Wayland Central School - Hi Lites Yearbook (Wayland, NY)

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The KICK-OFF 1924 “passive resistance” in the Ruhr. By this step Stresemann, the Chan- cellor of Germany, hoped to clear the road lor the settlement ot the reparation struggle. France and Belgium were justified in their invasion of Germany. They were in the right because Germany had made no attempt to pay the reparation debt. Even now I do not believe that Germany’s uncon- ditional surrender is in good faith. She has failed to comply with her agreements in the past, and unless the German people stand together and support the movement for peace some leader with imperialistic ideals may again plunge Europe into a great war, and all of her prom- ise's will be forgotten. In my opinion the only way to insure peace for Europe is for the nations of the world to give moral support to France and Belgium. Every nation must he willing to make sacrifices before there can be world peace. It is the duty of every nation to see that the lives of those brave men who died on the battlefield have not been sacri- ficed in vain but that their bravery and unselfishness has made the world forever “safe for democracy.” C. J. M. ’24. CLASS HISTORY As most classes have some history connected with their courses so have we—the Seniors of ’24. It may not be nearly so great as that of classes heretofore but nevertheless it is of some interest to most of us and we hope that it may also be interesting to you, friends. In September, 1920, we entered High School, as a bunch of green Freshmen, not daring to say our name was our own. There were about forty of us. It did not take long to become acquainted, some forming close friendships which last even today. This is really remarkable for some girls and boys There were small school parties held every now and then at the school building. These helped to develop us along social lines. There was little activity during our Sophomore year. The only large event was a grand Hallowe’en party. Nearly every one was masked and we had a fine time playing games and dancing. Many of our members had fallen by the wayside by our Junior year. Some had left school or gone to other towns. Last June as a Junior class we entertained the Seniors by giving them a dance. In January, 1924, the Senior class organized, electing Clark Wallace President, Goldena Bill Vice President, Clare Maginley Secre- tary and Addie Weidman Treasurer. We selected gray and old rose for class colors and for class flower a pink rose. I will now try to give you a brief history of each member’s life.

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The KICK-OFF 1924 In 1871 Germany invaded France under slight pretext, and again in 1914 her mighty armies swept across Belgium into h ranee, tier- many forced France to pay heavy reparations after the war of 1871 and also seized the provinces of Alsace-Lorraine. France has silently waited fifty years for the day when Justice would awaken. Germany brought this about in her barbarous attack on Belgium in 11)14 and was forced to surrender in 11)18. In the treaty of Versailles Germany agreed to pay reparations to France in coal, iron and currency. After four years of useless endeav- ors, of ultimatums not made effective, and of agreements repeatedly broken the French and Belgian governments reached the conclusion that for the future the only methods to be applied were those used by Germany in 1871. M. Poincare, the premier of France, was the leading figure in promoting the Ruhr invasion. France, therefore, took posses- sion of the industrial and mining section which was within the Ruhr Basin. She claimed no covert ambition for the annexation of German territory nor any desire to disable Germany. Poincare stated that for four years the Allies struggled for the sole purpose of winning the war. “Now,” he said, “it is our duty to win the peace.” While in the Ruhr, France has discovered that Germany could have delivered the coal, that she could have paid in foreign currency and that the Security Police were in reality a military organization in disguise. Upon France’s occupation of the Ruhr Germany at once adopted a policy of “passive resistance” to frustrate France’s attempt to collect the reparation payments. The opinion in Germany was that France did not want reparations but that she wanted the Ruhr and the Rhine- land. Germany asserted that France bail refused to accept payments from her and that France was endeavoring to bring about a financial and economical collapse in Germany. Dr. von Rosenberg, the German Foreign Minister, stated that Germany was willing to make sacrifices and was ready to do all in her power to meet the French and Belgian demands. The world in general sympathized with France and Belgium in their seemingly militaristic movement against Germany. England seemed indifferent toward France’s military movement. She openly criticized France for her policy, and at one time the ties between the two nations were strained almost to the breaking point. As for the United States she would give no aid to France in her warlike move- ment. The American soldiers along the Rhine were withdrawn, and the United States became a neutral non-contestant. American senti- ment has been, however, for France because the United States and France fought side by side in the great struggle for freedom. On September -4, 1923 Germany definitely decided to surrender unconditionally to France and Belgium and to abandon her policy of

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The KICK-OFF 1924 Josephine Lawrence, a resident of Springwater, attended district school on “Buffalo street.” For the past six years she has been regu- larly going to school here, never tardy even though she has a two mile walk. Goldena Bill was born in Wayland and upon reaching school age entered our school. It has never been at all difficult for her to progress with her various studies and tasks. Helen Alpaugh is our class artist. She comes from East Spring- water. Every morning Helen rides a horse nearly seven miles to school. She is surely earning her education. Clare Maginley is a farmer lad from Sparta. He came to Way- land for a high school education. He is a member of the track team. Jessie McClarrie is an Atlanta girl who came here during her Sophomore year. Next year she is going to Atlanta Training Class to tit herself for a teacher. Ward Carpenter is one of Wayland’s own boys. He has furnish- ed our class with amusement for the last four years by his witty re- marks. Arthur Clearwater is also a Wayland youth,the son of a furniture dealer. Arthur was interested in athletics being a member of the bas- ketball, football and track teams. Addie Weidman is a country miss, who entered high school here. She is the first one to take advantage of the four year domestic science course which W. II. S. offers to their girls. Clark Wallace is a resident of Wayland. He was manager of the basketball team during the past season, president of the athletic asso- ciation and also our Senior class. Charles May was born at Webster Crossing. He attended Springwater school until the past year, then came to W. H. S. He is going to become a great baseball star, a second Babe Ruth. In April Mr. Gould asked us what we thought about putting out a class annual. As there had never been one edited in our school before we were entirely ignorant of what it would be like. He called us to- gether and explained what it was like and what it would be necessary to do to have one. Everyone was much in favor of the annual. First an appropriate name was chosen, it being called the “Kick Off.” Then committees were appointed for the various kinds of work. Each Seni- or did his bit and for some people it was a great deal, especially for Clark Wallace, Ward Carpenter, Goldena Bill and some of the others. We hoped it would be a success and did our bit to make it so. We gave a dance and had a benefit movie so that we might raise sufficient money to spend a week at the lake together before we left our dear old school and go out into the world for ourselves, to be separated from many dear friends whose friendship we formed during a pleasant four years spent in Wayland High School.