Morning Oregonian., September 05, 1917, Page 10, Image 10

flTHE MORNING OHEGONIAT "WEDNESDAY, SEPTE3IT5EE 5, 1917.
(DrfJtximtnn
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PORTLAND. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 6. 1017.
TAKING TUB WORST OF IT.
If there were ships to carry wheat
from Portland and Puget Sound to
Kurope, there would be no difficulty
now about establishing Portland as a
jnimary grain market. But there are
no vessels, and the grain must go 13ast
via Chicago and thence by the short
est water route to Great Britain and
the continent. The freight rate from
Coast points to Chicago is 30 cents
n. bushel, and it is clear, therefore,
that the grower must absorb this
charge unless he can find some way
of his own to get his product to Chicag-o
or to Kurope without paying it.
tf course he cannot find a way.
Yet it would appear that there are
irertain equities to the case which call
for special consideration by the Gov
ernment in fixing the price of wheat.
The controlling- export market for
growers of Northwest wheat is Liver
pool and not Chicago. The grain
fleet which for years has carried their
product to European ports has disap
peared, through no fault of their own,
end the natural route for the flow of
their grain has now been diverted
overland to Chicago and Atlantic
ports and thence by sea to Its desti
nation. The Government has con
sulted wholly Its own convenience in
this plan of shipment. It has thus
made a decision arbitrarily favoring
the Middle West, and has required the
Pacific Northwest to take care as best
it lfay of the heavier charge, against
their wheat.
It would seem that an adjustment
which took cognizance of the condi
tions before the war would be more
nearly fair. It would not disturb the
relative positions of the Northwest
farmer and the Middle West farmer,
and would give each the same oppor
tunity to develop his investment and
realize his profit that he enjoyed In
1914. and before.
The statement has been publicly
made that the people of Portland
have been sadly remiss In this busi
ness in their failure to provide ships
at a time when they were engaged in
speculation and other dubious occu
pations. This is strange logic." Ships
of all nationalities engaged in the
grain business prior to the war have
disappeared largely from the seas, or
have been taken for other service; so
that the same fate would have be
fallen them whether built and oper
ated from Portland or not. It might
with equal justice be said that Port
land is to blame for its failure to build
a railroad, or extend the Celilo Canal,
to Chicago so that it would now be
in position either to deliver Its own
freight . to a terminal or to force a
lower rate from the railroads. The
war, and the war alone, is responsible
for the absence of grain ships from
the Columbia River. The people of
Portland, we believe, aru not sus
pected of having started th war, nor
are they accountable for any failure
to stop it.
If anything can be done about this
business, it is well to urge upon Mr,
Hoover that he do it. If it cannot
be done, we suppose that Oregon will
continue to wield a sturdy arm at the
laboring oar of the war, just as It
has done from the beginning, with no
thought of reward, and with no real
ization of it, such as we have seen
bestowed lavishly on the states to the
north and south of us. The state of
Oregon enjoys a high place in the
esteem of this Administration when it
comes to loyal service; but when it
comes to other things such, for ex.
ample, as the location of cantonments
or of headquarters for supplies it has
no place on the map. We don't com
plain about it, not being of a com
plaining kind, and not having gone
Into the war for financial profit. But
It will do no harm to mention it
casually, and to say also that one
may be a patriot and not be. either
bund or dumb.
t CKOCKERLAM) A MIRAGE,
It has cost about $250,000 to ascer-
tain that Crockerland, which Peary
believed that he had discovered off
the coast of Greenland, was only a
mirage, but it was probably worth
that sum. Every item that we add to
our geographical knowledge of the
world brings nearer the day when we
shall be able to avail ourselves of all
of its resources. Map-making Is an
Important preparation for detailed ex
ploration, and i when we have learned
that an island is not at a certain place
where we thought it was we have ac
complished something toward nar
rowing still further the uncharted
areas of the globe.
It is of incidental interest that Ad
miral Peary has been acquitted of in
tent to deceive," and a fortunate cir
cumstance for that explorer that Cap
tain McMillan Is able to give testi
mony from actual observation of the
phenomenon. "Peary," says McMil
lan, "was deceived by a mirage, due
to layers of air of different density
suspended close to the ice. Peary
sighted this land from a cliff 1400
feet high. We mounted this same
cliff and for four days were deceived.
Kinally, when the sun shifted, it was
no longer there."
Then, to make assurance doubly
sure, the McMillan party sailed 161
miles northward, passing over the
supposed Crockerland. Thus a new
problem of the geographers was
nolved. It Is true that no land was
found, but it is possible to add a. defi
nite area of open sea.
Peary's mirage was one- of two spe
ties of this variety of nature's camou
flage. The commoner mirage Is a re
flection of an existing: object, due, sci
entists say, "to variations of the nor
mal refractive Index of the atmos
phere." Explorations nowadays are not be
ing: conducted in the hope of personal
grain. The McMillan expedition was
financed by the American Museum of
Natural History, the American Geo
graphical Society and the University
of Illinois, and its findings will be
the common property of the world.
Five ships were required to ascertain
the non-existence of Crockerland
two for McMillan and his scientists
and three sent out to rescue them.
No contributor to the cause was in
spired by the prospect of "dividends."
The glory of achievement and of con
tributing: to an achievement was the
only motive.
GOMPERS SATISFIED.
Samuel Gompers is quite ready to
put faith in the plan adopted by the
Government for labor adjustments in
shipyards. He, moreover, has his
usual laudable faith in the workers.
In an authorized statement ho says:
The agreement of the adjustment of labor
conditions on work for the Emergency Fleet
Corporation and the Shipping Board will
inspire confidence in the men in the ship
building trades because it is based upon
standards, relations and responsibility that
are in accord with fair dealing. As stand
ards for wages and conditions of work, the
agreement adopts the standard of trad
unions and trade agreements and provides
for the adjustment of all new questions by
a commission in which all parties in Inter
est are - to have representation.
After reading this indorsement from
labor's most important representative,
and inasmuch as the adjustment board
is only ten days old and is authorized
to make its adjustments retroactive,
one cannot help but wonder if ship
yard labor leaders In Portland were
not over hasty in setting a day to
Strike,
SNEAK AND COWARD.
Two men who have been fighting
fire3 in Columbia County have been
missing since Sunday, and the fear is
expressed that they have been de
voured by cougars. It is an appre
hension which leads State Biologist
Finley, who knows more about wild
animals and strange birds than any
other man in Oregon, to make the
observation that cougars havo rarely
been known to attack a man.
A few years ago Theodore Roose
velt, naturalist by choice and instinct
and statesman by force of circum
stances, made the sweeping statement
that the cougar, or mountain lion, is
the most cowardly of all beasts and
that it had never been known to at
tack man, woman or child, so far
as he could learn by most searching
investigations and by special exami
nation of many stories of such en
counters. The assertion of Mr. Roose
velt was disputed, and many instances
were cited, some of them perhaps au
thentic. But undoubtedly his general
characterization of the sneaking qual
ities of the cougar is entirely justified.
A yelping dog will put any cougar to
rout; and he will follow under cover
a man for miles without making his
presence known. Under extreme stress
of hunger, the cougar will sometimes
take a chance of a fight with a man.
but not otherwise.
The lion may be the king of beasts.
but the cougar is the prince of sneaks
and cowards.
CASrAI-TIES IN" THE PRESENT WAR.
Staggering totals of the casualty
lists in the present war have led to
misapprehension in the popular mind
of the actual danger to the individual
soldier, which in proportion to the
numbers of men engaged is smaller
than it was in the time of the Na
poleonic wars, or even in our own
Civil War. That is to say, each sol
dier who gees to Europe from the
United States will have a better
chance of coming home alive and un-
wounded than his father did in the
days between 1861 and' 18 65. Be
sides, his safety in other respects is
far greater. The number of men in
General Pershing's force now under
the doctors' care is estimated at only
five in 200, whereas the average until
recently in the ordinary Army post
at home was five in 100. War, for
all its destructiveness, is shown by
the statistics to be a safer business
than it ever has been.
These facts are emphasized anew by
Conklln Mann in an article in the
current issue of Leslie's. The writer
would not discount German shot and
shell, which will make wide gaps in
the ranks, but he points out that while
thousands will fall, except for those
who die immediately there is every
chance of recovery. It is the propor
tion of casualties to the whole num
ber of men engaged in which we are
most vitally interested, and this is
surprisingly small and is decreasing
constantly. In the battles of Char
leroi and the Marne, with which the
war practically opened and in which
the armies on the defensive fought
desperately without sufficient prep
aration, the. percentage was 5.41 for
the French army. In the first six
months of 1915 it was 2.39. In the
corresponding period of 1916 it was
only 1.47. In the second six months
of 1916 it had fallen to 1.28.
Roger Babson's estimate that four
teen of fifteen men who have gone to
the front are safe so far, encouraging
as it is, does not do full justice to
present conditions. The allies have
learned an important lesson in the
conservation of man power and are
conducting their operations in full
knowledge that every man is likely
to count heavily in the final decision,
If this condition had prevailed from
the beginning of the war, one man
in every thirty would be safe. And
only one in 500 loses a limb. This
proportion is no greater than in some
of the more hazardous occupations of
peace time.
Only 300,000 French soldiers have
been discharged from service because
of wounds, although France has had
3,000,000 men constantly under arms.
The Canadians have lost only 21,000
out of 450,000 men. Pro-German tales
of extraordinary mortality among doc
tors, which were part of a propaganda
to make the war unpopular in the
United States, have been proved false.
One of these stories was that 65,000
physicians had been -killed oh the
western front. The actual number
was only a few hundreds, out of the
many thousands engaged.
American soldiers, the writer also
reminds us, will go to the battlefront
under the most advantageous circum
stances. They are being taught all
the allies have learned in their war,
and they are equipped with the latest
weapons and devices for offensive and
defensive fighting. Their casualties
should fall even lower than those of
the French.
Small as it will be by comparison
with our total mobilized strength,
however, our first casualty list un
doubtedly will have the effect of gal
vanizins the country to action, against
the enemies within our midst against
spies, traitors and preachers of sedi
tion and treason. It will -be realized
then that the efforts made for the
protection of our soldiers by their
Government must not be nullified by
enemies at home. Every effort will
be made to confine our losses to those
unavoidable ones- caused by the bul
lets, or other warlike devices, of the
enemy. We cannot hope to make war
a picnio excursion, but we can make
every effort to keep pace at home
with the safety devices and measures
which we are employing abroad.
OUR GAIN.
It is reported that, every man in Se
attle has his nose in the air sniffing
for the odor of Army politics In the
transfer cf Colonel C. B. Blethen to
Fort Stevens from command of the
Coast Artillery defenses of Puget
Sound.
Colonel Blethen left his chair as
editor of the Seattle Times to enter
the service of his country. He has
long been ardent for military pre
paredness not only in use of his pen
but in the practical side of the re
cruitment, organization and command
of forces.
Doubtless the present feeling in Se
attle is due to constant nursing of the
Seattle spirit. That community has
come to believe that it has the best,
if not the only, specimen of everything
in existence that is worth while. Quite
likely Seattle had not been aware that
there were fortifications at the mouth
of the Columbia.
In view of Colonel Elethen's pro
nounced attainments, we shall look
upon his transfer as confirmation by
the War Department of something
we have' long suspected. The defense
of the Columbia is of more impor
tance than that of Puget Souud.
We express our entire satisfaction
with the transfer, but more particu
larly do we express gratification for
the opportunity it offers to call the
attention of this part of the North
west to the fine example of patriotism
set by Colonel Blethen in both peace
and war.
OSLY A PARTI AI, SI Ct ESS.
Let the war experts take their pen
cils and determine for themselves on
the basis .of results whether the sub
marine warfare of Germany has been
a success or a failure. Here is the
record of losses of British ships alone.
which covers from 60 to 60 per cent
of the sinkings of all nationalities,
since ruthless ocean warfare began:
Ships over Under
1000 liiuo
Week ended
Tons. Tons.
T'l.
23
17
rt
f.i
in
2S
r.-i
M
40
2:1
27
10
ix
32
32
28
20
17
18
24
21
23
5
18
678
March 4 J 4 1
March 11 l:s 4
March S 10 8
March ................. IS 7
April 1 18 j:t
April 8 w.17 2
April 1."! It . J! n
April 22 ... 41) 3.-,
April 2'J :is 1.1
May o .................... 24 22
May 13 IS r.
May20 IS 1)
May 1.7 18 1
June 15 3
June 10 22 10
June 17 27 5
June 24 21 7
July 1 15 5
July8 14 3
July IS 14 4
July 22 21 3
July 2! IS a
August r ................. 21 2
August 12 14 2
August l J. :t
August 20 IS 5
Grand totRl 5utf 172
Average number of British merchant
shira sunk weekly 2b.0H
Average number over 1600 tons sunk
weekly la. 40
Obviously, while the destruction has
been and continues to be great, there
is some measure of success in com
bating the submarines. What is its
chief weapon?
It is the efficient patrol of the de
stroyer. The British have not wholly
solved the problem, but they have
reduced their losses.
Great Britain is not to be starved
into submission. That is clear. It is
also clear that time will fight against
Germany and for the allies when the
race between the building of ships
and the submarine .destruction of
ships reaches its climax.
THE GREATEST BARBARIAN,
It has been and apparently still is
a popular diversion where men of dif
ferent minds gather, whether it be
in crossroads stores or Army camp.
to discuss the relative good faith of
Great Britain and Germany in adher
ing to international laws in the existing
war. In consequence of the popular
ity of a subject that will not down, a
Portland officer, stationed at an Army
camp in the South, asks, in order that
he may enlighten a German friend.
that The Oregonian publish the rules
of The Hague peace conference which
Great Britain and Germany refuse to
recognize,
The correspondent doubtless has no
idea of the scope of his inquiry, Just
as those who have been most positive
in opinions concerning the rectitude
of one side or the other have no con
ception of the extent to which the
various Hague conventions may or
may not bind belligerents.
At The Hague peace conference in
1907 fourteen agreements, called con
ventions, were drafted. In each con
vention are numerous articles, some
conventions having nearly 100 in num
ber. In addition to the fourteen con
ventions there was adopted an annex
respecting the laws and customs of
war on land. It was intended to serve
as general rules of conduct for bel
ligerents in their relations to each
other. In conformity therewith most
civilized countries have issued codes
of war regulations reproducing not
only in most cases the exact words
of the annex but enlarging it in mat
ters on which the conference was un
able to come to an agreement.
Most of the conventions and dec
larations of the conference concern
ing war contain a clause to the effect
that they only bind belligerents which
have ratified them, and then only if
all the belligerents are contracting
powers. The signatures of the gov
ernmental representatives at the con
ference did not constitute ratification.
and in their ratifications governments
were privileged to make reservations
as to any of the articles. There was
also provision for subsequent denun
ciation by. any power. In addition.
one of the conventions that relative
to the laying of submarine contact
mines carried a time limit of seven
years. Out of The Hague conference,
furthermore, grew the naval confer
ence held in 1909 and whose promul
gation is known as the Declaration of
London. The Declaration of London
was never ratified.
The effect of the elasticity of The
Hague conventions may be illustrated
by reference to the sixth convention,
which establishes- a reasonable num
ber of days of grace for departure of
merchant ships from an enemy port
after the beginning of hostilities. At
the time of the outbreak of the war in
1914 all belligerents were subject to
this convention through previour
ratification. Corresponde'nce between
Great Britain aod Germany, seems to
have indicated a willingness on the?
part of both to adopt a period of
ten days of grace; but it was not
adopted, through a misunderstanding.
Great Britain and Austria-Hungary
agreed to ten days. Germany and
France adopted a reciprocal agree
ment of seven days, and France and
Austria reached a similar agreement.
But when Turkey entered the war
Great Britain refused to extend to
Turkey the advantages of an order in
pouncil issued in accordance with the
sixth Hague convention, because Tur
key was not a party to that conven
tion. The same position was assumed
in regard to Bulgaria.
The United States also was not a
party to the sixth convention. Ger
many either recognized the futility of
sending her ships from American
ports, even If a period of grace were
allowed, or else assumed that the
ships would be promptly seized.
Hence the attempts to render them
useless.
It. will be seen from the foregoing
that the technically binding character
of the conventions and many of the
articles enumerated thereunder can
only be determined by an exhaustive
study of the conventions, by reference
to ratifications and reservations, and
by comparison of dates on which this
or that belligerent not parties to cer
tain of the conventions entered the
conflict, bearing in mind that the con
ventions are not technically binding
on any unless all the belligerents are
contracting powers.
Broadly, however, The Hague con
ventions enunciate concerning war
many fundamental humanitarian
principles that have been grossly vio
lated, particularly by Germany, re
gardless of any technical defense that
may be entered. The fourteen con
ventions may be summarized as fol
lows: (1) Established the Inviolability of neu
tral territory and the right of asylum in
that territory of prisoners of war.
(2) l'rohlblted belligerents from eslao
llshing wireless telegraph stations in neu
tral territory.
3) Forbade belligerent ships of war to
reictUHl in neutral ports except to complete
their ordinary supplies, or to take on fuel
unless to reach, the nearest port of their
own country.
(4) Provided that hostilities shall not be
gin without a. previous declaration of war.
(.") Ordered that notification of a state
of war must be given without delay to the
neutral powers and may be given by wire.
(O) Revived the 1P.0I declarations, namely,
prohibitions to drop projectiles from bal
loons, to diffuse deadly gases, or to use bul
lets of an unuaually cruel kind.
l7) Ileiulred indemnification by any bel
ligerent who violates any of the laws of
war.
8 Provided a period of grace allowable
to belligerent merchantmen in enemy's har
bors at the beginning of hostilities.
(l Regulated the use of contact mines.
10) Prohibited the bombardment of un
defended places.
11 Insisted upon the Inviolability ef
fishing boats and of the postal service.
12 Ratified the humanitarian recom
mendations of the Ocnera Red Cross con
vention of 1906, which includes protection
of military medical units and establishments,
hospital ships, etc.
13) Established the international prize
court.
(14) Agreed to the American adaptation
of the rrago Doctrine, providing for arbi
tration of questions of Indebtedness claimed
by citizens of one country against the gov
ernment of another nation.
It is hardly necessary to recall the
violations of neutral territory, in the
United States as well as Belgium, the
first use of deadly gases, the bom
bardment of undefended places, the
destruction of fishing boats, the sink
ing of hospital ships, the bombard
ment of properly designated hospitals
and medical units, all of which come
under the main headings given above
and committed by Germany.
It may also be said that the penal
izing of the populace in occupied ter
ritory for the acts of individuals for
which the populace is not responsible
such as the execution of hostages
and the imposition of community
fines is contrary to The Hague rules
of war. It may also be said that de
struction of houses of worship and
public buildings, confiscation and wan
ton destruction of private property,
impressment of the people of occupied
territory in military work, deporta
tions, violation of family honor and
individual rights, pillage, requisitions
for military needs out of proportion
to the resources of the country, seiz
ure or willful destruction of works of
art and science, institutions of charity
and education, all are strictly forbid
den by The Hague regulations.
It is now of unusual interest to read
the prediction of Lawrence, a recog
nized authority on international law.
on the dropping of projectiles from
aircraft- Lawrence, in a work pub
lished in 1914, comments on the fail
ure of the powers to ratify the con
vention relating to this practice, and
the diminishing prospect of rescuin
the air from the domain of destruc
tion as result of the advance in aero
nautics. "The best," he says, "that
can be hoped for in present circum
stances is the exemption of unde
fended places from a rain of projec
tiles coming out of the air space above
them."
How little justification there was
for Lawrence's reliance on the com
mon dictates of humanity, dozens of
undefended towns in England, from
which have been exacted the life
blood of women and little children by
Prussian ruthlessness, can well testify.
Hurrah for Bend, with its record
of not a single claim for exemption
and consequently not an appeal to the
district board.
It is some comfort to the man who
shaves himself to know that he is
saving 20 cents instead of 15, as for
merly.
With maximum prices on flour,
sugar and other necessities, the house
wife will know where her money is
to go.
The., first of the selective service
going to camp today will not have a
send-off, but wait until they return.
Norway expects to be hungry in a
month, but the fishing is good and
a month, is a long time anyway.
Man uses less sugar at the family
table under his wife's eye, but makes
up for It in the restaurants.
Now and then a swindler roes to
jail, but the cases are not frequent
enough to gain much notice.
Wilson envies the drafted men and
so does any old chap who has not a
son of suitable age.
As only mother eats the crust, the
10-cent loaf is more humane than
two 5-cent loaves.
"Onward with God!" proclaims the
Kaiser. "Vengeance is mine, saith the
Lord."
When dignified men see each other
at a boxios match, all they can do is
grin, ..... - -,-
How to Keep Well.
By Dr. W. A. Evans.
Questions pertinent to hygiene, sanitation
and prevention of diseases, if matters of
general interest, will be answered in this
column. Where space will not permit or the
subject to not suitable, letters will be per
sonally answered, subject to proper limita
tions and where stamped addressed envelope
is Inclosed. Dr. Evans will not make diag
nosis or prescribe tor Individual diseases. Re
quests for such services cannot be answered.
(Copyright. 1814 by Dr. rV. A. Evans.
Published by arrangement with the Chicago
Tribune.)
STRAW ITCH.
A REGIMENT went Into an impro
vised camp. A stack of wheat
straw was standing nearby. The men
drew on it liberally for their beds. The
next afternoon a. large number of men
had what seemed to be aettlerash. The
regimental surgeons had not had just
the experience needed to give a correct
opinion and they made a diagnosis of
urticaria or nettlerash. They figured
that the men had been issued some kind
of food which was not Just right and
they went into the commissary depart
ment looking for the harmful meats. -
By the next day a large part of the
regiment had the disease and the medi
cal officers were raking the kitchens
and stores in their effort to locate the
trouble. By thi3 time cases of a differ
ent appearing eruption began to show
up. These cases might have been mis
taken for chickenpox or smallpox.
Then someone found the nature of
the trouble. It was straw itch and the
exciting cause was the itch mite which
often abounds in wheat straw. This
mite is kin to the chigger or red bug
of the South and more remotely to ticks
and ordinary itch mites. It lives in
growing wheat, feeding on the Insects
found there. When abundant and par
ticularly when deprived of the insects
on which they ordinarily feed, they at
tack man.
Unlike most of their kin, these mites
do not burrow. A farmer working in
wheat straw will not suffer from thess
parasites it ne will grease his skin in
the morning and will take a general
soap bath at night. If he cares to do
so he can mix some sulphur with the,
grease used in the morning.
These soldiers only needed to get rid
of the straw on which they were sleep
ing. Goldbcrger says that if straw is
turned and aired once or twice in the
early Autumn the mites will not prove
troublesome.
It has been proven that biting flies
breed in straw piles. The biting fly is
similar In appearance to the ordinary
house fly, but differs from it In that it
is capable of sucking blood. For a
while this fly was held to be responsi
ble for the spread of infantile paralysis.
While this theory has not been upheld
and there is no proof that this fly
spreads any disease in particular, it Is
a nuisance and a source of harm and
effort to abate it should be made. Since
this fly is attracted by flith, it is capa
ble of spreading typhoid and Summer
complaint in babies just as they are
spread by house flies. It bites stock,
worries them and decreases the milk
supply.
The best way to get rid of biting flies
Is to burn up the straw stacks. What
gain is there in saving straw for its
slight food value and having it breed
flics which cause a waste of feed far in
excess of the value of the straw?
Needs Proper Diet.
J. IC. writes: "I am dizzy at times.
Everything goes around a ring. I get
sick at the stomach and vomit a good
bit. The perspiration Just runs out of
me. I get very weak. I have been
getting these spells for bout 12 years.
I am 47 years old."
REPLT.
Ton may be suffering; from nothing; more
than the effects of improper dieting. If
so. a simple diet and regular bowel habl's
may cure you, Tou may have gallstones
or Infection of the gall bladder, or trouble
in your stomach or duodendum. A masked
epilepsy U not beyond the possibilities. My
advice Js that you go to a good hospital for
the purpose of a complete examination,
diagnosis and advice as to treatment. The
treatment you can carry out at home.
High Blood Pressure.
Mrs. R. C. R. writes: "1. My father,
who is 65 years old, has extremely high
blood pressure. Lately he has developed
a wish for very strong coffee. Will this
be 'an injury to him 2. Also, what
foods should he avoid?"
REPLY.
1. It will.
2. High blood pressure can be lowered by
living exclusively on green, watery vege
tables, fruits, sugar and a moderate allow
ance of bread and cereal. The bowels must
be ktpt regular.
Experiment With Foods.
Subscriber writes: "Would appreciate
your advice for nettle rash, which is a
blood intoxicated with some acid. The
light calcined magnesia is effective, but
works too much on bowels; what is the
next best? The disease is caused by
something I ate. but is very difficult to
discover."
REPLT.
Continue to take magnesia. If necessary
lessen the dose. Experiment until you find
which article of your diet is poisonous to
you then refrain from eating the harmful
food.
Baby Sacking Thamb.
W. B. I. writes: "Please advise how
to break a four-months'-old infant from
sucking her thumb."
REPLT.
Pin the sleeves to the side of the dress.
There are aluminum mitts which are worn
on the hands. This habit should tfo broken.
When the. thumbs ar repeatedly carried to
the mouth, infection, diarrhea and Summer
complaint are an almost certain result.
Objects to IT. S. Rnllnar.
M. B. writes: "A man being afflicted
with chronic appendicitis for three
years and at times is troubled with it
quite a little has to keep bowel tablets
on hand all the time. I was drafted
and acquainted the board with the
trouble, but they told me that would
be taken care of in camp. I want to
know can the Government take a man
in that way."
REPLT.
Tsa.
Hon to Drive Oat Flies.
SALEM, Or., Sept. 3. (To the Edi
tor.) Please let me know if there is
not some way I can drive the flies out
of the house? I have heard there is
something to burn on the stove to
drive them out. MRS. W.
A teaspoonful of powdered buhach
sprinkled cn a hot stove or otherwise
burned in a room will induce the flies
to leave without causing inconveni
ence to the human occupants. This,
however, is but a temporary expedi
ent, If there are breeding places near
by and, the house Is not screened.
EIGHTEE.V TEARS BIUXGS CUAXGLS
Former Portlander Returns to Marvel
Over Growth and New Realities.
SEATTLE, Wash., Sept. 2. (To the
Editor.) Having Just returned from a
few days' auto trip to Portland and
vicinity, "my native land," which I
hadn't seen for IS years, the rinlrit
moves me to dron you a few lines and
confess that there must be something
wrong with a man's nature when he
can get into a rut and Ignore his old
nome lor nearly a quarter of a century.
There is bound to be a sentimental at
tachment for the old home town, even
if a man lives in Seattle and th horn;
town happens to be Portland. How a
man can smother it for 18 years Is
beyond me.
In company with Jack Bell, of Seat
tle, formerly of Portland, I left on
August 20 at 2:30 A. M. in his Jeffery
Six. Every mile of the trip down was
enjoyed to the utmost. As we glided
across that monumental piece of engi
neering, the Columbia River bridge at
Vancouver, and the heavy paved fill
across the river bottom lands on the
south, it struck me like a flash that
I would find Portland had been "going
some" during the past 18 years. And it
surely was true.
We had to be piloted around by a
guide the whole time we were there.
In the residence district to the east
and north I was entirely at sea, for
mile after mile until the Columbia
Slough road was reached, when the old
landmarks began to appear. Even they
are being slowly ehgulfed by the tre
mendous flow of progress and devel
opment all about. Then thn rlH hnma
fcamo into view and delightful memories
ui uoynooa days came back with a
rush. I got out of the machine, wan
dered around over the place and was a
lad again. There was the orchard 1
helped my father set out, and the
shade trees planted 33 years ago.
Then I remembered how I used to
watch for The Oregonian. which" came
out by the first wagon about 11 o'clock,
fitting in the shade and getting the
news from The Oregonian was one of
my strong points. I also recalled that
my father, O. C. Hall, was well ac
quainted with Mr. Scott. The Orego-
nian s editor, for so many years, both
oeing graduates or the same college.
rext day we made the run out to
Tai-olt. 011 Lewis River, near Mount
Bell, where we used to hunt and fish
2it years aco.
Friday we drove up the Columbia
River Highway. If this drive isn't one
of the seven world wonders for scenic
grandeur, it surely stands first on the
list for the Northwest. The smooth
paved surface, easy grades. crand
sweeping curves and switchbacks, none
nd concrete bi-idses and rctainintr
wans, tunnels, waterfalls, gorges, nooks
ana aeiis, Deautlful changes of sun
shine and shadow through shifting
trees and greenery, towering masses of
rocky crags and peaks, the far-flung
panorama of the great Columbia and
the distant Washington shore! Surely,
surely, this 50-mile drive through the
Columbia Corge of the Cascade Range
is an engineering work of art and a
panoramic jewel. It soothes the nerves.
satisfies the nature craving and lifts
a man's soul out of his boots. Only one
day to spend there, and I could put in
a month.
Owing to limited time. I enjoyed a
hand clasp and a chat with only a few
old friends and relatives. It surely
does a man's heart good to talk over
old times and past events. One thing
that came to mind was the New Year"s
day about 19 years ago when I helped
the M. A. A. C. football team give the
Seattle A. C. a "walloping" on Multno
mah Field after we had played a 0-0
game in Seattle on Christmas.
Saturday we returned home and I
made a vow to see Portland oftener
hereafter and take the family for a
good visit.
For the last few years I've been in
the engineering department In Seattle,
and for several years previous was en
gaged in Irrigation engineering across
the mountains.
EDWARD E. HALL.
S544 Sixteenth avenue N. E., Seattle,
Wash.
Dairy Farmers and Wheat.
LA CENTER. Wash., Sept- 3. (To the
Editor.) Give us farmers information
You say increase wheat yield 50 per
cent, but what crops must we cut short
to increase wheat and rye, for we are
now cultivating every foot of our land?
We must have hay to get dairy prod
ucts. We must, have potatoes. Shall
we yield to our country less butter,
cheese and potatoes and more wheat
and rye?
We are here and ready to farm every
foot of land, and it seems that requests
differ as to what we shall do. Please
Inform what the Government most
needs. W. A. MANSFIELD.
It Is not the Government's Idea
upset farming conditions in the North
west. But as a result of a survey it
has estimated that there is a certain
acreage in each state not growing
Winter wheat when it Is best" adapted
to that purpose, and other acreage that
is poorly farmed, or cropped only in
termittently. There will be an organ
ization in each state which will classi
fy lands and local organizations will
be encouraged to aid financially those
farmers who are not able to cultivate
to the maximum. The dairymen should
certainly not sell his herds and should
put his lands into crops that will best
sustain them.
Orlgfin ef Maltese Cross.
FALLS CITY. Or., Sept. 3. (To the
Editor.) What is the origin of the
Maltese cross and what does it repre
sent or signify in present day use? Is
it likely to be regarded generally as a
symbol of "Germanism"?
SUBSCRIBER.
The Maltese cross is the Insignia of
an ancient order. Knights of St. John
of Jerusalem. This order became com
monly known as the Knights of Malta
after Charles V, of the Holy Roman
Empire, ceded to It in 1530 the Island
of Malta. The order performed hospn
tal and other relief work and its cross
has consequently been adopted by nu
merous orders engaged in philan
thropic deeds. The German iron cross,
given for deeds of military valor, is in
a form often mistaken for the Maltese
cross. The true Maltese cross has
more the appearance of an eight-pointed
star.
"Eagles' Kat Distinctive.
PORTLAND, Sept- 4. (To the Edi
tor.) Answering to suggestions made
of the name ,-Eagles" for American
soldiers, it is not generally known that
the eagle is already the emblem of
many nations; beside the United States.
Russia, Germany, Austria and also
Mexico have the eagle in their crests.
The Imperial league used to crown
all Napoleonic flags. The eagle figures
on the Russian, Austrian and German
standards. Therefore It would not be
characteristic for the American sol
dier. OBSERVER.
Lieutenant-Generals In Army.
PORTLAND, 6ept. 4. (To the Edi
tor.) Please give the names of those
who have been Lieutenant-Generals in
our Army. WAL A. DAVIS.
George Washington, U. S. Grant. W.
T. Sherman, Philip H. Sheridan. John
M. Schofleld. Nelson A. Miles. B. M.
Young. Adna R. Chaffee, John C. Bates,
Henry C. Corbln and Arthur" Mac
Arthur. Oar Draft As a Scare.
The Lamb.
The gathering forces our draft "will
be a bard blow for Germany,
In Other Days.
Half a Century Ago.
From The Oregonian of September 5. 18T. '
Vienna. The Presse asserts the
United States Is on the point of con
cluding negotiations with the Danish
Cabinet for the purchase of all tlwa
Danish possessions in the West Indies.
The price to be paid is f8,O00.G0O in
gold.
The ecow load of heavy lumber and
timbers now be'Mig unloaded at the O. S.
N. Co. wharf is for Smith Bros, who,
we learn, are about to erect a new
foundry and machine shop.
The people ef Aurora, the German
colony In Marion County, have lately
heard from a train of their friends who
are crossing the plains to settle with
them near Aurora. The train had
reached Fort Boise In safety and in
cluded about 50 persons.
The machinery for a tub and pall
factory in this city is now on the way
here via Capo Horn. The proprietors.
Messrs. Carter, ilayden & Co., Intend
to have the factory in operation the
coming Fall or Winter. It will be the
first establishment of its kind north of
San Francisco.
Mr. Covode. In a late speech in Con
gress, remarked that the cheapest ao
lutlon of the Indian troubles is in the
prompt construction of the Paciflo
Railroad.
TweBty-tlve Tears Ago.
Fom The Oregonian of September S. 1S02.
The action of the health committee
of the City Council in appointing Dr.
C. II. Wheeler city physician has met
with general approval, and the fact
that he has power to enforce strict
sanitary regulations has resulted in a
feeling of security, so far as a prob
able invasion of the cholera is con
cerned. The tabernacle was well filled last
night by the Swedish population of
this city to celebrate the -."4th anni
versary of the Swedes" first landine in
this country.
Hampden Falls, N. IT. John G. Whlt
tler is lying critically 111 at the home
of Miss Gove in Hampden Falls, and
his condition is such that the gravest
apprehensions are entertained.
London. A cold wind checked the
ardor of many who otherwise would
doubtless have gone to Hyde Park to
day to hear the Rev. Jlr. Talmace
preach. Nevertheless, there was a big
crowd present.
Professor Whittlesey, of Forest
Grove University, and Roswell B. Lam-
son have lately returned from a trip
to Iount Adams. They made a suc
cessful ascent of the mountain and
placed a copper box on the summit.
Bessarabia.
Rich Province of Russia Menaced
by 'leu tons.
National Geographic Society.
With the fall of Czcrnowitz and the
capture of Chotin the central powers
have entered the gates of Bossarabla.
which lies between the Pruth and the.
Dniester rivers, and which was taken
from Roumania in exchange for the
Dobrudja district after one of Russia's
wars with Turkey.
Bessarabia, the Russian province ly
ing between the Pruth and the Dnies
ter rivers and bounded on the south by
the Danube and the Black Sea. might
be likened to a tail, slim pitcher, with
out a I audio. It is completely bounded
by water except at a very narrow
point at the mouth of the pitcher. The
Dniester River forms the eastern boun
dary of the province. Flowing out of
the crown land3 of Galicia, the river
runs eaet in sreneral direction for ap
proximately EO miles. Then Jt turns
southeast for 90 miles as the crow flies
and finally runs south of east for 100
miles to Dniester Bay, an arm of the
Black Sea, some 15 miles from Odessa,
Russia's principal port on that inland
body of wp.ter. The Pruth River, flow
ing out of Galicia, runs east for about
20 miles, then turns southeast for 110
miles and then slightly west of south
tofeits confluence wfth the Danube.
Bessarabia Is a little smaller than
Vermont and New Hampshire together.
Its greatest length is 275 miles,
while its greatest width is 175. It Is
mostly flat, except for some well
wooded offshoots of the Carpathian
Mountains in the northwest- It might
be said to be the vineyard of Russia,
being a great producer of wine. The
population of 2,500,000 is made up of
Moldavians. Little Russians, Poles,
Roumanians. Bulgarians. Jews, Ar
menians, Greeks and Tartars. More
than 2,000,000 of the Inhabitants live
on the soil. The capital is Kishinef,
which is located almost at the center
of the province. To the west of Bess
arabia lies Roumanian Moldavia, and
to tne east the Russian provinces of
Podolia and Kherson.
A successful invasion by the enemy
down the Dniester River would not
only penetrate one of the richest ag
ricultural sections of Russia, but would
take the armies fighting on the Rou
manian front in the rear and isolate
them or force them to retreat.
On the other hand, an invading army
would be more than 350 miles from its
base at Lemberg. with very limited
transportation facilities for its ration
ing and munitioning.
The original inhabitants of Bess
arabia are believed to have been Cim
merians, after whom came the Scyth
ians. Because it was the key to one
of the approaches toward the Empire
of Byzantium, the province was in
vaded by many successive races dur
ing the early centuries of the Chris
tian era. Trajan incorporated it with
the province of Dacia, and in the next
century the Goths poured into it, to bo
followed in turn by the Huns, the
Avars and the Bulgarians.
In the seventh century a Thraclan
tribe, known as the Bessi, settled there
and gave to the land its name. Be
tween 1711 and 1813 it was the great
bone of contention between the Otto
man Turks and the Russians. The
Russians lost and recaptured it five
times in. that century. After the Na
poleonic wars it was definitely an
nexed to Russia and its frontier pushed
southward so as to include the delta
of the Danube.
As a result of the Crimean War Mol
davia was given Dobrudja and other
territory, but under the treaty of Ber
lin in 1S7S, following Russia's mastery
of Turkey and the Congress of Ber
lin, Russia secured all of the territory
east of the River Pruth. Bessarabia's
boundary has remained unchanged
from that time to this, but it was re
ported upon the entrance of Roumania
into the war that the latter nation was
to have parts of Bessarabia, Transyl
vania and other regions, so as to In
clude within her domain all territory
after the war that contained a pre
dominance of Roumanian blood.
Goetlials and Wooden Ships.
PORTLAND, Sept. 4. (To the Ed
itor.) In order that an argument made
be settled, will you kindly answer this
question:
Was General Goethals In favor of
wooden ships, as well as steel ships,
or only steel ships? INQUIRER.
General Goethals consented to the
wooden ship programme in part, but
by word and deed seems to have put
obstacles in the way. His position was
discussed at length by Former Chair
man Denman, of the Shipping Board, in
The Sunday Oregonian, August 2S,