Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 194, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1918 — Page 2

WEAR GOLD STAR ABANDON CREPE?

PRESIDENT WILSON’S LETTER

to Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, chairman of the woman’s committee of the council of national defense: “I do entirely approve of the action taken by the woman’s committee—namely, that a 3Inch black band be worn, upon which a gilt star may be placed for each member of the family whose life is lost in the service, and that the band shall be worn on the left arm. I hope and believe that thoughtful people everywhere will approve of this action, and I hope you will be kind enough to make the suggestion of the committee public, with the statement that it has my cordial endorsement”

New York. —It Is impossible, as the casualty lists grow, to disregard the subject of mourning clothes, writes a leading fashion correspondent In a population of over a hundred million, it is quite true that a casualty list of

At the left Is an all-white costume with a tiny touch of black on the sleeve. The coat is of broadcloth, with wide collar and cuffs of angora. The skirt is of plaited jersey cloth. At the right is a costume of cashmere and faille combined. The vest is of faille, and fastens high in the nec|c with ar narrow turnover of organdie. Folds of the cashmere trim the coat. A hat of faille, draped with chiffon, and suede pumps finish this smart costume.

less than five thousand is too small to make any physical impression. The mental impression grows, however, and women speak of mourning who have heretofore not thought of it. It is a situation to which we must look forward. There is no gentle way of waging war, as was said by the chief of staff. Men must die that nations may live, and women must lose those men. We face the truth quite calmly these days, because, as a nation, we usually grapple with the Inevitable with the belief of- youth and the patience of age. Women are supposed to be a gentle race, nurtured by chivalrous men, and our nation is supposed to be one of peace, serenity and calm. Will We Wear Mourning? It is a strange thing that today we link this thinking and talking about Immortality with an intense desire to laugh, to be amused, to do our best for those who are going and coming, and to les& our lives as though war had not a shell across its routine. With this spirit the idea of deep mourning is not consistent The world has gone through several rapid phases on the subject of wearing crepe during the last two years. France has been the nation that thought it most decent to wear the deepest habiliments of woe out of respect to the dead and comfort to one’s own feelings; but even France lias considerably lightened her mourning so that her women often do not wear crepe or even a widow’s bonnet Already the long crepe veil has practically disappeared. One sees women of ultra-conservative tastes dressed In black chiffon, with a black silk hat and a small mourning veil of coarse-mesh black net so open that it is merely a cobweb of silk strings. This is a widow’s costume. There are sisters and mothers who even omit the veil and wear simple black clothes. There are other sisters who put the broad hand around the sleeve; and ibis has already been done, mind you, and its Influence is potent

This manner of dressing Is aided and abetted by our government, which hopes that women will not discard the clothes they have in order to buy costly and sometimes large wardrobes of crepe and other mourning habiliments. It feels that the whole nation grieves, for itself and for others; that each woman’s woe is echoed in another woman’s heart; that anxiety is universal. Therefore, it is not necessary for a woman who has lost a man in battle to go to the extreme length of draping herself in crepe, so that her face is invisible and her body weighted down with heavy and unusual fabrics. This is sane and sound reasoning on the part of the government, and eyery woman should adopt it in a spirit of patriotism and an earnest desire to make the best of the situation. Fabrics Good for Mourning. If crepe is to be abandoned by the majority, what is to be taken up? Here is a list compiled by the women who want to be consistent and by the shops who cater to them: Crepe de chine is an admirable fabric, it has been found. Black chiffon, without a glint or sparkle in its surface, is another summer material that

serves for the street and will serve for the house later in the winter. Black pongee, made into one-piece frocks and tailored gowns, Is chosen, as well as black faille, dull net, China silk and black muslin. There are also black and white muslins, black and white checked woolens, and dead-white fabrics, touched with a black band on the arm. v Band and Star on the Arm. There is no definite way to make these mourning clothes. They follow the usual fashions, but they should not be conspicuous. This emphasis is not observed by certain segments of society, whose clothes must be exaggerated to be in keeping with their personalities ; but one speaks of the mass. So far, these clothes are for those who ■will wear black, but America must be prepared for the wearing of colors by those who have lost their men. This must be brought about by national feeling and by the exigencies of the labor situation. Women who are busy, women who have small salaries, women who are dependent upon the Red Cross for their support while their men are in battle, will not change their clothes when they receive the fatal message from the war department Dark-blue serge, black taffeta frocks, gray gowns, checked suits and white shirtwaists will be worn. The American woman will adopt the British woman’s bravery and put a black band on the arm of whatever coat or frock she possesses. There is now a strong propaganda for the gold star in memory of those who “go West” It has been taken up by Institutions, churches, banks and by many women. It is in keeping with that departure of the newspapers in which they announce casualties under the caption of a roll of honor. (Copyright 1918, by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) A new table for automobile tourists folds to but two inches in thickness and can be conveniently carted Under a cushion on the seat of a car.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND,

This is one of the Red Cross evacuation hospitals behind the lines in France which the Germans’ aviators have been deliberately bombing. Only a few days ago German aviators dropped bombs on one of these hospitals at Jouy, killing two enlisted men and wounding nine others.

ITALIAN NAVAL HERO TELLS OF HIS EXPLOIT

Rizzo Describes How Two Mdtor Boats Sank Two Austrian Battleships. MOST DARING FEAT OF WAR Whole Thing Didn’t Take More Than Quarter of an Hour—Motor Boat’s Crew Go Mad With Joy Over “ Their Success. BY BEATRICE BASKERVILLE. (In the New York World.) Ancona. —Commandant Rizzo, i who has performed the most daring naval feat of the war, began his sea career as officer in the Italian merchant service. Not till Italy entered the war was he acquainted with the royal navy. He is under thirty, dark-eyed, quiet, has largish features which look as though they were cut out of steel, a square jaw and a slower manner of speaking than most Italians. When I first asked him, during his short stay in Ancona port, for particulars of his sinking of the St. Stephen and the Prince Eugene, Austria’s two largest ships, he modestly replied that he was no talker, and that for the rest he had to start off for Genoa in a very short while. But when he learned- that The World correspondent had traveled from Rome to hear him talk and that it would not take long, he yielded. "In the Creeping Dawn." "It was on the 10th of this month, he said. “I was returning to port after one of those humble and hard missions which we sailors have had to perform all the while these three years. I had made up my mind to leave the enemy’s coast, when, in the creeping dawn, I saw the smoke coming out of funnels, about 3,000 yards off. I thought we were found out and being chased by the enemy. It was hopeless to try to run away, so I turned my two motor boats, the second being commanded by Head Steersman (now Lieutenant) Aonzo, and made for the enemy. «»As the dawn grew I saw we were in for a large convoy of destroyers escorting two floating cyclops, of the Viribus Unitis type, which is the largest dreadnaught type in the Austrian navy. They had four at the beginning of the war; on the 6th of June they had three. Now they have only one left $ " 'Here we are at last,’ I said to my men. ‘This is a holiday!’ "We had not much in the way of arms —two torpedoes on each boat eight, small enough to be thrown by hand, between us, and two machine guns. But this was a chance we would never get again if we waited a thousand years, so I took it.

Three Clean Hits. “Aonzo was to slip around to the left and attack the Vlrlbus Unitis dreadnaught that made up the rear, and which we now know was the Prince Eugene. I was to make for the sister ship, which we now know was the St. Stephen. I slowed down to silence my motors, but as soon as I was well within the line of convoys I went forward at full speed. Our men held their breath. My motorist had a quiet fit every time the engine made a little noise. Another moment and the enemy saw us. Then began a furious cannonade. “Aonzo sent his first torpedo, but it did not work. His second hit the giant full in her poop. Then I followed with my two biscuits, precise, obedient and sure. The first landed between the St. Stephen’s funnels, in the boiler compartment; the second under her tower.” . - "After That It Was Hell.” The commandant paused, evidently reviewing events, then went on: “After that it was hell. There was a storm from their guns and a muddled crowd of destroyers encircled the two giants, which were beginning to sink. Some chased my boat. I saw 1 must either get out into the open like a dart or perish. With a violent jerk we turned our boat on herself and made for it. But a destroyer balked our path. So I jerked round to the left and rushed right under the prow of the St Stephen, now almost swallowed by the sea. Aonzo took the chance be got by their attacking me

ONE OF THE HOSPITALS HUN AIRMEN ATTACK

and made off too. The same destroyer that barred his way went for me. “Our motor boats were only a hundred yards apart. It was just as if we were trying to escape from a locomotive by running along the railroad. The cannons buzzed and roared round our heads. I thought a dose of the machine gun would do them good, but it didn’t. They were very close and our moment seemed to have come. Like angry mastiffs they rushed after us, their prows looming over us from above. Then I tried them with two torpedoes. The first fell foul, but the second hit its mark. There was a terrific explosion and the destroyer wohblpd and began to turn over. I made for safety as hard as I knew how. “The whole thing, from the time we attacked till I fired that second torpedo against the chasing destroyer, didn’t take more than a quarter of an hour. Crews Mad With Joy. “When we got into the open, safe and sound, I was able to smile again. My five lads were still astounded with the rapidity qf events. Then one of them cried, ‘We’ve.been in hell!’ And they went mad with joy, hugging, cheering, kissing, crying in a fine frenzy of glory at what we had done.

ABODE OF KINGS IS FOR SICK YANKEE FIGHTERS

Sarisbury Court, Favorite Hunting Box of Charles I, Now a Hospital. RED CROSS DOES THE WORK American Women in England Carry on Vast Aid for Wounded —Con. valescents to Recuperate Amid Pleasant Surroundings. London— Sarlsbury Court, an old Jacobean mansion that stands back almost hidden by the tall elms off the Southampton road and Is said to have been one of the favorite hunting boxes of the first King Charles, has been converted into a hospital for 8,000 Americans by the American Red Cross The work of the latter organization now comprises more than twenty departments, and is carried out by American women who were residents of Great Britain before the war, many of them the wives of Englishmen and the others wives of relatives of Americans In business in this country. Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, widow of the former American ambassador to Great Britain, was a pioneer In the work of the American Red Cross in this country. The American. Red Cross has provided a number of hospitals in Great Britain, some of them before America entered the war, for the use of the British wounded; others established since that time for the accommodation of both British and Americans. One of the Beet. One of the finest is the Mossley Hill hospital at Liverpool, which is staffed by American army doctors and nurses under Maj. Udo J. Wilo, formerly professor of surgery in the University of Michigan. Another,American hospital de luxe in London is the new naval hospital on Park lane, which occupies Aidford house, the home of CapL Frederick Guest, M. P., who placed it at the disposal of the Red Cross. There are several other American hospitals in London, notably the Lancaster Gate hospital for officers and American Hospital No. 24, givfen by Mr. and Mrs. A. Chester Beatty of New York. But the largest of all the American hospitals in Great Britain is that at Sarjsbury court. No more ideal spot for the purpose could be imagined. Standing In a great park of 186 acres of thicklywooded coverts and gently undulating pasture lands the grounds dip

“They hoisted our biggest flag and decked the boat in bunting, like a bride. To our delight we saw that from some way off Aonzo hoisted his, too, in answer to us. They were safe as well. "I don’t think we were within four miles of our port when my lads, under the delusion that they could be heard,, kept shouting out landward: ‘Two Viribus Unitis! We’ve sunk two Viribus Unitis!* 4 “You won’t ’succeed in persuading the enemy that they weren’t the victims of spies. But I assure you that there was neither spying nor treachery in the whole thing. The Prince Eugene, which Aonzo torpedoed, sunk on her way home and lies near the Austrian coast, as our hydroplanes soon afterward found out The St. Stephen sunk where she was torpedoed. Those dogs won’t venture out again now. All they’ve left to do is to carry their dreadnaughts’ carcasses off and send them to Lubiana. “The greatest enemy our torpedo boats have is the moon,” concluded the commandant. “Had it been a moonlight night, we should all have gofie to the bottom without doing them any harm.” Ancona is doubly grateful to Rizzo, for there is no "doubt in the minds of its inhabitants that the enemy fleet he dispersed was making for them to bombard them off the face of the map. All the heroes of this enterprise have received honors and decorations from the king of Italy, prize money fsom the admiralty, and a large sum of money from the Italian public.

down to a half-mile frontage along Southampton waters. Already the woodland acres of the estate are resounding with ax and saw and several hundred trees have been selected to furnish the heavier timber and joists for the hospital buildings. With the Manor house as apex, these cover over ten acres of frame hutments.

Tents to House Sick. During the pleasant English summer these tent wards will be very comfortable and agreeable, and long before the first chilly weather of autumn comes the frame hut wards, A steam heated, will be ready. It is possible that some of the tents will be retained for the use of convalescents or for overflow purposes in the event of a big offensive on the northern part of the western front. The hospital will have Its own electric lighting plant and Water supply. There will be probably a double system of water supply, water from the river being used for ordinary purposes, while special distilled or spring water will be used for drinking purposes and in the kitchens and operating rooms. The Manor house, which will be the central building of the Sarlsbury hospital, is a large and handsome building of what Englishmen call modern construction, inasmuch as it dates back only 35 years. , The house contains about fifty rooms, and more than half of these are large enough to be available for use as wards containing from six to 16 beds each. The great entrance hdll is easily the feature of the interior. It is as large as many an American church, open to the roof, and with a balcony or gallery running all the way around it. The ambulance which will bring the American wounded from the piers at Southampton will approach the hospital by a long carriage drive through picturesque woodland and well-kept lawns. The convalescent soldier win find several miles of sunny or shaded walks without going outside the hospital grounds. Strolling northward he will cross a broad meadow and a little patch of woods to the hospital piggery and chicken farm, and just below this he win come to the boathouse and the jetty, where he may dangle his legs just above the water and sit fishpole /in hand, with good prospects of a profitable catch. It he chooses to stroll northward from tbe main hospital buildings he will find the forest denser and wider, and at the other side'of the forest he will qome to the hospital vegetable gardens and greenhouses.

LIFE'S LITTLE JESTS

Why Father Worked. A boy of twelve asked his father the other day if he liked to work. “Of course,” was the reply, “but that’s a queer question; why do you ask it?” “Because I want to hear your Answer.” ’ “I like to work for one reason: because I’ve got to work to earn money so I can take care of myself and family. Who’d take care of you and mamma if I didn’t work?” “What are poorhouses for?” '‘They’re not for lazy people who can work arid won’t Besides, if I didn’t work there would be no fun in loafing.” '

LOGICAL.

“What! You here again fdr money for a night’s lodgin’? Why, I just gave you money for that purpose last night.” “I know it, mum; but a feller’s gutter sleep more’n wunst”

Selective Draft.

Esny, meeny, miney, moe; Which one goes to fight the foe: Which one stays to get his thrills Paying wartime grocery bills?

On Speaking Terms.

When little Ernest was out walking with his mother one day he suddenly pointed to a lady across the road and said: “Oh, mamma, I know that lady over there! She often speaks to me.”r- • “Does she really, darling?” answered the mother: “And what does she say?” “She —she —well, she usually says, •Don’t you dare to throw stones at my dog again, you little wretch!’”

The Peace Offensive.

W. Stanley Hawkins, director of camp singing, said at Camp Dix: “When the kaiser’s battle, the 19-18 offensive, began, the kaiser ordered Strauss to compose a victory march that should be played on the German troops’ triumphal entry into Paris.” Mr. Hawkins chuckled. “I understand,” y he added, “that Strauss has now been called off his victory march. The kaiser has asked him to try his hand at a peace overture."

BEFORE THE COOLNESS.

“Aw! I wuz a flossy guy wunst 1 uster smoke quarter cigars.” “Wot wuz de matter —wuz de sports too stingy to t’row away half onesF

A Nation's Soul.

A nation’s vety much like a man. Its courage often needs a test. From trials of the soul we can Determine which loves honor best.

Something of a Pessimist

“Of course,'you are in favor of antiloafing laws.” “Yes,” replied Farmer Corntossel. "Only they are goln’ to make some trouble at first by turnin’ loose a lot of Inexperienced people whose one idea of bein’ busy is to get tn the way."

The Reason.

“Binks Is one of the most wideawake men I ever met.” .. . “Is he so enterprising?" "Not so much that as he suffers tes* rlbly from iasomqla.” . •