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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (March 3, 1915)
TIIE MORNING OREGONIAN. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1915. 8 PORTLAND. OREGON. Entered at Portland. Oreon. Postofflce second-class matter. Subscription Rates Invariably In advance PallT. Sunday Included, one year 2 ?j Iial.v. Sunuay Included, three pioiUM laiiy. Sunday Included, on month... Ualiy, m Illiout Sunuay, one year..... I .any. without Sunday, sot monlbl . . raliy.Ithoul Sunday, three momns. l.iiy. without fcunday, one month... . Wcklj, one year bunday, one year 1 fcunday and Weekly, one year 75 ... o ... ... ... . ... i so ... 2. ... a.&o tBy Carrier.) Pallv. Sunday Included, one year. . ?? Ialiy, bunday Included, one month..... How to Kemil cend Fostotfica money ot ter. eproa oruer or personal check on your local bant Stamps, toln or currency are at s.nJer a riilt. Give poetofflce addreaa In lull, including county and state. Poetaa-e Kate 12 to la pases, 1 cent: is to a dc. i cents: 34 to 4S pages. 3 rente, to to pases, 4 cents; 2 to . P. tents; 7S to VI pages. 6 cents. Foreign post age. double rates. Eastern Business Office Veree ponk lln. New York. Brunswick tulldlng; chlcaga fctenger building. an Kranrbfo Office R. J. Bldwell Com pany. 74 J Market street. ' rORTMXD. WXDJfliSDAY. MARCH S. 1913 SEA THOROUGHFARES BLOCKED. Great Britain's retaliation for the ' German submarine campaign against ! her commerce is an announcement that she will stop all communication with Germany through the seas which the aJlies control. This statement in cludes all seas except the Baltic and the straits through which that sea is entered. A blockade, according to the hitherto accepted rules of war being ' impracticable, Britain and France ' adopt means to accomplish all the results of a blockade without incur ! ring its obligations. They "hold them selves free to detain and take into port ships carrying goods of presumed . enemy destination or origin." They . do not intend "to confiscate such ves : fels or cargoes unless they would otherwise be liable to confiscation." That implies that they will pay for 'non-contraband goods, and probably release the vessels iwith a warning not again to attempt a voyage to an enemy port. This amounts to erection of a "no thoroughfare" sign across every ocean highway controlled by the allied fleet. It is a blockade in fact, though not in name. It differs from the attempted German blockade of the allied coasts in that ships are not to be destroyed, and their crews and passengers are not to be drowned. It will be en forced "without risk to neutral ships or neutral or non-combatant lives and in strict observance of the dictates or humanity." Notwithstanding the restrictions which the allies have thus voluntarily imposed upon themselves, this block ade in fact, though not in name. Is a violation of the rights of neutrals. It is a revival of the species of naval warfare which Britain conducted against France in the Napoleonio War and for which Napoleon retaliated in kind for the purpose of goading the United States into war with Britain. France now resorts to the very prac tice which she then condemned and in alliance with the nation she then ; fought. ' The pass to which affairs have come in the efforts of the two leading naval powers to starve each other .out demonstrates ' that the United States and other neutrals erred by negligence at the very beginning of the war. When Germany first vio lated the accepted rules of war by 'scattering contact mines broadcast in the paths of international commerce, the neutral nations should have called her to account. They should then have laid down the principle that no belligrrent has a right to imperil neu tral ships unless they enter the scene of actual fighting or territorial or blockaded waters. They would have been within their rig-tits had they undertaken to clear the sea of un anchored mines' and had they sent their ships to sink any ships of any belligerent nation which were detect ed sowing mines. Their neglect to in sist upon respect for neutral rights has encouraged both Britain and Ger many to successive acts in disregard of those rights. The war has degenerated from a combat conducted according to prize ring rules into a rough-and-tumble fight in which the combatants bite, chew, gouge and kick. Both of them say to the neutrals who wish to pass peaceably along the public road where the fight is in progress: "Get out of the way or you'll get hurt." We deny the right of belligerents to block the road with their fight, and we .... . . i J .... - A t.-iva th. inad aiiirm tneir nuiy m " clear for passers-by. One foul blow is made the excuse for another. Enraged at bombard- : nient of undefended towns, Britain seizes the German food monopoly as ground for cutting off Germany's food : f upply from over sea. Germany re taliates with the submarine and mine attacks on merchant ships, whether enemy or neutral, without regard to sacrifice of life. The loss has fallen as heavily on neutrals as on British .and French ships, and has proved in effective as regards stoppage of sea traffic to British and French ports. The destroyed British and French hips have been so few and so small that their loss amounts to no more than mosquito-bites, which Irritate but do not injure. Their destruction Is a violation of the rules and is taken fry the allies to justify another viola tion, in the shape of their embargo on all maritime intercourse with Ger many. Nothing has been accomplished to ward cutting off the allies' food sup ply. They have great stores laid up and they are confident of opening the Pardanelles to export of Russia's sur plus wheat. Canada is doing her ut biost to increase her 1915 wheat pro duction 50 per cent, over that of J 914. India also yields a surplus, which Is under absolute British con trol. So long as they control the sea, the allies, therefore, feel reasonably sure of enough food without drawing on neutral countries. They are con sequently Independent in their atti tude toward this country. Germany's reported readiness to Cease her submarine attacks If the allies will permit food and raw ma terials for manufacture to enter her ports may be ascribed to consciousness that she can do far less injury to her foes than they can do to her by their retaliatory measures. The allies are far less disposed to listen to conces aions from Germany as to compliance with the rules of war than they were last August. At that time they felt greater respect .for Germany's ag greslve power by sea than they feel now. Mines and submarines were sinking warships, cruisers were raid ing British commerce, and real dread existed of serious devastation by a German squadron and German air ship la British porU and Inland towns. They now think they know the worst that Germany can do. War ships and transports have recently evaded mines and submarines, nearly all the raiding cruisers have been destroyed, one naval raid on the Coast has succeeded, but a second has been prevented with dire consequence to the raiders, and the results of aerial raids have been insignificant. The psychological moment when the United States might have held both belligerents to a strict observ ance of the rules of naval war there fore passed when we permitted the initial violation of these rules to go by without protest. The allies seem now to assume that rules have been broken so often as to be of no effect and that they are free to make new rules as the war progresses to meet the exigency of the moment. When these new rules violate the rights of neu trality. President Wilson should, and doubtless will, deny the right of beb llgerents to change the rules without consent of neutrals. He would have been in a far stronger position had he protested at the outset, and his present protests will need to be backed bv more vigorous action in order to be made effective than if he had met the first violation with a protest. tVHERC DO THEY BELONG? The New York World defiantly challenges the good sense of Its read ers by asserting that Mr. Parry and Mr. Rublee, appointed to the Federal Trade Commission, are Re- nnhlian, tliollcrh thpv Voted for Mr Roosevelt in 1912. "They are not Democrats, declares tne wona, "They voted against Mr. Wilson in 1912. If they are not Republicans, what is a Republican?" There is a notable lack of informa tion nhnut Mr Rublee. but the semi official announcement from the White House had it that he is a Progressive, -hUo Mr Pamvuas said to be a. Pro gressive Republican. If a vote against Air. Wilson jusllties tne statement, uj th WnrH that thev are not Demo crats, it would follow that a vote against Mr. Taft means that they are nnt Rennhlloans. The arbitrary classification by the World or Mr. JtUDiee ana iir. Parry as Republicans agrees nei ther with Its own logic nor with the facts, nor with the White House definition. For Mr. Parry does not pretend to be a Republican, and has lately participated In Progressive party conferences, and Mr. Rublee belongs in the same category. How can one be a Republican who by his words and acts proclaims that he is Biimnthlni elaA? But the real offense of President Wilson consists In the obvious polit ical intent of his nnoointments to the Federal Trade Commission. Two of the three Democrats are politicians, and tho two Progressives were evi dently named with the idea of en couraging the union of the Progressive and Democratic parties. It is politics very little above the peanut variety. ' "SPOILSMEN." Senator Day is busy explaining; that the spoilsmen's bill Is a 'step forward." Senator Thompson busily explains that the spoilsmen's bill Is "a atep forward." Senator Moser keeps explaining that the m.flTiien'K hill Is "a sten forward." The Oregonian Is diligently explaining that the spoilsmen's bill is "a step lurwaro. Portland Evening Journal. And ex-Governor West. Why is Oswald West ignored ? He la busy ex plaining also that - he approves the principle laid down in the Moser bill, for he says publicly that he "believes the Governor should have the power of appointment and removal, and that he should be held responsible for the success of hia administration." An other wicked "spoilsman" thus ahamer facedly avows his villainous convic tions. The spoilsmen's bill Is the. Journal esque euphemism for the Moser act, which passed the recent Legislature by an overwhelming vote six nega-f tive votes in the Senate and eight in the House. We have the Journal's word for it that .the House was an independent and unterrified body. Some seventy odd "spoilsmen" thus agreed that the Governor, or other appointive power in the state admin istration, should also have authority to remove. There is, and has been, no civil service for appointees under the state. The absolute ppwer pf se lection or appointment is thus com plemented by a similar power of dis placement. It was always so, except as to appointees for a fixed term. Our weeping neighbor is left alone In its flood of tears over the Moser act. For even ex-Governor West de serts it, and Joins the "spoilsmen" who are seeking to restore to the Governor of Oregon the prerogatives which rightfully belong to him. The most signal act of the "spoilsman" who Is Governor of Oregon has been to appoint Bernard Daly, Democrat, judge for the Lake County District, and T. E. J. Duffy, Democrat, to be judge of the newly-created Jefferson County both, by the way. In the dis trict of that other great "spoilsman" Senator Thompson. OCR BOOMING FOREIGN TRADE. The balance of trade In favor of the United States continues to grow, ex ports having exceeded imports in Jan uary bv 1145.538,103, as compared with 40,S23,680 in January, 1914, and $63,969,492 in January. 1913. This favorable balance is due to a steady increase of exports and to a decrease of imports which has been continuous every menth since the war began until January, when imports increased about $7,400,000 over December. The January total of exports was $267,801,307, the largest for any month on record. The increase in exports due to the war has been enormous, but it haa not been sufficient in the seven months ending with January to create as large an excess over imports as was shown by the seven months enq ing January, 1914. In that period im ports decreased $137,137,313 and ex ports decreased $187,220,331, the bal ance in our favor showing a net de crease of $50,093,019. The adverse effect of the Under wood tariff is traceable all through the Commerce Department's figures for 1914 for each month shows an in. crease of imports and a decrease of exports, compared with the corre sponding month of 1913 until Decern, ber. Exports in that month were more than $12,000,000 greater, and in January, 1913, they were nearly $64,- 000.000 greater. Notwithstanding the slump caused by the war, the increase in imports prior to August was almost sufficient to offset it, for the total for twelve months ending January, 1913, was only $27,477,620 less than that for the preceding twelve months. Further, the excess of exports over imports for that period was $420,560,- 473 compared with $676,776,000 in twelve months ending January, 1914, while in the Beven months ending Jan uary last the balance in our favor was $403,957,019 against $454,050,038 in seven months ending January, 1914. Exports are increasing at such a prodigious pace, while imports have but just begun to recover, that we need not be surprised if the monthly export total should reach $300,000,000 before the fiscal year ends on June 30, while a favorable balance of more than $150,000,000 a month seems not improbable. A total balance of $1,200,000,000 for the fiscal year may be realized, and the figures for the calendar year may easily mount to $1,600,600,000. This would turn the movement of gold, strongly westward, and would pay for a vast amount of American securities which Europe may unload. The war has brought the United States immediate prosper ity, whatever may be its ultimate effect. AN EMINENT EXPLORER. The late Thomas M. Davis will be remembered for some of the most fa mous discoveries In the history of Egyptian exploration. He began his excavations more than ten years ago, carried them on with his private means and only abandoned them when his health began to fail. He expired at Secretary Bryan's estate in Florida late last February. It was in 1905 that Mr. Davis made his first import ant discovery. He was at that time excavating in the Valley of the Kings of Thebes, and by wonderful luck opened the tomb of Queen Meie's father and mother. This queen was the mother of Amen-Hotep, who fig ures in Egyptian history as "the here tic king" because he attempted to in troduce religious innovations. Of course he failed, but his singular en terprise makes him conspicuous in a line of monarchs who usually thought of nothing but war, glory and big tombs. The tomb of Queen Meie was also opened, and in its depths Mr. Davis found a beautiful alabaster portrait head of the lady which he kept at his Newport residence "as a memento of a beautiful and attractive lady whom he was sorry he never had an oppor tunity to meet." King Amen-Hotep's final resting place was opened by Mr. Davis in 1907. It had never been disturbed since the monarch began his long slumbers there. The walls were still encrusted with gold plates and the coffin Jay Just as the bearers had deposited it perhaps 3000 years before. It was beautifully carved in the finest style pf Egyptian art. These were some ef the more strik ing fruits of Mr. Davis's explorations in Egypt, but he made many other discoveries less interesting to the pub lic but invaluable to scientific men: At times he excavated on a large scale, employing 150 workmen. His private fortune was ample 'to meet the heavy drafts which this work en tailed, and we can think of no better purpose to which it could have been devoted. Mr. Davis was 78 years old when he died: JASPER'S THIMBLE CLUB. The women of Jasper, Or., have in vented something in the way of public-spirited effort which merits com mendation.' The new idea originated, as we learn from the Florence West, In the Thimble Club, an organization not uHlike the guilds and societies which may be found in any village except in one particular, apparently. That partioular was its disposition to do something effective instead of merely talking. The Thimble Club of Jasper found a worthy outlet for its energies in a plan to commemorate persons who had deserved well of the town. It made no difference whether they were born there or nor. They need not even have lived there. The only requisite was that Jasper should feel grateful to them and that condition being ful filled it was resolved to plant a tree in the depot yard and bestow upon it the name of the person to be remembered and honored. At the initial meeting for this purpose seven trees were planted. To the first Lincoln's name was ap propriately given. Although the great President never lived In Jasper the people nevertheless feel under pecu liar obligations to him, as we all do, and expressed their gratitude by dedi cating a tree to him. Among the six other worthies who were commemo rated the West mentions Sam Hand saker. "the first merchant of Jasper." This was also a good selection. Every town ought to remember its pioneers and citizens eminent in other ways and held them up for an example and insDiration to the young. In this way a vigorous local life will be sustained and a civic spirit awakened which in the long run may lead to much prac tical good. What Americans need today more than anything else is that feeling of local pride and mutual confidence which hears fruit in co-operative ef fort. Jasper has hit upon a method of inculcating such a spirit and we shall watch its development with great interest. We hope the Thimble Club will live long and prosper. COWER AS A NECESSITY OF WAR. British confiscation of copper car goes Which might possibly reach Ger many or Austria is aue to me tac-i that copper has become one of the first necessaries of modern war. for without it no ammunition can be made. The home supply of copper In tha Tantftnin CFIlintrip iS but 8. fraction of the Immense needs. This subject is thoroughly discussed in tne London Times in an article said by that journal to be "the work of one of the first living authorities on the statistics and use of copper." Ttilo nnthnrltv estimates the leneth of the two battle fronts in east and west at 750 miles, with an average nt nn rifln to each vard. which Erives roughly 1,300,000 rifles. He estimates that each ririe Tires twenty snots every twenty-four hours, or a total of r nno 000 a day. The brass neces sary for this rifle fire is about 305 tons and for Maxim guns thirty tons, a total of 335 tons. Not over 5 . per cent of the expended cartridges is recovered, tne ameuni ot tirasa tost daily thus being 318 tons. As to artillery fire, it is estimated that on some of the hottest days in the battle of the Marne the allies fired 180,000 shells a day, though France can manufacture only 70,000 to 80,000 a day. To be well within ihs tmth tie estimates the exDendi- ture of the British, French and Bel gians on the western front at 90,000 sheila a day and that pf the Germans at the same number. An equal num ber must be expenaea Dy liermany and Austria on the eastern front, mnkinsr a total of 180.000. but our authority reduces this to 150,000, to be safe. The brass in fuses is entire ly inet ahnnt 20 Ttpr cent of that in 1 J tV&Jb, J " 1 cartridges cannot be recovered and the ringrs to fit the rifling ror snens are a total loss. He thus arrives at a total Joss on artillery of 105 tons and brings his total to 430 tons, though correction of an error in cal culation would reduce this to 423 tons. Brass contains 72 per cent of copper, hence the consumption would be 309 tons a day or 112,000 tons a year. Germany, it is stated, produces an average of 26,000 tons of copper a year and at the tumost can increase the amount to 36,000 tons. Austria produces 4000 tons a year, though our authority Bays this is highly prob lematicak There results a shortage of 72,000 tons a year, to be drawn from huge stores, which have doubt leus been laid up, and from neutral countries. The price of copper in Germany has increased 200 per cent since the commencement of the war, and it is predicted that the war will be fought on a greater scale as it progresses and "will be more and more expensive in men and ammuni tion." The Times authority then says: The eonelueion Is obvious. If. while the consumption of copper increases. England and France keep the police o the sea with the utmost vigilance, so that no copper at all can reach Germany and Austria, the fate, of both empires seems certain. Until and unless her enemies gain control of the Baltic Sea and the ad- Joining straits, Germany may be able to obtain a little copper from Norway and Sweden, but the production is in significant. She may be able to ob tain some surreptitiously througn neutral ports in spite of the strict British sea patrol, but she must rely principally on her accumulated stock and on remelting the copper now in use for other purposes, unless her scientists can discover a substitute. She has more expert chemists than any other country and they are doubt less doing their utmost to adapt other metals for use in ammunition. The length and outcome of the war may depend on Germany's ability to win before her supply of copper is ex hausted or to discover a substitute. Many persons in middle life remem ber Ann Arbor as easily first among the state universities. It set the pace for the others and held the lead for many years. But now it is falling be hind. Ann Arbor is not so liberally supported as the state universities of Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, has fewer students and fewer progres sive ideas. It is not easy to see anything that the New York anarchists would have gained had their plot succeeded. A few millionaires would have been dis posed of but the law of possession and inheritance would have remained the same as before. New millionaires would have replaced the old ones, and things would have proceeded exactly as if there had been no explosion. The first steamer to ply regularly between New York and Buenos Aires is the Crofton Hall. She will sail March 10 on her initial voyage and thenceforward on fixed dates. Other vessels will be a,dded to the new line as occasion requires. The enterprise turns a new page of our trade rela tions with South America. Harper's Magazine notes compla cently the adoption of chauffeur and garage from the French. It is not ter rified by foreign words but insists that we should completely anglicise them in spelling and pronunciation. The popular word "risque," for in stance, beoomes "risky" in Harper's as it should everywhere. People who still believe in the "na tive goodness" of mankind are invited to contemplate the lbibiq tribe which Dorothy Talbot has discovered in Ni geria. They are so primitive as scarcely to have a language, but Miss Talbot describes them as "cruel and bloodthirsty." Are we not all born so? The total indebtedness of the United States is now more than $5,000,000,000. This includes all debts, public and private. National, state and local. In 1902 the grand total was $2,838,S96, 122. Since then it has just about doubled. It is to be hoped that we get full value for this rapid spending. "Skin" your roll for the new coun terfeit $20 gold note, which can be identified by a poor portrait of Wash ington, an easy matter to people as keen-eyed as a bank clerk. What a stampede would be created in most of Europe by a flock of Amer ican wild geese flying north at night about this time, with the gander pilot honk-honking the course! Keep away from San Francisco, young women. There are thousands unemployed there. Better a job wash ing dishes at home than to go hungry in that big city. No wondej- the allied troops in the trenches flee from the flaming liquid spray, which is another German re source. There is little glory in burn ing to death. The merit in the proposed jitney ordinance is in its power to compel service on streets not occupied by the railway. That will be real public service. ThA mnnv states will eo "drv" one after the other: but when the time comes for Kentucky to get into line the deluge win be near at nana. The third local postal employe has been detected in delinquency, which completes the "rule of three" and dep redations will cease. The war situation may keep the President from this Coast, but surely an impromptu Chautauqua can be de vised to bring Bryan. The Germans need more target practice. A French suraeon was "pinked" 97 times before he had to go to the hospital. The Germans have placed another burden on the linotype operator by capturing Prasznysz (probably pro nounced "Plnchy"). Oregon hens are leading In th'e egg laying contest at San Francisco, of course. They are birds from Cor vallis. A New York woman has just given birth to her twenty-first child. Let us hope her husband is a millionaire. Daughters of the American Revolu tion inherit all the fighting traits of their renowned ancestors. One after the other the Westlings are forced over the edge of the nest. Half a Century Ago j From The Oregonlan March 3, 1865. Walla Walla. A man named lie Avoy, almost 36 years old, was drowned when his canoe upset near the . i . . l . nr.it. 11'.. 1 1 .i lull Mnrnr- mOUtn Ot IHC VV(M1. na.ii -- day morning. He was engaged with some others in surveying a site for a bridge across the river connecting with the road from Wallula. L. Burt's pack train of 30 animals loaded at Schwabacker Bros. & Com pany, Walla Walla, Monday, has left for the Kootenai country. The train is loaded with flour and sundry groceries. Mr. Burt has several stores along the route. We learn from a friend that 100 guns were fired at Eugene City, Or., on re ceiving the news of the fall of Charles ton. New York. Letters from Rome state the Pope declines to conclude a con cordat with Mexico and will withdraw his nuncio from that country. The following merchants will close 1 i - niAAAn ne hncinAca HtlH offices tO- morrow, March 4, after 10 o'clock in the morning, the occasion being a fitting observance of the recent 'successes of the Union's Army and Navy: Harker Bros., E. J. Northrup & Co., Bunnell Bros.. Warden & Folger, Wiberg & Strowbrtdge, Royal, Jacob Mayer, Wal ter Bros., A. H. Johnson, Milwain & . i t.- nnT.-c.il At ( n Jacob. Burrell & Co.; Crandall & Towle, J. L. Ti ji, f. rjniamith Bros.. L. White & Bros.. A. J. Butler, J. B. Congle, J. McHenry, u. w. wuiiamn, j'i nv,o,,i x, m Millard & Van Schuyver. Seller, Frankenan, & Co.; J. Cohen, Stewart & Uourley, mcnara McCraken. Allen &. iewis. J. w. lou, it n 1 J ., .1 Jt. I n r f tin K )l V 2 It & Co.; Ladd & Tilton,' Cohen, Lyons & Co.; Weil Bros. & Co., H. Sinsheim, Boston Boot store, rornami juuhuij', T XT P.mnh.ll T-T 11 r BT"P Tl & ShindleT. O'Connor & Co..' F. Dartt, S. J. McCor- mick, jsirelt, wen a io., r iciti..t., H. W. Coroett, .savier at o., iv. j ih. Meerholz & Co., Fox & Redlich, H. Mar tin & Co. ihAiii o. iVinflc last, evening: as Po licemen Saunders and Ball were at n ihai. nffin.lnl duties at the City Jail they were beset by a band of "roughs and naa an exciting iut to avoid liberation of certain prison ers. IIEAMVO OP NEtTKAL" VEXIVG Eugene Man Asks la Webster night, or Has Time Changed Wordf PORTLAND. March 2. (To the Edi- ifrtT- vvhAKtidj mv iudicial knowl edge does not reach beyond common sense. I beg to be informed on mo iut- lowing questions: President Wilson, ex-President Taft and numerous others have stated that the shipment of munitions to bellig erents, who can obtain it. Is no Dreacn of neutrality; that the interests of this country must be guarded; that an em-hnre-n mierht werk against us in some future war when we might run short of arms and munitions. Now while Britannia rules tne waves (or may have ruled them with the ad vent of the latest submarines), Eng land prevents this country from fur nishing foodstuffs and other non-contraband to Germany. la this not against the Interests of our country? Is Webster's dennuion 01 a. iou not contrary to the definitions of tne present authorities, via.: xKt.iiir.t. Mot onErns-pd nn either side; not taking part with or assisting either if i.t at. mnrA i.nn tendin er rtartieB; specifically of a state or power lending no active assistance to eltner or any belligerents." Or, is Webster antiquated .' xrn. no rt h AthlpK nf the ouestion. President Wilson proclaimed the ideals if Americanism in peaumui ihiibuusc ispeeially in Mobile. This country abhors war more than r AitiD, ffinntrv. The Dresent Ad ministration practioed this by its re fusal of assistance to Americans in lexico, except in a theoretical way. we laim to be altruistic and have shown )riii in sntendid style in our treatment of and our reciprocity with Cuba. We preach peace ana gooa win iu an and everywhere. Is it not hypocrisy, then, it we aiiow manufacturers of arms and munitions o furnish the means to anyone to con iimo ho war tinii thp.rebv assist in working against the peaceful interests f our country to sen rooastuns mmu ither nonncontraband to other bellig erents? How can we uphold the Monroe doc trine if we take sides in a most sub- antial way in EJurope? W sav to the whole world, includ ing Germany: Hands off the American Continent; and we lend substantial as sistance to Germany's foes in Europe. Why, Germany even gave in to our request not to land any arms in Mexico and had them shipped back. As stated above, I am willing to learn, as I may not know better, hence I asked for information. Truth is a sword forged in the forge of justice. E. SCIIWARZSCHILD. SO'G OV THE TOADY. I would sing the song of the toady. The would-if-he-could-be snob. Who turns up his nose at poverty's clothes, Who fairly burns and struggles and yearns To mingle and hob-a-nob With the great, the worshipful snob. I would sing the song of the toady, Who prasps and trembles with awe When the snob condescends (and be fore all his friends) To accept of his gift with a look uplift And holds out a two-ftntjered paw With a smile like a silver thaw. I would sing the song of the toady Some day, if he makes his pile, He, too, can stare with a blase air At the toadies who follow and tumble and wallow And ape the manners and style Of the snob who was toady erstwhile. MARIE CRAIG LE GALL. Salem, Or. General Miles and Patriotic Society. PORTLAND, March 2. (To the Edi tor.) I seek information concerning a patriotic society about which I read something several years ago. General Nelson A. Miles, I believe, was president of this society. Is there such a society? What is its name? What is its abject and is there a Jocal branch in Portland? A SUBSCRIBER. As there are many patriotic societies, the questions are not definite enough to permit answers. General Miles is president of the Jefferson Memorial As sociation. This is the only position of the kind held by him that is mentioned In late biographies. Use ef Word. PORTLAND, Maroh 2.tt-(To the Edi tor.) In the following sentence is the word "Mechanics," correctly used? Kindly explain. "Five out of 30 credits of this paper will be allotted to me chanics of expression, such as manu script form, spelling, punctuation, sen tence and paragraph structure." T. K. A. Modern dictionaries neither authorize nor condemn such usage. We should say It is permissible. Button, Button f STEVENSON, Wash.. March 2. (To the Editor.) Can any reader of The Oregonian tell me how old a button Is which I picked up among some Indian relics? The button bears the inscrip tion "V. 8. Wage-Earner." C. It PACKER. N. Nitts, War Expert. By Dean Collins. Nesoius Kltts, sage of Punkindorf Sta tion. Renewing his quid, had resumed mas tication. When a bee blundered by in its slow aviation; A nicotine jet caused its extermina tion; The Nescius spoke on the war situa tion. I see in the papers a piece where it tells Them allies is stormln' them there Dardanelles, With vigor and vim and persistence they hope'll Result In the capture of Contantinople; And while all the allies thus comes up to scare "em. The Sultan has flew with his court and his harem. While French and while British is thusly attackin'. The Russians the Turk armies -else where, is whai kin'. Until it appears that the time Is now sure ud When Turkey will surely be backed off n Europe: Which shows that this war that I've mentioned above Is bad for the Turkey as well as the Dove. Why, seems ljke them allies don't never eet tired Of llckin' the Turkf till he's well-nigh exDtred : And ev'ry time Germany captures a few Of allies it seems like the thing that thev do By way of revenge for them German troops work. Is all to turn In again lickln' the Turk. WOMAN ORATKKIX FOR ORDI V AXCK Wife ef MtM-tannlo ami Mother nf Seven Telia of Hard Tlinea Struntlea. PORTLAND. March 3. (To the Kdi tor.) I want to thank our manly Mayor and also Mr. Daly anil Mr. Bi Below for passing: the most sensible and humane ordinance ever passed by a body of monthat is for all men within our city on city work to bo paid a livins wane of $3 per day. I ask any business man to answer this simple ouestion: When was our country In the most prosperous condition? Whs it when men were paid a livlnit wage or under the present Democrat 10 Ad ministration? My husband Is a mechanic and has been a hard workinsr man all his life, always willing and ready to work. We are poor through no fault of ours. We have seven children wa raised in this country, and you know It takes money to raise a family. My husband and two able-bodied sons could not pet work enough this Winter to keep the wolf from tho door. My husband landed some work for the last three weeks and what is it? A dollar and u half per day for a mechanic. Tills is disgrace to our country. Mv husband was born in Scotland, came here very yountf. My folks are all Americans. My uncle In Illinois has tlie history of our family on my mother's side traced back to the (juecn of Holland. What 1 want to say is this: I think our Government should ake a law so workinpmcn can live and lay up something for old urc so they will not ko to tne poornouse The other day an old lady and ner husband were at my door sellliin notions, trying to make their bread. She was sick: her husband almost blind. It made my heart bleed to think I could not help them. In a bin. rich country like this those two old Ameri cans had too much priile to so to a poorhouse. Transportation companies have shipped in cheap labor to this country until tluii-e is no room for our sons. Let the American mothers and fathers get together and vote for men who will bring hack the flood old times ami restore the good old flap; once more. Let us boost for men who will work, for all parties concerned, rich and poor alike. If we will put such men as Senator Borah, of Idaho; Mr. Albee, Mr. Bifrelow and -Mr. Daly at the head we shall have a sovernmcnt for tne people. I have known Mr. Borah for years, put in 27 years of my life in the State of Idaho and my husband has known Mr. Borah sinco his boyhood days, lie says he is a man for Idaho to pe proud of. Let tho workingmeii and their wives commence our cam paign now. MRS. CORA K. FLEMING, 632 East Salmon. PATRIOTIC OPPORTUNITY AT HA MI. Coming of Sons of American Revolution Opens W'uy For City Hnapltallt ?'. EUGENE, Or., March 2. (To the Ed tor.) The Oregon Society of the Sons of the American Revolution held their 24th reunion and banquet on February 22 this year. Their first banquet-reunion was on February 22, 1SSI2. The speakers on that occasion were the Rev. H. K. Ilines, Judge M. P. Heady, Captain U. 11. Moffett, D. H. Oleums. B. B. Beekman and Governor Grover. This was the first occasion on which compatriots was used as a term of fellowship between members. This organization has now societies in every state and in Paris, Honolulu and Ma nila. This society is not an aristocratic organization, it is hereditary without distinction of rank or social connec tion. An application for membership can claim his hereditary richt from a drummer boy or a teamster in the Continental Army, or from a plain citizen of this period if he was on (he right side in the conflict for inde pendence. Kor rank Is hut the guinea's stamp. A man Is a mn for a- that. This is stated to remove a false Im pression. Frankly we want recruits to join us in our patriotic endeavor, to revive in the present the spirit of the past. Next July we will have a nn(irPR here of the National Society. State and civic pride should make us wish to make the best possiuie impres sion on the representative mon and women from every part of the country. We wish to show them that we have n,At tiiTirr more to be Droud of than snow-capped mountains, lordly rivers and productive wneai ncius. . should show them, if we can. that we have changed our skies but not our minds in passing from ono side of the continent to tho other; that the Sons and Daughters of tho Ameri can Revolution arise the same whether on the Columbia or the Hudson. Our appeal is now to pet as many as possible to join us in extending the glad hand of fellowship to our visi tors. This Is one of the occasions in which co-operation Is better than competition. We have only one pur nose and our motto is "Pro Patrla. lnelon Answered. TEENHOLM, Or., March 1. (To the Editor.) (1) What is the Tumalo project? (2) wnat county in iv&.. " vlded and what is the name of each Prt? . . (3) How many Senators and Repre sentatives from Oregon are there in Congress? (4) What is recall power? MARIE HE IN. (1) An irrigation district in Central Oregon financed by a state appropria tion of $450,000. (2) Crook County was divided into Crook and Jefferson counties. (3) Two Senators and three Repre sentatives. (4) The recall Is the power of the people to remove by their vote before ordinary expiration of term of office men they have theretofore elected. Twenty-five Years Ago (Tom The Orrsonlitn Msrcli 1, I !. Philadelphia The distribution of ft four-pat;e paper entitlwd Clan-Na-Gael In front of the Roman Catholic Churches of this city has aroused the inrtlKna tion of some of the Catholic clcrsry. Father FlUuiaurtco. of -st. Michael Church, drove the disturbers away. At mass in a speech he denounced the Clau-Na-Gacl in stronn language. Olympic The Legislature which has come to be known as a most stubborn, do-nothing sort of a session has hopes of adjouriiins March 15. Hnre .Seraea nt-at-Arms l.eiter furnished Speaker Feishan a list of those who smoked in the hall in violation of rule 5t. during recess the other day. tho mem bers now go outside when they want to smoke. The Northwestern and Union Pacific lines yesterday inaiiKurated an Im proved passenter service between Chi cago and Portland, making the dis tance ilk $2 hours. Hon. I. I Morrow, after wlidm Mor row County. Oregon, is named is lb latest lucky man in real estate, feven years ago he bought a piece of laud at Ship Harbor and now he can take $50,000 for it any day. Mrs. Mary Lichtenthaler, one of the pioneer residents of Oregon, died yes terday at her home in Mouth I'ortlmui at the age of 84 years. Two sons in Oregon who survive ate Y. M. Lichten thaler, of Portland, and lion. 1. W. Lichtenthaler, of Union County. The excavation for H. W. Coihett' brick block at Oak and Fifth streets is completed. Wylie Chapman and wife, of Clacka. mas. have been in tho city several days. C. A Malbeuf has resigned his posi tion In" the office of Superintendent M. G. Hall, of the Northern Paettto Ex press Company, to accept a similar Kitn.ition In the office of Storekeeper Cunningham, of the Union PmciUc. Mrs. V.. I a. Winks left hy Meamer last nicht for San Kranclsco. She will join her (laughter. Miss Blanche, who Is the eiiesl 'f ,r- M'8' l'rak'"- hausen. The engagement of Leon Barnes, of Portland, ami Miss Dora Silverstona. of San Francisco, has been announced here. IM.AM1S AUK STOHIXU VP Tnoi m i; Contributor ltellees All Inaular INk--Hlona Mioulil He ' Loose. MONTESANO. Wash., March 1. (To the Editor. ) I recently noticed In The Oregonian a U tter from llanTord, Va.eh-. iu which tlie oft-repeated statement was made that 'l'reimrednesa for wal ls a guarantee, of peacu." I liavo heatd this so often repented that 1 had ill most become convinced Hint it la true. Still, tllcra Is one tiling that I tall'l quite umler.tand - bow England and Germany could possibly have become Involved in war. They were, certainly prepared for it. There Is lernhlo mis take somewhere. It possible thai "l-reparodness for war is a tiiiaianl. t of wiir'.1'' .... m 1 know a man who has a habit or starting out at about "seventh drink time" looking; for trouble. Invailably he anon meets Homeoiio else In Ibe name, frame f mind. They both (Hid trouble which results disastrously for bolh. Nations are very himllar to Individ uals in that respect. "Preparedness for war" 's hut another y of Mxtlng "looMng for trouble." And, by the way. If we grant that our Army and Navy are for defensive pur poses only, let me mention one tjrral weakness Iu our National defense. bight thousand mll- west of us (right under the nose of Jupanl re the Philippine Islands. Upon these islnnd" dwell an alien people, our tlaK floats oyer them Uiialiist their will, and con trary to the spirit of the Monroe dm -trine. Though we piny nol liKe to admit it, as loity a.i we hold tlie Phllippim s we are all unjust Nation, and, sooner or later, we shall have to light for their possession. In case of war a large pari of our lighting strength would be required In defending these Islands miles from home. The snme amount of armament used In defending- Ibe Pncitlo Coast would lie Infinitely mole elllclont. Are the Philippines worth II? Thry have already cost us thousands of livrs. Granting that the Uilipino is not cap able of self-government, are we respon sible for the Filipinos' shortcomings? We should set free not only the Philippine islands, but Hawaii. Guam, the Sanntall possessions, l'orlo Rico and every other insular possession. Each of them Is a source of weakness to ua. rather than of strength. Thou all our armament ran be concent rated upon our own continent. KAY U V hitli I'LtiK. 'Ell Ell. What are tho glories of this war? The plight of nations cruelly lorn. A curse on babies yet tin horn, Tha counties horrors of an hour, Tho bold abuse of kingly power--Such am tlie glories of this war. What are tlie virtues of this war? The test of science In Hie game, Tha names of monarchs writ in fame, (irent domains ferlilued with blood, Tho foreign liaile by us enjoyed Such are the virtues of this war. What are tho losses of this war? Tho trust which women placed iu men. The tears of children shed in vuln. All that In previous wars was gained. All that a boasled peace maintained. Such aro the losses of this war. What aro tho lessons of thin war? Incite nn more the childish ininil With visions of a warlike kind; Teach life and liberty are strand. Whether at home or foreign strand. Such aro the lessons of this war. F. W. WHITE. 411 East Broadway. Itiily's Representative In Portia. UlCKLirroN". Wash., March 1. (To the Kdltor.) Please let me know tho address of the Italian Consul In Port land. GliORUK KOUI.Nfi. Dr. Carlo Vlsettl, Sargent Hotel, northwest corner Hawthorne ami Grand avenues. Is Italian Consular Agent at Portland. There Is no Con sul here. .lalianese Cannot lie Naturalised. PORTLAND, March 2. (To the Edi tor.) If a Jap was born. In Japan him! civilized In United States could be, vote hero If he fulfilled certain condition: T. A. . Japanese are not eligible, to oitUen- sh i p. If I Only Knew Where ? How many times a day do you ask that question? You want somethins. Terhaps you are not sure Just what. Perhaps you are aure but do not know where to icet it. The advertising columns of The Oregonian have daily answers to such queries. They tell people what to get and where to buy to the best advantage. Nut to read the advertising li to be poorly Informed.