6
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PORTLAND. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1914.
THE BIG BATTLE.
Europe is aflame with one of the
greatest battles in the history of man
kind. Perhaps it will prove the great
est battle. Maneuvering has given
way to a head-on clash between two
gigantic fighting machines. The
period of reconnoissance, of clashes
between covering and advance ele
ments has yielded to the fury of a
general engagement. It is a prodig
ious issue, one that is being waged
with all the bitter lust of deep racial
hatred and conflicting interests and
with all the destructive ingenuity of
modern times. Nations are the stakes,
hundreds of thousands of human be
ings the pawns, in this tremendous
clash.
Take your pencil and run a stout
curved line from Bruges In Northern
Belgium to west of Mulhausen far
south on the Franco-German boun
dary, and you have the general scope
of battle a battle with a front of
approximately 2 80 miles. As the ac
tion rages this line necessarily undu
lates back and forth as clash follows
clash. The world is not permitted to
follow these undulations. Yet such
Information as has come to light tends
to show that there are several sharp
forward thrusts in the German ad
vance, particularly where they have
swept ahead through Northern Bel
gium and again where they have
massed across the French frontier at
Nancy, south and west of the German
stronghold at Metz.
The German right may be described
as advancing in three offensive move
ments, the first moving southwest on
Lille, France, the second on Maubeuge
and the third on Namur. the total
force engaged comprising seven or
eight corps of 36.000 men each. The
center extends with a front from
Glvet. France, to Dledenhorer. Alsace
Lorraine, and the left wing as Tar
south as Mulhausen.
It is probable that the heaviest
German force occupies the center and
is directed against the French forti
fied positions extending from Lafere
to Reims, while the left wing assails
the Verdun-Nancy French defenses.
Immense importance may be attached
to the operations of the right wing,
which doubtless seeks to throw the
Belgian. English and French forces
back into France, Isolate the fortifi
cations at Namur, gain control of the
lines of communication throughout
Northern Belgium and possibly cut
the Belgian-English forces off. At
taining success in the task of envelop
ing Namur, that fortified position
would cease to be a thorn In the side
of the German advance. Namur could
be left behind with a relative small
force assigned to reduce it at leisure.
Reports of heavy German columns
In Brussels and of German patrols as
far north as Bruges Indicate that the
Germans are in position to protect
their flank from a possible English
Belgian assault. The moving of a
heavy column to the extreme north
of Belgium not only tends to protect
the German Hank fully and complete
ly, but will serve to give the Germans
control of wireless stations on the
coast line, which will be of immense
value to them.
One significant feature of the late
flevelopments Is the failure of the
French armies to crush the German
resistance in Alsace-Lorraine. It was
here that the French set out to press
home an offensive campaign, one cal
culated to offset the German advance
through Belgium. But this has failed
thus far and the French have
been forced back and placed on the
defensive.
Two marked advantages rest with
the Germans at the outset. First the
German army has a greater co-ordination
than that of the mixed force
of allies. This Is obviously true. It Is
altogether probable, if not axiomatic,
that the Germans have one co-ordinated
line of battle with one central
point of control. Germany's line of
communication doubtless reaches to
every important element of the .ad
vance, so that the great general staff,
as well as each important comman
der, knows every mile that every col
umn has advanced or fallen back.
Similar perfection of military team
work can hardly be expected of the
allies. The Belgian forces have been
more or less demoralised by many
days of fighting. In which they have
had nothing more than perfunctory
support from the French and English
forces. The few English battalions
are staunch and highly-trained, as are
the French. Yet they are unprac
tlced in co-operation and a firm co
hesion cannot be expected.
Another German advantage is that
they are assuming the offensive. The
allies must meet the various situations
as they are devised by the Germans
They are kept guessing as to what will
occur next: must be ready to support
this strategic point or the other, ac
cording to the exigencies of the Ger
man assaults. While the present
status of the great conflict does not
admit of any very definite conclusion
as to the final outcome. It would ap
pear that the Germans will succeed in
sweeping aside resistance throughout
Belgium, thus earning the assault
Into French territory. The allies may
be forced to reform their front,, may
even be driven back in rout all along
the line. But even such an outcome
might prove but the rirst decisive in
cident in what may grow into a pro
tracted campaign.
In the meantime the hope of the
allies that Russia will become a men
ace to Germany on the east may not
be fulfilled Immediately, should the
French position become serious. Rus
sia must mobilize tremendous forces
before she can bring genuine alarm
to Germany. The Russian main ad
vance into Germany cannot be effect
ed until Austria's armies are taken
care of. Otherwise the Russian flanks
would be In serious danger, especially
as the Russian advance on tne route
to Berlin is through a district covered
by lakes and marshes and cross-sectioned
by the broad Vistula River.
The Russians could not risk leaving
such terrain in their rear unless they
had force enough to protect their
whole line of communication, and this
would test even the military resources
of Russia. Hence some time may
elapse before the Russian pressure
becomes extreme on Germany. And
during this interval it is the German
aim to crush opposition to the west
and be free to give full attention to
the Russians.
SILENCE.
The Oregonlan is more or less
pained to note that its Democratic
neighbor, the Salem Capital Journal,
chooses to ignore the questions cour
teously referred to It for reply last
Wednesday by this pa.per. The Ore
gonian has reason to believe that its
columns are attentively perused by
the Salem editor, and it is not possible
that the questions were overlooked.
It can only surmise why they were
not answered.
It will repeat them, in a paraphrase
of their original form, and request
any other gentlemanly Democratic
newspaper editor to furnish a re
sponse: If it is the duty of a Democratic
newspaper, or any newspaper, to sup
port the made-in-Oregon movement,
why is it not Its duty to oppose a cus
toms tariff that admits to the Oregon
markets free of duty many products
also produced In Oregon?
When, or where, or how has any
Democratic newspaper, or Democratic
politician, or Democratic candidate
all of whom make their appeal for
the "man" and not the "party," on
the ground of non-partisanship sup
ported a Republican candidate as
against any Democratic candidate, on
the same ground or non-partisanship,
or on any ground? .
MORS THAN ONE HUNDRED DAYS.
One hundred and seventeen days
have passed since the Oregon Repre
sentative in Congress frorrt the Third
District answered his narfft on roll
call. In the long list of Congressman
from Oregon. House and Senate, no
m'ember has made such an extraordi
nary record of absenteeism, nor any
thing like it. Nor is there any Bign
that the member for the Third Dis
trict intends to return to his post at
Washington prior to the November
election.
It seems to The Oregonlan that,
without reference to any other con
sideration, the conduct of Mr. Laf
ferty constitutes a serious breach, of
his public duty. During the time of
his absence the Nation has been
threatened by the perils of a world
wide war: yet the call upon Congress
to remain in session to meet any
emergency has not been heard by this
one Oregon Congressman?
All the various services a Congress
man may render by his constant pres
ence at Washington are neglected;
every interest that Oregon has must
give ay before Mr. Lafferty'e su
preme concern about his own welfare.
Does it require anything more than
a statement of the facts to demon
strate to the entire public, without re
gard to party, that outright desertion
of public duty at this critical time
or at anv time is a grave offense,
and ought neither to be condoned nor
rewarded?
WAYS TO PROFIT FROM WAR.
The effect of the war on prices or
production of mineral in common
use is of material Interest. Some of
them, like potash, which is used not
only for fertilizer but the manufac
ture of glass, soap, dye stuffs and
some explosives, come wholly from
the war zone. It Is not now produced
commercially in the United States.
About 50 per cent Of the copper pro
duced in the United States is exported
to the European countries involved In
war. Two of the largest Alaska mines
have been compelled to close by the
drop in copper prices and copper pro
ducers generally are curtailing pro
duction. Silver is the one possible
exception that will feel a more In
jurious effect from the war than
copper.
On the brighter side is the line in
dustry. The great zinc smelters of
Belgium are strung along the Meti.-e
between Liege and Namur, or lie be
tween Verviers and Liege, directly in
the field of large military operations.
Prussian smelters arr near the Polish
Russian border and near the corner
of Russia, Austria and Germany.
There are others in Rhenish Prus
sia and Westphalia within 100 miles
of Liege. Japan does some zinc
smelting in a small way, but Jitpan Is
involved in the war. The zinc smel
ters of France and England, are not
iikelv to be affected directly by mili
tary "operations, but face the problem
of employes called to colors.
In the United States the zinc-smelting
capacity has been increasing out
of all proportion to consumption, pro
duction of zinc at the mines is in
creasing and it is possible that the
over-capacity of the smelters can be
further utilized on ore Importations
from Mexico and Australia. The
prospective markets are in South
America, Australia and the Orient.
Tin has doubled In price since the
outbreak of war, but the possible
mine production In the United States
Is too small to be greatly, affected by
high prices. It is pointed out, how
ever, that there Is an opportunity to
establish a tin Bmelter in the United
States In which to smelt Bolivian tin
ores and the small lots that America
produces.
About one-third of the arsenic con
sumed in this country Is of domestic
production. As imports are likely to
be greatlv diminished and as Ameri
can smelters do not now save all the
arsenic as a by-product that is pos
sible, there seems to be opportunity
for a growth of that industry.
Antimony Is another metal or which
our supplv has been practically cut
ofr. Ordinarily but little more valu
able than zinc, it has now reached a
figure higher than the quotation on
aluminum. Antimony is used in type
metals and bearing metals and large
quantities go into coffin trimmings.
Heretofore antimony deposits in the
United States have not been worked
because not in large enough quanti
ties or sufficiently accessible to en
able producers to compete with the
cheaper labor of China, Mexico.
France and Austria, from which the
ores now come. If smelters were es
tablished in this country much for
eign ore would be available and they
would encourage, at present prices,
the temporary' operation, at least, of
antimony mines in tnis country, ineie
are promising deposits at Red Bridge,
THE 3IORXIXG OREGOXIAN, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1914.
Or., and in Okanogan County, Wash
ington, in the West.
The Importance- of the opportuni
ties opened does not rest wholly Jn
the possibility of establishing or en
larging industries In this country. Our
own consumers will suffer from war
prices unless relief is given by press
ing the advantages now open.
BLADENSBURG.
We observed, or rather refrained
from observing, a very notable Amer
ican battle centenary yesterday. It
was the battle of Bladensburg, upon
which American history Is rather si
lent. In this conflict an American
force of some 6000 men was thrown
into confusion after little or no re
sistance, thus permitting a British
column to enter the National capital
and burn the place. Perhaps, in the
light of many subsequent American
battles and the tradition which the
American arms have fixed on numer
ous other fields of conflict, it is well
that we 'should not dwell too heavily
on Bladensburg. Yet it presents an
important lesson that of necessity
for preparedness and of the futility in
trusting to raw levies.
The American force at Bladensburg,
which was thrown into confusion by
a sharp charge launched by a British
commander heading a relatively small
force, lacked military training, organ
ization, discipline or any of the ele
ments of soldiery. It was little
more than a mob and hence easily
stampeded. Had the American force
been properly trained It is safe to as
sume that Washington" would not have
been burned and the spectacle of
President Madison and his Secretary
of War fleeing hotly would never
have been presented. The moral is
that it takes trained soldiers to fight
battles. A mob is Ineffective, even in
resisting invasion. Raw levies, even
though properly armed and equipped,
are little better than a mob.
PLEASANT PROMISES TO POLAND.
The Russian autocracy's flattering
proposal to the Poles is strictly a war
measure and will be understood as
such not onlv by the outer world, but
bv the Czar himself and his advisers.
When the exigencies of the war have
relaxed, Nicholas and his court will
feel perfectly free to enange men
minds if it seems best for Russia. The
promises now held out to the sup
posedly simple-minded and confiding
Poles are about the same as the Czar
Alexander made to them at the Eu
ropean settlement in 1815 at the close
of the Napoleonic wars. They are to
retain the uncensored use or their
language. Their connection with trie
church of Rome will no longer be
harassed. In many ways they will
ho permitted to act as an independ
... oHrn hni this will be in appear
ance only, since their country is to be
under the sovereignty of the Russian
h.utocracy.
We may add that promises even
more liberal than these were made
to the unhappy Finns in 1809. Alex
ander I, who acquired Finland, sol
emnly guaranteed "the preservation
of its laws, constitution and religion."
This pledge has been renewed by all
of Alexander's successors, including
the present Car Nicholas, but it has
not been kept. Nicholas told the
Finns only a few days before the war
broke out that, "in the face of the
larger Interests of the Russian nation,
they could not expect their guaran
teed rights to be respected."
Had the Czar then known how soon
he was to be engaged in a great war
he might -not have been so frank. The
zealous loyalty of the Finns would be
almost as valuable to him at this
critical juncture as that of the Poles
and Sews. Nicholas is scattering
promises about in all directions. He
has sent word to "his beloved Jews"
that if they will forget the past and
fight tot him heartily he will do all
sorts of beautiful things for them
when the war is over. The Jews must
be easilv imposed upon if they be
lieve him. The sins of the last few
vears against the various peoples
under his rule no doubt look large to
the Czar just now and he is willing to
reform his conduct to any extent on
paper. Reforming it in action after
peace is concluded will naturally be a
verv different thing.
The Czar has much to gain by
blnling the Poles to him if he can
do it There are 15,000.000 of these
poopie under his dominion to 5,000,
000 :n Austria and 3,000,000 in Ger
many. Poland was partitioned among
these three countries toward the end
of the eighteenth cehtury, Russia get
ting the lion's share. Since that
event, which has been Idealized and
wept over profusely by romanticists,
the lot of the Poles has not been very
enviable. Austria has treated them
comparatively well because she want
ed them to act as a counterpoise to
othrr disaffected subjects In her con
glomerate realm. Russia has tyran
nized pitilessly over her portion. Re
volts, have been put down with hor
rible slaughter. Their language has
been proscribed and their religion
persecuted. Germany has merely im
posed upon her Poles the "German
system." which perhaps exasperates
them worse than massacre and .tor
ture would. At any rate the German
Poles are said by good observers to
be more disaffected than any ot the
others. Their representatives form a
compact faction in the Reichstag
which has habitually opposed the
government, much as Parnell's Irish
men did in London. But the fact that
they are free to choose representa
tives under German rule shows how
advantageous their position really Is
In tnat country.
It Is doubtful whether the relnsti
tution of Poland even as an inde
pendent nation would be of any par
ticular benefit to that country or to
the world. For many years before
Its final destruction the government
of Poland was a phantom and the
people lived in anarchy. It was called
o .onuhiin. hut It was really an oli
garchy under the pitiless dominion of
the big landholders. in tne ui
any member could by his single voice
prevent the passage of a law. so no
laws were passed except such as were
manifestly for the benefit of the
landlord nobles. The common peo
ple were in a condition which differed
very little from slavery. In other
European countries the development
of the royal power had tamed the
feudal aristocracy and 'won many
rights for the peasants, but nothing
of the sort had happened in Poland,
where the King was the mere crea
...... ih nohles. Thev elected him
and deposed him at their own pleas
ure unless some roreign power uuw
vened. Such Intervention, which was
frequent, only Increased the reign
ing confusion. Nor is it sit all likely
that Europe would ever consent to
the reunion of the Poles under Rus
sian sovereignty, which means, of
course, Russian absolutism. It would
nno mnrn AtpTV and a Unz one.
taken by Russia toward the heart of
Europe and an increase of the stand
ing menace to the balance of power
from that direction. Before the
Czar's promise could be executed he
must win the co-operation of France
and England, and it is not easy to
believe that either of those countries
would see much to choose between a
domineering Germany and a domi
neering Russia. The chances are that
the outcome of the war will restore
the balance of power In Europe, nqt
destroy it totally by aggrandizing
Russia beyond all reason.
"I am confident," says Lafferty, in
discussing the land-grant forfeiture
case, "that the Supreme Court (of the
United States) will hold with me, pro
vided I shall not be repudiated and
hamstrung by my own district before
the case is reached." If Lafferty
shall be re-elected, the United States
Supreme Court will decide for him; if
beaten, against him. So he says. We
doubt if in the entire history' of the
United States such an appeal for re
election to Congress was ever before
made by anyone.
Our Eastern contemporaries are
agitating the question of vacations fo?
farmers. It is a live question in those
parts and will be here some day.
When every Oregon farmer raised
wheat or cattle he could take a vaca
tion every Summer and did so, going
to some mineral spring, the moun
tains or the sea as he preferred. The
Elow advance of diversified farniing
and dairying will make this whole
some practice more difficult.
Another Wisconsin Idea is the "Pay
Day Savings Club," formed to encour
age thrift among wage earners. With
his week's earnings the club member
can, on pay day, buy an interest-bearing
certificate good at the savings
bank. It is transferable and there
fore serves for currency in emergen
cies. Some employers sell these cer
tificates and thus encourage their em
ployes to provide for the inevitable
rainy day.
Persons who decry motion pictures
as illiterate and destructive of the
reading habit should pause in their
wild career of denunciation. It has
been found that the exhibition of
"Les Miserables" at the movies large
ly increased the sale of the book. The
same is true of other good novels.
The pictures show only part of the
story, leaving tantalizing gaps which
the spectator hastens to fill in by
rtading the book.
The Harvard University school of
commerce has caught the rage for
"extension." No live university feels
at ease nowadays unless it is teaching
something to the great public as well
as to its students. Harvard has un
dertaken to teach retail grocers how
to keep their accounts In such a way
that they Can know at any hour how
n-uch they are making or losing. It
Is a much-needed piece of education.
Klamath Falls aims as faithfully at
beauty In her municipal architecture
as any other Oregon town. To some
it might serve as an example; tne
new public library is not only housed
handsomely, but the building occu
pies an advantageous site. Klamath
Falls has a character of its own, as
every city should. It is unique, at
tractive and romantic.
A big apple crop with a sadly cur
tailed market is one of the .many
pleasant consequences or the war.
The Europeans who might have beeti
earning money to buy American ap
ples are busy killing one another and
at the same time destroying the capi
tal i.nrn which future earnings de
pend. War is a costly luxur but
mankind will have it.
The Division rifle shoot at Clacka
mas was called off for reasons of
economy. Millions for the pork bar
rel but next to nothing for military
trainlng.
Reltrian belles are dancing nightly
with German officers at Brussels. A
soldier is a soldier in feminine eyes,
even if he does wear the enemy's
uniform.
Congressmen who spend their after
noons at ball games are being forced
to attend to business by arrest war
rants. A lot of them probably realize
the jig is up anyway.
A dispatch from London describes
the British and French as taxing me
offensive. Tactically, perhaps, but not
strategically.
Ships owned by big American cor
porations are now to fly the American
flag. Why didn't they do it in the
first place?
The country has produced enough
apples the past season to allow two
and a fraction bushels to every person
in the country.
Bother the war news! The latest
from east of the mountains is that
Judge Benson is one vote ahead of
McNary.
The man who, six weeks ago, had
forecasted all that is occurring today
would have been confined to a padded
cell.
Marf in his state of primitive sav
agery was able to stage no such kill
ing fests as Europe is now presenting.
However, the few British squads
will not affect the outcome much, ohe
wav or the other.
While Germany is the aggressor on
one side, she Is the defender on the
other.
Birdseed prices have been doubled.
So we can't turn to that frugal diet.
Do not talk of hard times when the
children want to see the circus.
Most everyone Is now back from
vacation ror a much-needed rest.
The bear that walks like a man is
lumbering westward.
Austria has dropped the kyoodle to
meet the bear.
Where are the air fleets in the
struggle?
Oregon appears to have gone dry
already.
Nancy was seized yesterday. Poor
Nance!
The big battle is on in earnest.
The feel of Fall is In the air.
Half a Century Ago
a..- ... ........ in nf August 25. 1864.
For the benefit of future generations
it may not be improper to record the
fact that paving in Portland was duly
inaugurated yesterday. We are not In
formed as "to whether Frank Leslies
special artist was on the spot to make
a sketch of the important event, but
we should presume our enterprising
periodical dealers would have the mat
ter attended to. It would make a splen
did picture.
Two families arrived in this city
from the plains yesterday. They came
from Missouri. One of these families
was bereft of the main paternal on
their long journey, and the weeping
widow stoocPcomparatively alone, sur
rounded by her orphan children, as she
landed on the wharf in the distant home
she had started for full of hope. It was
a sorry sight.
Ladies' Christian Commission Ac
cording to previous notice the ladies
were largely represented yesterday aft
ernoon at the meeting In the vestry of
the Presbyterian Church, and organ
ized by appointing Mrs. A. Holbrook,
president; Mrs. T. H. Pearne, vice-president;
Mrs. J. C. Ainsworth, recording
secretary; Mrs. Mary Ogden, corre
sponding secretary. A committee of
three, consisting ot Miss Hill, Mrs.
G. H. Atkinson and Mrs. H. Falling,
were appointed to draft a constitution.
The Morning Oregonian is now deliv
ered north of Alder street by Mr. W. G.
Ballard, who succeeds Mr. J. M. Do
herty, retired in consequence of ill
health. SYMPATHY ON SIDE OF TEUTON.
Writer Declare America Should Give
Germany Moral Support.
SHERIDAN, Or., Aug. 23. (To the
Editor.) Permit me to congratulate
Mr. Dean Collins upon his appropriate
poem, 'aermania," published in The
uregunlan recently. Terse, in ringing
verse it directs the readers imagina
tion and mind to the only vital and
really great underlying cause tor the
present European crisis. Is Europe s
destiny to be or not to be given over
to tne despotic Slav empire, with its
dark pages of subjugation and suppres
sion of human rigius iilled to overllow
lng, or is the standard of progress and
enlightenment so gloriously advanced
by the Uermantc race to be torn from
its grasp or to be upheld? That is the
question.
Patriotism and racial prejudices
.. i . : . ..nines iiv thu many
clashes of arms between the various
nations naturally govern aim innuenco
the minds and judgment o the people
of Europe in this conflict. We occupy
a dilforent position. We are now one
nation, even though it be only about
loo years since we fashioned the first
cornerstone to our present greatness.
We are not any more a conglomerate
of nationalities, not English, French,
German or Russian. This we should
not forget. Unfortunately, however,
we encounter the contrary too fre
quently in press and public. Tne tra
ditions of the great American Nation, as
...,,:,,..! it t,, extend our sym
pathies and moral assistance to that
party whose success means a step jcu
ward toward the goal of progress, lib
erty and civilization, and not one back
ward. xr n.;A nurvAh-pR that when tins
nation was born and grew to the great
position it now occupies in cue nunn
that it was principally due to the
Anglo - Saxon, Germanic, Teutonic
bloom name it as you line iniuseu
into the veinB of our early generations.
Had the Latin race stood as sponsor at
our cradle, would we be the nation we
are today? Our Soutii American broth
ers illustrate plainly the position we
would now occupy. Had it been the
Slavic race, would we be able to point
at our history of the phenomenal de
velopment, as we can do today.' Let
us take a survey of the United States.
Is there a state or large city within its
vast boundaries, east, west, north or
south, which welcomes the big lnlfux
of the Slavs and southern Latins? is
it not a fact that we all are trying to
find ways and means to curtail and rid
ourselves of these undesirable hordes?
And Is it not a fact that we are en
deavoring to induce the German. Dutch,
Scandinavian, English and Irish to
come to our shores? We want tliem;
they are of the same race as we are;
they are progressive and industrious.
All these races are engaged in this
conflict. The preponderance of power,
involved on the one side, is Slavic; on
the other Germanic. It is the final set
tlement of the map of Europe, and with
it the fate of Asia hangs in the balance.
England, the Anglo-Saxon, Teutonic
country, on trivial grounds has taken
side with the Slav. As a nation, we
originate in our earliest stages from it.
Many call it our mother country. She
took a very motherly interest in our
afralrs before the war of independence,
but we fail to discover any motherly
acts thereafter. It will take a peculiar
ly gifted historian to convince the peo
ple of the benefit this Nation has ever
derived politically from England. Once
an Englishman always an Englishman.
It is due to the Irishmen that English
men have become American citizens.
We should abstain from predicting
events to come, but for once only. No
matter what the outcome of this Eu
ropean war will be, England will reap
the whirlwind for having yielded to the
mercenary voice of envy of the great
progress made by her sister emp re
and having cast to the winds her Anglo
Saxon blood ties and entered Into an
unholy alliance.
The wily Slav empire never y6t has
kept a treaty or promise, except that
necessity was the compelling force, and
should Germany be vanquished, there
will be no necessity. As regards
France, the Latin country, no fair
minded German blames her for the
stand she has taken. God knows. Ger
many has ever since the last war tried
to change French public opinion but
the unforgivable spirit of some of her
prominent and capable statesmen has
,-iuk!rlv counteracted these
overtures, as illustrated by the Drey
fus Morocco and other affairs.
.....i i - . ever hern a doubt
INeiwiei iiu . .. . - -----
in the minds of German statesmen that
France and Germany auieo. couiu n.ect.
and guarantee the peace of Europe in
definitely. There is no deep-seated
malice towards France in the heart of
a broad-minded German for the action
she has taken. To get satisfaction is
but human. We all acknowledge the
great place France holds In science, lit
erature, art and commerce. She is oc
cupying her niche in history with honor
and esteem. Alas, can we say the same
of Russia? Is It not more Samaritan
to keep the curtain closed than to un
cover Its history of despotism, bigotry,
anarchism, corruption, subjugation and
suppression. It is not a wholesome pic
ture to behold, without one elevating
period In her whole past. And her fu
ture' Shall the dream of despotic Peter
the Great of a great Slav empire em
bracing all Europe be magnified to In
clude all lands between the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans of Asia and Europe?
The Issues of greed, revenge and envy
fade into insignificance to the great
question: Are liberty, progress and civ
ilisation to take a step backward or
forward? And shall wo, as a great Na
tion from the hlgn peacsiai ot noerty
and enlightenment extend our Byntpa.
thies and moral support to the Slav or
to the Teuton? There can be but one
, t tVifs nuestion. if we want to
remain true to our traditions and to
the founders or our erc rnm.m.-.
FRED TOPKEN.
Boost for Home liirds.
Indianapolis News
m.iiio the nennia throusrh newspa-
j in nthor wav-B of the ISO or
io htrflo tn be found in
more sijclibo i
kw, tnu-n is the task which the I
Sioux City Bird Club has set Itself. J
SMUT EXPLOSIONS ARB PROBLEMS
Observer Suggests They Are Caused by
Static Electricity-
RIDDLE. Or., Aug. 23. (To the Edi
tor.) The explosion of a number of
threshing outfits throughout the grain
districts and the resulting loss from
fire -in machinery and grain crops thl
season brings this danger to more
prominent notice than usual, and any
Information that would help prevent
such disasters would doubtless be wel
comed by the grain men.
These explosions are generally be
lieved to be caused by smut, which ia
probably correct. But we read where It
Is susplctoned that matcheB have either
been lost or maliciously placed in the
grain stacks, and that -the matches in
passing through the machine are
struck, and the gases and smut are
thus ignited.
The writer has noted at many times
when employed about machinery of dif
ferent kinds the presence of static elec
tricity, especially when atmospheric
conditions are favorable. A spark of
electricity can be drawn from most
any rapidly running belt by holding a
file or other piece of metal within i or
to inch of its edge, and sometimes a
spark will be attracted by the bare
finger. This is especially easy to ac
complish where the shaft vihratea and
the belt does not run smoothly, and a
vibrating shaft will also yield hot
sparks from Ub end, In the same man
ner as a belt. On a threshing machine
there are scores of points where elec
tric sparks might fly If conditions
were right. Is it not poaslble and very
probable that such sparks do generate
and Ignite the smut gases, instead of
carelessness with matches or malice
being the cause o f so many threshing
machine disasters?
Assuming that the electric sparks are
the source of Ignition for these expio
Klnna. the first, remedy that would sug
gest Itself would be to case in the belts
and haft ends with non-conducting
material. In press rooms in printing
shops, when the atmosphere becomes
very dry, the electricity becomes o
troublesome that it is almoat impossi
ble to put the sheets of paper through
the machine. This trouble is noieo.
much more frequently in the dry ell
mate of Central and Eastern Oregon
than in the more humid regions west
of the Cascades. The practical remedy
in the print shop 1 to sprinkle the
floor and thus create moist atmos
phere. Steam Jets fed from the boiler
of the threshing engine might he used
to get this result about the threshing
machine, and the steam might also
have the effect of making tne gas and
smut less likely to Ignite.
The writer does not know that this
theory Is correct. He simply gives
these ideas In the hope that someone
qualified by study and experience might
see a new explanation for tho smut
exnlosionB. and help the thresliermen
solve the problem of lessening their
losses from this source.
C. A. RIDDLE
Weed Burning Not Required.
PORTLAND. Aug. 24. (To the Edl
I.. T nVitlllrt llkrt t.l kllOW If til
weed-cutting ordinance and burning on
.aaiit- nra . , v r p. i ', v understood by
those concerned. "To do away with the
high weeds on parkings and near the
pavements, which are unsightly ami
hamper trafric, is, of course, all right
k-l . -M BiiDv ami hum nil shrub
uui fcu u i. " ' . -- -
bery and small trees, as Is now done
and winch is said to be the ordinance
seems unreasonable. Instead of lovely
friio-i-nrit iiee and bushes on the va
cant lots round our homes, we now get
burned deserts.
And not onlv that, but they give per
..,!. in i ii nn lota full of big trees
a few feet from houses, the wind car
rying smoke and neat to mora, nu-
eering plants and Home, is mat rigni.
HOMEOWNER.
The communication Is In error as to
Interpretation of the "weed" ordinance,
which does not specify that weeds shall
be burned. The cases are probably
those in which private individuals have
cut the weeds and burned them. No
permits are- being issued by the Fire
Bureau for fires for this purpose. The
departmental forces have. In some in
stances, burned weeds after being cut.
but have always been provided wun
hose, buckets, etc., for proper protec
tlon against spread of fire and no com
plaint has been received on this Score
It Is apparent that private individuals
have misunderstood the requirements.
i
T-a r A mm Irott h V.
r,,t1fr.t a VT-s I t M 0 1 ( Tn tho K(i "
runiiJrtiii - - T . .
ltor.) The ffratnmatlcal query pat to
you by a corresponaum n v
presBion "blacksmith shop, "carpenter
shop," etc., ie, In my opinion, answered
erroneously.
ir.. U- nhrnaa ' . , , 1 1 1 . h "blACK
1UU SUJ llir: ...... .
smith's shop." On the contrary. I be
lieve "blacksmith snop and
.. ..,,! , ,-.,,! :is. lllllll-l'ff
cutions bib "i'i" . -
tabllshed usage permits nouns to ue
used as adjectives in niiB u ".
m, ... I'Uimii. . Arviee." "morn
1 HUB no B.J . . iiu-.j . . -
. -.11 ii vAnatioil ' 1VP .
ing run-cttn, M.iiiw. - t,
fare work." "newspaper ethics, re
ception gown, naii-muc
In these phrases nouns havo a distinct'
... luu . ,'f.. , iinnn . t'n llOUUS
IV UUBU1SJ 1 llfcS .
While not properly adjectives, they havo
the force of adjective In relation to
other words.
It would not be too nuch to say that
BnallSB grammarians b.,.. . .
W . ?T - nAihlntf wrnnir wit 1
aKi eo mere in ii.i"'". --- " ,,
"blacksmith shop," "carpenter shop, or
. ., Vt A t
barber snop.
The possessive Is not Indicated In
"welfare work.' "reception gown,.
the other illustrations the correspond
f ts ivini.. It 1 indicated in "car
penter's shop." Thus we speak of a
"machine shop" or a -macninisi "oi.
r .i,.. nnr.aiinn(ifint will consult any
standard dictionary under the word
"shop" he will find that in Illustrating
the application of the w to Indicate
the place where a workman carries on
his trade the apostropne is useo.
tr. uruloii Bnil IluHluraa.
HUBBARD, Or., Aug. 28. (To the Ed
itor.) I see by the news dispatches
that our Governor aims to call the
Legislature in extraordinary session In
.....I.,.. -Ppnviil. meaiiH for tnklnK
care of the unemployed." I would be
pleased to know wlietner tne uovernoi
thinks it good policy to advertise our
state in general and r-onianu in pu -tlcular
as a reruge for the unemployed
during the coming Winter?
Has a taxpayer who by hard work,
self-denial and thrift has laid by a few
dollars in order to keep him from the
i. in in. nlri nrrtv no rlirhtst that
UUUI1IUUD. "I ' ' ' " " a. ' -
a free soup brigade ought to respect?
How manv or tne unempiuyeu inoi
crowded the Gypsy Smith Tabernacle
last Winter would think of enduring
the hardship and self-denial that the
pioneers of our state had to suffer?
To my mind it is an unnecessary ex
pense to call an extra session.
Things to Avoid at Oregon Building.
PORTLAND. Aug. 24. (To the Kd
ltor ) Just once, let us leave out poli
tics and favoritism from the manage
ment of our state building at tho iian
Francisco Panama Exposition. Just
once let us escape that hateful epithet,
"A crank state." Just once let ua do
something normal, and have our state
building presided over by a hostess or
hostesses who know how to meet
strangers whem we of Oregon would
gladly convince that Oregonians don't
ii., nn in wlorwams. or dress in
skins, and thus retrieve our reputation
MRS. MUiXSUI r.. junuo.
Tensions for lOOO Orphan.
Baltimore American.
Over 1000 orphans are pensioned by
New York.
Twenty-Five Year Ago
From The Oronian of August 1S
Congressman 'Hermann 1 home from
his first trip in his lour of. the state, to
learn the needs of the people In the
- . . . 1 1 ..1.1 . ..... 11.. u .. .1 f
matter ot .aiiouni ieniri-i -
Mondnv at the Cascade locks and found
that with the unexpended JM'.oco of
last years appropriation a im "'
Ing can be made, as it will place much
of the stone now on hand In the walla.
Work on the elght-atory Marquam
Theater and office building Is being
pushed. The foundation of the Alder
street frontage Is well under way and
work on the foundation for the Morrison-street
front will begin In a few
days. Mr. Mnrquam Is luirnlng the
brick for his building at his yard on
the rej4or's ferry road.
The Portland Ballot Reform and Sin
gle Tax Club wMl hold a regular meet
ing at Grand Army hall tonight.
"Tiii. hn hm a creat year for trav
eling." said A. D. Charlton, the asslatant
general passenger agent ui m "
rn l'acino. to a reporter ;rici.j.
- . . i .. . h 1. 1 1 for
18 tne oevt ywar we - - .
-it i.i.j.. . . ..! . .. : ,i . f i WislWllIil
ail a i hub vi u.imi " .
and locally. So great has become tho
local travel that It has been found
necessary to put on a locni nnn.i
twten Tacoma and Spokane Falls. The
Alaska erase Is stronger than ever.
There are throe steamers on the route,
and every one Is rilled to overflowing
every trip.
H. D. McGulre has purchased from
L. F. Chemln the latter'a Interest In a
20-acro tract near Irvtngton for $9000.
E.XULAXD 1IA ISHKAT WiUNM
Writer Relieve Kltrhenrr and lli.l.rrl
Beat In ('omnia' I anfllet.
PORTLAND, Aug. II. (To the Edi
tor.) Of all tho nations now i ngaae.1
In the European war, rhapi' Ore
Britain can lay claim to having two "f
the oldest, best known and most e
perlenced of war leaders In Lord Hub
erts and Lord Kitchener.
Lord Roberts' appointment as Commander-in-Chief
of the r.in es fr. n the
over-sea dominions and India la mM
to be most popular, as I the reeeat ap
pointment of Lord Kitchener to the of
fice of Secretary of State for ffai
Lord Roberts was born in Oawnpof),
India. In 1832. of hardy Irish ances
tors, and although now 13 years oi h,
Is said to be well preserved and n
sumes his duties with much vie M HI'
rather, General Sir Abraham Roberta,
was in the Anglo-India service and wna
Major-Ceneriil in command or the Pesh
awar division at the time that his eon.
Lord Roberts, returned (, India, mi the
age ot 20 years, to nunmenoe his mili
tary enreer as Second L1euten.ini He
spent upwards or 40 years In the serv
ice or his government In the Far Kil.
righting, subjugating and elvlllr.ing tM
various tribes and peoples with whom
he had to deal.
Artcr the dorost or General Puller.
In the Transvaal war, the government
instinctively turned to th grny-halrsd
General who 20 years herore had eon
verted a disastrous rampnlen in Afghan
istan Into a brllllnnt success. Although
then R7 veara or age. and saddened by
tho receipt ot the news that his only
son had Just been killed on the field
or battle, he heeded the call to duty
and immediately left for the new scenes
or conrilet. under proround reelings of
depression.
O.) watch the foremost ranks In .tsnesra
dirk career.
Be sure the hand most dsrln UMfl ti
wiped away a tear.
Lord Kitchener, whoso father wna
Eieutenant-Colonel Henry H. Kitchener,
was born September 22. ISf,-. nor Rnl
lylongrord. Kerry. Ireland, and en
tered the nrmy as Lieutenant of roynl
engineers In 1871. In 174. as i,urirter-master-genernl
and deputy assistant
adjutant, he was actively onuageil In
the vain attempt to keep open com
munication ror the N'lle expedition to
relieve General Gordon at Khartoum.
In 18R he attained the rnnk ot Lieutenant-Colonel:
In December tie was
severely wounded while lending troops
at the battle or Hardoub He continued
on his successful career through l.sypt
ami gradually rose In rank nnd In the
estimation of his government, conclud
ing with the overthrow of Khullfn. the
Mahdl's successor, at tho battle of Gm
durman. and the enpture or Khartoum
on September 2. 1S78. which OOmplOtea
the dercat of the Dervishes. Tl- wna
warmlv welcomed on hi return t"
Englniid and received a peerntc vlth
title or Boron KIMiener f Khartoum,
and was voted thanks or both House
or Parliament and n grant of JO.eoa
pounda (tl0.000). He was mad- ( nler
of-Starr under Lord Roberts. WtMfl li"
isiumed command In South Arri. M nnd
during 1!00 rendered vnlunMe -.Id In
facilitating his marches across the
veldts and In the annexation of the
Boer republics. Tn December. ItOf,
Lord Roh"rts returned to England anil
Kitchener assumed chief commntv! HI
measures resulted In the neceplnnce of
condition bv the Tloers on Mnv II, 1PH,
nnd ror this service he w erentert
viscount, and nriln the recipient
of ovations on hi return M ffne-Und.
and the same voii-wns appointed rh.
mander-ln-rhlcf of the armv of India
He was appointed Field Marshal tn
1int and Is now engareil In rllrecilnr
the destiny of the British warriors
from his orflce of Secretary of Stile
'"rhus'we praise and honor the great
men of war
Tint when shall Ml men's f4
Be eeh man's rule, sml unlverast
t.le like a shrt of l!M arros. the lnd?
reposition i"e then II.
PAN FRANCISCO. Aug. II (To the
Editor.) The European war will make
no change In the plana or the Penama
Parlflc "international Exposition or
the 117 roreign nation that are taking
part in the Kxposltlon. not to
five wilt be affectod by the ronfllet or
arm. It Is not certain that thl will
applv to more than three.
The exhibition palaces or the Kpoi.
tlon are completed and exhibit are be
ing installed. The state of the Amer
ican Fnlon nre erecting their building.
The gardens of the ttrptUam
planted and will be ready to hloom
throughout the montha of the r.xpo -tlon
Tho department or livestock will
house as many exhibit, as if ftJMWJJ
no complications In BUrOJa. Trade re
lations will he established with the
countries of Centra) America south
America and with Japan and rtilna
...,.,i i-iih annrobrl.itlons for
prizes and transportation amounting
to 1400. 000 win tie avii"i.
Ploae say to your, reader that the
.-ui t l i'ii within the
r.xpoaitioii . ,
dates originally fixed, r ehruary -0 to
December 4. 191B. D. O. LI ELT.
Mr. Dealer, Serve
Your Public
The retail merchant' eucree Is In
a direct ratio with hie ability to
serve his public.
And service to the public mean
giving It what It wants. When It la
wanted.
When a National advertiser cornea
into the columns of the local news
papers with the story of hi mer
chandise It menns that a demand
will bo created right there.
People will want to aee thoae
goods.
Live merchants at once aenae the
demand, make attractive window
dlsplavs. show the good on their
counters and otherwise see to It that
the desire created by nowspaper ad
vertising is attracted their way.
-1