Dee; 24, 1915. 
word contains nuggets of niedGmt such ak these: 
ts preferred; e 
_ Cononey CuHariEs L. Peirson, Brevet Brigadier 
General, Army of the Potomac, of Boston and Pride’s 
Crossing, has just issued “Suggestions for “ihe-Use ‘of 
Commissioned Officers of New Troops” as a supplement 
to the “School of the Soldier.” The suggestions are 
valuable and give evidence of good judgment. The fore- 
“A re- 
cruit enlisting from patriotic motives, though not quite 
up tothe statidard, might be accepted since the spirit that 
made him enlist would sustain him in | exposure ; eehvad 
experience is: not military experience; “authority is not 
based upon the individual, but upon the place ;” “the men 
should be made to understand that no man is promoted 
because he is;a non-commissioned officer, but from merit 
only ; ;” “an officer should be a gentleman;” “quiet dignity 
“discipline should never be relaxed;” 
“guard duty should be considered too honorable to be 
used as a punishment ;” “the character of a colonel is the 
character of his regiments.” Colonel Peirson’s supple- 
ment is a valuable contribution and if the spirit of the 
stiggestions could become the spirit of the officers in com- 
mand of new troops the commanding officers themselves 
will have made a great gain and the troops under them 
correspondingly inspired to better service. The spirit >f 
the suggestions made may be found in the one sentence: 
“the character of the colonel is the character of the regi- 
mentt.””- A eivilian cannot but respect highly a military 
code based upon such a noble principle. 
: Trt IS A SicNiFicawt fact that there are a surprising 
number of people, thinkers on both sides of this contest, 
wko are beginning to feel that success, overwhelming suc- 
cess, is an: impossibility for either side. It is not true that 
if the war ig a draw it means a Teutonic defeat? The 
battle of the Marne was a decisive battle of the world’s 
history. The fact that the Teutonic army retreated, dug 
itself. in, entfenched, changing its Ee from aggression 
te defense, isan evidence of failure. The Teutons sought 
Calais and Paris! ! 
. ae Paaivent ROOSEVELT is coming out of the inside 
pages. of the newspaper and is again getting on the front 
page. He has a plan and that plan if successful will place 
him in thé President’s chair. He is out for the republican 
nomination for that high office and who is there in tne 
fie'd to contest his ambitions? Will Root or Hughes be 
the man?. 
‘THE MoruHer’s PENsion Briy reported by the Social 
Service committee of the legislature has now been oper- 
ative for two years and has proven a successful innova- 
tion. There are features of the plan that may be im- 
proved upon. Experience is a great teacher, but these 
minor faults may be remedied. 
Mothers will not be repealed. 
It 1s AN ENDURING CreEprt to Great Britain and 
France and Belgium that they considered war, especially 
an aggressive war, quite unlikely. Their unpreparedness 
was a testimony to their misplaced faith. 
».. Austria Is .Now sparring for time, but Lansing 
thrusts back a virtual ultimatum. America is.struggling 
for her honor; her rights are secondary considerations in 
this international dispute. 
THe Care TuHat GERMANY is taking to favor po 
Indian and Mohammedan prisoners is indicative indeed of 
a future policy. World power again| 
The Pension Bill for 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE 11 
Christmas Hells 
By Rosert J. MILNe. 
ING out the Christmas Bells once more 
Across the land from shore to shore, 
From Plymouth Rock, where long ago 
The Pilgrims worshipped in the snow, 
To Golden Gate upon the tide 
Of the Pacific waters wide. 
Ring out the bells all o’er the land 
From Canada to Rio Grande. 
Ring out the Christmas Bells again, 
By hill and valley, o’er the plain, 
Across the woodland, through the dell, 
Proclaim the tidings which they tell: 
That Christ was born on earth below, 
O’er nineteen-hundred years ago, 
To bring good will and peace to men, 
Throughout this dear old world again. 
And since that time in days of old, 
While years in centuries have rolled, 
As Christmas comes around each year, 
It brings to hearts of men good cheer. 
It drives out hate and pride and sin, 
And makes our souls feel good again. 
It opes the rich man’s purse-strings wide 
To give the poor at Christmas- tide. 
Today, alas! though bells may ring 
In other lands no peace they bring. 
For strife and death stand side by ‘side, 
And rivers roll in crimson tide. 
3ut, oh! thank God, for well we may, 
Our land is blest with Peace today. 
We've happy homes where freedom dwells 
As we ring out the Christmas bells. 
(Written for the Breeze) 
WHEN THE WaR BEGAN it was thought that the 
submarine had effectively proven its superiority to the 
best of battleships and the days even of the dreadnought 
v.ere numbered. The later months of the war have 
demonstrated that the value of the submarine, after all, 
has been overestimated and that the dreadnought is the 
great battleship of the future, Every one, low ever, will 
agree, that the submarine has had and will hold in the 
future a formidable place in naval preparedness. 
At THE BEvERLY City E_ections Thomas Connolly 
of Ward Six was elected a member of the Board of AI- 
dermen for the ensuing year, Mr. Connolly has been suc- 
cessful in his chosen line of work, is a man of good judg- 
ment and of public spirit. Ward Six is fortunate i in hav- 
ing such an efficient man serve them. 
THE FIREMEN of the City of Beverly are happy since 
election day, the voters of that city having approved and 
adopted the Pension Act for firemen. 
THE DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN has been a failure 
The British troops have withdrawn for service in other 
fields. Russia is the greatest loser in the contest. What 
is the next move? 
Tuere Has Aways BEEN a certain amount of laxity 
about international passports in the past, but those days 
are gone and the difficulties of obtaining passports have 
been increased, 
