8
THE MORNING QUEGOXIAN, SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1916.
FOBTUIO). OREGON.
Bntersa at Portland (Oregon) Postofflce as
B.cond-clau mail matter. .
Subscription Rales Invariably In aavanca .
(By Mall.) .
Dally. Sunday Included, one year i ?
Xjafly, Sunday included, six month..
Dally, Sunday Included. thre months...
Dally, Sunday Included, on raontil '
Jmiiy. without Sunday, one year "5.,
Ially, without Sunday, six months....,
Eraily, without Sunday, three montbi. . . .
Iaily. without Sunday, ona month. . . . . - -Jy
Weekly, one year. ..........-.- -Jj
Sunday, one year S'rA
Sunday and Weekly, one year. ........ .
(By Carrier.)
Dally, Sunday Included, one year. .....
laily, Sunday Included, ona month..... -
How to Remit Send eostofllce money
order, express crder or personal check- on
your local bank. Stamps, coin or currency
are at sender's rlak. Give postofflce address
In full. Including- county and state.
" Postage Kates 12 to 16 pages, l cent: IS
to 32 pages. 2 cents: 84 to 8 pages 8 cents;
60 to 60 pages 4 cents; 62 to 76 pages,
6 cents; 78 to 2 pages, 6 cents. Foreign
postage, double rates.
Eastern Business Office Verreo A Conk
Jln, Brunswick building. New York; Verree
& Conklln. Steger building, Chicago. San
i'ranclsca representative, R, J. Bldwell. 74i
Market street.
I-ORTI.AXI). SATURDAY, JUB 14, 1916.
IHE eELF-EEVEBSENQ PKBSTDENr.
President Wilson la holding out
longer against the reversal of his Mex
ican policy than against that of the
several other policies on which he has
pursued Kuropatkin tactics that Is,
changed front and advanced. But he
Is coming around reluctantly and with
a wry face, using his utmost Intellect
ual agility to hide the faot that he Is
completely reversing his posltloni
When, Mr. Wilson was a candidate,
the Impression was given out that he
had through long years meditated In
the solitude of his study on every prob
lem of state and had formed conclu
sions with an unerringly ' accurate
mind. We were to see all the troubles
of the United States removed by this
master Intellect. His decisions, reached
beforehand, were to prove so sound
that no deviation from them was con
ceivable. He had not been In office a year
before he began to form new conclu
sions directly contrary to those which
he bad announced In his campaign,
..speeches. His platform had pledged
him to the principle of Canal toll ex
emption for coastwise vessels and he
had renewed that pledge on the stump,
saying that his promises were "not
molasses to catch flies." Yet he de
manded that Congress repeal the ex
emption clause without considering
whether It was right or wrong, be
cause some mysterious danger threat
ened us with which he would not oth
erwise know how to deal. He used
all the Influence of his high office ta
bend Congress to .his will and he car
ried through a shameful surrender of
our undoubted rights In response to
foreign threats which he dared not
define.
In his address to Congress Jn De
cember, 1914, he scoffed at the warn
ing given by the great war that our
Kational safety required ample pre
paredness for defense, tout a year later
,the need of such preparedness was the
chief subject of his address. He was
In such seemingly deep earnest about
It that he made a series of speeches
upon It In those states where the peo
ple were supposed to be lukewarm. But
he changed front again when he found
his party divided, and he finally ac
cepted a plan of Army Increase which
his own Secretary of War and his ex
pert military advisers declared Inade
quate. In his campaign speeches he de
' declared a tariff commission unneces.
sary, and throughout the first two
years of his term he adhered to that
position. He no sooner found the
press and the 'business community, as
represented by the United States
Chamber of Commerce, to be almost
unanimously In favor of a tariff com
mission than he urged Congress to es
tablish one. It is due to his Influence
that provisions to that effect are to e
Included in the new revenue bill.
By his platform and by his position
as vice-president of the Civil Service
Reform League he was pledged to sup.
port and extend the merit system in
the civil service. He has approved one
bill after another by which his party
withheld new offices from that system
and withdrew old ones from It. By
his own action and that of his Cabinet
officers he has repeatedly violated the
principle to which he was 'bound.
He has repeatedly affirmed that he
would never Intervene toy armed force
in Mexico, but he has once Intervened
and withdrawn, he again Intervened
three months ago and he now seems
about to make open war on that coun
try-
Mr. Wilson Is the great self-re
versing . President and he has ma
neuvered himself Into a position where
his own utterances and acts are his
eeverest condemnation.
UFE INSURANCE ITGTJRE8 AMAZING.
Figures that almost would challenge
credulity if It were not that the statis
tics are matters of record are pre
sented in the review of the life Insur
ance business In 1915. These figures
show that the protective spirit has
grown stronger year by year, the ratio
of increase being fairly uniform except
In years of the country's depression,
and that in the United States and
Canada In the calendar year 1915 the
huge sum of 1733,700,000 was distrib
uted toy the "old line" Insurance com
panies. This sum includes death claims
paid, and also payments for premium
savings and surrender values and pay.
merits to annuitants. The figures.
amazing as they are, even in an age
that makes light of a few ciphers more
or less coming after a dollar mark, do
not seem so striking, however, as the
estimate of the number of life insur
ence policies actually in force at the
close of the year. There were more
than 42,426,000 policies in all, accord
ing to the estimate of the Insurance
Press, which means nearly half as
many policies as there are Inhabitants
of the United States. Of course, many
of the Insured carry more than one
policy, but the number is surprisingly
large, nevertheless.
It is pointed out, to give force to the
comparison, that the amount distrib
uted in the year Is equal to 106 per
cent of all American loans and credits
granted to Great Britain since the be
ginning of the European war and that
It Is 70 per cent of the American loans
and credits granted to Great Britain,
Franco, Germany, Russia, three South
American countries, Italy, Greece,
Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Can.
ad a since the war began.
The same authority shows that the
business of the Insurance companies
directly reflected the Increase of em
ployment that resulted when our war
trade became established. Not only
was there a larger ratio of increase in
the number of new policies, but the
Improvement of the general situation
was seen in two other respects. The
"policy loan account" showed a smaller
increase than in previous years. For
1915 the Increase was only 134,091,000
to a total of 1691,259.000. This would
seem, tH huge figure, In Itself, but
the Increase In the previous year, 1914,
had been $67,854,000, and for the year
before that the Increase la the loan
account bad been 163.725,000. Thla
indicates that fewer persons had felt
called on to "mortgage their life In
surance," one of the strawB showing
an easier feeling about money matters
all around. In addition to that, there
was a decrease of 70 per cent In the
Increase of payments for "surrender
values,".-which, pointed In the same
direction.
Another surprising' conclusion drawn
from the same review Is that although
the American companies had written
large amounts of insurance in the
countries now at war, the mortality
statistics for 1915 Indicated little, if
any. Increase, so far as death payments
were concerned, over normal years of
peace.
GOOD WORK.
Oregon has cause to be proud of the
speed with which the National Guard
was mobilized at Camp Wlthycom.be
and of the enthusiasm displayed by
the Guardsmen from officers down.
The call was received by Adjutant-
General White Sunday evening. In. a
sense it was not a surprise. His of
fice was ready for It and. Indeed, so
was every company commander. The
word went forth, and the assembling
of troops and equipment began rapidly
but in an orderly manner. Wednesday
evening mobilization was completed.
The state was ready to relinquish its
authority to the Government. ' It had
done everything that was to be done.
We think tlra nmtter should not rest
without a complimentary word con
cerning the efficiency employed, by
Adjutant-General White and those un
der his command. Efficiency In this
case meant foresight, readiness and
executive ability. There is an Im
mense amount of detail In the moving
of 1200 men to a mobilization camp.
But there was not a hitch. No state
has made a better record; probably
none as good. Adjutant-General White
is a young man tout he has proved his
capacity for his position in a way that
ought to bring recognition from the
Government.
TNEXCUSABIJS.
The stigma of the "hold-ups" by
sight-seeing and rental cars on Colum
bia Highway trips clearly falls upon
tne city or .for-tiana. visitors wno
make the trip invariably know that
fraudulent exactions, such as are
complained of, can be prevented by
municipal ordinance and that they are
prevented In well-governed cities.
The fact that cities do as a rule
legislate against exorbitant auto-livery
charges makes It all the easier for ir
responsible operators to gTaft upon
strangers. There exists a reliance upon
performance of duty, a reliance created
by almost universal custom. Strangers
In our apparently well-ordered city re
pose a confidence In authorities which
they find misplaced.
The neglect of the City Commis
sion to safeguard strangers la this par.
tlcular Is & danger to the large Invest
ment made by the public in the scenic
road. The highway was designed and
built in part as a tourist attraction.. If It
Is not to be accessible except at ex
travagant cost. If it Is to become a
means of sending away robbed and dis
satisfied visitors, tourists will ulti
mately pass Portland by and go to
places where they are not plundered
There Is no good reason why the
peculiar Ideas or unexplained motives
of Mr. Daly should prevent adoption of
the ordinance submitted by the Cham.
ber of Commerce. Mr. Daly la but one
of five Commissioners. There is no
brand of councllmanlc courtesy which
Justifies .tacit consent to the pigeon
holing of a measure essential to the
city's good name. Four votes can pass
It and put it Into effect Immediately.
ANOTHER SOURCE Or POTASH.
Although the war in Europe contin.
ues to be reflected in the scarcity of
many chemicals necessary for the eco
nomic and physical welfare of Ameri
cans, evidence multiplies that if the
conflict continues long enough the dif
ficulty now confronting us will be In a
large measure overcome. One of the
many illustrations that may be men
tioned is potash. For this in the past
the United States has been virtually
dependent on Germany as its source
of supply. Before the war broke out
there had been some efforts by the
United States Government, through, its
Department of Agriculture, to stimu
late the production of potash In two
directions by development of cer
tain deposits in the Western states and
by exploitation of the great kelp
beds of the Pacific Coast. But these
efforts were more or less spasmodic
and for a good while they failed to
bear fruit. It was not a business for
a man of little capital,, for obviously
there was much experimenting to be
done, and, as everyone knows, there
have been reasons why larger capital
should hesitate before embarking- on
an extensive enterprise, involving risk
not only of losing the money put In
through direct failure, but of being
open to the charge of exploitation
and of persecution on those charges In
the event that success crowned the en
terprise.
Then came the great war, and with
the demand for potash for use in
certain explosives and Inflammables
rising by leaps and bounds, the price
soared to unheardTof levels. This
turned the scale in favor of the effort
to develop the kelp beds, and resulted
directly in the perfection of machinery
for harvesting kelp on a gigantic scale,
Some millions of dollars have been
put at the disposal of these projects,
and there seems to be a strong possi
bility of their permanency. At least.
the industry is said to toe profitable on
the basis, of present prices, and it has
some chance to establish Itself against
competition such as may be expected
as one of the inevitable results of
peace.
However, another American scientist
has contributed what may prove to be
an even mere valuable chapter to the
history of potash development. Dr.
F. G. Cottrell, formerly a professor at
the University of California and now
connected with the United States Bu
reau of Mines, has discovered a prac
tical method for precipitating salts o
potash from the fumes of cement
plants. These fumes formerly had
proved a detriment to plant life in
the vicinity of the cement furnaces and
investigations had been ordered to de
termine a way to continue making ce
ment without putting the neighboring
farmer out of business. The result Is
said to have surprised even its dis
coverer. Cement men hope to produce
as a by-product of their Industry with.
In a. few years at least a fourth of the
entire amount of potash" formerly Im
ported into the United States. This,
with the product of the kelp beds, if
they shall continue to Justify develop
m-ent, will make a large reduction In
the tribute we shall toe called on to
pay to foreign countries chiefly Ger
many after the war.
This prospect Is qualified. It is
good. prospect IX eux gwn .Government
realizes! the , nature of the after war
competition Americans will be called
on to face, and makes ut Its mind to
act without reference to the demands
of objectors and demagogues. Certain
rorelgn interests, particularly those In
chemical lines, owe their past su
premacy to eld from their own gov
ernments, only In part in the way of
subventions but chiefly In the form of
legislation of a nature calculated to
develop Industry at home and abroad.
The things to be feared by new Amer
ican industries after the war Include
dumping" from abroad, the stifling
of competition by underselling- on the
part of foreign agencies that have the
support of their governments In their
business policies and can therefore
hold out Indefinitely. and possibly low
prices due otherwise to natural eco
nomic conditions. If we shall adopt
the policy of strangling our new In
dustries as soon as they begin to show
their heads, while other governments
continue their practices of encouraging
enterprise and helping their citizens
to extend trade, Our own people will
find themselves weighted down by a
handicap that they will hardly be able
to overcome. This Is true of the new
potash Industry, and it Is true of oth
ers that have been suggested and
stimulated by conditions abroad. Their
present temporary prosperity should
deceive no one Into believing they will
not have a real fight on band when
peace conditions have been restored.
And to all Intents andi purposes their
actual Infancy, in the economic sense,
will ohave only Just begun.
raurrs or a pouci or 'words.
The expected is happening in the
relations of the United States to Mex
ico. From the day in the Summer of
1913 when President Wilson rejected
the recommendation of Ambassador
Henry L. Wilson that the government
of General Huerta be recognized, our
relations with that country have
drifted toward the present crisis. The
Oregonian gave warning then that this
pacific intervention in the internal af
fairs of Mexico would lead to anarchy
and ultimately to armed Intervention.
It was a logical deduction, obvious to
any mind which was not clouded by
the dreams of pacifism, toy devotion to
party or by exaltation of Mr, Wilson
as a superman.
When the refusal to recognize Huerta
was announced. The Oregonian said.
on August 3, 1913:
There is much merit in the recommenda
tion that m-e give modified recognition to
the Huerta government. That would be
helpful toward the solution of the Mexloan
problem by means of the proposed special
election of a President. Our Government
has been unwilling to give Huerta formal
recognition, through aversion for the means
by which he attained power. But If the
majority of the Mexican people hava to be
ruled by a government founded on murder.
as seems to be the case, that Is their affair.
While we do not admire their national
ethics, we cannot shut our eyes to the fact
that Huerta Is In fact the ruler of Mexico.
and we should officially recognize that fact
while at the same time recognizing the
belligerent rights of the rebels who control
several states. "
By so doinir we can dace ourselves In a
good position to mediate between the fac
tions. We should exhaust all pacific means
before resorting to armed Intervention.
if we are to fulfil the obligations tu
the world which wo have assumed under
io siuuiu, ivuirme, we must eitner meai
ate or intervene by armed force. Calm
consideration of what the latter alterna
tive means should prompt us to soars no
pains to raaKo mediation successful.
There is no doubt that, once convinced
that no alternative to Intervention remained.
we should bucKle down to the task: and stay
with It to the finish.
intervention in Mexloo Is not ta fee under
taken with light heart. Any escape from
us necesaity snouia be welcome.
Mr. Wilson not only refused recog
nition to Huerta; he undertook that
worthy's elimination by any means
short of those which would have been
promptly effective, namely, armed
foree. He thus Justified this further
criticism of his policy which was made
by The Oregonian on August 7, 1913;
The great objection to the policy adonted
1b afexico is that it can only make good if
carried farther. We cannot make sood on
our condemnation of such a government as
tnat oi rfuena unless ws announce theyclnd
of government we will recognize and unices
we use force to establish it. That means
intervention.
The anarchy which followed the nn.
aermining or Huerta a power and
which continues to this day was fore
shadowed by The Oregonian on Aug
ust Z8, 1913: .
In the event of final Intervention, may
we not be accused of having- blundered
our way Into the mess? If anarchy and
chaos follow Huerta'a possible bankruntcv
ana aownrau, it may te neld that we oould
nave avoided that calamity by lending
moral support xo tne organized, lr irregular,
government beaded by General Huerta,
When the President sent an ulti
matum to Huerta demanding a salute
to our flag. The Oregonian welcomed
an apparent access of vigor in his pol.
icy and on April 19, 1914, said:
The time has arrived to give Huerta a
lesson. It will be a lesson whether ha
salutes the flag or fights It out. We have
abandoned watnhful waiting and adopted
a policy ox zealous interest.
But the President stopped short
with the occupation of Vera Cruz and
returned to his , Ineffective pacific
methods by accepting the mediation of
the A-B-C powers in his efforts to
bring about a constitutional election
of a President In Mexico. On this
point The Oregonian said on April 28,
1914:
President Wilson's policy of recognizing
only a constitutionally elected President can
be made effective only by foroe. . . ,
The most hopeful feature of South Amor-
lean mediation Is that the mediators will
find a way for Mr. Wilson to draw back
gracefully without either recognizing Huerta
or imposing on mis nation tne burden of
teaching a semi-barbarous people how to
establish and maintain a democracy.
When Secretary Bryan, announced
that no settlement by mediation would
be accepted unless it Included the
elimination of Huerta, the failure of
mediation became certain. On- May i
1914, The Oregonian said on that
point:
Mediation under such circumstances can
hardly but fall. What then? ... If
the mediators fall to Induce Huerta to go,
we are to drive him out toy force. .
When Mr. Wileon refused to recognize
Huerta. na entered upon a maze of difflcul
ties and when he accompanied acceptance
OI mediation by an ultimatum, be reiected
a way of escape from the maze. Much as
he abhors bloodshed, he has increased the
risk by Ills obduracy.
Elimination, of Huerta was effected
not by the mediators but by the arms
of Villa and Obregon and, as had been
foreseen, the viatorious chiefs soon
began to quarrel. That the rebels
would toe divided Into hostile camps
was foretold, and the result which fol
lowed was thus foreshadowed on July
14, 1914:
President 'Wilson's policy has not ' re
moved the danger of war; It has only post.
poned tbat -danger and Insured that. It war
comes, it will be far more bloody and
long-continued' than If be had acted de
cisively at the outset.
The war between Carranza and Villa
began and prompted this comment on
November 12, 1914, when Vera Cruz
was about to be evacuated:
The net result of occupation of Vera
Crux is elimination of General Huerta
aa an Individual without elimination of any
of those evils Huerta aas said to represent.
In fact, conditions have grown worse since
Huerta's downfall and Alexico Is now
a more pitiful state of chaos and misery
than ever.
With the prosecution of the fac
tional war, things went from bad to
worse, famine prevailed In Mexico
Cltj and President SVilsoa warned, She
leaders that, unless a government avas
established, the United States would
do something. That warning gave oc
casion for this comment on June S,
1916i
When the President undermined the
strength of Huerta, be destroyed the only
hope of bringing tranquillity to Mexico
without outside aid. He reduced the re
publlo to the alternative between the now
existing anarchy and starvation on the ona
hand and foreign Intervention on the ether
hand. If tha United States does not Inter
vene now. It must do so as soon as the
European war ends or must permit the
victor In that war to Intervene. The pres
ident imposed this duty upon us by his
pacific Intervention. It cannot be escaped.
It proved that the "something"
which the President would do was not
'forcible Intervention" but "active
moral support." This took the shape
first of the Pan-American conference.
Of this conference The Oregonian said
on August 4, 1916:
If the President's purpose be to divide
responsibility with the Latin-American na
tions, ha is ance -more on the wrong tack,
for that responsibility rests and must con
tinue to rest cnielly upon the united, states.
Then, came armed intervention In
Haiti, In marked contrast to pacific
Intervention in Mexico, and on Sep
tember o, 1915, It was pointed out that
the difference between the chaos
which reigned In Mexico and the
peace which, reigned In Haiti was "due
to the difference between watchful
waiting and vigorous action."
When Carranza was finally recog
nized after having scorned all over
tures of Mr. Wilson and the mediators,
this comment was made on October 9,
1915:
It Is the latest, hut not tha finaL develop
ment In watchful waiting. For If Carranza,
Doastrul. unscrupulous, garrulous and cow
ardly, shall set up a Carranza government
at Mexico City, it cannot last, for Carranza
nas little ability and less prestige, and he
will speedily pass on to Join Diaz. Huerta
and Madero unless there shall be some
thing mora than moral annnort -Xrum tha
cnitea totatea,
When on March 9. 1818. Villa, raided
Columbus and murdered American
citizens and soldiers. The Oregonian
described the crime as "the inevitable
result of our pei-sistent and Inexcusa
ble failure to hold the Mexicans re
sponsible for their outrages upon
Americans and their spoliation of
American property." In contrast with
Mr. Wilson's supine submission to In.
tolerable outrage, this newspaper
placed the sending of a British army
to Abyssinia to rescue one British sub
ject from prison, and remarked:
The British were not restrained from pro
tecting a British subject by maudlin sen
timentality or mock heroics about the
sacred soli of Abyssinia or tha rights of
its people to run their analre to suit
themselvea. .
Mr. Wilson did send an army in
pursuit of Villa s bandits, but he hob
bled It with a pretense that Carranza
was friendly, though Carranza's hostil.
lty was so apparent as not even to de
ceive the Inmates of a home for de
fectives. The President passed over
without a word the treacherous at
tack on our troops at Parral by Car
ranza's soldiers. In face of an even
more treacherous attack at Carrlzal
the Administration still talks of peace.
though every manly Instinct should
prompt it to avenge the crime toy de1
troylng the whole murderous Bham
which Carranza miscalls a government.
Return to the day of "yartos and
other home medicines is suggested as
a possibility if the war continues to
cut off the supply of highly specialized
medicaments, with long, scientific
names. Those were the days when the
atlent did not feel he was getting his
money's worth unless he got a nause
ous draught, and yet some pretty
husky members of society survived and
accomplished wonders. It is a ques
tion whether the war is not doing peo
ple a good turn in making some drugs
harder to obtain.
The one discordant note In the
Spillsbury story of the fight at Carrlzal
Is that the negroes of the Tenth Caval
ry became demoralized when their of
fleers fell. It is not like the negro
trooper to go to pieces that way. He
Is proud in uniform and backs up his
prid-e with valor.
In agreeing on 208 gallons of "alco
hol, 104 gallons of whisky and fifty-
two gallons of other liquor as sufficient
for the needs of any drugstore in six
months, Seattle druggists still leave
open the question whether alcohol is
a medicine or a food.
The artillery Is the dandy arm, of
the service. The infantry does the
fighting, the cavalry the scouting,
while the battery boys do the killing.
Four more companies are needed for
Oregon's quota.
It Is too early to talk about trade
compacts after the war. Not until a
good deal more is known will It be
come apparent exactly what the "en
lightened self-interest" of the nations
Is going to toe. t
General Brusslloffs theory that It is
the army and not the territory of the
enemy that must toe captured is not
new in warfare, but if applied it prom.
lses to do its part In shortening the
war.
In the course of time, evidence may
be found to connect somebody with the
Jennings and Rlstman murders, but
Just now the work of getting It pro
ceeds slowly.
With the small white bean selling
at more than 9 cents wholesale. It Is
not too late to plant some and take a
chance. Beans will toe worth money
next Winter.
The Japanese who had to pay $5 for
scratching a match on an automobile
needs to familiarize himself with the
dry spots In Oregon.
A milk bottle in a Junks hop la a
little more than incriminating evi
dence, for milk bottles are not sold
with the milk.
Give John Barrett a roving commis
sion to keep South America in line.
John b oral ability is full of possibll
ities.
It Is no use to say it is Summer
time by the calendar If the weather
will hot do Its part.
There Is something: familiar about
the warning again to Americans to
leave Mexico."-
What Troop A needs Is a few car
loads of broncs from the Malheur
ranges.
Necessary equipment for the horo
guards Includes heavy woolen socks.
Still, there are many ways of en-
Joying a firecrackerless Fourth.
Oregon has the record on mobiliza
tion.
Ivucky. Third Battalions
JAPAN 18 DECLARED FRIBXDLI I
B. Taklta Says Reported Aid t Cur-
raaii la Ridiculously .Absurd
PORTLAND. June 31. (To the Edi
tor.) The latest American-Mexican crl-
la baa again permitted German praaa
gents and likewise yellow Journalists
to entangle Japan's name with It to tit
their own purposes. The dispatch that
reports Japan is going to aid Carranza
is rldlouloualy absurd. No doubt It
must hava been selfishly invented
somewhere over the Atlantlo or by
amateur diplomats of the da facto gov
ernment serosa the 'southern boundary.
Japan baa never committed herself
nto war unless forced to do so or -bar
vital interests are threatened. Inter
ference with Mexloan affairs has never
necessarily been forced upon her. who
has no cloae historical and geographi
cal relations with that semi- civilized
country except to protect her subjects
vlng there, aa well aa or other na
tions; and. while we hava sympathy
toward the United States for having
uch a restless people aa neighbor, aa
we have sometimes la the Orient, our
country feels quit sate In the Far East
attending her own business. To help tne
allies at battlefields, even which our
government declined against their
wishes, will be more profitable to us.
when peace la restored, than to give
useless attention to the Western Hem
isphere.
Moreover. Japan respects saonroe
Doctrine. Without overlooking- Amer
ican susceptibility, Japaneae statesmen
could not put their eyes upon the
American continent. If they had been
ambitious or rather avaricious. rev
ertheless, since our historical friend
liness toward your Nation was some
what wounded by unkind actions
nirainst our countrymen In the neigh
borina- state and matters have been
shifted to dlnlomatlo negotiations D
tween "Kasumlgasekl ana tne w nite
House, clamorous rumors have ire-
uentlv born without any creaitaoie
birth records that Japan seeks a naval
base or coaling station on the Mexican
coast to Drenare in the case of war.
They only furnished some wicked Ideas
to the cartoons ana soareneaas oi jour
nals and then natuially vanished with
out death records. Have you ever
imagined that Mexico conquers the
United 8tatea and declare herself fhe
lender of republics, if Japan aided her?
Our country has too many affairs in
full hands in the Far Orient to listen
to such foolish remarks.
It ia true there are someMinrrienaiy
feelings toward the local Japanese
along; the Coast. And it is mis ciasa oi
people wiio has that feeling to whom
always Japanese armada or yellow
peril appears in vision by the false
alarm. But the Japanese people, as a
whole. Is convinced that this Is race
problem and well content that time will
prove' us good citizens, if your busy
legislators will limit their action with
in international treaty. Do you re-
mmbni- what Jaoanese of Vancouver,
B. c. did when the Eurrpean war broke
out? They have virtually forgotten the
unfriendly action taken By Jjanaaians
years ago and organized volunteers to
.nmn holn to Ennlish force. It is tha
same with our local countrymen in the
Pacific states. Although nobody dreams
that present American-Mexican situa
tion will enter into any serious trouble
as to threaten your Nation's integrity.
.iimnna -will not hesitate to join
your Army, If such a case happens and
your Government permits it.
T.t 'em blow the trumpet of false
alarm; the walls of friendship between
two nations shall never lau.
13. TA1V11A,
Manager Oregon News.
TAXATION IS NOT THEORETICAL
Llncolu County Assessor Favors Es
tablishment of Dennlte sae.
mnt vnA Ti,n 53. (To the Ed
itor.) In the editorial column of The
t- nn tun, it T notice under
the headline "To Prevent Tax Eating"
an article referring to the Bingham
i . -an anIa th. lAIHAtivej meanure
lair u l " -
gotten out by the Taxpayers League
and indorsed, py me wsisumis
This proposed law la oniy correct in
J iu . ' w.
Bingham law on account of the restrlc-
. i n . . u u a in, th x u i i i h in uu.
fciuu " . ,
i wa vAnra a allowed
i -v.. Durham law T.lc-ht thinklnS
and theoretical experiments with the
cold-blooded ano practicaoie ituaauuu
oi revenue uu-ve w -" -
.nmio-h Whv Can WO DOt RCt OUt Of
it? Taxation Is not a theoretical
question. Its problems cannot do
solved from text books alone, but by
practical experience and common
This proposed law fans- in tnat it
rurnlBhes no dub. xno hwiq, uui.
. . n lih,ral in
Deen extravafeo-ui - - -
tax levying can continue to do so un
der either law, out ins m-um".
v 3 , . i . v.-w . a n rnnwrvAtlVA
UUUIBI liiak -
and practical are tne ones anectea uj
thta law proposes to penalize the prac
tical, conservative cuiAtsua o,uu tuu'
sges tne j " . - -" -
signing and in many cases non-taxpay
Such laws aa these encourage nlgn
taxation, as a taxing eorjtvouwu,
whether its levies are made by a com-
;....( lAtrvtno. hnorH n I- h V the, hAO-
ple direct, would hesitate to lower Its
levy, even If eaa money wers nuiru
for that year,' knowing that the next
year It could not add more than 6 per
cent to the amount raised In the foir
mer year. Thla law not only saner
tlons high taxation where extravagant
v. .... t.An irtn(nr made, but
by suggestion at least encourages
these extravagant levies uy xuiuiau
t v.n. w. n . ti . m I f a thA rnntinu
ation of these high levies by such tax-
No, the idea may be good, but this
plan will only bring disappointment.
Tin... 3 n, Annmiva era, tnT IslWR that
Induce extravagance and duplicity T
Why not stano tor ana f nuuuiaea wa
. ha will Tint nnlv rtermlt but
will encourage open and aboveboard
honestyir
It seems to me that such laws should
deflne or establish some sure and sate
. w nr fan. fM (J I-Vl snppifia Dlir.
usn v J.. " - .
pose, over and above which a tax
could not be levied. Drinking- tne iuiai
A riofinitA amount and
then, if thought necessary, a 6 per cent
Increase auove vnis uaae. aa leeway,
could be allowed, giving taxing bodies
tne privilege to uao it nut.
W. E. BALI
Assessor of Lincoln County,
Service as Red 'Cress None.
NEWPORT. Or., June SO. (To th
Editor.) Can you inform roe wnere
can a-et blanks for application for serv.
ice as a Red Cross nurse? I wish to
learn whether I am eligiDie or not
N. M. K.
Write a formal application In your
own handwriting, addressing it to
American National Red Cross, 1624 H
street Northwest, Washington, p. C
Special forme are not required. Cor
respondence with tha superintendent of
the Army Nurse Corps also should pro
duce resulta
Both Sentences Correct.
COTTAGE GROVE, Or., June 22.
(To the Editor.) To settle a dlsput
will you kindly state whether or not
the following sentences are correct;
"Several hours of work was neces
sflrv."
"There were necessarily several
hours of work."
ONE OV DISPUTANTS.
Both are correct. Either "hours," In
the plural, or "hours of work" consid
ered aa an entity, in the singular, ma
be taken aa the subject of the sentence.
It Is a matter of taste.
RELIGIOUS TEACHING AVAILABLE
Home, Church and Sunday School Are
Open, and Parochial Scbeela as WelL
WASHOTJGAU. Wash, June 13. (To
the Editor.) In a baccalaureate deliv
ered by Rev. Father W. O. Donnell and
reported in The Oreeonian the speaker,
among other things, said: "The thlnk-
o men outalde the'ehurch view with
grave anxiety the Irrellarlon of their
children. They suggest panacea after
panacea, put all to no purpose, because
in the public school religion cannot be
taught. The children study nature, but
notthe God of nature; Government, but
t uim uy wnom ruiera reign. They
may tne Derosa of the world, the
talesmen, the warriors, liberators, but
him, the mightiest in the word and
work. Jeaus of Nazareth, ihav ma v not
study."
There Is no use of lamentation over
the faot that religion cannot be taught
In the publlo schools. There are better
places available the home, the church,
the Sunday school. Religion is a fine
thing and possibly necessary for some
people. Education pertaining to other
neeas and activities in life are also
fine. Not only Is such education fine.
but It is Imperative to the making of
reasoning, upright men and women.
Too much religion tenda to bigotry and
fanaticism. On the other hand, there
cannot be too much general knowledge.
Broad understanding expands the mar
gin of thought, of sucoesstul endeavor,
of liberality, of usefulness.
When our forefathers, wise as they
were, founded the publlo school, they
aw that It was the one great panacea
for those ills Inevitably accompanying
a union of churoh and state. But they
denied no man the right to embrace
such religious ideas as he saw fit. They
granted him the privilege of teaching
the same In his family, in his church, in
Sunday schools. This was quite suffi
cient; or, if religionists chose, they
might have their paroohlal sohools,
paid for out of their own resource. Lt
all religionists keep their instruction
within Its proper sphere.
E. PLACKETT.
Franchise lu School Elections.
PORTLAJ.T, June 22. (To the Edl-
ltor.) (1) Ia an alien who has taken
out his first papers eligible to be elect.
ed as School Director 7 (2) Can a wom
an who owns no property in her own
name, merely having a dower right In
the home her husband pays taxes on,
legally vote at a school election! I
understand both cases cited were per
mitted at the last school election, and
contend- they are illegal. I. H. DAT.
Counsel for the Portland Pohool
Board holds that a person who has tak
en out first papers and has the neces
sary property and residential qualifi
cations is qualified to vote for Cchool
Director and, being qualified aa an
elector, would be eligible to hold office
as Director. It Is held by this author
ity that the citizenship amendment to
the Oregon constitution recently adopt
ed does not affect the status of school
eleotora. (t) No. Neither dower nor
courtesy right bestows the franchise.
t
Disloyal Cartoons Deprecated.
ROSEBURQ. Or., June 22. (To the
Editor.) Cartoons, since the days of
Tom Mast, have figured prominently
In the affairs of our Nation and today
are playing a prominent part. I have
notloed of late that many cartoonists
are using the cartoon aa a means of
ridiculing; our Army and Navy. I place
this cartoonist In the same class as tne
fanatic that stands on a "soap-box"
and delivers an "oration" against the
flag and Government. These cartoon
ists, in my mind, should receive no
encouragement, for do they realize that
the nations of the world more quickly
recostnlze a cartoon of thla nature than
one which tends to strengthen the Gov
ernment of the United EtatesT
A good, strong cartoon will reach
the people more quickly than an edito
rial. Therefore, should we allow car
toons of a damaging nature to be pub
lished? BERT G. BATES.
Mobilization of Oregon Troops
in the
SUNDAY OREGONIAN
Staff photographers of The Oregonian secured excellent pictures
of the Oregon guardsmen in various Interesting poses incident to
the mobilization at Camp Withycombe thi3 week.
A whole page of these photographs will be' printed in The Sun
day Oregonian tomorrow. Up-to-the-minute stories will tell of the
activities of the men at the camp what they do, what they say and
how they are living on the eve of their departure for probable war
fare. DEPARTURE OF SECOND OREGON RECALLED The present
preparations for action on the part of the Third Oregon recall the
activities of the Second Oregon in getting ready for the trip to the
Philippines 18 years ago. A complete review of these stirring in
cidents has been prepared by a gifted' writer, who was a member
of the Second Oregon. A number of pictures taken at that time
will be reproduced,
WHO OWNS THE SKY? This is a question that the present war in
Europe has brought sharply into the foreground and one that the
civilized nations of the world soon must answer. Is it lawful for
British airships to fly over Swiss territory, or for German Zepps
to sail over Holland? Read an interesting, illustrated discussion
of this problem tomorrow.
NAVAL TRAINING FOR CIVILIANS Uncle Sam has made consid
erable progress in training his civilian population for defensive
duty on land in the last year, but now he proposes to train a con
siderable portion of the population for work at sea. Tomorrow's
Oregonian will tell of the plans. Pictures will be shown.
THE IRON CLAW Arthur Stringer's sensational story is still run
ning in The Sunday Oregonian and in the motion-picture theaters
simultaneously. The 18th episode appears tomorrow.
NEW ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES Those celestial explorers
the astronomers always are busy. Recent discoveries that they
have made reveal hundreds of worlds heretofore unknown. Read
about them tomorrow-r-also see pictures of their apparatus.
AZTEC CLUB NUMBERS MANY NOTABLES The prospects for
war with Mexico have brought into new prominence the activities
of the Aztec Club, an organization composed, of veterans of the
first Mexican war. Many prominent men have been included in its
membership. A story and picture describing them will appear to-i
morrow.
NAVAL SCORER NEEDED, SAYS ZAPP The recent naval battle
7 on the North Sea has proved a puzzler for Birsky and Zapp. What's
needed is a scorer, they say, and in Montague Glass' original way
of expressing it, they will present their views to Oregonian readers
tomorrow.
THREE MORE TEMPLE PICTURES -That's about all that's neces
sary.. SUMMER RESORT NEWS Now, that the public schools have closed,
hundreds of people from Portland and other Oregon cities are
flocking to the vacation resorts. The Oregonian tomorrow will give
the latest news of the beaches and mountains.
THE UPPER YUKON--Frank G. Carpenter now describes the en
chanting country along the headwaters of Alaska's greatest river.
Some good pictures accompany the story.
PAGE OF POEMS Another group of favorites will appear tomorrow.
Yours may be in the lot.
HERBERT KAUFMAN'S PAGE Are you a Kaufman disciple? Do
you believe in the Kaufman brand of philosophy? Read the Kauf
man page in the Sunday paper and beqpme converted.
THE TEENIE WEENIES Just think what these whimsical creatures
of Bill Donahey's fertile brain are doing! They are taking a bal
loon ride. Enjoy the fun with them tomorrow.
OTHER SUNDAY SPECIALTIES Sports, society, the drama, the
movies, automobiles, the comic supplement and departments of in-
. terest to children will help to make The Sunday Oregonian complete.
In Other Days.
Tweat7-s.ro Tears Ago,
From The Oreronlaa, June 24. XSSI.
New Tork. June 2. Catherine Sin
clair, widow of the tragedian Edwin
Forrest, died last week at the age of
87. Although once known as the wife
of the famous atar and an actress her
self of no mean, ability, she died In
comparative obscurity.
John R. McLean denies. In the Cin
cinnati Enquirer, that he Is a candidate
for a seat In the United States Sonata
R. Scott, superintendent of the Fat
Stock Show, came in from Mllwankie
yesterday and is at tbe Perkins.
Prince George of Greece, who accom
panied the Czarowltch on his tour
around the world, arrived In Eta Fran
cisco recently.
The steamer Potter leaves Seattle
today for Portland. She will be con-'
voyed from Port Angeles by th steamer
Michigan, and will go first to Bonne
ville on an excursion run and later to
Astoria and Fort Canby.
The commencement exercises of the
class of 18M were held yesterday at tha
high school. Tha graduates are Helen
Willis, Elvlda All man, Eda Brash, Ger
trude Kirkley, C Henri Labbe, Elsa
Miner, Louise Morrison, Amanda Os
mund, Alice C Officer, Beatrice C
Swain. Alice Wilson and ilaxlmlllan
Nicholas.
The action of the Council of Bast
Portland in granting to the Willamette
Bridge Railway Company franchises to
operate streetcars over a number of
streets on the East Side has caused
considerable comment, much of It un
favorable. H. C Campbell, manager
for the company, when Interviewed
yesterday announced that the oompany
Is proposing to make numerous im
provements. TTSWEl, IS A OA IX SUGGESTED
Result Would Be Like Mevlns Wash
lnsrtom bounty Into Portland.
PORTLAND, June 12. (To the Ed
itor.) Julius Meier is right In want
ing an easy road from Tualatin Plains
to Portland and Mr. Benson is emi
nently correct In wanting Terwllllger
boulevard made useful as well as or
namental. However. I believe tha
roads from the divide in Southern
Portland to the business part of the
city axe now sufficient. It is easy to
come down from the 417 feet of the
elevation of the divide, but for loaded
vehicles to get up there, whether com
ing or going, la the real obstacle to be
overcome, and thla oan be done by a
tunnel from Marquam Gulch to Tuala
tin Plains. This would save climbing
217 feet, the elevation at Sixth and
Sheridan streets, where tha tunnel road
would begin or end, being about 200
feet.
It Is believed the tunnel would not
be mora than 7000 feet In length apd
that it could be excavated and tim
bered tor $400,000, while the earth ex
cavated would help to fill Marquam
Gulch and this would affectively and
superbly accomplish the great publia
need intended to be effected by the pro
posal of Mr. Meier. The cost should
be divided between the state, the couna
ty. the city and the property specially
benefited.
The cost of a preliminary survey to
get the length and grade of such a
tunnel would be Inconsiderable and tha
result would be like moving Washing
ton County Into thla city. This pro
posal is not new, but It is a good one.
OBSERVER.
Xante of Speaker mt Hsase,
SILVER LAKE, Wash.. June 21. (To
the Editor.) What Is the name of tha
Speaker of the House of Representa
tives at Washington T SUBSCRIBER.
Champ Clark.