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P O S T .
A Semi-Weekly Newspaper.
Published Twice a Week at Independence, Polk County, Oregon, on
Tuesday and Friday
I
SOLDIERS OF DEATH REFUSE TO
U T THE ENEMY TAKE THEIR DEAD
| Entered as second-class m atter March 26, 1918, at the postoffice at In- i Each Slav With the Italian Army Has Sworn to Carry Off to the
Hependence, Oregon, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Italian Lines the Body of a Compatriot Killed in Action—
Subscription Rates: $1.50 a Year Strictly in Advance; Six Months
f 1.00; Three months 50 cents. All subscriptions stopped at expiration.
CLYDE T. ECKER, Editor.
It is proposed to levy a tax of 80 percent on war profits.
¡VVliy not take the other twenty percent also.
While its a long ways to the Rhine from the Marne, still
its all right for the boys to consider the Rhine as the best
place to celebrate next July Fourth.
As Subjects of Austrian Emperor Death Is Only
Thing in Store for Those Captured.
(S p ecial C o rre sp o n d e n c e o f I t a l ia n A m eri
c a n N ew s B u re a u .)
The Slav soldiers In th e Italian
arm y elect th eir own superiors by the
most rigid tests, and thus a re repre-
sentatlve of the manhood of th e ir'n a -
tlonalltles. T he Italian soldiery and
people have taken kindly to them.
The first of the proofs of valor they
gave are admirable, although limited
to modest operations In exploring and
raiding. W hether by them selves or
with Italian troops these Czecho-Slo-
vaks, arriving from beyond the ocean,
have kept up the fire of patriotism and
b»e ardor t0 fight, and have fought
Hun submarine crews are going into neutral ports and w ill
tieing up for the duration of the war. This is one portion A ustria has under arm s about 5,-
men, of whom th ere m ust be
of the enemy’s military machine that knows when its 000,000
2 , 000,000 on th e firing line. Among
licked, and these deserters are banking on there being a them the oppressed racks, Bohemians,
Poles, Slovaks form the m ajority. The
new boss in Germany when they get home.
agitation among these men aiming at
death by the enemy or through th eir
own hands, they have consecrated th eir
lives to the d istan t fatherland, from
which they have come to fight In the
p o t e s t cradle of all liberty and all
Ideals—Italy.
Elim inate Weak and Unfit.
j Rome, the ancient lighthouse of civ
ility and of liberty, has substituted
these new companions In arm s for
those of Russia. These w arriors for
th e freedom of th e ir country have
found
in the ranks of our own combat
i
an ts fratern ity and sturdy faith. This
frnternity, more th an common Ideals
fo r the redemption of their respective
countries, Is cemented by the knowl
‘
edge and vision of the real difficulties
! and the resolution and firmness of pur
pose of the new com batants. From
th e ir own ranks on a spontaneous vote
they have eliminated all about whose
m ilitary vigor or enthusiasm there
!
could be any doubt, so th a t the re
cruits represent the flower of the sol
diery of the oppressed nationalities.
D raw n from the sam e country, speak
ing the same tongue, In the dally In
tim acy of th eir new m ilitary life, they
linve subjected ench other to voluntary
blit inflexible tests. The resu lts are
confided only to th eir officers.
“T itus does not please me. H e would
not make a good corporal. W e do not
w ant him,” they say. Thus, out of the
ancient m ilitary system of A ustria
spring elements of criticism which ex
clude the wenk and unfit. The officers
m ust heed these verdicts, which, like
all collective Judgments, arise from a
full consensus of th e Judges.
The exam ination of the political
opinion Is not less exacting for be
ing carried out by fellow soldiers. A
Czech recruit who spoke his m other
tongue well was challenged by his com
patriots. “H e speaks our language
well, but his heart Is not Czech,” they
said. It was learned th a t during pro
tracted business transactions in Vi
enna he had lost th e fierceness and In
trepidity of the Bohemian ch aracter
through- daily contact w ith th e Aus
tria n authorities.
Elect Own Officers.
T his control has been frnught with
excellent results. Those who have sur
vived the tests of the assembled Judges
have furnished the best w ar m aterial
and proved themselves dependable In
m ilitary and moral affairs.
T he officers are also elected by the
soldiers, who tru st th eir leaders w ith
blind faith, nnd give them the most
rigid obedience and discipline. Such
discipline the new soldiers of liberty
are taught by th eir remembrance of
imperial oppression to hold essential
to the trium ph of th eir cause,
8 “
Which do you w ant
for your 10c—ordi
nary plug or lasting
tobacco satisfaction.
Real Gravely
Chewing Plug
Peyton Brand
10c a pouch —and worth it
G ravely laata so m uch lo n ger itc o tta
n o m ore to ch e w thorn o rd in a ry plu g
B. G ra v ely T o b a c c o C om pany
D anville, V irg in ia
KEEPING THE PEACE
(From the Portland, Journal.)
Theodore Roosevelt has published an editorial in some
of
the afternoon papers in which he advocates the im
The freshly elected chairman of the Oregon Republican domlimH„ n hHS attained threatening
forms,
and
only
extrem
e
concessions
mediate adoption of universal military training. He says
state committee says that Governor Withycombe and the of equal rights will condone the sav
it is necessary for the national defense. Evidently Mr.
present congressional delegation should be re-elected al age iniquities of the empire.
The Czecho-Slovak officers a t the
Roosevelt
stakes his hopes on brute force to keep the
leging that there should be no Swapping horses in the mid front, who bring a heroism to m anifes
peace
and
not
on any federalized league of nations.
dle of tlie stream. Much as w e’d like to follow the leader, tations of th eir country an outsider
Should
he
run
for president in 1920 we may expect it to
there’s a pair of them w e’d swap off at any time and take does not perceive, say th a t even more
violent agitation will not attain the
on
a
thorogoing
militarist
platform. So the country may
chances on what we got in the trade.
desired revolution or an overthrow of
have its choice in that campaign between the principle of
the empire, because th ere Is not the
brute force and the principle of intelligence. For it is
fundam ental settin g fo r a successful
JOE .CLARK
revolt.
fairly certain that the candidate who opposes Mr. Roose
People Are Held Down.
velt in 1920 will stand for the dominance of mind over
In the country and In th e villages
(R. B. Swenson in Monmouth Herald.)
the
gendarmes
assistenz
and
th
e
mus-
matter,
just as Mr. Roosevelt, if he runs, will stand for
It was one of the anomalies of fate that Joe Clark sulm an agents of the schultz corps
the
dominance
of matter over mind.
should have met the death of a soldier. One of the mopt have absolute power over the few In
Shall
we
use
our
brains to keep the world at peace when
peacefully inclined of men, one who shrank instinctively habitants exempted from w ar serv
ice. In the big cities the rifles and
this
war
is
over,
or
shall we depend on our muscles alone?
from the sight of blood, yet voluntarily he offered his machine guns entru sted to the sol
That
seems
likely
to
be the issue. Pres. Wilson does not
scruples and his inclination on the altar of patriotic ef diers of opposing races can be turned
favor
the
adoption
of
universal military training as yet.
fort. lie was typical of the sacrifice which is steadily and on revolutionists easily, as happened
recently in Prague, w here troubled
Secretary Baker says we should wait and see how the war
surely stopping the course of the German juggernaut. were put down pitilessly by the most
turns out. I f the Germans defeat us we shall be obliged
The nations opposed to Germany are not warlike. They ferocious, enemies of th e Czech, th e
to train all our young men as fighters for the sake of main
wanted but to be left in peace. But Germany would not H ungarians.
However, th e same ste ad fast pur
taining our national existence. But if we defeat the Ger
leave them n peace. She had acquired the idea that she pose can be fa r more troublesom e
mans and then conclude an intelligent peace there will be
when
found
in
the
enemy
camp
where
was called by deity to enforce her superiority upon the
Czechs and Slovaks are present on the
no
such necessity.
world; to push out the sluggards and the weaklings and to Italian front.
The
Roosevelt school in our national politics looks upon
substitute for them the superior German. She felt that The A ustrian com m anders are
militarism
as an ideal to be adored and perpetuated.
doubtless
m
asters
of
th
e
political
she was called on to regenerate the world and to make the
composition of th e ir own effectives.
Their
opponents
look upon it as a terrible necessity. As
world pay for the process. But while the neighbor nations The num erous “Politisch untverles-
long
as
we
must
tight
let us do it with all our might, but
were peaceful they would..fight before they would lose slech,” political undesirables, are
registered
on
th
e
arm
y
records,
when
we
no
longer
need
to fight let us not keep on wor
their liberties. So with the peaceful Joe. Probably the identification cards are scattered
shipping
the
god
of
slaughter.
That is the teaching of
last thiugiijj.1 coveted was military glory. Yet when the among the loyal troops and always sub
those who do not follow the Roosevelt leadership.
necessity arose lie turned about face readily. He did not ject to vigilant surveillance.
For n long tim e no delicate task
Taking everything into consideration the chances seem
wait to be drafted. He volunteered. Volunteered among has been entru sted to them, but the
bright
for a sort of Armageddon struggle in the United
the first. The whole process of preparation was irksome pact of Rome autom atically suppress-, j
States
between
militarism and democracy. The forces are
ed
the
reasons
for
existing
disputes
to him. He liked bis freedom, to do as he pleased. But
w ith the Slav races in the empire. I t
already
arraying
themselves and the trumpet is sounding
this, too, he submitted to the greater cause, working on has also brought really a large num HORSE IS APT LINGUIST
its
preliminary
blasts.
People should make no mistake
until he could do his bit for the world. Here is something ber of “political suspects” over to the
Quick to Respond to E ither French or about the issue. Militarism and democracy are not com
Italian
camp.
to think about. When war conditions pinch; when the The A ustrian m ilitary anthorltles,
American Command.
call for donations or loans become insistant, remember a fte r the pact of Rome, m editated new T he American horse is an a p t lin patible with one another. As Lincoln said of slavery and
freedom, if one survives the other must perish. This is
what one lone printer has done. You may not want to restrictions and regulations to keep guist.
Sold overseas to th e F rench from true of the United States and the whole world. We are
th eir troops from the contagion of con
discommode yourself, to put up with inconvenience, to tact with Czecho-Slovaks In th e Ital America during the first three years of
sacrifice; neither did Joe. Blit he did it. That is the ian first lines. They rigorously sup the war, he had to learn French to un supposed to be fighting just now to extirpate militarism
his new m asters. Then sold from the world. It seems odd that while we are doing so,
point, lie gave in a manner to put the ordinary “ bit” to pressed every sign of u n rest; they derstand
drew off from th e ir b attle lines all re back to Americans for service w ith his a militarist party should show its head and gain menacing
shame. Thousands of others are doing it that posterity cruits of Bohemian. Slovak or Czech own briny a fte r the U nited S tates en
may enjoy peace. By the side of their sacrifices we may nationality, but they soon stopped tered th e war, he had to learn English, prestige among us.
The uprising of a free nation to defend its freedom is
shifting nbout and resorted to severe o r rn th er American, all over again.
pause with reverent and grateful emotion. “ Better love punishm
H undreds of these American horses
ents and shooting.
not
militarism. The determination of a free people to ex
hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his However, all th is could not bring were bought from th e French when
tirpate
autocracy from the world is not militarism. We
anything but endless anxiety to th e the first forces from th e United States
friends.”
A ustrian commanders. All w ent to landed. The drivers were constantly have armed our young men for the clear aim of freeing
underm ine th e m orale of the army, in trouble, and a t first couldn't under future generations from the need of arming. We assume
A CODE LETTER
and alienated more and more soldiers stand the reason.
“I had a team out during a review,” for the moment the panoply of war in order to slay the
from the unredeemed p arts of Italy
(Italia Irred en ta), especially when said one driver, “and couldn’t make war god. But the Roosevelt school of politicians tell us
(From tlu* Detroit News.)
they .have a b rother or a friend fight ’em budge. I yelled, ‘git-up’ and every
thing else a t ’em, and they Just sort of that having assumed the panoply we must wear it forever.
Somewhere in flu* U. N. A., July l? ) 1 8 .
ing under the Italian flag.
looked
aroun’ like they thought I was It is the most impudently unAmerican doctrine ever in
Sw
ear
Never
to
Be
Taken.
Hass N. Pfeifer,
T he rep atriates of the Czecho-Slovak foolish. Then I remembered th a t I jected into our politics.
Berlin, Germany.
arm y have been saluted already with heard a frog yell ‘alley’ at his horses,
We need not go into the fray between militarism nnd
Friend Hass: I have had a talk with the physician brotherly love by the population In the I yelled ‘alley,’ and aw ay we went.’
T he horses now a re a good deal like democracy blindly. History teems with instruction upon
zone
of
war,
especially
by
th
e
an
about Hilda’s illness and he says there is danger that cient inhabitants of the Veneto, who ! the soldier. They’ll respond to either
the issue. We may know exactly what militarism is, what
GERM infection nmy get beyond control and that we have the most recent nnd liveliest rec French or English commands.
it does to the institutions of a free people and how it keeps
should not be ANY to confident of the result. The case ollection of oppression nnd the con
vulsive struggle fo r redemption.
the
peace. All the ancient nations had universal military
IS not yet at the most critical stage, but that will be T he women of Verona offered them CONSCIENCE HURTS; E N LIST S
reached in HUE time, be assures us. It is FOR him to a b attle flng In the Bohemian colors, Youth Under Age Fear« W ar May End training for everybody except their slaves. The slaves
were kept busy feeding the soldiers. Feudal Europe had
say when that, period is at hand. 1 am glad for ONE surm ounted by a lion. The soldiers
Before He Is Twenty-One.
recognized the sanctity of the gift and
universal
military training. It was all the training any
H
arvey
Greer,
nineteen,
a
native
of
thing, and that is the rugged health Hilda had enjoyed swore an oath th at they would die
Tennessee, is the kind of conscientious body got, except a few prelates who learned to read and
for
th
a
t
emblem
of
liberty.
The
ex
before her illness. You will remember that she was a
was not rhetorical nnd the objector th at the country is proud of. write.
WHALE at t emiis, swimming and fencing. All OF these pression
“I w ant to enlist,” he told Sergeant
oath superfluous.
The American Indians when the first whites discovered
sports have helped her to build up A constitution that T he fate th a t aw aits these new w ar H. B. M ergenthal of the United States
m
arine
corps
recruiting
statio
n
a
t
(Continued on Page 3.)
now is standing her in good stead. She is on a restricted riors for the Idenls of a far-off and Stockton, 'Cal.
oppressed country Is shown by the In
diet; simple food only, with no TRIMMING. Will try to flexible m ilitary rules of the A ustrian “You’re mighty young,” replied Mer
keep you informed as to the progress of her ease.
empire. They are all subjects of the genthal. “Why do you w ant to enlist?”
“Because my conscience h u rts me,”
Em peror Carl, and as such death Is the
FRITZ HUN-SPY.
replied young Greer. “I’m afraid the
The Independence National Bank
liberty, independence or a t least to
w ithdraw from G erman or Magyar
JELLY, JUICES AND JAM
ENTITLED TO A SERVICE FLAG
(Atchison Globe.)
An Atchison man has figured in so many church rows
that his wife has put a service tlag in the window.
—x—
THIS OLD FASHIONED WOMAN SNORTS
(Wamego, Kan.. Times.)
It makes the old fashioned woman snort when she reads
o f physicians operating on hoys’ heads to make better
boys of them. There was a time when she operated on
her boys for this same purpose, but she didn’t use a knife,
nnd the portion of the anatomy she operated on was furth
er south than the head.
only thing In store for them If cap
tured.
,
T heir word Is for th a t reason sa
cred.
N either alive nor dead m ust
they fall Into the hnnds of th e en
emy. Even the dead must be snatch
ed from the oppressor.
Each one
has sworn to carry off to the Italian
lines the body of a com patriot killed
In nctlon.
In the la st days, during a reconnols-
sance, a Bohemian fell close to the
enemy lines. Braving a hot Are. the
explorers hurried to carry him off.
d!1"*.ln n n!Rht.
th e
a u s -
trla n s might get the body.
T hese "soldiers of death” know th at
It na operation falls of success they
m ust kill themselves. To the Igno
minious death Inflicted by the enemy
they prefer suicide. W hether through
w ar may be over before I am twenty-
one. Then the boys will come home
and ask me why I hadn’t been In It,
and I object conscientiously to having
no excuse to offer.”
G reer's name w as soon affixed to the
dotted line.
PROVES HER PATRIOTISM
Soldier's Wife C aret for Children and
Rune Farm.
Mrs. W ilbur Hooper of Bellalre, Kan.,
wife of a soldier, has two small chil
dren to k>ok a fte r and a small farm.
D espite the care of the children she
has planted 25 acres of corn, cares for
25 head of cattle and milks eight cows.
She has bought a $50 Liberty bond and
given $40 to the Red Cross.
Established .1889
A Successful Business Career of
Twenty-Five Years
INTEREST PAID ON TIME
DEPOSITS
Officers and Directors
H. Hirschberg. Pres.
D. W. Sears, V P.
W. S. Kurre, Cashier
W. H. Walker
I. A. Allen
O. D. Butler