives long in the minds of Maine boys self-exiled in cities for am bition's sake.
 Thinkers realize we have passed the safety point in extermination of the forests. Vacant land everywhere must be turned back to wood lands or we, ourselves, must soon move on, leaving no descendants in a desert land. But MT. Staples, poet, philosopher and scholar says a word for forests for their own sakes as things with spiritual meaning:
 I've consider as wanton and ruthless the man who fells beautiful elm for commerce He has cut and killed a living thing. some thing beautiful as a cathedral, in its way. We look to forests as to sanctuaries, taverns of rest for our very souls"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
The Right Word
THE SPIT INVENTIVE Find fhA ErrOr in This Article.
By W. CURTIS NICHOLSON

A split infinitive means the injection of an adverb between the word "to" and the infinitive proper; as, to quickly place. Not long ago "A Stableman Literateur" was asked what he thought of this form of locution. His reply follows:
 II must confess that in my literary diet am not overfond of adverb-sandwich infin- itives, though at the same time I would not go as far as to reprove those whose tastes relish in such form that particular product of the culinary arts of the literary kitchen.
 Tt may be said that the older authors seem to have been more scrupulous in regarding the infinitive as indssolubly wed together and in preserving it intact in that state, and per sonally in general prefer that practice. The innovation, however, appears to find a grow ing proneness thereto on the part of later writer's and split infinitives are more com mon nowadays than in the old times.
 Tt is well known that Lincoln, a recog nized postmaster of simple English, per sistently split the infinitive. Here are a few instances at random from his writings to duly consider; to now provision; to not act to successfully frustrate; to frequently re- mind.
 But as my articles of grammatical faith are founded in the precepts of Goold Brown, why not go to the original fOunt at once? Here is what Brown says:
 Of the infinitive verb and its proposition to, some grammarians say, that they must never be separated by an adverb. It is true that the adverb is in general more elegantly placed before the proposition than after it ; but, possibly, the latter position of it may sometimes contribute to perspicuity, which is more essential than elegance"
 Quite a few examples from Goold Brown will be published in the next article,
 Yesterdays Error.
 Wrong: We will await his letter with interest.
 Right: We shall await his letter with interest
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
DIR. BALDPATE ON THE SENSITIVE.
 NESS OF SNAKES

We are indebted to Charles A. McGovern for a Baldpate anecdote which adds fresh laurels to the brow of that fearless traveller, Dr. George A. Baldpate. Or.
 T was playing round of golf on the new desert course at Sus, in the Sahara. It is an excellent course; and greens, of course. Sand fairway also. In fact if I were tempted to criticise it l should say that it was pos sibly bit too sandy. However, l was play ing alone, as I find I can always make a better score that way.
 Il carried no weapons except my clubs. Imagine my perturbation, therefore, when l looked up from the fourth tee just as I was about to drive and saw directly in front of me the gaping jaws of desert python, the one menace in this waste land. Flight was useless, the creature can overtake a running horse. I did the only thing possible. I drove my golf ball with all my force straight into the python's mouth.
 Tt was the mightiest drive that l have ever delivered. Straight through the snake it went and out the other end. The aperture made by the ball created draught through the animal He paused sneezed twice. and curled up at my feet, victim of galloping pneumonia"
 Thanks for the story, Mir. McGovern. If Dr. Baldpate can play golf like he tells stories it's ten to one shot than he beats par every time he goes out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
REAssEMBLY OF CONGRESS

With the reassembly of congress, after getting Christmas out of its bones, there are hopes that it will accomplish more in the public interests than 1t did during the eighteen days it was in session before adjourning for the holidays. There need be no surprise that on the last day before adjournment for the Christmas holidays nothing was done in furthering the prin- cipal recommendations of the president. There were several of them; but thoughts of the members were elsewhere, as is often the case when important measures are pending and there is need for action. There might have been surprise, indeed, if congress had accomplished anything in the period before the holiday ad- iournment, which constitutes one-fourth of the short session. Seldom Is anything worth while done by the body before Christmas. It might as well not assemble before that time so far as the public in- terests are concerned.
 Usually it is some time after the holi- days when congress gets down to serious WOTh, dIlu LOI HULL 10 "SNoAAPAASAA~N N~ fore the last few weeks of the short ses- sion. There are several important meas ures pending for action before the session adiourns in March. These include settle ment of the Muscle Shoals matter, which has been so long agitated, and which is especially important for the national de- fense and in the interests of the farming industry; the postal salary increase meas ure, which has an important bearing on the educational interests of the nation as they may be affected by the dissem- ination of newspapers and magazines and other measures involving the public well fare.
 Yet. there Is reason to believe that congress, as constituted, will not measure up to it's responsibilities and obligations, because it was quite largely repudiated by the people in the November elections. The lame duck element could hardly be expected to strive for that record of e1- ficiency which would enlist the endorse ment of it's constituencies. Its political aspirations have received a jolt that is not calculated to stimulate special efforts for constructive service. Lame ducks in congress are often engaged chiefly Tn drawing their salaries and their breath, while putting in most of their time con- meeting with other jobs in the public service.
 Hence the country Is not in an ex- pectant mood as respects results from the retiring congress. Whether or not its may urge the need for an extra session depends largely on the view of the situation later. He is known to look with disfavor upon an extra session if it can be avoided without injury to the country's interests. Like most presidents, he is reported to welcome the opportunity to get congress off his hands, and it is understood that at this time he sees no necessity for an extra session
 So far as the nations business interests are concerned they usually look with dis favor and suspicion on extra sessions of the body as a disturbing influence to economic affairs, and would be content if the short session confined it's efforts to passing the necessary supply bills providing for maintenance of the gov ernment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
1&a@2oINSGIE5
The Worlds Latest Major Disturbance More trouble for the League Of Nations.
Blasco Ibanez has declared war in Spain

The Worlds Latest Major Disturbance.
 More trouble for the League pf Nations.
 Blasco Ibanez has declared war in Spain
 The author of 'aThe Four Horsemen of the Youspellit" has declared himself in a state of war. He has called himself to the colors, mobolized both lungs and will fight Alfonso at space rates odd man out.
 Ever since Ibanez wrote the Four Horsemen he has been under the impression he's the worlds greatest cavalry force He made enough out of the movie rights of that story alone to go into the war business as a retailer or wholesaler and intends to fight it out on that line if it takes two more novels.
 Ibanez says King Alfonso really helped Germany in the World war. This falls flat Alfonso was any help to anybody in any war; Alfonso doesn't like wars. They roll off his dancing pumps.
 And, besides, he has a contract with the Moors under which the Moors keep him SUD- piled with more wars than he can use.
 
 When King Alfonso received the declaration of war from Ibanez he declined it at once, as he had previous dancing engagement. Ibanez then offered to fight him by letter, radio or telegram.
 Alfonso rejected this offer, too, leaving Ibanez in the position of a man with a won- derful idea for a war on his hands and no place to sell it.
 The author then began challenging some of Alfonsos generals. This is what he should have done in the first place. as a king in Spain today is just a man who works for the generals. The generals referred the matter to the League of Nations
 
 The League of Nations, following its prac- tice in all disputes, referred the matter to Great Britain. Great Britain refused to act on the ground it knew Ibanez by reputation but had never heard of Spain.
 There the matter rests. Ibanez may be forced to go out and get his free advertising the way any other author does.
 At last reports it looked like the best war any author ever fought for wider publicity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

of Paris" received favorable mention, but mainly because of the skill with which it was directed.
 The judges also report that they con sidered surprisingly large number of worthy pictures" The "film industry" as its detractors call it, Is not hopeless from an artistic point of view. There is still an incentive to make better pie lures, although some producers contend that only filth and trash pay at the box office.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
VERSES AND REVERsEs

VERSES AND REVERSES On Ice. The children found their mother drenched in tears; Emotion seemed to rule her. Do not" she cried, 'go near the ice box. dears; Your fathers in the cooler!''
 Ralph M. Jones.
 A Good Scheme. lady named Annabelle Meyer To social renown did aspire So she dressed every day Very decollette And her clothes never made her perspire.
 HI. B. Reed.
 In a Rural School. Teacher Billy, can you tell me what a mayor is?" Billy (timidly) "He is lady horse"
 Mrs L. H. Bastion. Some people welcome trouble because of the sympathy it brings them from other people. Copyright. lo2G Reproduction yorbiddsn)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

Predictions of scientists that the world will be completely frozen three million years from now offers chance for those who worry over the distant future to be- come alarmed lest the gas pressure will be low at that time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

to do with the evacuation of Cologne
 Germany is, however, obligated to ob- serve the armament provisions of the Versailles treaty, and 1t is not only fair and just that she should be required to do so, but 1t Is encouraging to note the cooperation between the French and the British in adopting and insisting upon this move in the interests of world peace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

Uncle Sam has many applications to police the world, but any plans con templated for the establishment and maintenance of an effective army and navy do not receive the endorsement of foreign nations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

Everybody who knows anything about industrial conditions and indications pre- diets substantial improvement throughout the business structure. Such confidence is in itself one of the chief factors for lrealization.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

It seems that some of the women pol iticians such as the governors-elect of Texas and Montana and other aspirants for public office are not satisfied that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

Ibanez has been challenged to some more duels for things he wrote about the challengers. Here is a chance for him to test the relative powers of the pen and the sword.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

The old saying that liquor sure will get lem if they stick to it long enough, seems to have special application to boot leggers' brands, and they don't have to stick very long, either.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
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Mir. Bok's Anthem.

N TR. EDWARD BOX has submitted new
 WI national anthem for the United States.
 It is not war song, nor a song of pacifism, we are told, but it contains an ap- peal to the god of peace rather than the Lord God of Hosts. Mir. Box adds that the music is taken from the old national song of the Transvaal Boers These people, now under British rule, have adopted God Save the King and it would be matter of regret to Mir Box to see the former national song dis appear entirely, he says. MT. Box does not need to worry about that. His kinsmen in South Africa have not forgotten that plain tive heroic epic that stirred them in the un- equal fight with the British empire. Neither have MT. Bok's kinsmen in The Netherlands forgotten the song MT. Box has been away from the ancestral haunts a good long time. but could he return and some time visit the clubhouse of the young South African Dutch men who come to study in Amsterdam he would hear that winged challenge Float high aloft in our clear blue sky, flag of a free Transvaal" And could the Americanized Mir. Box some time wander away from the roar and hustle of Johannesburg or Pretoria out in the veldt of South Africa, he would hear its clear tones from behind the "kopjes." For the Boers are back in power and in parlia- ment of the Union of South Africa there are men who bear such historic names as DeWett, Vessels Cronje, Herzog, Joubert and De la Reye. And scattered over the length and breadth of the earth are millions of Neither flanders, who will be glad when the day comes when De Vierkleur van ons dierbaar land, waait weer OCT Transvaal." (The fourcolor of our dearest lang floats OCT Transvaal again)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
]Ey GMz FUk zh =zT $HOP
 'lAmRAT MAXS0W UQX1laLL ULDEZL
Against the Day,
NAXSON TQkzHLZ LLIDEZl

Jonas: You're crying dear! What do you want now?" Mrs. Jonas: Nothing. I'm just prac- ticing."
 Joan Benda.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

There are indications that the feature of congress during the rest of the short session will be the per capita time it will uselessly consume.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
HENRY CAPITTrT,ATEs

Henry Ford has selected the names of twenty-one greatest inventors scientists and philosophers of all time" to embellish the front of his laboratory, so it may be that his tory "is not all bunk" after all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

Some men never accomplish anything because they permit the means to over shadow the end.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
Diplomacy

Slater: Bills diplomacy approaches states manship." Clarke How" Slater: "He stepped on woman's foot in the car the other day and told her that her foot was so small he couldn't see it.'
 Ray Schwab
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

Oil does not appear to be effective in calming the troubled waters of nations that are struggling for more oil.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

Those who wait until New Years to swear off are hardly likely to stick in their resolutions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
Gets That.

Collins: "Your wife doesn't hear very we'll does she?"
 Harmon: "No, but she never misses any thing the neighbors say about me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

The only way some people can patch up their differences with self-respecting folks is to mend their ways.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
COMPARATIVELY INTELLIGENT GULL

Gulls on the Maine coast are said to be able to tell a fishing vessel from a rum run ner. This seems to prove that the gulls have more intelligence than the prohibition agents New Orleans States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30

If the choice were left 70 me. whether 70 lave free prsss or a free government "'uA~ choose Q free press--Thomas Jefferson
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
Playing Chess.


 In M. Alexander Kerensky's newspaper, published in Paris for Russian exiles, we read that the soviet government has set aside 20O,- 100000 gold roubles to assist incipient revo- lutions. M. Kerensky says his information is reliable. There need not be any doubt on that score. Moscow is not satisfied until the world is bathed in the red glow of comS munist conflagration. The leaders of the Rus sian government are not primarily concerned with the administration of Russian home af- fairs. They consider themselves the van- guard of the worlds downtrOdden and act as such. They foster rebellions and uprisings in the Baltic states and in the Balkans They agitate among the millions of British subjects in India, they try to placate the Chinese, stage "red saturnalia" in France, and 'bore from within" in American labor organiza- tions. Because of the international character of their efforts, Great Britain, France and Italy have entered into secret agreement to combat the Russian influence and an interest ing game of chess is now being played by the diplomats of the Russian proletariat on the one side and the allied governments on the other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-30
No Astigrnatism There!

Jerry "This is where they're going to build the new Optical Hospital" Terry: "Ah, I see. A site for sore eyes"
 Henry Porter.