Springfield weekly Republican. [volume], November 21, 1918, Page 6, Image 6

About Springfield weekly Republican. [volume] (Springfield, Mass.) 1851-1946

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6
THE SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN
DAILY, SUNDAY, WEEKLY
Published by The Republican Company.
Springfield, Mass.
IKatered as aecond-elas* matter November
8, 1879, at the post-office at Springfield.
Hass., under the act of March 8, 1879.)
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■KIINGFIELD, THURSDAY, NOV. M, 1918
s TWELVE PAGES
$ —■ —
A Memorial Arch Suggested
It Is not too soon to consider se
liously the question of the form to
be given to the permanent memorial
Which the people of Springfield are to
erect in honor of the brave men who
gave their lives in the war. It will
be a memorial, too. for those who !
survive. Several valuable ideas have ■
already been presented which merit ■
careful study, and of particular
Interest is the proposal of a me
morial arch on Vernon street at
the entrance of the new. bridge.
Worcester is to build a fine memorial
auditorium and it would be a fine
thing if Holyoke, which greatly needs
qsch a building, should be able to
adopt the same plan. Springfield is
already provided with buildings of the
sort which best lend themselves tc
memorial purposes, and of othei
monumental constructions the arch
offers obvious advantages, specially
when considered in relation to a
bridge which Is to give to the city
a more seemly entrance than it has as
yet possessed.
The proposed arch would be con
structed over Vernon street and prob
ably in line with the western side of
Broadway, though the precise align
ment would be a matter for architects
to consider carefully. It would be
at the foot of the incline leading to
the bridge, and it is proposed to clear
the ground so as to admit of road
ways swinging off to the right and
left of the arch in order that mart 1
of the traffic coming from the bridge
would easily be deflected to Water
street, thus reducing congestion. Br
ing directly in line with the bridge,
the arch would be in full view of
*ll entering the city by this route,
and a good view could be had of it
from Vernon street as far as Main
street. Both faces of the arch, there
fore. would lend themselves to what
ever sculptured treatment might seem
most fitting, but perhaps the arch it
self need not wait upon the sculpture,
which when done should be a work
of lasting and satisfying beauty.
The difficulty in procuring adequate
■culpture upon demand is one of
the marked advantages of the arch
over most monumental forms. A per
fect arch is Indeed a high achieve
ment, but there is reason to think
that not a few men are capable of
designing a structure of this type
which would give as general satisfac
tion as the municipal group. The
idea is at all events worth careful
study, and a good model ought by ail
means to be made and put on exhibi
tion. The arch, it may be suggested,
need not In the least conflict with
other plans. Let there be also a me
morial avenue of trees at Forest park
as has been proposed. And when the
opportunity is found the city should
certainly have a large historical paint
ing of the decoration of the HMth regi
ment last May for gallant services ai
the front It is an inspiring theme
and should have adequate treatment.
For that we may have to wait, but lu
any case the painting would not take
the place of a monumental structure.
The proposal of an arch derives spe
cial weight from its relation to the
plan for a new bridge.
The Base of the League
One alternative, perhaps the only
alternative, to a league of nations
comprehensive in character, is a
league of the chief powers that have
fought Germany in this war. That it
could be any more successful, how
ever, than the celebrated holy alli
ance that was brought into being
after Napoleon's downfall is doubtful.
Hut of more immediate Interest is
the question whether an alliance be
tween the United States, Great
Britain, France and Italy, to mention
only four powers, could gain the ap
proval of the necessary two-thirds
majority of the United States Senate.
For a league, or alliance, of this limit
ed character would doubtless be based
on a treaty.
The treaty presumaid y would pro
vide In certain contingencies for the
coercion of refractory governments or
nations, according to the principles
underlying the proposed league to en
force peace, and to that extent at
least the United States would be
bound to exercise its war powers. The
objection so often heard, and aga'n
raised tn the Senate last week, that
■uch a treaty would invade or im
pair the constitutional power of Con
gress to declare or refuse to declare
war would lie as much against the
Borrower combination pf powers as
against the broader combination. The
one treaty would be as much open
to attack from this point of view as
the other.
Treaties of alliance usually Involve
obligations to exercise the war-making
power under certain conditions, wheth
er they be formally defined as of
fensive or defensive In character, Tne
only formal alliance to which the
United States has been a party in the
past was the one with France embod
ied in the treaty of 1778. negotiated
by Benjamin Franklin. It not only
provided for mutual support in the
war then raging, but also for a per
manent co-operation between,the two
governments. Article four provided: —
The contracting parties agree that
in case either of them should form
any particular enterprise in which the
concurrence of the other may be de
sired, the party whose concurrence is
desired shall readily and with good
faith join to act In concert for that,
purpose, as far as circumstances and
its own particular situation will per
mit; and in that case they shall reg
ulate by a particular convention the
quantity and kind of succor to be fur
nished. and the time and manner of
its being brought into action, as well
as the advantages which are to be its
compensation.
The old treaty of alliance with
France was made, of course, before
the federal constitution was adopted
and it was abrogated by act of Con
gress in 1798. Since then the United
States has had no such treaty with
any foreign power. An article like
the one quoted, if inserted in any
treaty since the adoption of the fed
eral constitution, would have been ex
posed to attack in the Senate as limit
ing Congress's freedom of action in
declaring w-ar or In authorizing the
exercise of the war power of the gov
ernment by the chief executive and
commander-in-chief for any purpose
whatever.
How a league of nations confined
practically to .. few great powers
would be better off, from the constitu
tional viewpoint, than a more com
prehensive league is beyond one's
comprehension. Yet the leading op
ponents of the league of nations as
outlined by the president are sup
posed to welcome a permanent al
liance of the United States with the
principal nations of the entente. Ob-*
viously, were tl-.eir policy to be
carried into effect, it would be
necessary to send to the Senate a
treaty binding our government to that
alliance, or league, and then the con
stitutional obstacle which they are
now inclined to use against the presi
dent might be utilized to trip them
up also.
A treaty of narrow scope would
probably encounter opposition in the
Senate, perhaps in no less degree than
a treaty of broader scope. It might
conceivably encounter more. It seems
a sane conclusion, therefore, that in
establishing a new policy for the
preservation of the world's peace, the
treaty base should be made as broad
as possible so that the comparative
weakness inherent in a narrow range
of interests, with ' its greater em
phasis In the opinion of outsiders upon
selfish motives and objects, might bo
avoided.
— —O .. . -
Devolution in Europe
W hat is to follow the disintegra
tion of the great synthetic states of
Europe is still unknown, and must
depend in the main upon the course
taken by the revolution. If that should
avoid such excesses as have occurred
in Russia and help even Russia to
find itself the way would be open for
the huge necessary task of political
reconstruction. The splitting up of
the old empires is not In itself a so
lution, though it may prove the quick
est way to a solution. To the multi
plication of intensely national small
states the objections arc not less se
rious, though of a different sort; Eu
rope has had experience of both sys
tems and has found both bad. The
feeling grows that the time has come
for an earnest effort to find a better
solution.
Even before the war the ideal Of
devolution and federation was stead
ily gaining ground. England in 1913
was discussing "home rule all around”
as a solution of the Irish question.
The Balkan states, separated to their I
harm, seriously attempted to fed
erate in a Balkan league, and pron
ably only the jealousy of the Aus
trian empire frustrated the attempt.
The small states of northern Europe
were also before the war seeking
some plan of combination to promote
their common Interests. On the other
hand, in the great military empires
the demand for Increased efficiency
was Intensifying centralization, as In
the oppressive measures applied by
the czar in Finland and other de
pendencies of the empire.
Under the terrific stress of war
these great artificial fabrics have split
like shattered crystals, but it is clear
ly recognized by the political thinkers
of the new era that a new organization
will have to follow *hls disruption, and
one result of the war has been to
turn attention more strongly toward
the federative principle. In theory
the German empire exemplified
federalism admirably: in practice
Prussian ascendancy and the cult of
militarism destroyed.the freedom essen
tial to genuine federalism. Austria-
Hungary might wltnout very great
difficulty have converted itself into a
true federal state ir it had not been
for the tenacity with which its
privileged classes clung to the old or
der and for the difficulties created by
the irredentist demands of its neigh
bors.
The old states destroyed, the ground
is cleared for a fresh attempt at the
federation of free states which for
centuries has been the dream of ideal
ists. Its formidable difficulty has been
shown by experience, and the present
generation is likely to realize the truth
of Guizot’s words: —
Of all systems of government and
political guarantees the federative
system is certainly the most difficult
to establish and W render prevalent;
a system which consists in leaving in
each locality and each particular so-
THE SPRINGFIELD WEEKLY REPUBLICAN: THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21, 1918
eiety all that portion of the govern
ment which can remain there, and in
taking from it only that portion which
is indispensable to the maintenance of
the general society, and carrying this
to the center of that society, there to
constitute of it a central government.
The federative system, logically the
most simple, is tn fact the most com
plex. In order to reconcile the degree
of local independence and liberty
which it allows to remain with the
degree of general order and submis
sion which it demands and supposes
in certain cases, a very advanced de
gree of civilization Is evidently re
quisite; it is necessary that the will
of man, that individual liberty, should
concur in the establishment and main
tenance of this system more than of
any other, for its means of coercion
are less than those or any other.
Militarism at home or abroad, is
the great menace to federalism and
to freedom in general. The strong
centralized power of France was the
great obstacle to the free develop
ment of the German states till cen
tralization had made them a match
for France, and the centripetal force
thus set up in Germany could only
be stopped by revolution. In our
own country we have seer, how the
war has accelerated centralizing ten
dencies which if continued might be
a cause for serious concern. The
centralizing and bureaucratic ten
dency of great civilized states has
more often weakened that very ca
pacity for self-government which
ought to grow stronger as clviliza- i
tion advances.
If to this we add the fact that
usually the opportunity to attempt
federal government can come only !
through a violent revolution, it is not
wonderful that the federative principle
has made such slow progress. There
are now rich opportunities for ex
periment in Europe, and it may be
hoped that some of them will sue- |
ceed. It may- be added also that the j
success of the variout efforts at fed I
eration now beginning in Europe I
will depend in great part on the sue- !
cess of the league of nations in pro- i
vidlng the needed safeguards against i
foreign aggression. For maximum!
power a strong and perhaps even ty
rannical centralized government may
be necessary, but in Europe the war
is bringing a strong reaction frdm
that ideal and the change favors th*,
plan for a league of nations.
SENATE FOR PROHIBITION
BILL GOES TO PRESIDENT
Final Action Taken on War-Time
Measure — Approval is
Expected
Final legislative action was taken,
at Washington Monday by the Sen
ate on the national “war-time” prohi
bition bill effective July 1 and con
tinuing during demobilization. The
measure will go Thursday to President
Wilson for hl 8 approval, which is con
fidently expected by prohibition advo
cates.
The Senate struck out the Wash
ington rent-profiteering rider, which
had held up the bill, and without a
roll-call Bdopted the conference report
on the rest of the provisions, which
the House already had approved.
As transmitted to President Wilson,
the prohibition feature would stop
sales of distilled, malt or vinous bev
erages June 30, 1919, and thereafter
during the war and demobilization.
Manufacture of distilled spirits now is
prohibited under the food control law,
which will expire with the world peace
treaty.
Regarding malt and vinous bever
ages the new measure provides that
their manufacture shall cease May 1,
1919. and their sale for beverage pur
poses July 1. Manufacture for ex
port is not prohibited, but imports of
all Intoxicating beverages during the
war and demobilization are barred.
The prohibition bill is in the form
of a legislative rider on an emergency
appropriation measure providing about
$12,000,000 for stimulating agricul
tural production. Effect of the legis
lation, even if approved by President
Wilson, is the subject of warm dis
pute which many members of Congress
think the courts will have to settle.
The bill would make prohibition effec
tive “after June 30. 1919, until the
conclusion of the present war and
thereafter until the termination of
demobilization, the date Of which shall
be determined and proclaimed by the
president.”
Senator Sheppard of Texas, author
of the prohibition features, and other
dry champions insist that prohibition
will go into effect on the date fixed
to continue until demobilization is
completed, regardless of when peace Is
proclaimed. Opponents of the legisla
tion. however, declare that if peace is
declared before July 1 the bill cannot
be operative, even though demobiliza
tion will be in progress thereafter.
The prohibition legislation has im
portant bearing upon the pending war
revenue bill, whose authors estimate
an annual revenue loss of more than
181 .0fM1.000.000 to the government from
prohibition. Including cessation of beer
and wine manufacture, ordered Decem
ber 1 by the food administration.
WILSON TO KING ALBERT
“The Blood of Belgium's Heroic
Sons Has Net Been Shed ’ in
Vain”
President Wilson sent by cable Fri
day a message to King Albert of the
Belgians felicitating him upon his
re-entrance Into the national capital
of Brussels and paying tribute to Bel
gium's self-secriflce which has won her
"a crown of glory. Imperishable." Th?
message follows:—
"His majesty, the king of Belgians.
Brussels
“Never has a national holiday oc
curred at a more auspicious moment
and never have felicitations been
more heartfelt that those which It la
my high privilege to tender to your
majesty on this day.
"When facing imminent destruc
tion. Belgium by her self-sacrifices won
for herself a place of honor among
nations, a crown of glory, imperish
able though all else were lost.
"The danger is averted, the hour
of victory come and with It the
promise of a new life fuller, greater,
nobler than has been known before.
"The blood of Belgium's heroic sons
has not been shed In vein."
“WOODROW WILSON."
FREEDOM OF SEAS
WHAT AMERICA ASKS
NO ECONOMIC BOYCOTT
LIMITATION OF CONTRABAND
United States Will Seek to Prevent
Strangling of Nations in Peace
or War—President's Posi
tion Like That of
Predecessors
t By David Lawrence
Special Dispatch to The Republican
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Nov. IV
“Freedom of the seas" for the
times of peace as well as war is one
of the main principles which Presi
dent Wilson believes fundamental to
! the establishment of a warless world.
The government here has never ex
pressed in detail its program simply
'because it expected to deal with this
question in conference with other na
tions, just as it sought to do in the
second Hague peace conference in
l!»07. • But for the moment opinion
in the national capital as to what the
American delegation to the peace con
ference might advocate seems to have
crystalized somewhat as follows: —
(1) Freedom of the seas, so far as
peace time is concerned, means an
agreement that no nation shall discri
minate against another by’ reason of
political antagonism in the use of
Shipping facilities. If there is to be
any economic punishment by’ with
holding ships or by imposing high
rates against any particular nation
for refusing to abide by the general
international agreements of the peace
conference, the discrimination will
be determined by the league of na
tions. America has a large amount
ot shipping, and stands ready to pool
her resources so that discriminatory
rates shall not be imposed as between
single nations, thus leading to war.
The expectation here is that the
shipping interests of other countries
will act in conformity with the wishes
ot their governments, to the end that
the control of the world's shipping
shall not mean the strangulation at
will by’ one nation ot another whieh
may happen to decline to pay finan
cial or political tribute.
(2.) Freedom of the seas so far as
wartime is concerned is a tradition
al American principle intended to pre
vent wars from spreading through
out the world, exactly as did the .ast
one. It was first incorporated in a
treaty’ with Prussia and signed by
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jeffer
son. and John Adams. President
Roosevelt, who has lately been one
of the chief opponents of the freedom
of the seas doctrine, recommended
the adoption of a resolution on the
subject by Congress. In so doing, he
quoted a previous message of Presi
dent McKinley of December
which said:—
“The United States government has
for many years 'advocated this bu
mane and beneficent principle, and is
now in a position to recommend it to
other powers without the imputation
of selfish motives.”
Mr Roosevelt was successful in se
curing the adoption by Congress of a
Joint resolution on April 28. 1904,
which said:—
“That it is the sense of the Congress
ot the United States that it is desir
able, in the interests ot uniformity of
action bS’ the maritime states ot the
world in time of war. that the presi
dent endeavor to bring about an un
derstanding among the principal mar
itime powers with a view of incorpo
rating Into the permanent law of civi
lized nations the principle of the ex
emption of all private property at
sea. not contraband of war. from cap
ture or destruction by belligerents. ’
It was Elihu Root, secretary of
state under President Roosevelt, who
referred to that resolution in his in
structions to the American delegates ■
to the second Hague peace confer
ence. Mr Root did not hesitate to put
his finger on the very thing Presi
dent Wilson at one time had hoped io
limit—the number of articles which
can be declared contraband of war.
The freedom of the seas so far as
war-time is concerned should never
be a cause for friction between the
United States and Great Britain be
cause the American delegation prob
ably would not ask for anything mote
than the declaration made by Great
Britain through her delegates to the
second Hague peace conference as
follows:—
“In order to lessen the difficulties
encountered by neutral commerce in
time of war. the government of hit
Britannic majesty is ready to aban
don the principle of contraband in
case of war between the powers which
niav sign a convention to this end.
The right of search shall be exercised
only in order to determine the neu
tral character of a merchantship.”
The above states the principle ot
the “freedom of the seas" for war
time as well as anything that has
been said on the subject in the past
end the idea meets with favor here
because it Is believed nations will not
be so quick to engage in war if the
lieHlgerents are to be estopped from
Interfering with the transport of sup
plies or private property of al) kinds
.lust as America Insisted at the sec
ond Hague conference on a reduction
of armaments as a means of prevent
ing war, so does the president believe
that by reducing the opportunity ot
one nation to strangle another b.v
boycotts or blockade will all nations
he compelled to see the futility of
armed combat as a means of settling
disputes and the necessity of submit
ting their cases to a court of arbitra
tion or league of nations and abiding
by the decisions of tribunals wherein
international morality and justice
shall be paramount.
[Copyright. 11)18, by the New Turk
Evening Post, Inc.j
WILSON TO LLOYD GEORGE
Tells Premier He Is Pleased With
Speech About Vlndicativenes*
and League of Nations
(British Wireless Service,]
LONDON, Sunday, November 17
President Wilson has sent the fol
lowing message to David Lloyd George,
the British prime minister: “May I
express my sincere admiration of the
admirable temper and purpose of your
addresa of the 12th, Just reproduced in
part in our papers? It is delightful to
be made aware of such community of
thought and counsel in approachtag
the high and difficult task now await
ing us.”
The speech of Mr Lloyd George re
ferred to was the one he made last
week in whieh the prime minister said
there must be no vindictive peace, but
a just peace. In his speech Mr Lloyd
George emphasized the added impor
tance of a league of nations and de
clared that victory should be an im
petus to reform.
|TO STAY INDEFINITELY
WILSON LENGTHENS PLAN
Will Use Cable to Exercise Presi
dential Duties While
Abroad
Democratic senators who conferred
with 'President Wilson Tuesday
lor two hours left the White House
with the impression that the presi
dent now plans to remain in France
indefinitely, or at least until the ma
jor part of the work of the peace
con.Vrence has been completed,
said a dispatch from Washington
that night.
Interested In Freedom of Seas
Tlie president was understood to
be especially interested in the appli
cation, in the framing of the treaty,
of the principle of the freedom of the
seas, which he enunciated in his 14
terms, and on which the allies in
agreeing to discuss peace with Ger
many, have reserved the right of
freedom of action at the peace con
ference.
The plan for a league of nations
was another subject to which the
president was said to have given
much study. He was understood to
regard this as essential for the main
tenance of the peace of the world.
During his absence from the Unit
ed States the president plans to con
tinue to exercise all the functions of
his office. He will , keep in communi
cation with Washington by wireless
while at sea and by cable and. if
necessary, by dispatch boats while
he Is abroad.
While in France the president was
said to plan the transaction ot any
necessary executive business in the
American embassy. 'Technically he
then would be on American soil.
Should ho visit London or any of the
other allied capitals the embassies
there would become his executive
quarters.
Opposes Reconstruction Commission !
Besides discussing his plans for his
trip abroad, the president was under
stood to have taken up with the sen
ators problems of reconstruction and
necessary legislation. It was said
that h« opposes creation ot a recon
struction commission, either execu
tive or congressional, preferring that
the work be done by existing agen
cies. such as the war industries
board, the food administration and
the war trade board.
Senators attending the conference
included Simmons and Overman of
North Carolina, Pomerene of Qhio,
Walsh of -Montana and Swanson of
Virginia, all chairmen of important
committees. During the day the
president had conferred with Senator
Martin of Virginia, the democratic
leader.
The American merchant marine, ’a
bor problems and the war revenue
bill Were other Subjects taken up at
the conference Tuesday, which last
ed until after 10 o'clock. The presi
dent was said: to have reiterated his
views on the necessity for a great
fleet of ships to carry the nation’s
dmmerce and to that end favors con
tinuation of the government’s ship
building program.
Regarding labor, senators were said
tc have been told that maintenance
ot utmost confidence between employ
ers and employes was particularly es
sential during the period of recon
struction.
Desires Retrenchment
Retrenchment in federal expendi
tures as far as is consistent was said
to be desired by the president who
told the senators he already had taken
heps to that end. In this connection
the pending war revenue bill was dis
cussed especially with Senator Sim
mons. chairman of the Senate finance
committee. The president asked re
regarding prospects of its passage in
view of his approaching departure for
France and was advised by Senator
Simmons of the prospect of delay and
determined republican opposition to
the plan proposed by Secretary Mc-
Adoo for determination m the pend
ing measure of 1920 tax rates.
Reconstruction and legislative ques
tions. the senators were said to have
been informed, probably will be dis
cussed by the president in his address
to Congress at the opening of the new
session. December 2. At that time he
is expected to outline his view on the
necessity for maintaining some gov
ernment war agencies at least for a
limited period after the peace treaty
is signed.
Veto By Cable
The president plans to sail for
Fiance soon after Congress recon
venes, and it was understood that for
this reason he desired the leisurely
conference covering the broad
field of legislation and other ques
tions. In connection with the presi
dent’s plans for transacting his busi
ness with an American embassy at
headquarters, it was understood that
he feels there will be little difficult?.’ in
disposing of legislative questions that
arise. If necessary. It was said, th>-
engrossed text of a bill could be sent
to him by a courier on a dispatch boat.
A veto. It was said, could be accom
plished by cable. Tn the discussion of
legislative questions. It was sold that
only those of the coming session were
ccnslderert. and that no mention was
made either of prospective republican
control of the next Congress or of ar.
extra session.
WILSON ENGAGES PLACE
Will Sail on the Agamemnon, For
merly the Kaiser Wilhelm II
Special Dispatch to The Republican ■
NEW YORK, Tuesday, November 19
President Wilson will cross the At
lantic on the United States transport
Agamemnon, formerly the North Ger
man Lloyd liner Kaiser Wilhelm 11.
according to information received to
day from a reliable source. This ship
is faster than the Leviathan, for
merly the Hamburg-American liner
Vaterland, and hnr passenger accom
modations are better.
The imperial suite of the Agamem
non, once occupied by the kaiser on
a cruise, will be used by President and
Mrs Wilson, it Is said. The work of
getting the Agamemnon ready has al
ready negun, It Is stated.
The Kaiser Wilhelm II was a sis
tar ship of the Kronprinteesin Cecelle.
now the Mount Vernon, holder of the
German transatlantic record. Both
these vessels, before the war. could
maintain an average speed of 22 knots
and it is said that under American
engineers and crews their speed has
increased considerably.
MERE PROPAGANDA
VIEW AT WASHINGTON
OF APPEALS FROM SOLE
iIS AFTER BETTER TERMS
i American Officials Believe Nothing
Will Be Gained —Enemy's
Necessities Will Be
Cared For
————————
In ths almost hysterical appeals of
the German provisional government
for supplies of food and for permis
sion to address itself directly through
a commission to the American pub
lic, officials at Washington see a pur
pose to excite the sympathy ot a large
element of the American population
more or less connected by blood ties
with Germany. With sucli sympathies
aroused the German government, it
was said, undoubtedly hopes to influ
ence the approaching peace confer
ence toward leniency.
Such appeals as these which have
been sent by wireless by Dr Sols, Ger
man foreign secretary, to Secretary
Lansing were said to be quite un
necessary and not likely to have any
beneficial results. President Wilson
already has promised to do everything
possible to prevent suffering among
the eivll population of the conquered
states. The entente powers have in
dorsed this attitude not so much from
considerations of mercy or sympathy
with the fOe as from a genuine con
viction that a starving and desperate
people would make dangerous neigh
bors; render any satisfactory peace
impossible and by appeals to the inter
nationalist spirit endanger the security
of the entente countries themselves.
The design of the conservative ele
ments in the entente states is imder
stood to be to avoid raising anv Issues
that would aggravate these conditions.
It is known officially that there is
sufficient food In Germany to meet im
mediate needs. The supreme war coun
cil is planning to supply food in the
future and before the present stocks
are exhausted, assuming the exercise
of wise econonij- in food distribution.
Therefore, it is said to be quite un
necessary for th e German government
to send the proposed commission to the
United States to arrange for the pur
chase of food. Mr Hoover and the
agencies behind him will attend to al!
of that.
To correct what appears Vo be a
general public misunderstanding on
the subject it may be authoritatively
stated that none of this food to be sent
from America to Germany or Austria
will be given away. It must be paid
for by the governments of those coun
tries. Possibly that cannot be done
in German cash, for it is believed that
the store of gold in the Reichsbank
has been practically exhausted through
the heavy purchases which Germany
as been obliged to make from neutral
countries, for which she has had to
pay in coin for the most part. That
situation may make it necessary to
establish credit, but if this is done It
will be {he act of the supreme war
council, as part of its function in car
rying out the terms and spirit of the
armistice. America will not have to-
Lear these burdens or assume the risk
alone.
Rapid development of the new Gar
man government on democratic lines
as recorded in the press illspa'tehes is
viewed with satisfaction at Washing
ton. The composition of the new cab
inet. including, as it does, sane and
conservative elements enough to
leaven the whole, is taken as a guaran
tee against bolshevik control and it is
hoped that with the assurance of not
an abundance of food, but sufficient
to avert famine at least, the new gov
ernment can i>e assured of more per
manency than marked the advent of
the first revolutionary, or Milukoff,
government in Russia.
WANT HOOVER TO HELP
German Foreign Minister's Re
quest of United States
[By Wireless to London.]
BERLIN, Friday. November 15
In his message to Secretary Lansing
to-day. Dr W. S. Self, after appeal
ing to him to intercede with Presi
dent Wilson to send peace delegates
to the Hague as soon as possible,”
“in order to save the German people
from perishing by starvation and
anarchy," suggested that Herbert C.
Hoover, the American food adminis
trator, be assigned to the task of
assisting the German people. This
section of the message reads: —
“American delegates could discuss
with the jllenipotentii.ries of the Ger
man people the details of how the
magnanimous help of America could
save, in time, our fatherland from
rhe worst. Perhaps the matter could
be put in the tried hands of Mr
Hocver, who has rendered such great
services in Belgium.
"The acceptance of the oppressive
armistice conditions, the necessity of
supplying from scanty provisions the
armies that are streaming back from
the front, the cessation of naviga
tion In the North sea and the Baltic
by the continuance of the blockade,
whic.. imperils our provision supply,
and the disturbed conditions in the
cast make the situation in our coun
try daily more unbearable. The peril
can be avoided only by the most
speedy help."
MR LANSING'S REPLY
Tells Germany to Make Its Re
quests in Different Fashion
Secretary Lanstng made public at
Washington Saturday the text of his
reply to radio communications from
the German government seeking
modifications in the terms of the armi
stices with Germany and Turkey. The
note, addressed to minister Sulzer of
Switzerland, follows: —
"I should be gratified If you would
be good enough to convey the follow
ing communication to the secretary of
foreign affair^ of the German govern
ment:
"The government of the United
States has received the radio messages
addressed to the president of the
United States by the German govern
ment relative to relief from certain
requirements Imposed In the armi
stice with the Ottoman government
and the armistice with the German
government,
"The communication# which have
been received will be forthwith com
municated to the other government*
‘with which the government of the
United States is associated and also
to the supreme war council in Pans.
“The government of the United
States takes this opportunity to sug
gest to the German government that
communications of this nature, which
pertain to the terms of the armistice
or to matters in which all the asso
ciated governments are interested,
should be sent to all the governments
and not addressed alone to the presi
dent or government of the United
Slates.-
“The government of the United
States also desires to call the atten
tion of the German government to
the fact that these communications
should be presented through estab
lished diplomatic channels rather than
by direct radio communication.”
'UNITY OF RAILROADS
—
MR McADOO TO KEEP ON
Changes in the Interest of Econ
omy Not to Be Limited to
Those Contributing to
War Victory
Regardless of the ending of hostili
ties. Director-General McAdoo intends
to continue to unify railroad opera
tions and pool facilities throughout
,the period of government contro'
which under the law will end 21
months after peace is formally de
clared. This policy, it was stated Fri
day has been adopted definitely
and the railroad administration wli.
not limit its changes In the interest
of economy to those contributing di
rectly to winning the war.
Mr McAdoo, together with other
observers of the development of gov
ernment policies is represented as be
lieving that on the showing made by
the railroads under unified control
during the next year or two depends
settlement of the issue of permanent
government control and ownership, or
of restoration of private manage
ment.
Without attempting at this time to
take a definite stand on this question
the director-general. it is said, plans
to make government operation show
the best results possible, in service to
shippers and travelers, rates and
treatment of employes.
Instead of considering any pro
posed reform in the light of its neces
sity as a war measure he will regard
it from the standpoint of whether it
will improve transportation condi
tions for the nation's business in the
future.
Tlie director-general hopes that the
reforms, such as pooling ot facilities,
short hauling and standardizing or
unifying operation and accounting
practices will result in material econ
omies in another year and that ul
timately this will mean rate reduc
tions or extensions to improve serv
ice.
The railroad administration's pol
icy, it was learned, will be to mini
mize the influence of state laws and
regulations over rates, but to seek
the advice and co-operation of state
railway or utilities commissions on
police matters, such as safety work,
elimination of crossings and erection
of stations. These state bodies t’ui
bo regarded as advisory rather than
executive institutions, however. This
course is contrary in a large degree
tv that advocated by the state com
missioners at their convention at
Washington this week.
Locomotive Orders to Wait
Railroads and the railroad admin
istration do not intend to place large
orders for locomotives and care for
future use until steel prices are ma
terially reduced, it was said Friday
by railroad administration officials.
Railroad corporations, it was ex
plained, do not feel justified in paying
present high prices for equipment
which they will not need badly fqr
nearlj- two years, and the railroad ad
ministration does not wish to force
orders on them. Already the govern
ment administration has ordered more
than 100.000 cars, at comparatively
high prices, and has distributed the
burden of cost among the roads.
To keep steel industries busy dur
ing the period of reconversion, steel
producers meeting with the war in
dustries board this week suggested
•nat the railroads place their future
orders now.
Financing of railroad pm chases cf
equipment through so-called car pools
is one new function which probably
will be assumed soon by the war
finance corporation, it was said Fri
day. Heretofore, this financing has
been done by the railroad adminis
tration with its half billion dollar re
volving fund. assisting the individual
railroad corporations.
TO TAKE CABLE LINES
PROCLAMATION BY PRESIDENT
Clarence H. Mackay Sees Action as
Step “Apparently Preliminary
to Government Ownership”
Government control and operation
of all ocean cable lines owned in
America, under Postmaster-General
Burleson, is ordered by President Wil
son in a proclamation dated the 2d
which has just been made public
through publication in the govern
ment’s official bulletin. Officials at
the post-office department refused to
discuss the proclamation Monday or
to say whether any steps actually
had been taken toward putting gov
ernment operation into effect.
The first intimation that the cables
were to be, taken over came Saturday
through a 'statement at New York by
Clarence H. Mackay, president of the
Postal telegraph cable company say
ing he had been informed of the ac
tion and criticizing the government
for taking the step now that the war
practically Is ended. Mr Mackay said
the government already lied complete
control of the cables through censor
ship. and that government operation
would result in loss “just as govern
ment operation of the land Unes will
result in a loss."
The taking over of control of cable
lines was declared to be "apparently
preliminary to government owner
ship" In a supplementary statement
Monday by Mr Mackay. He said
that the very vastness of the cable
systems, as a project for federal man
agement. "is staggering” and asked
what the government was going to do
with many thousands of miles of un
dersea Unes controled by American
companies and extending to numerous
foreign countries on the Atlantic,
Pacific ahd Indian oceans.
Westward the course of influenza
seems to have taken its way, and in
Canada the national thanksgiving day
has been postponed until December 1
on account of the prevalence of the
d r,ease In the western provinces tn
some offices In Winnipeg men are
wearing masks while at their dally
work. A picture of the wheat nit <if
the Winnipeg grain exchange ehowe
only three men without masks out of a
group of 40 or more.
TAXES COMING DOWN
STRONG FIGHT EXPECTED
ON PROPOSAL FOR 1920
Limitation to Six Billion Likely to
Be Opposed by Republicans,
Who Will Control Next
Congress
Downward revision of the war rev
enue bill to about the $6,000,000,00U
total recommended by Secretary Mc-
Adoo appears to be assured, members
of the Senate finance committee said
Friday after Mr McAdoo had per
sonally explained to the committee
suggestions as to future government
financing made in his letter Thursday
night to Chairman Simmons.
Some of the secretary’s proposals,
however, especially those to abandon
excess profits taxation and increase in
dividual income taxee in 1920. met
with strong opposition, senators said.
Republican opposition to Mr McAdoo’s
recommendation for Immediate specific
limitation of taxes to $4,000,000,000 In
1020 also developed, but Senator Sim
mons said a majority of the committee
favors it.
Because of the prospective republic
an control of both houses of Congress
next March republican opposition to
limiting taxation two years hence was
not unexpected, and a strong fight in
both houses on this feature of the
revenue bill is now considered prob
able. If it develops it will be the first
serious partisan difference in the meas
ure’s consideration.
In a statement Friday regarding
Mr McAdoo’s conference with the com
mittee, Chairman Simmons Baid the
secretary's estimates of $18,000,000,-
000 of government expenditures next
year and of probable reductions by
"1920 which would make possible re
duction of the tax hill to about $4,000,-
000.000 largely are “guesswork.” based
upon nil possible out incomplete in
formation.
Regarding Mr McAdob’s estimate
for reduction of taxation for 1920, $4.-
000,000,000. Chairman Simmons said:
"The secretary believes it to be of the
highest importance that business be
advised in advance as to what taxes
it will have to pay. He thinks that
if that is not done, with a special ses
sion of Congress next year to enact
revenue legislation. It would take five
or six months and be near the end
of the year before people would know
what they would have to pay.”
Regarding the plan to abolish excese
profits and to increase individual in
come taxes by 1920, Senator Simmons
said Secretary McAdoo based his
recommendation on the opinion that it
is difficult to fix a satisfactory excess
profits tax. Such a tax. Secretary Mc-
Adoo stated, is "inherently undesirable,
a burden upon business, in essence a
consumption tax and in the nature of
an income tax.”
Senator Simmons would not estimate
how much longer the committee will
require to revise the bill. He said it
might take several weeks, or only one
or two. Other members, however, said
Incorporation of Mr McAdoos sugges
tions would virtually require redraft
ing of the entire measure. The finance
committee will meet to-day to begin
its work. i
There is a general sentiment In the
committee that many of the special ex
cise taxes, including those on luxuries,
should be stricken from he bill. Modi
fication of other schedules also is fav
ored, but most members agree that the
course of future revision cannot be
definitely determined until the transi
tion of the country from a war to a
peace basis is further advanced.
CHECKING UP THE ENEMY
Chart in War Office Kept Accurate
Record of German Morale
Knowledge in possession of official*
at Washington ot conditions In Ger
many during the war was so ac
curate that the American genera)
staff had computed many weeks in
advance almost the exact date on
which the breaking point would be
reached. A chart which was hung
Tuesday in Secretary Baker’s office
shows the fluctuations ot the morale
of the German nation from August,
1914, to the present month.
Assuming the German government
to have had 100 per cent support of
i the people at the beginning of the
■ war. the chart allows how German
morale tell and rose under the influ
ence of various factors. These influ
ences included not Only the military
situation of the armies and the re
sults ot the submarine campaign but
the unanimity of purpose evinced by
the different groups in the Reichstag
and the economic condition of ths
country. So remarkably accurate was
the information upon which the chart
was based that the "morale line”
reached the zero point between ths
10th and 15th of this month.
The chart Indicates clearly that
practically every major operation of
the German military forces was in
fluenced by the state of public mind
at home. Thus Gen Mackensen's at
tack in the Balkans, the declaration of
unlimited submarine warfare, the sec
ond Italian offensive and the advance
on the western front, which was met
and stopped by American armies at
Chateau Thierry, were all Inaugurated
when the morale Une showed dan
gerous slumps. In each case, Initial
successes moved the hopes of ths
German people as portrayed by the
little dotted Une up toward normal.
Additional evidence of the rcma.’k
atle extent to which allied Intelli
gence bureaus obtained and tabulated
military information is shown by a
great war map in the office of Gen
March. This map gives the entire
western front in great detail and lo
cates not only every allied unit, out
those of the enemy down to detached
regiments, the composition of the op
position forces, their commanders and,
in most eases, their headquarters.
Opposite each German army unit
the map shows a list of the “used'
and “reserve organizations.” On the
11th. when the armistice was signed,
long lists of divisions which had been
entirely used up were noted, but the
reserves had disappeared entirely,
with the single exception of the army
group in Belgium. Here two frea.i
German divisions were being held to
use against the imminent renewal c.
King Albert’s drive toward his cam
tai.
WILL INVITE PRESIDENT
France Will Ask Wilson to Lay
Cornerstone to Monument
(British Wireless Service.]
PARIS, Friday, November 15
President W ilson will be Invited to
lay the corner-stone ot the proposed
monument at tiie mouth of the
Gironde river commemorative of the
he p given to France by th* United
States in the war. A national fund
for the purpose has been started and
now amounts to 300.000 franc*.