10
T1TE 3IORNIXG OREGONIAX, SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1917.
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PORTLAND, SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1917.
IMPERIALIST MINT) OCR J53TEMY.
Chancellor von Bethmann - Holl
weg's speech to the German Reichstag
Is most Instructive as revealing more
tlearly than ever the German view of
the empire's relation to other nations.
That view is that German necessity
must be the supreme law of the world.
Anything la right in Germany's esti
mation which will contribute to Ger
man success; anything is wrong which
ptands In Germany's way. Interna
tional law, treaties, the rights of neu
trals, freedom of the sea, that immu
nity of non-combatants, especially of
women and children, from attack
which has been considered the foun
dation of civilization all must be
Bwept away in order to clear Ger
many's path to victory. No part of
the structure of civilization Is worth
paving at the cost of German defeat.
A perfect world would be a world at
Germany's feet, subdued by German
ruthlessness and Imbibing German
culture from the Hlndenburgs, Luden
dorffa, Tlrpitzes, Reventlows and
SSlmmermanns. That is the German
view.
If any nation should be injured
through obstructing the way of Ger
many, it, not Germany, is to blame.
If any person should be killed by the
German war-chariot, his blood be on
fcis own head. That Germany may
conquer, the sea must be as utterly a
desert as Sahara. Belgium was Justly
punished for opposing its guaranteed
neutrality to the passage of German
armies Into France. Great Britain is
to blame for coming to Belgium's
rescue. That country is responsible
for submarine barbarities, for it has
presumed to blockade Germany's
coast. Russia has sinned in opposing
Austria's chastisement of Serbia.
France commits a crime in going to
Russia's aid and in attempting to re
cover her lost provinces. Italy is a
faithless ally In having denounced as
aggressive a war which Germany,
whose word is law, has pronounced
defensive and in' seeking the union of
the Italian race. Roumanla must be
crushed for cherishing a like ambition.
The Armenians are Justly exterminated
for daring to hope for emancipation
from Turkish savagery. Finally the
United States alone is to blame for the
murder of its citizens and for the de
struction of its ships, for it Insists
upon continuing commerce and travel
on the high "seas when Germany for
bids, and thereby gets Its ships and its
people In the way of submarines.
When this is the condition of the
German mind and when translation of
its thoughts Into action takes the form
of seas strewn with wrecks and .the
bodies of women and children, of
countries laid waste, of cities destroyed
and sacred temples wrecked, and of
entire nations reduced to semi-starvation
and slavery, it would be blind
folly for the American people not to
govern their conduct by a broad view
of the facts. We dare not, if we would,
take cognizance only of that phase of
Prussianism which Immediately af
fects us. Were we to restore peace
for the present for Germany is al
ready making war on us by aban
doning our commerce and by with
drawing our ships from the barred
Eones, we should sanction application
of the same methods to us on land as
well as at sea after Germany had
triumphed over her present enemies.
We should by so doing accept the
dictum that might Is right, and that
law, good faith, the rights of nations,
even the first principles of humanity,
place no restraint upon its exercise.
Seeing the leagued despotisms of "the
world arrayed against the leagued
democracies of Europe, we should, by
submitting to Germany's decree, do
even worse than proclaim our indif
ference to the fate of those institu
tions which are the essence of our
National life. By withdrawing from
the allies those supplies which we can
lawfully send them, we should give
valuable aid to despotism against de
mocracy. We should aid Prussian
Ism to triumph In Europe and Asia,
knowing full well that it would surely
attempt afterwaYd, by the barbarous
methods which we had sanctioned by
our submission, to crush democracy
In the United States and in the other
American republics. For Germany
would not rest until the monstrous
designs with which it is obsessed had
triumphed throughout, the World.
Submarine war, which we now re
sist, is but a symptom of the hideous
disease which prevails throughout the
Germanic alliance and which Germany
drives to spread In all countries. To
fight submarines only would be but
to treat a symptom; we must fight the
disease itself, not only by preventing
its spread but by attacking it where
it rages most fiercely. We have had
convincing evidence of the efforts of
Germany to infect our own people
with it. In shape of plots, explosions
and propaganda in this country, of
the attempted alliance with Mexico
and Japan and of a long series of
covertly hostile acts extending back
for twenty years.
But defeat does not mean destruc
tion of Germany, as the Kaiser and
his statesmen falsely assert; that as
sertion is born of the delusion that
Germany cannot live without them, or
that the allies would, if they could,
destroy the nation. Defeat of the
Teutons would remove the chief ob
stacles to peace and would clear the
way to formation of that league of
peace for which we all yearn. War
will -jlead to peace by destroying its
own most fruitful causes.
Recent reports on the National work
of the Young Men's Christian Asso
ciation show increasing liberality on
the part of industrial concerns all over
the country, due largely, it is probable,
to the foundation laid by the depart
ment which took up the task of teach
ing English to foreigners in shops and
mills, a task -which waa extended,
quite naturally, to instruction in the
principles of. our Government. From
this it was only a step to courses in
American history, and finally to in
dustrial efficiency. The office of in
dustrial secretary has consequently
become more and more important.
One of these has been added only re
cently for special work in the Iron
region of Minnesota, and the work
has been greatly enlarged and ex
tended in Colorado, while points as
widely separated as Winston-Salem,
N. C; Newburgh, N. Y., and Spring
field, O., have been added to the great
chain. A considerable number of spe
cially trained industrial secretaries are
to enter upqgi their tasks in May.
1KB SUPREME DITK.
America is awake, for America has
begun to understand. It had assigned
to itself, through tradition, through
desire, through practice, the easy role
of isolation from the controversies and
struggles of the nations. It cannot be
maintained. We must make our
choice.
If Germany should triumph over her
enemies in Europe, what will be the
nature of the reckoning to come with
us?
If Germany and her allies fight to a
draw with Great Britain and her
allies, without our intervention, what
then will be our international position
before the one group or the other?
If Great Britain and her allies de
feat Germany and her allies, without
our intervention, what then?
Whatever we do, or refuse to do,
there is no escape from the conclu
sion that preparedness to take care
of ourselves in any finality is the great
duty of the hour.
HK. PETERSON'S JOB.
Mrs. Singleton has been superin
tendent of the Multnomah County
Poor Farm and Is about to be removed
to make a place for F. R. Peterson, of
Lents. The charges against Mrs. Sin
gleton appear to be chiefly that she
is a woman, which is not denied, and
that she has not been economical,
which is denied. On the whole, the
reasons for Mrs. Singleton's dismissal
apparently simmer down to the fact
that her place is desired for a man,
and the man evidently has special
political deserts.
If the public has any Interest what
ever in the Poor Farm, it may well
be curious about Mr. Peterson. He is
not particularly well known through
out the county, but there are some
excellent women at Lents who think
and say that they know him quite
well. They appeared before the Coun
ty Commissioners yesterday to protest
against his appointment, making ac
cusations which lacked nothing of di
rectness. They say he is guilty of
illicit sale of liquor from his drug
store and that his personal habits are
notoriously bad, and they describe him
generally as a "public nuisance."
The Oregonlan doesn't know any
thing about Peterson. But it knows
that the charges against him must be
satisfactorily met before his appoint
ment to the Poor Farm can be Jus
tifiably made. It has heard always
goods reports about Mrs. Singleton,
and it has not overlooked the fact that
the Inmates of the farm are practically
a unit in desiring her retention. '
ThA Pnnntv PnminiflstnnprR nnd tTiA
County Physician should be informed
that the public has a watchful and
suspicious eye about this Singleton-
Peterson episode. The burden of
proof that the change is warranted
rests ' clearly upon them.
DISCORD OVER HARMONY.
The Oregonian ' has been favored
with copies of the affirmative and
negative arguments on the "harmony"
amendment to the constitution. As
these arguments will later appear in
the state pamphlet to be perused at the
well-known family gatherings called
for argument and discussion by every
voter in Oregon prior to every elec
tion, the texts will not be given herein.
It may be appropriately observed,
however, that in a matter of harmony
our lawyers and lawgivers find sur
prising room for discord.
The proposed amendment was pub
lished on this page several days ago.
It will be recalled that it purports to
prohibit constitutional amendments
by implication. It requires that every
new amendment, which renders any
part of the constitution ineffective,
shall specifically repeal that part of
the constitution or fall itself.
It is an entirely novel proposal and
The Oregonlan blushingly confesses
that after reading both arguments,
prepared as they were by able stu
dents, lawyers and statesmen, it is
still unable to determine what would
be the effect of its adoption.
The affirmative argument avers
that the amendment would put a
stop to initiation as constitutional
amendments of enactments that ought
to be submitted as statutory law. If
it would do that it would be a good
thing. But the. negative argument in
sists that it would prevent any and
all amendments, which plainly would
be a- bad thing.
We have been living In Oregon with
the idea that the will of the people is
supreme; that the latest expression
of that will prevails over all preceding
expressions, and that its supremacy
cannot be denied. This amendment.
it appears, would deny it with all
the force of a fundamental and un
assailable declaration. It provides
that the will of the voters in 191?
shall prevail over the will of the vot
ers in any later election as to the
technical wording of constitutional
enactments.
The amendment thus seems at last
to offer opportunity to demonstrate
just what would happen if an irresist
ible force meets an immovable body.
The problem ,1s an old one and
The Oregonian acknowledges that,
with others of scientific turn of mind,
it has long been disturbed by it. Once
more is the Oregon system offered as
a means of definitely ending an an
cient and Important controversy.
GIVING JOT TO THE rEOPUE.
There died in a New Tork hospital
the other day a man who had done, a
good deal toward giving pleasure to
his fellow-men in his modest way,
but who at the time of his death was
practically .forgotten to all except a
small circle of Intimate friends. He
was Charles B. Ward, actor and song
writer, and best known in the latter
capacity. At one time he was as fa.
mous as Charley Chaplin and Roscoe
Arbuckle are today, although people
then were not paying so lavishly for
being entertained. He began by re
fining and popularizing the Bowery
music-hall songs of his time and then
branched out on his own account.
There was a time not so very long ago
when every boy who could whistle
knew some of the melodies of Ward
Gone to the limbo of forgotten
things, however, is the best-known
song of them all, "Strike Up the Band,
Here Comes a Sailor." It was writ
ten before the crimp had been abol
ished, and the sentiment and philos
ophy struck a responsive chord all
over the world. The song was trans
lated into many languages, and paro
died "extensively, and the rollicking
tune was "executed" on many an ac
cordeon along the world's waterfronts.
Only the chorus has survived. It ran
like this:
Strike up the band.
Here comes a sailor.
Hat in his hand.
Just off a whaler;
Stand in a row.
Don't let him go;
Jack's a cinch, but every Inch
A sailor.
Jack was a "cinch" those days for
the hordes that were lying in wait
for him on every hand. It was the
"easy come, easy go" period of sea
faring, and Jack rather prided himself
on his total lack of concern for what
became of him after Lis money was
gone. It is a strange fact that the
ditty usually had the effect when
sung in his presence of causing him
to "loosen up" all the more freely.
The none-too deft compliment about
his being "every inch a sailor" found
its way straight to his childlike hearty
whereupon there were more rounds
of drinks for all. But times have
changed for Jack. He is not the
"cinch" for the boarding-house keep
ers and other harpies that he used
to be. It is not Improbable that the
song was the indirect cause of bring
ing the reform about. Subconsciously,
even, one may bee me weary of being
paraded as a "cinch" indefinitely; and,
at any rate, sailors art) not the easy
marks they were In the olden days.
Ward had ' the happy . faculty of
making the world sing with him. "The
Band Played On" had a certain quality
that made it tremendously popular for
about-the length of time that a topical
song usually lasts, but it, too, went
its way, as have "Hot Time" and "Tlp
perary," which others have since writ
ten. It affords an Interesting field
for speculation upon what the next
one will be like. Right now we are
living in a period, happily or not, ac
cording to the point of view, unre
lieved by a really popular air of any
kind. We except, of course, the
"Star-Spangled Banner."
OUR CONTROVERSIAL AFFLICTION.
Good advice founded on an unpleas
ant premise is offered Oregon by the
Seattle Bulletin. "Oregon," it says,
"has been one of the slowest moving
states in the Union in the good-roads
movement, and In its present cam
paign for 3000 miles of road has its
one opportunity of getting on the
map."
Such is Oregon's reputation. On
the south, it is learned from the same
publication, California and various
counties are considering bond issues
for roads aggregating nearly $100,
000,000. On the north, five counties
of Washington are proposing bond is
sues as large as that contemplated by
the entire state of Oregon. "Two
counties in Washington' have voted
bonds in the sum of $4,750,000 for
good roads and there is not a sign
of bankruptcy yet." King County has
spent as much as Oregon proposes to
expend, the roads are laid and the
people are reaping the benefits.
Oregon has gained its reputation for
road delinquency by fussing over de
tails. In one year three road pro
grammes were presented by Initiative
by as many different groups. Every
body wanted roads, but the quarrel
over immaterialities defeated all three.
The state is at Mt again. Master
Spence, of the Grange, is strong for
roads, but would rather have no roads
at all if they are to be paid for In
twenty-five years Instead of five. Also,
he argues, the roads should be built
from the outside In instead of from
the inside out. These trifling details
have turned him wholly against a
constructive proposal. And so it goes.
It seems to be an Americanism to
become excited over inconsequentials.
The principle of state regulation ' of
railroads was delayed for a time in
several communities as result of
furious controversy over whether the
commission should be appointive or
elective. We still argue heatedly over
whether city officials should be elected
by wards or at large, forgetting that
the chief need is efficient men and
that whether each represents a dis
trict or the entire city does not amount
to a hoot in comparison therewith.
It is an opportune time for Oregon
citizens to forget tweedledee and
tweedledum and rise to a conception
of broad, progressive policle3. Neigh
bors are going ahead with road work
and already have a long lead over
Oregon. Fortunate we are that paved
roads do not come in colors. Other
wise we should now be in the throes
of a row as to whether they should
not be blue if the law had happened
to call for pink.
TJSEJTT. INVENTIONS WANTED.
Of inventions there is no end. The
trouble seems to be that inventors do
not study the four simple rules recent
ly summarized for their benefit by the
Electrical Experimenter before put
ting their brains and hands to work.
Observance of these rules would save
many heartburnings, as well as much
labor in the Patent Office. They are:
First, is the device useful? Second,
does it fill an actual want? Third,
is it practical and can it be readily
manufactured and marketed? Fourth,
is there a similar article on the mar
ket?
It is one of the factors in the fame
of Thomas A. Edison that he always
has been intensely practical, and that
In all his busy life he has wasted only
a minimum of time on inventions that
if perfected would not add anything
to the wealth or the pleasure of the
world. A vast number of amateur in
ventors, on the other hand, ask them
selves only one question, and that Is
whether the device they have in mind
is already in existence. They seem
to believe that everybody is imbued
with a passion merely for something
new. More than 1,000,000 patents
have been registered at Washington
A big proportion of them represent
nothing that will add to the efficiency.
or even to the entertainment, of the
people.
Americans might as wejl realize now
that their inventive genius has got to
be directed into useful fields to be of
any account. Preferably, it should be
employed in devising methods and
machinery for reducing the cost of
living. That Is the big problem of
the day, and it can be answered In
many ways, chemical, or Industrial,
or merely agricultural. There will be
a wide-open field for substitutes for
a good many thing? such as binder
twine and package , material. We
might as well drop out of the race
for cheap novelties. Wj did not suc
ceed in competing with the countries
of Europe before the war, and now
Japan is covering the ground, as is
indicated by the number of Easter
trinkets of Japanese manufacture in
the American market this year. The
field of machinery, however, is still
wide open to us, and we are likely
to have a certain portion of the toy
market to ourselves if we do not mis
direct our energies. There is a tre
mendous demand for toys with a pur
pose, that will do the things they are
designed for. Amusement and in
struction combined are a watchword
of the new day. It is even being
adopted by the kindergartens.
Promise of development on a larger
scale than ever of electrical power in
dicates a practically unlimited oppor
tunity for inventors in lines utilizing
electricity. There are a good many
communities whose capacity for pro
ducing current exceeds the present
commercial demand. The Experi
menter believes that one of the best
opportunities of all lies in the direc
tion of electrical refrigeration. The
electric fan. It seems, does not pro
duce coolness, but only the sensation
of coolness, by stirring up the heated
atmosphere and causing drafts that
evaporate the moisture on our skins.
But a hint is given us. Peltier has
shown that actual cold can be pro
duced by crossing a bar of bismuth
with a bar of antimony and sending
an electric current through it in a cer
tain direction. So much for the theory.
What we need is an apparatus that
will get the result on a commer
cial scale. It seems a Job that
ought to keep all the electrical in
ventors busy for quite a spell.
Farmers in the West would hail a
practical improvement on present
methods of destroying the pests that
work havoc with their crops of fruit
and vegetables. It is not believable
that the last word has been written
on this subject. Some day, no doubt.
the problem will be solved, and there
are many whose childish faith leads
them to look to electricity to help
them. The opening is wide, but in
ventors will do extremely well to be
gin by reading the rules and not waste
their time on glmcracks.
The work of British suffragists in
aid of the national cause has done far
more to win their fight for the ballot
than did all the sabotage of the years
before the war. It even converted Mr.
Asquith, who had been their most de
termined opponent. By their help to
the army and navy the women have
silenced the taunt that, because a
woman cannot fight, she should not
vote.- By the same means the women
of the conservative Eastern states are
likely to overcome opposition to their
enfranchisement.
Commissioner Daly's explanation of
the delay In supplying water to the
recruiting station shows his subordi
nates to be so well drilled in red-tape
methods that they .did not even think
of proposing an exception in favor
of the National Guard at a time when
patriotism should override all obsta
cles.
If David and Goliath could have
witnessed the battle between Turks
and British near their old fighting
ground, they would have been stag
gered at the new Implements of war
fare. What figure would David's sling
and Goliath's sword cut in these days?
The killing of a poor old Chinaman
of 70 as he lay asleep at Astoria is
enough to show the vicious spirit in
the war of the tongs. All Chinese do
not look alike or act alike, but Mayor
Albee's plan of separation and class!
fication is worth a trial.
Now who Is responsible for reviving
the issue of sectionalism the South
ern brigadiers who hold to the big
Jobs in Congress or the Northern
Democrats who rebel against them?
The Republicans can well look on
with a smile.
It appears from the remarks of Dr.
von Bethmann-Hollweg that all we
need to do to avoid war is to accept
unreservedly his viewpoint as to our
rights at sea. Simple, isn't it?
HI Gill has been in politics for years
and testifies all his money goes toward
paying debts. That should be enough
to keep men out of the game, but lure
and ego overwhelm evidence.
Putting ground glass in hospital
bandages would seem to be the work
of an insane man. It is a trick
of which we would not suspect a sav
age in his right mind.
Burglary that contemplates looting
a grocery of two truckloads at an
early hour is a fine art, but detection
will be finer, since a heavy rain de
stroyed the trail.
Wilson's letter to the mother of
Caminetti, who asked for a pardon for
her son, shows he is not swayed by
sentiment or politics in course of duty,
Just for practice, why wouldn't it be
a good idea for the ultra-pacifists to
try their "prentice hands on Senor
Villa and a few more of his kind?
Still, those Belgian relief ships are
insured, which is a comforting thought
for the contributors, whatever way the
underwriters may feel about it.
Now and then the opinions of each
other expressed by opposing lawyers
have merit that Is oft appreciated by
laymen who have lost cases-
Portland is Improving. The send
off of the Third Oregon was a bit
more noisy than before.
We have known piano wire to be
put to worse uses than catching hos
tile submarines.
If the scarcity continues, tin will re
gain its old significance as a synonym
for money.
One of the conspicuous failures of
the year thus far has been the month
of March. '
There Is little use in bringing to
trial a woman who kills her drunken
husband.
Rear platforms must be enlarged
when young women become conduct
ors. ',.-'.
Equal suffrage has , a chance in
Iowa if the male "sect" votes right.
Plant potatoes In the yard. and run
bean vines up the back porch.
Brand Whitlock knows too much to
be allowed to leave Belgium.
Dan Malarkey is doubly blessed In
his patriotic sons.
Taft Is saying . something,
Bryan talks.
while
DANGER OK CURBING DEFECTIVES
Difficulty In Making; Correct Diagnosis
la Pointed Out.
VANCOUVER. Wash., March SO. (To
the Editor.) It was with much interest!
that I read the article "Curb on De
fectives Asked," by George A. Thacher.
On first thought it may seem unrea
sonable to object to such a curb on
these unfortunates. The more I reflect
the more I should object, however.
First let me ask who shall determine
in a given case whether a man or
woman is a "defective" or not? In
many cases the line is very closely
drawn. The records of many places
show very plainly that the average
physicians statement is no better than
that of the average layman. Behold
the skilled (?) alienists in the Thaw
and similar cases!
Second let me ask If it would be
wise to put such power Into the hands
of any body of men even if in the
realms of politics some Dhyslcian (bd-
parently having the necessary knowl
edge to pass upon such cases) could
be found. In every-day practice the
average physician treats cases where
all facts show that a quick, easy
death would be less expensive . for all
concerned. Even for the patient it la
often more of a real tragedy for him
to live than for him to die. Would
Mr. Thacher therefore empower phy
sicians to give the necessary pill? Is
the highest aim to get through life
without suffering even to the extent
of legalizing refined murder by spe
cialists? I think not.
There may be, I grant. Individual
cases in which it would seem a God
send, who dare name those cases?
I think the highest duty of the doctor
Is not to ease pain but rather to stay
death wherever and whenever he can
and prolong the faintest spark of life
lest by Nature's gentle fan it may
yet become a man.
The "defective" lacks something
which the normal individual has bo
does a man sick unto death. Shall we
sterilize the first shall we snap the
tiny thread in the second? I think ob
jection to a sterilization law is not
necessarily sentimental selfishness. It
may rather be sound, solid, mature rea
soning. However, granted that there were
some sentiment in it, would that neces
sarily make it an unsound objection.
Can any man succeed or deserve to
succeed even in this boasted age of
commercialism without giving some
regard to sentiment? Do not senti
ments often bring us to a higher level
than our poor fallible (?) reasoning?
The writer admitted that the only time
he saw a poor "defective" smile was
when she looked upon her babe. Who
knows the value of that smile? Many
a woman peering Into the great deeps
of baby eyes has received a new-born
emotion call it sentiment if you wish
sentiment which perchance will cause
as great a ripple on the shores of time
as was ever made by well-Intended
laws which In their cold materialism
sometimes forget that when dealing
with a woman and a babe they are
dealing with souls In the making.
Cold-blooded scientists may be will
ing to rest all on Mendel's law. There
are exceptions, however, even in deal
ing with guinea pigs. When the human
equation enters who knows what mys
terious soul may be touched by the
Great Musician when a soul-song is
needed to send ripples down the cen
turies to generations yet unborn? We
all believe In heredity up to a cer
tain point. But a person who has
looked at stars; into the eyes of babes;
or into the hearts of many suffering
men and women, needs something bet
ter than any claims of a pacifist pro
fessor or even Mendel's law to con
vince him that there are many excep
tions to all rules. Thank God for the
exceptions!
Is it, after all. the feeble-minded
woman who Is the greater menace?
How about that non-fastidious average
man? I do not believe he is as -com
mon as the writer would have us be
lieve. If he were would he not be
even more responsible than the poor.
unrortunate, feeble-minded mother? If
tlfere Is to be any sterilization why
not apply It to him an average Jury
would seldom err In their Judgment.
x. w. jvh;jns.
Oath of Allea-lance.
PORTLAND, March 30. (To the Ed
itor.) To settle a dispute please pub
lish the oath of allegiance to the United
States of America. Also would it not
be a constitutional right to make an
arrest of any man giving utterance to
treasonable language, war having been
declared, and to whom should he be
turned over in case of arrest?
W. A. -"STOREY.
This is the oath subscribed to by
aliens applying for citizenship:
I hereby declare, on oath, that I abso
lutely and entirely renounce and abjure all
allegiance and fidelity to 'any foreign prince,
potentate, state or sovereignty, and par
ticularly to i the of of
whom I have heretofore been a subject;
that I will support and defend the Consti
tution 'and laws of the United Statea of
America against all enemies, foreign or
domestic; and that I will bear true faith
and allegiance to the same.
The oath taken by those entering the
Federal service differs from' the above
but slightly.
There Is no provision in the penal
code for the arrest by private citizens
of those uttering treason, but one who
fails to reveal to judges or other agents
of the Federal Government knowledge
of such treasonable utterances or
threats of violence, or violent acts, lays
himself liable to punishment for mis
prision of treason. (Section 3 of the
Penal Code.)
Flrat Citizenship Papers.
SHERWOOD, March 29. (To the Ed
ltor.) Can a foreign born person com
ing to the United States declare his In
tentlon to become an American citizen
the fiijst day of his arrival, or must
he wait a certain length of time, and If
so. does this absolve him from all al
legiance to the country he came from?
A. W.
An alien may declare his Intention of
becoming an American citizen as soon
as he lands on America soil. He has
the protection of a democratic form of
government as soon as he lands, but is
not entitled to -full protection, and is
not abjured from all allegiance to his
mother country until he has taken out
his final citizenship papers.
Nurses In War.
PORTLAND, March 13. (To the
Editor.) Do the nurses, doctors and
other professional persons receive com
pensation when serving in time of war?
Where and how should one apply for
admission? - PATRIOTIC.
Nurses, doctors and professional men
receive compensation when serving
during time of war. Any application
for admission into that service should
be taken up with the Surgeon-General
of the United States Army, Washing
ton, D. C. Necessary Instructions for
being examined preliminary to Joining
will then be forwarded.
Naturalized Citizens.
ASHWOOD, Or., March 29. (To the
Editor.!) Can a naturalized citizen of
the United States become a subject of
another nation, return to the United
States and again become a citizen of
this country. A SUBSCRIBER.
So far as can be ascertained there
is no legal obstruction to an ex
patriated American again becoming an
American citizen, providing ' his ex
patriation was not the result of con
ditions that would make him "unde
sirable."
NOT ALL, HIXDFS CONSPIRATORS
CorvaTlls Student . Says Sweeping
Cnarsre Is Unfair.
OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Corvallis, Or., March 29. (To the Ed
itor.) A few days ago It was reported
in your columns that the British Con-sul-General
at San Francisco will not
Issue passports to Hindus who have im
migrated to this country and now wish
to return to India. I did not attach any
importance to this statement, because I
knew the Consul-General too well: he
was ever helpful and kind to those
who approached him for any help, and
the present embarrassing situation
might have led to the temporary sus
pension of passports. But the San
Francisco correspondent of the Chris
tian Science Monitor, Boston, rudely
shocked my feelings when he boldly
asserted that that step was taken on
account of conspiracy among Hindus on
the Pacific Coast and elsewhere against
the British Government.
I do not believe for a moment that
the Consul-General or other represen
tatives of the British government
would make such a broad and sweep
ing accusation against all Hindus on
the Pacific Coast Irrespective of their
character and deportment. To say that
all Hindus in the United States are con
spirators Is. to my mind, nothing short
of an Insult; it Is wounding our self
respect and pride in British citizen
ship. In the very midst of revolu
tionary and reactionary influences
there are people whose faith in British
Ideals and justice is unshaken, and
whose confidence In the ultimate
destiny of their country under the
British flag is firm and abtdlng.
There are Hindus and Hindus, as well
as a variety of every nationality, not
only here but everywhere; and to class
every Hindu among conspirators Is un
just and unwarranted. It Is an asper
sion against our character and an In
suit to our sense of self-respect. ft
blights and chills the enthusiasm of
the many loyal, sober and level-headed
students who come to receive benefit
from the great educational facilities
which this land of freedom affords.
I have no brief concerning Hindu
students at other colleges and the large
number who attend them, but as for the
Hindu students who attend the Oregon
State Agricultural College the faculty
and student body will be glad to have
the opportunity to pass their verdict as
to our character.
A. NARATANA ROW.
VINE-COVERED WALL BEAUTfFtJL
Artistic Treatment of Conspicuous Pnb
lie Drives Sosrgested.
PORTLAND. March 80. (To the Ed
itor.) Which is the more restful to
the eye, more attractive to our own
people or visitors, and a more fitting
background to Portland, la addition to
the sbttlng of noble firs a high, un
sightly, naked concrete wall extend
lng for thousands of feet along some
of the conspicuous driveways of our
city, or the same wall covered with
green foliage In Summer and nature s
beautiful tinted Autumn leaves in the
Fall?
The writer has reference to the re
taining walls leading to Portland
Heights via Vista avenue and Mont
gomery Drive and Hall street, and
others which can be made beautiful
with such little expense by the plant
ing of Boston Ivy or other suitable
vines at the base of them by our Com
missioners In charge of public parks.
These vines require no care after
once planted and grow rapidly, and it
planted now would soon cover a long
stretch of unsightliness that Is seen
from all over the city and would give
us another thing of beauty to show our
visitors. Millions of roses In Summer,
miles of gorgeous Autumn foliage In
the Fall. ADOLPH. A. DEKUM.
Fall of the Romanoff.
By James Barton Adams.
The Romanoff Is down and out, a
freedom blow was dealt: he got the
figurative knout upon his royal pelt.
His titled bunch have been jarred loose
from governmental Jobs and now they
are of no more use than corn-denuded
cobs. Now palsied is the cruel hand
of stern tyrannlo reign; 'tis banished
from the rescued land to never come
again. The bear that as a human
walked has had his hair coat singed,
and his inhuman acts that shocked the
earth will be avenged. He and his cruel
henchmen now will Join the common
class, and subjects will no longer bow
bareheaded as they pass, nor will en
forced cheers arise as when in robes
of state the military-guarded guys
moved through the crowded street.
The red flag of supremacy now floats
in Russian air where once the flag of
majesty, the banner of the bear, flapped
in the breezes ever fraught with moans
of the oppressed; O, great the reforma
tion wrought when came the final test;
reformation that is Just and is
destined to spread till not a gilded
crown shall roost upon a kingly head,
then will the eun of freedom shower
its rays o'er every zone, the people
hold the 'ruling power and wars will be
unknown.
You'll Not Be Fooled on April 1
If You Buy
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN
AMERICA'S FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE A full page of striking
naval photographs, hitherto unpublished, showing typical scenes
aboard the great grim fighters of the Navy. It is these guns and
these men who will be the bulwark of the Nation if the hour of
peril strikes.
MARTIAL POETRY IS RECALLED Even the Old Poems page re
flects the spirit of an awakened America. Contributors have
searched the treasured scrapbooks of other days, and songs of
crisis, born of brave hearts in times of common stress, appear
among the offerings in the Sunday issue. Bead again that fa
vorite of the old Barnes Reader, "The Brave at Home."
THE ALL-ALASKA EXPOSITION Fifty years since the making of
the epochal treaty which resulted in the purchase of Alaska from
Russia and gave to America that prodigously enriched province
of the far north. - Frank G. Carpenter, special correspondent to
The Oregonian, writes of the impending semi-centennial celebra
tion which Alaskans will hold to commemorate the event. Grip
ping with interest as always.
PATRIA "Catspaw and Scapegoat" is the ninth episode of the
amazing adventures of Patria, last of the fighting Channings the
tensely told story by Louis Joseph Vance, appearing in The Sunday
Oregonian. Dramatized and shown in motion pictures at local
theaters.
THE WORLD'S PROGRESS SHOWN IN PICTURES In war and
peace, through troubled Russia, in the throes of emancipation, at
Cabinet conferences and in a factory for wooden shoes, the camera
reporter caught these picture stories. Appearing in the Sunday
issue, with paragraphs of explanation.
CHURCH AND SCHOOL Full details of the Sunday services in
Portland's many churches, with other timely information of the
various denominations. Also a complete page of news of the Port
land schools, edited by student staffs. These Sunday features of
The Oregonian will not be neglected by readers who desire to be
well informed.
KAUFMAN An inexhaustible mine of common-sense, phrases of
pure gold and gems of advice is the philosophic page of Herbert
Kaufman, whose once-a-week discourse has aided many to see
again with unclouded vision and to pound mountains into mole
hills. ' Keep Kaufman with you.
MANDARIN IS DESPOILED When Dame Fashion cast about for
a new mode in Milady's negligee, she laughed approvingly and ap
propriated the flowing silks of a Chinese nobleman. It's the very
latest. Other dictates a la mode are reviewed in The Sunday Ore
gonian, with many photographs.
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN Just Five Cents.
I
In Other Days.
Twenty-five Tears Ago,
From The Oregonlan. March 81. 1892.
Calcutta. Dispatches say Mandalay,
the capital of Burmah, is burning.
Berlin. The Reichstag today passed
bill allowing the government to de
clare a state of siege In Alsace-Lorraine
in the event of war.
Ben Hendricks and Minnie Palmer
will appear In "Ole Olson" at the Mar-
quam Grand Theater starting April
4. Marlon Joseph will appear as Juliet
in "Two Nights in Rome" at Cordray'a
Saturday.
W. P. Duncan and Mr. Willis, of John
Day, have found a ledge of asbestos
six miles down the river from their
place.
T. D. Barton Is building a new resi
dence at East Fifteenth and Tillamook
streets.
The Prohibitionists' county conven
tion at Masonic Temple yesterday in
dorsed A F. Miller for Sheriff and
George H. Brown for School Superin
tendent. Flower garden vandals and culprits
have been operating In the Couch
School district. One of the latest cases
was that reported by a little girl yes
terday who saw some boys enter Mrs.
Leuthold's yard at Fifteenth near K
street and take a number of hyacinths.
There is a move on to have Attorney
T. J. Glesler made Justice of the Peace
of North Portland.
Early Population of Nevada.
PBRRTDALE, Or.. March 29. (To
the Editor.) (1) What was the popu
lation of Nevada when admitted? How
large was Carson City at that -time?
What Is the largest population Nevada
has had?
(2) How many people does a terri
tory have to have to be admitted?
E. ENDS.
(1) It is Impossible to give accurate
population, statistics for Nevada at the
time of Its admission, which occurred
in 1S64. The state grew In population
rapidly from 18S9, when Its Inhabitants
numbered about 1000, until 1880, when
they numbered 62,266. The census of
Nevada for 186 shows a population of
6857 and In 1870 a total of 42.491. From
1880 the population declined with each
succeeding census until 1910, when it
rose to 81,875. The population of Car
son City, which was not Incorporated
until after the admission of Nevada as
a state, was 3042 In 1870.
(2) There Is no population require
ment. Vacancies) In City Commission.
HOOD RIVER. Or., March 29. (To
the Editor.!) (1) What objection did
President Wilson have to the literacy
test in the immigration bill?
(2) Were employers of labor, as a
class, for or against "he literacy test?
(3) If a City Commissioner In Port
land, whose term has not expired,
should run for Mayor and be elected,
how would his unexpired term be
filled?
(4) If he were defeated, would he
still serve his unexpired term as Com
missioner? READER.
(1) It was the President's objection
that the literacy test was not definitive;
In other words, that It would not per
form the service intended.
(2) Yes.
(3) By appointment by the other
members.
(4) Tes, unless he resigned upon be
coming a candidate.
Imprisonment of General Stone.
SALEM, Or.. March 29. (To the Ed
itor.) Who was responsible for the
arrest and Imprisonment of Brigadier
General Charles P. Stone (Civil War)?
What disposition was made of charges?
E. D. BRADBURY.
'
General stone was relieved of his
command and imprisoned, following
the Ball's Bluff disaster, by order of
Edwin M. Stanton. Secretary of War.
He was not tried nor were charges
against him formulated, but was soon
released and restored to to his com
mand. In Case of Conscription.
HOOD RIVER, Or., March 29. (To
the Editor.) In case of conscription,
could a young fellow, of military age.
who Is living alone on his farm, be
drafted? If so, would the Government
take care of the farm and livestock?
A SUBSCRIBER.
There Is no conscription law and the
requirements of a possible law cannot
be forecast.