Morning Oregonian., May 10, 1917, Page 12, Image 12

12
THE MORNING OREGOXIAN, THURSDAY, 3IAY 10, 1917.
QBft (Bugoninn
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POBILAND, THUBSDAV, MAY 10, 1917.
USE AIX THE NATION'S ASSETS.
One result of the conferences with
the British and French commissions
has been to convince the American of
ficials who are charged with conduct
of the war that it will require the
total energies and resources of the
United States. - Though the central
empires may break down within a
year through internal strife, it would
be folly for us to count on that con
tingency. This is the thought which
has been taken home from Washing
ton by Professor Arthur G. Webster,
of Clark University, who is a. mem
ber of the Naval Reserve Board, after
talking with the members of the Naval
Advisory Board and Its advisory com
mittee. He believes that the United
States has not begun to realize the
magnitude of its task, and he is Quoted
by the Worcester, Mass., Telegram as
saying:
"Without a crack in the German ma
chine, which we all hope for, but should
not . reckon on. this grim business la des
tined to go forward for 36 months before
he Prussian idea of world conquest Is shat
tered. .
When we consider the great prin
ciple for which we are fighting, we
must realize the truth of these words.
President Wilson set forth as our aim
to "make the world safe for democ
racy," and has plainly intimated that
this can be done only by destroying
autocracy. He has thus Imposed on
the autocrats the necessity of destroy
ing democracy as the only means of
making the world safe for autocracy.
In fact, we have engaged in a conflict
between two irreconcilable principles
which cannot longer exist side by side
in the world. Not to prosecute the
war with all our energy until autoc
racy Is destroyed Is to suffer defeat
in this war and to prolong the con
flict, with the certain prospect that
in the next war there may not be such
a union of democratic forces as now
exists. Now is our opportunity to dis
pose of the constant menace to peace
constituted by the presence of mili
tary autocracies and to lay firm the
foundations of permanent peace in a
world where the people should rule
themselves.
Yet there exists in some quarters
an impression that democracy can win
by exertion of only part of America's
strength, by supplying our allies with
money, food and munitions to carry
on the war, while we prepare an army
at our leisure. To act upon this im
pression would not only be shameful
reliance on other nations to expend
their best blood on our behalf as on
their own; it would be folly. The
strain which. Is being put upon the
resources of the western allies while
Russia strives to find herself Is great,
gallantly and uncomplainingly as it
has been borne.
Every asset, of the United States,
material, intellectual and moral, must
be brought to their relief. Honor and
duty, both to ourselves and to our
allies, demand this. It is our highest
duty to ourselves, from a Nationally
selfish viewpoint, for if the European
democracies should be stricken down
we should be compelled alone to fight
the leagued autocracies for our Na
tional self-preservation.
With such a gigantic task before us,
It is disheartening .to see so " much
energy frittered away from political
motives, in sectional rivalry and in
deference to influences which are at
best open to suspicion. All the energy
and resources of all men and women,
of all political parties, and- of every
class and interest, should be used to
the full. The moral influence and
prestige, the intimate knowledge of
and experience in foreign affairs and
military science possessed by Colonel
Roosevelt are an asset of the highest
value. Yet some petty politicians wish
to keep him in the background lest the
services which he can render should
in the future prove a political asset
to the man himself.
Mr. Root, by his distinguished serv
ices before arbitration tribunals, at
the second Hague conference and at
the State and War departments, has
won a reputation which extends far
beyond the boundaries of this country.
Yet his selection as chairman of the
commission to Russia Is condemned
by some because he does not see ye
to eye with them on matters of eco
nomic theory. General Leonard Wood
rendered, splendid service in the Gov
ernment and sanitation of Cuba, as
Chief of Staff and as reorganizer of
the Army, but he is sidetracked, ap
parently at the dictation of a reg
ular Army clique and of the politicians
whom he has displeased by his ad
vocacy of preparedness.
Wen of such proved ability and long
experience as Senators Lodge, Knox
and others of their type are not con
sulted about war measures desired by
the Administration, but are expected
to vote for them on the mere say-so of
President and Department heads that
they are necessary. That has been
the case with the censorship clauses
of the espionage bill and with the
trade embargo bill, which have struck
obstacles in Congress because no pre
cautions have been taken beforehand
te obviate criticism. Shipbuilding is
delayed by steel's jealousy of wood and
by the South's jealousy of the-Pacific
Coast.
The Administration has learned
much by consultation with the British
and French commissions from their
rich and costly fund of experience.
It might, learn one other thing that
in this war every nation must forget
everything about each one of its .citi
zens except bis availability for its serv
ice. Government by a single party
broke down In Britain, France and
Italy, and all parties merged into one,
which used the valuable men of all
parties. Since our Chief Executive Is
himself a party leader, we do not ask
him to take men of other parties Into
partnership, in the Administration, but
he should use them to the best ad
vantage of the Nation. His,, party can
retain direction of affairs, and with
it responsibility and credit or blame
for results, but he should not reject
the services, of men equal in patriotism
and ability with those of his own
party, for no other reason- than that
they wear a different political label.
There is work enough for all, and
all should for the time be fused in a
win-the-war party. We are not fight
ing for glory, but if we win there will
be glory enough for all, while if we
should lose through too close adher
ence to party methods everlasting
shame will be visited upon the men
who are responsible.
FOB THE GLORY OF THE NATIOX. i
Did you look over the list yester
day of the youth of the Pacific North
west going to the Presidio training
camp? If you did, you saw names
familiar in the business, professional
and other practical life of this region.
They were names that ordinarily
would figure in the great activities
at home within a few years, but they
are held by young men who give
themselves to the good and glory of
this Nation.
They realize they are not going to a
frolic. Their forbears learned that
lesson at the outbreak of the Civil
War when it was predicted that fne
"trouble" would ba over in ninety
days. More than nine times ninety
did not see the end. This war may run
to like length and this is realized
by these youths of the Oregon Coun
try.
The Spartan mother gave her son
to her country without a, quiver. Her
gentle sister of this day surrenders
her first born in the same spirit, not
as sacrifice but of glorified duty. If
the time shall come when her son
fills a hero's grave, she will smile
through her tears and await the' re
union.
SCARED.
I am perfectly willing to enter into a
friendly agreement with President Wilson
to the effect that if I go abroad with
troops and return alive It shall be stipu
lated that upon the dav of mv arrival
Joseph P. Tumulty shall administer to me
a dose of bichloride of mercury. From a
statement of Theodore Roosevelt.
That seems perfectly fair. Yet It
will make it hard for poor Tumulty.
An easier way out would be for Colo
nel Roosevelt to enter into a gentle
man's agreement with, say. Colonel
House, not to be a candidate for the
Presidency in 1920.
The colossal shadow of Roosevelt
darkens Democratic hopes and ex
pectations for the future. Obviously
a hero of the great war, freshly re
turned from the field of battle, with
the laurels of great achievement upon
his brow, would beat any Democrat in
1920. No wonder they are scared to
death.
We seem somehow, however, to re
call that the great Lincoln was not
much alarmed at the prospect of pos
sible or probable rivals, through pop
ularity gained by military prowess.
McClellan had his chance; and Grant,
and Thomas, and Logan, and all the
others. So did Seward and Stanton
and others in another field.
THRIFT A PATRIOTIC DCTI.
The eagerness with which, the Amer- I
lean people are subscribing for the
$ 2,000,000,000 Liberty Loan proves
their patriotism, their reliance on
their Government and their confidence
in victory. They wish to enlist their
dollars In the cause of democracy and
they consider the Investment so safe
that they accept less than the savings
bank rate of interest. This enlistment
of dollars helps Uncle Sam. not only
by providing him with funds but by
supplying means for him to keep the
Nation's industries in operation and
by stimulating the habit of thrift
which conserves the Nation's re
sources.
The ratio of the United States' debt
to its National wealth, even if the
total authorized loan of $7,000,000,000
be included, is so small by comparison
with those of. other belligerents as to
make scarcely an Impression on the
public credit or on the available sup
ply of money. Our debt will be only
3.2 per cent on our $250,000,000,000
of National wealth, while tfcat of Great
Britain is 22.3 per cent on $85,000,
000,000, that of Germany Is 23.7 per
cent on $80,000,000,000 and that of
Russia runs up to 25 per cent on $40.
000,000,000. Having absorbed 72 per
cent of the world's supply of gold, we
have more money than we know how
to use an embarrassment of riches
and the withdrawal of some of it Is in
the nature of beneficial blood-letting.
But two of the seven billions . are to
be paid off within a year out of new
taxes and three billions are to be lent
to the allies on the security of their
own bonds, so that the permanent
addition to the debt based solely on
our own National credit will be only
two billions, or 1.2 per cent of our
wealth. The permanent 'addition to
our debt will be only $20 per head of
our population, while that of Great
Britain is $370 per head, of France
$360 and of Germany $300.
The money will not even be taken
out of circulation; on the contrary,
the immediate effect will be to make
it circulate more freely. Even the
three billions which will be lent to the
allies will not go out of the country;
that sum, like the sum expended by
our own Government, will be expended
in paying, arming and equipping
troops. It will go to the woolen
mills, shoe factories, cotton mills,
steel works, shell, rifle and gun fac
tories of this country.
A further good effect of the loan
will be to stimulate thrift. Of all
people on earth, Americans are most
extravagant and wasteful In living, for
our minds are rather on making than
saving money, while the French peo
ple's minds are on saving. For our
individual good we need to acquire
the habit of economy in living and of
thrift, that we may save, but practice
of these virtues is now a patriotic duty.
By wasting food we reduce the limited
supply which must support ourselves
and our allies until the war is won;
we also reduce the total fund of re
sources upon which we must draw
to win the war. By saving we con
serve the food supply, conserve the
National resources and Increase the
fund which will be available to fight
the war to the finish.
These considerations should not be
passed over lightly. We have become
so accustomed to reading of billions
since this war began, and the loan
can be raised with such slight dis
turbance of our finances, that we may
regard seven billions as a mere trifle.
Yet it is nearly double the entire cost
of the Civil War to the National Gov
ernment, and is only the beginning.
The war may continue for several
years with a yearly increasing rate of
expense. As the burden grows taxes will
increase -until the tax collector may
become as familiar a visitor to every
bouse, even the poorest, in this coun
try as on the Continent of Europe.
If we were -as heavily burdened in
proportion to our wealth as Russia,
we should owe over sixty billions, and
then we should realize what debt is
and what taxes are. The wise man
is he who cuts off all luxuries and all
unnecessary expense, who makes him
self a food producer, on ever so small
a scale, and a food saver, and who
saves money, both to help win the
war and to fortify himself for the
future.
FOR AN INFORMAL EXPRESSION.
Before an opinion may be ventured
as to the merit of the latest Daly nov
elty in municipal acrobatics this time
it is to submit to the referendum the
question as to whether the public is
for or against municipal ownership of
light and power plants it will be well
to know the exact ph-aseology of the
proposition. Merely to ask the public
whether it- wants to go into the
lighting . and power business is a
futility which exceeds the straw vote
In inconclusiveness.
If the people decide affirmatively,
what then? They must again pass
on a specific proposal for bonds to
finance the project, and they are in
no way committed by their first de
cision to anything. They may vote
it up or down, dependent solely upon
their view as to its specific merits.
That is precisely what they should do.
Let us assume that the public de
cides In the negative, thus saying that
it is opposed to going into a scheme
of public ownership. Are we to un
derstand that Commissioner Daly if
he is still Commissioner, or is Mayor
or his successor is thus in any way
bound not to offer any panacea for
the ills of private ownership and oper
atlbn of public utilities? Or are we
to learn again that a public instruc
tion to Mr. Daly to pursue a given
course, or not to pursue it, as in the
celebrated case of the water meters,
has no validity at all?
If the ballot is to be ornamented
with some form of the public owner
ship cure, let it be definite and cer
tain. For example, let Brother Daly
propose something like this:
Does the public favor public own
ership of light and power, at the risk
of great financial loss, through In
adequate initial Investment and doubt
ful practicability?
Or this:
Does the public favor public own
ership of light and power, if a sub
stantial advance in present rates to the
consumer is involved?
These are in fact the questions that
they must decide if they vote on the
Daly schemes.
THOMAS M'ARTHUR ANDERSON.
Thomas M. Anderson rose from the
ranks as a private soldier to be a
MaJot--General of the United States
Army. It was an achievement which
illustrates the opportunities for ad
vancement given to the American boy
and man in any calling. He was in
no sense the favorite of fortune or
the beneficiary of social influence. He
rose steadily by merit, because he be
lieved in himself, his profession and
his country.
Above all. Indeed, General Ander
son was a patriot. He was no mere
militarist, or Jingo, or poseur. But
he understood the great National
problems of both peace and war, and
he sought sane methods to solve them.
He was a true democrat, though a
soldier, and a useful citizen, though
dedicated by his calling to an exclu
sive branch of public service.
General Anderson spent a large part
of his active life in and near Port
land. He was widely known, and he
was generally respected. He could be
relied on always to serve in any
worthy cause, not incompatible with
his duties, and yet he was in a definite
way the voice of the Army in the
Pacific Northwest before the public
He was intensely devoted to the Army
and its Interests and he was the friend
always of the man in the ranks. From
General Anderson the private soldier
could count on sympathy, help, under
standing. Withal he had the confi
dence and regard of his official peers.
Because he was a brave soldier and
a fine American, and because he was
so long identified with the Pacific
Northwest, Portland and Oregon
mourn with unusual feeling the pass
ing of Thomas M. Anderson.
OCR DUTY TO BELGIUM
A persistent error in regard to the
relation of the United States to Bel
gium is once more corrected by Mr.
Wheelwright . In a communication
which is published elsewhere today.
There is a clear distinction between
the obligation of the five European
powers which bound themselves by
treaty to defend the neutrality of Bel
gium and that of the many powers,
including the United States, which by
signing one of The Hague treaties de
clared their adherence to the general
principle that neutral territory should
be inviolable. By the latter treaty we
did not undertake to make war in de
fense of the neutrality of Belgium or
any . other neutral state; on the con
trary, we reaffirmed our policy of non
interference in the affairs of other
states.
Though the United States now
makes war in behalf of Belgium, it
does so In behalf of rights and prin
ciples which Germany has violated in
its action toward thi3 country as well
as toward Belgium, though in a dif
ferent way. Behind the violation of
our rights on the sea, as in that of
Belgium's rights on land, lies the same
insolent assertion that, when those
rights stand in the way of the mili
tary necessity of an autocracy, they
may with impunity be trampled down.
In fighting to make the world safe
for democracy by destroying autoc
racy, we strike at the root cause of
Belgium's wrongs and our own. When
so many and so flagrant are the crimes
recited in the indictment, we should
make our case weak by resting it on
any one count. By resting it on the
whole series combined and by strik
ing straight at the evil spirit which
prompted all, we make our case crush
ingly strong.
Buncombe County. In Western
North Carolina, claims the honor of
being first in the United States to
complete its mobilization for food pro
duction. It is an honor for which
communities well may contend, and
in the event that any other country is
able to show that it completed its lot
and farm canvass before April 21 it
will have a. palm worth while. The
Asheville Board of Trade, the County
Commissioners and the city govern
ment co-operated through committees,
and cards were distributed to every
farmer and. every school child In the
county, by means of which all farm
ers who might have restricted their
planted area for want of seed were
provided for and account was taken of
every lot and garden capable of food
production. The practical effect of
this thorough campaign is indicated
by the authoritative estimate that the
area under cultivation in Buncombe
County this Spring already has been
increased 25 per cent. -
AN INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY.
In casting about for a day to be
observed in common by the nations
fighting on the side of. the entente
allies In this war, public men of Eng
land, Franco and the United States
have offered several suggestions, but
none seems to have more merit, for
present use, than the one, coming
from both London and Paris, that our
Memorial day be chosen. There are
several reasons why this would be fit.
but none more cogent than that since
commemoration of the sacrifices made
by the heroes of half the world sooner
or later will be Inevitable this day
seems most likely to be accepted by
the nations. United in grief, as well
as by memory of the achievements of
our sons in a glorious fight for liberty,
we would find here a tie that would
draw us more and more closely to
gether as time ran on.
There are other days in the history
of each nation now celebrated by their
peoples, but none upon which there
is likelihood that we should be able
to agree. Our own Fourth of July
has its sacred memories for us, but
there are obvious reasons why we
should not expect our British friends
to assent to making it a joint holiday.
July 14. on which the French cele
brate the fall of the Bastile, was a
great day for liberty, too, but in a
sense that the French are best able
to appreciate. Great Britain has in
effect fused its National holidays into
the one Empire day, May 24, once
observed as the birthday of Queen
Victoria, but it does not seem an ap
propriate day for observance either by
America or France, or by the others
of our allies whom we may reason
ably expect to Join In commemoration
of our mutual accomplishments.
Quite as obviously, the movement to
select the birthday of Shakespeare, as
nearly as it can be approximated, does
not meet requirements. Shakespeare
might have served as a reminder of
a bond of speech, but the issue has
become much broader than that. The
Shakespeare birthday committee will
do no harm In continuing Its efforts
to bring about the celebration of this
day as a minor holiday, but it is wast
ing its time if it expects to accom
plish more.
France already has indicated its
purpose of observing ' our Memorial
day this year and Britain probably
will follow Its example. But there
Is still another day coming, on which
we all shall be able to unite. It will
be the final day of victory, and when
that date is determined it can well
be a day of celebration and rejoicing
for all the world. We shall have our
Memorial day, too, but Democracy day
will be the greatest holiday of all.
The Hindenburg line has stiffened
at last, but it Is decidedly Jagged and
is marked by heaps of dead Germans.
Some of the stern British strategists
have said that the allies made as good
progress toward attaining their end
by killing Germans as by gaining
ground. By reducing the strength of
the German armies, they prepare the
way as effectually for recovery of the
occupied territory later as if they
merely drove the Germans back, but
this method of winning is hard on the
Inhabitants of Northern France and
Belgium, who are condemned to semi-
starvation and slavery while they
await deliverance.
Fewer gems are being Imported, but
that need not matter. Rarity being a
sine qua non pf elegance in matters
of Jewelry, we shall soon be able to
cause the requisite sensation with
necklaces of beans and tiaras of pota
toes, with other vegetables by way of
variety.
Turkey Is willing to open the Dar
danelles If only she is permitted to
continue to exist. Favorable terms
probably can be obtained on applica
tion to the council of the entente.
A man feels he Is doing his bit
when he makes garden under his
wife's supervision and his neighbors
agree with him.
The "lady's maid" In Chicago who
was found to be a man and held as
a German spy was a regular old John
H. Kultur.
Stars and Starmakers.
Br L-on Caaa Baer.
The experiment of meatless days in
England does not produce the result
desired. Therein is a lesson for thij
country.
Russia's announcement that it Is in
the war to the "finish" does not tell
us all we would like to know. Whoso
finish? -
Auto salesmen will keep their eyes
on the Cowlitz Indians, ivl-in nra t.-
receive $6000 each from the Govern
ment.
If American Inventive genius finds
a way to beat the U-boat, it will not
be made public. Results will, though.
The Illinois legislator is a fearless
being when he proposes to limit the
height of heels of women's shoes.
The man not caught in the first
draft will have a chance in the sec
ond. That is comforting.
Why not revive cultivation of the
wapato and the cam as to make good
the wheat shortage?
The Germans are fighting to hold
the French coal fields as if they were
diamond mines.
With flour at $4 a sack, make the
pancakes of cornmeal, which is a
better "filler."
Harry Thaw has again escaped trial
in New York, but he is still a trial tj
his friends.
Congress might as well realize that
Roosevelt is going to the war and let
him go.
Germany, it seems. Is on the verge
of borrowing that money all over
again.
The 45ers aren't saying much, with
all the young fellows going to war.
Hurrah! Liberia has come to our
aid. Now we can't help winning.
Spies are always quite beyond sus
picion until they are found out.
If prices keep on ascending, we mav
come to dehydrated ice, too.
Give the housewife a little more
money. If you have It,
DAYTON OHIO, retired actor at the
age of 79. gives as his rules o- life
city life, mind you the following:
"Sleep In a bathtub, live on 40 cents a
day and go without socks."
Just so. Dayton Ohio may call a
programme like that "life." I can
think of a lot of other 'and more fit-,
ting names for it.
a
Annette Kellerman suggests blithely
that the great sisterhood of would-be-Annettes
learn to swim on plane stools
if no tank Is handy. - This Is almost as
interesting, rd Judge, as riding .horse
back by playing dominoes.
One way of knocking an actor or
actress Is to refer to him or her as
"sterling."
Shattered-ldol note: Nearly all the
matinee heroes live long enough to see
everything that was named for them
renamed for someone else.
Ranjl Bungi Smile, who says he is
the seventh son of a recent Emir of
Baluchistan, where the rugs come from,
has Just married a New York chorus
girl. Well, one smile may not make a
Summer, ' but he may make a honey
moon. "
Man signing his name Rudolph, from
La Grande, writes to say that he sees
where some pest is "agitating to have
all baseballs disinfected." I rise to
plead," eez Rudolph, "that before we
do that we should disinfect the lan
guage of the coaching line."
John W. Considlne Is in New York.
It Is nearly two years since the former
head of the late Sullivan & Considlne
vaudeville circuit visited the metrop
olis. According to a little interview,
Mr. Considlne says that his trip East
has no theatrical importance, and that
he is there simply to look around.
Lucille Cavanaugh has broken her
partnership -with George White and
has a new vaudeville partner, Carl
Randall.
For the nine hundredth time it is an
nounced that the cyclonic Eva Tanguay
Is to visit Portland. The single trip
Miss Tanguay made tc the West as a
vaudeville star was at the beginning
of this season, when she traveled out
here as the stellar light of the William
Morris road show. She got as far as
San Francisco, and the reviewers were
so brutally frank In their analysis of
the lady's ability, and other things,
that she Just got peeved and canceled
all her Coast bookings. Now It Is an
nounced that in July she will play the
Coast Orpheum theaters, the first time
the comedienne has ever been on that
time.
Baker Moore, once a Bakeronian, Is
playing Juveniles with the Edward II.
Robin players In Toronto, Canada. "Hit
the Trail Holliday" has been released
for stock production, and the Robin
players are opening their season
with it. .
T. Daniel Frawley and his dramatic
organization called from Honolulu for
Japan on May 9. The company, after
leaving New York, remained in San
Francisco a week and rehearsed at the
Columbia Theater. Among those in the
company are Laura Guerite, Eva Lang,
Cordelia Naager, Annette Tyler, George
Austin Moore, John Halliday, Homer
Barton and J. R. Willadsen. Of these,
Cordelia Haager and her husband,
George Austin Moore, are known best
In Tortland for their Orpheum visit.
Fred Stone, who has closed his tour
In 'Chin Chin" because of the death of
his friend and partner, David Mont
gomery, will start for Arizona May 15
after big game. Mr. Stone will take a
collection of lariats and moving-picture
cameras. Instead of shooting
bears and mountain lions, it Is his in
tention to lasso them. Accompanied by
Rex Beach, novelist, and Lew Hancock,
of Chicago. Mr. Stone will go direct to
the ranch of Ambrose Meause In
Southern Arizona. Arthur Houghton
will probably go as official photog
rapher. Arthur Cunningham, well known on
this Coast for his appearances here in
early day opera, is to sing the role of
General Allen in F. C. Whitney's pro
duction of "When Johnny Comes
Marching Home."
Joseph Carl Brell, the composer, is
at work upon a light opera, entitled
"The Legend," which ' will shortly be
presented on the Pacific Coast. This
will be the first full-length musical
play by Mr. Breil to be produced. He
is best known as the composer of the
incidental music In "The Climax," a
drama which Joe Weber presented sev
eral years .ago, and "The Birth of a
Nation," D. W. Griffith's film spectacle.
At a meeting of the business man
agers' committee of the forthcoming
Lambs' Gambol, to be. held at the New
Amsterdam Theater the last week of
May. it was unanimously, decided to set
aside a sufficient sum of the profits to
purchase a complete ambulance outfit
to be donated to the American Red
Cross. The Lambs' Gambol will begin
on Sunday night. May 27, Instead of
Monday night. May 28, as originally
announced. George V. Hobart and
Clifton Crawford have been added to
the special committee of "Collies." In
charge of the Gambol, of which Will
iam Collier is chairman and R. II.
Burnside stage director.
.
Raymond Hitchcock Is the first star
to be engaged by Dillingham & Zieg
feld for the new Century Theater show,
which will be produced early In Sep
tember. The contract -was signed last
week. Hitchcock is now the star of
Charles Dillingham's production of
"Betty," which Is having a successful
engagement In Chicago. Not only will
he be seen In "The Century Girl's"
successor, but it Is more than likely
that he will be a member of the cast of
the new revue being planned for pro
duction In Cocoanut Grove, the first of
June.
How to Obtain Work on a Farm.
McMINNVILLE. Or.. May 8. (To the
Editor.) In accordance with the call
of the Nation, I would like to obtain
work on some farm In Eastern or Cen
tral Oregon. To whom should I write
to get information on that subject?
PATRIOT.
Address headquarters of Oregon Food
Preparedness Campaign, 613 Oregon
Building. Portland. It is probable that
office has listings of men wanted In
the line of work that will suit you.
AMERICAN Dl'TT TOWARD BELGIUM
United Statea Not Formally Pledged to
Flsht tor Country's entrality.
PORTLAND. May 8. (To the Editor.)
Now that the United States has be
come an ally of Great Britain and the
British people are in a mood to con
done certain shortcomings of which,
rightly or wrongly, we have been ad
Judged guilty, I think the time has
come to call attention to a widely prev
alent error that.. in spite of oft-repeated
correction, is still potent against a
perfect understanding between the two
peoples, and to ask, not for condona
tion, but for & Just judgment.
The erroneous statement has not
only been very largely accepted as a
fact In England but also very largely
in this country; it was repeated a few
months ago in a speech before the
Dominion Parliament, by a member of
that body; it appeared recently In the
editorial columns of one of the most
thoughtful of the weekly journals of
the Pacific Coast and finds a place In
William Roscoe Thayer's "Germany vs.
Civilization." who, speaking as an
American, says:
A horde of military barbarians violated
the neutrality of little Belgium, which we.
with other governments, had pledged our
selves to uphold.
I don't question Mr. Thayer's state
ment as to the character of Belgium's
invaders, any more than I doubt the
fact of the invasion itself, but the as
sertion that the United States was
pledged "with other governments to
uphold the neutrality of Belgium" Is
without foundation In fact, and has
caused great Injustice to b done to
President Wilson and to this country
by the world at large.
The treaty which guaranteed the
neutrality (as well as the Integrity) of
Belgium was concluded at London on
the 19th day of April. 1S39. and was
signed by the representatives of the
following powers, and by them alone:
France, Great Britatn. Prussta, Austria
and Russia. The United States was not
a party to it in any way. It was re
ferred to at that time, and has been
known since as the "quintuple treaty,"
the five powers being those above
named.
Some of those who have been ap
prised of their misconception have still
Insisted that it was the duty of the
United States to protect Belgium under
a certain convention of The Hague
Conference, but this view is the result
of a careless Interpretation of those
conventions, which were nothing more
or less than simple agreements, each
one of which bound each signatory to
do only that which said signatorv
agreed to do, without responsibility of
one for another, without penalty for
non-perrormance, or provision for the
discipline by the others of any nation
that violated its promise.
Further, I desire to call the atten
tion of would-be critics of the United
States to the following reservation
made by the representatives of this
country before affixing their signa
tures: Nothing contained In this convention shall
be so construed as to require the United
States of America to depart from Its tra
ditional policy of not Intruding upon, inter
fering with, or entangling Itself In political
questions, or policy, or Internal administra
tion of any foreign state.
Happily for the world, and happily
tor America, this policy of isolation has
come to an end and the United States
has taken up Its share of the burden
that should be borne by all of the
countries that are committed to the
cause of freedom, and not by those
alone who have carried it hitherto. It
may be urged that we should have de
clared ourselves earlier in the day. that
we should have rushed to the defense
of the cause of civilization against bar
barism without waiting for a distinct
casus belli of our own. But on the
other hand. In view of our conclomer-
ate population, of our deep-seated tra
ditional objection to Intervening in
European affairs and of the doubt as
to how far he could depend on the loy
alty of German-American citizens and
the inactivity of German residents, not
to speak of those of Irish birth who
from the first have largely sympa
thized with the Teutonic cause, it may
be that the President showed the
greater wisdom In waiting until he
knew that he could rely on the undi
vided support of the whole country. It
Is at least a question whether he would
have had it if he had thrown down the
gage of battle much earlier than he did.
WILLIAM D. WHEELWniGHT.
FOUR. OF PETITIOXS APmOVED
Objectors to Legislative Measures Have
Until May 20 to File.
PENDLETON. Or, May 4. (To the
Editor.) Please state If sufficient
signatures have been secured to the
petitions to refer to the voters at the
election In November. 1918. the steril
ization measures, and if those meas
ures are thereby held In abeyance un
til voted on. Are there other petition
bills to be voted on them?
J. W. ELLSWORTH.
Referendum petitions directed against
eight measures passed by the last Leg
islature have been approved as to form
by Secretary of State Olcott, and now,
presumably, are being circulated to
secure signatures. No completed peti
tions had been filed with the Secretary
of State up to May 8. Such petitions
may be filed with that office up to 5
o'clock on the afternoon of May 20, and
if properly and sufflcleptly signed will
hold operation of measures at which
they are directed in abeyance until
voted on in November," 1918. Referen
dum petitions have been approved as
to form on the following bills: Closing
Willamette River to commercial fish
ing; sterilization bill (only one steril
ization bill being enacted at the last
session); closing Rogue River to com
mercial fishing: section 21 of the in
surance code, which provides for es
tablishment of rating bureaus by ire
insurance companies; bill providing for
shortening of terras of school directors
in districts to the first class;, bill pro
viding for the tenure of office of school
teachers; bill prohibiting the levying
of a greater tax than 6 mills In school
districts of over 100.000 population; and
a bill providing for a county road code.
A total of 14,083 signatures Is required
to make a referendum petition effective.
In Other Days.
Requirements ef n Rexi-nlt.
ASTORIA. Or.. May 8. (To the Edi
tor.) 1. Please inform me how physic
ally fit a young man must be to pass
examination for Army or Navy. 2. Also
the condition of the teeth. How many
sound ones, and how placed? 3. Do
dentists fix teeth for soldiers free of
charge. SUBSCRIBER.
1. He should be at least 5 feet 4
inches tall, with minimum weight of
128 pounds for that height and other
heights in proportion. He must be
organically sound, and vigorous and
healthy. 2. He must have at least 20
sound teeth, and of these 'not fewer
than four opposed incisors and four
opposed molars. Teeth properly filled
are not considered unsound. 3. It de
pends upon the dentist:
Reebitration Under Draft Law.
ADAMS, Or.. May 7. (To the Edi
tor.) (1) Is a British subject required
to register under the compulsory serv
ice law? (2) Can he declare his Inten
tion of becoming a citizen now?
SUBSCRIBER,
(1) The Army bill has not yet been
enacted, but there Is no probability
that alien residents will be required to
register. (I) Yes.
Twesty-STs Years Age.
From The Oregorjan. May 10. 1S92.
Paris Pope Leo has issued a new
and direct brief to the French C acho
lics, in the new brief the Pope cays
that his brief issued In February has
not been understood by many.
Wallace The Coeur d'Alene Mine
Owners Association has obtained In
junctions to prevent all persons, miners
and others, from interfering with the
work at the plants.
Rev. Father Adelhelm. prior of the
Benedictine monastery at Mount Angel.
Is In the city to solicit funds for the
rebuilding- of thA mnnnatmrv KhAns.
mills and church, recently lost by fire.
rifty or the fathers, f raters and schol
astics are literally sleeping oat of
aoors. mere, are 200 people to be tea
daily and there are no provisions for
making flour, bread and other food ar
ticles.
A lecture on the , usefulness of the
organ In church music will be given
by George Ryder, organist, of Boston,
in the Grace Church tonight.
The remains of the daughter of
Father Wilbur were exhumed yester
day from the premises at Second and
Taylor streets, where they have been
buried since 1818. The remains were
removed because of the excavations
for the new A. O. U. W. Hall, which
are about to begin. The remains of a
child were also exhumed. The remains
of Miss Wilbur will ba sent to Salem
to be interred beside the body of
Father Wilbur.
It Is reported that L. Therkelsen.
who was married a short time ago and
started on a trip to California, has
gone to Europe with his bride.
Half a Century Ago.
From Ths Oregonlaa. Stay 10. 186T.
Chicago wheat is selling at $2.40 te
S2.5S a bushel.
New York Colonel Conger, who toolc
the diary from Booth's body, is here
to testify in the alleged spoliation case.
It Is intimated that the missing pages
were cut out at Dr. Mudd's house.
A ship is loading at Puget Sound,
with spars for the Red Sea, She be
longs to the French government.
The grounds for the shooting match.
Saturday afternoon between Tom Tuck
er and Jones have been selected back
of the city, near Canyon.
A New York dispatch says that the
sale of illegitimate babies has grown
so popular and profitable that it is now
considered hardly clandestine.
J. T. Wortley. superintendent of the
Oregon City Woolen Mills, brought to
town last week a sample of the double
twist casslmer woven from yarn pre
pared at Salem on the machine Invented
by Mr. Wortley and Mr. Hoyt. super
intendent of the Salem Woolen Mills.
Double twist usually costs more than
single thread fabric, but by the new
invention the extra expense will be
eliminated. The sample is as fine as
ever came out of the East.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT OF SOLDIER
General Condition and Ability te En
dare Hardship Taken Into Arrosat
PORTLAND. May 9. (To the Edi
tor.) (1) What Is correct military
weight for young man 5 feet 11 inches
tall? (2) In ascertaining height and
weight of applicant to Join the Arm-,
is same taken when he is fully dressed
or otherwise? (S) Would a young man
of military age. 5 feet 11 inches tall,
physically fit, weighing 200 pounds, b
refused, admittance to the Army? t)
At a height of 5 feet 11 Inches what
Is the most applicant could weigh and
atill be acceptable for mllitarv dutv In
the Army? SUBSCRIBER.
1. 161 pounds.
2. Applicant is stripped for rhyslcal
examination.
3. If he Is physically fit he weuld
probably be accepted.
4. Depends on general physical con
dition of applicant and his ability to
withstand hardships ot military life, la
the judgment of the examining surgeon.
' THE HUMAN AIRCRAFT.
Intoxicated with achievement real ot
fancied
He navigates, with supreme self-satisfaction.
The ether of life
With accelerated speed and an accre
tion of sang frold.
Defying altitude and contrary elements,
lie steers his upward counse to regions
where
Atmospheric pressure is relatively nil
Suddenly gravity Interposes! Down-
ward he shoots
With tobogganlike precipitancy.
A stratum of air. is now encountered
Whose pressure Is relatively groat.
This produces repercussion that ren
ders nugatory
The now abnormal pressure front
within.
Thus, through fortuitous circumstance,
with hope and aspiration in the
ascendency.
Life goes with a song as the aviator
traverses the navigable blue.
But with the interposition of oppugnant
and lethal elements.
Hopes, aims, ambitions are daehed and
the human craft returns
To the sated, sordid things of earth.
The abrupt altitudinous transition is
not calculated
To soothe the Fpirit of the organism of
deep sensibility.
It is, prone to induce painful, though
Eometimes beneficent Introspec
tion With resultant restoration of equilib
rium. There are altitudes where atmospherie
pressure
Is conducive to a mental etate compare
able
Only to delusions of grandeur in the
aberrated;
There are altitudes at which human'
irebergs
And other undesirable fauna may be
encountered;
There are altitudes of doldrums where;
the navigator Is becalmed for a
season ;
There are other altitudes known only
to human experience;
But there Is -r ideal, normal, ealubrlw
ous altitude where
Neither the pressure from within tier
the pressure from without
Wields hegemonic sway.
At which navigation may safely be
made.
Happy the mortal who finds it.
FRANK VAN WINKLE.
Generals in Drive Toward Paris.
SALEM. Or.. May S. (To the Editor.)
Kindly inform me who were the Ger
man. Generals who participated in the
drive toward Paris in the early part of
the war. and what part did General von
Hindenburg take? A. Y. P.
The principal German commanders
were Von Kluck, Von Buelow. Von
Hausen. the Duke of Wurttemburg and
the German Crown Prince. General
vn Hindenburg was not then on the
Western front, but was conducting op
erations In East Prussia.