|
Peworaic Watt, |
—D
BY P. GRAY MEEK.
————————————————————
INK SLINGS.
It is a long way from Oyster Bay
to Gen. Wood’s new headquarters.
_ In seventeen days the trout fish-
ermen will be whipping the streams.
— Indications point to the abandon-
ment of the death penalty for murder-
ers in Pennsylvania.
—If the back yard garden comes
into vogue again we can look for a
revival of back-fence gossip.
— March has given us several beau-
tiful days, but as a whole the month
has been one of very rough weather.
— Let us resolve now not to wait
until the first of next September be-
fore solving next winter's heat prob-
lem in Bellefonte.
— The state high-way from Belle-
Fonte to Pleasant Gap can scarcely be
classed as a thing of pride or a joy
for even ten feet.
—Most people are worrying more
about early deliveries on automobiles
‘than they are about the danger of
having to go to war.
— There are sixteen billions of dol-
lars ‘n the banks of this country;
more wealth than that of all other
leading nations of the world combin-
ed.
—Sunday will be April 1st and the
suggestion, found in another column
of this issue, that the slackers fool
their ministers by being in church is
.a good one.
— “The best shot in our navy has
been dismissed from the service be-
cause he was drunk. Maybe it was
the fact that he took occasional “eye
openers” that made him the best shot.
—Does anybody ever hear anybody
talking politics any more? Verily,
one would think that Centre county
had never known days when politics
was the principle theme at all hours
and on all occasions.
—Local option has again failed to
pass the Pennsylvania Legislature. In
the vote on Tuesday it was defeated
more decisively than it has been on
any of the previous tests made during
the ‘past eight years. Clearly the
legislative expression on local option
is growing to be more of how the peo-
ple vote than of how they pray.
—Congress will reconvene next
‘Monday and assurance has been given
‘by the Independent members of that
body that they will joir with the Dem-
ocrats in organizing. This is gratify-
ing because it obviates the danger of
a prolonged fight over the organiza-
tion when the time will be needed
for consideration of war measures.
—Secretary Daniels has dismissed
“the best marksman” in the navy be-
cause he got drunk. IP would seem
-that the Secretary is carrying his
“dry” obsession to extremes, but then
we must remember that there is just
.a possibility that the “best shot in the
navy” might be drunk when the guns
of his turret would be the deciding
ones in some important naval engage-
‘ment.
—Reports have it that Nick Roman-
off enjoys shoveling snow as the best
feature of the recreation he is per-
‘mitted to have while held a prisoner
of the new Russian government. It is
.only because he once was a Czar that
‘he now really enjoys shoveling snow.
‘Had he been a plain resident of Belle-
fonte during the past winter he would
‘have had all of that form of recrea-
‘tion he wanted.
—Tt is not likely to turn out that
way, but the only way we can safely
Jook at the eventuality of war with
‘Germany is this: If Germany wins
from the Allies her fleet, twice as
powerful as ours, will be released to
come over here and bombard our sea
coast towns. That is the greatest
‘danger that looms up for the future
and to meet it every preparation pos-
.sible should be made.
— What a foolish notion is that of
Senator Sproul to have the Legisla-
‘ture recess ‘intead of adjourning sine
die. He thinks that in such a crisis as
the country finds itself in the Assem-
bly ought to be in position to get to-
gether and act promptly. Of course
‘it ought, but would it? Has the record
of this session, now nearly three
months old, for achievement been
-such as to warrant the thought that it.
could do anything speedily, no matter
“how great the emergency.
—Some .of our northern journals
are much disturbed because of the
great influx of colored labor from the
south. They see disaster for the south
‘in the movement northward of the
“labor that it needs and should strive
to keep for its own development. We
‘question whether these writers are
altogether altruistic in their expres-
sions. We really believe that they
look upon the new comers as unde-
sirables and are only disguising their
~desire to have the immigration stop-
ped by suggesting the thought that the
South needs them -and should make
their lot sufficiently attractive to hold
reason that he is the most fit and
‘them there.
—
emaeralic
VOL. 62.
“BELLEFO
STATE RIGHTS AND FEDERAL UNION.
NTE, PA., MARCH 80, 1917.
NO. 13.
mre mr
Work of the New Congress.
The assembling of the Sixty-fifth
Congress in extraordinary session on
Monday will mark an epoch in the
affairs, not only of this country, but
of the whole world. Its only import-
ant purpose is to put the country on a | France,
war footing but that involves not only |
the enlistment of the army and navy |
to the war standard but the mobiliza- :
tion of all the resources of the coun-
try. Setting squadrons in the field is
not the only, or even the most impor- |
tant feature of preparation for war.
Russia could have mustered an army
at the beginning of the present war
which would have overwhelmed Ger-
many. But her army was without
arms and ammunition and cut a sorry
figure as compared with the forces of
the German Empire.
There is uncertainty as to the or-
ganization of the new Congress but
the political affiliation of the officers
of the House is of little consequence.
Each of the dominant parties has 124
members and upon party lines closely
drawn neither can organize the body.
But the indications are that Champ
Clark will be re-elected Speaker, not
because he is a Democrat, but for the
capable man in the body to discharge
the duties of the office. The five or
six members who are classed as in-
dependents are more than likely to
adopt this view of their public obli-
gations. The exigencies of the sit-
uation require perfect accord between
the President and the Speaker.
Presumably a declaration of war
with Germany will be among the first
actions of the new Congress and that
accomplished the raising and equip-
ment of an adequate army and navy
must follow expeditiously. In fact
the preliminary steps have already
been taken and it may safely be said
that the status of the country in that
respect at present is better than ever
before. Our manufacturing indus-
tries are in 3 }igh state of develop-
ment and in everything except pro-
viding food we are substanially ready
for orders to fire. Of course there
will be no lack of energy and intel-
ligence in the promotion of this es-
sential feature of preparedness. There
are thousands of acres of land if we
have men to cultivate it and that
problem should receive prompt atten-
tion.
————————
Roosevelt and the War.
‘The transfer of General Leonard
Wood from New York to New Or-
leans is commendable for the reason,
if there were no other, that it will
restrain the sinister influence and
diminish the power for mischief of
Theodore Roosevelt. Wood owes his
present high rank in the army to his
gervility to Roosevelt. At the begin-
ning of the Spanish war he was a
surgeon in the army with the rank of
captain, assigned to service at the
White House. Through the partiality
of President McKinley he was permit-
ted to organize the Rough Rider force
of which he was commissioned Col-
onel with Roosevelt as his lieutenant.
He permitted Roosevelt to run the
machine ‘ according to his fancy and
rapid advancement was his reward.
The friendship between Roosevelt
and Wood has continued ever since
and Roosevelt’s antipathy to Presi-
dent Wilson has had Wood’s sym-
pathy if not active support. During
all the time that he has been in com-
mand of the Eastern Military dis-
trict and stationed at New York, he
has taken every opportunity to criti-
cise the military organization of the
government. At the organization of
the Plattsburg training camp Roose-
velt, present upon Wood's invitation,
made a vicious attack upon the poli-
cies of the administration. For this
indecent incident the then Secretary
of War, Lindley M. Garrison, publicly
rebuked General Wood. If he had
court martialed him the punishment
would have fitted the crime.
With General Wood in command in
New York Roosevelt expected to boss
the army movements in the event of
war with Germany. He was already
arranging for a force of free-booters
to operate in Belgium or at some
other point in Central Europe and
make the government of the United
States responsible for his work. But
the transfer of General Wood to the
command of a newly created Southern
Military district will nip that ambi-
tious scheme in the bud. If Roose-
velt goes to the war he will have to
enter the army as other able-bodied
citizens may do and be subject to pre-
cisely the same discipline. If he should
break in under any other conditions
it would be a great calamity.
- ble lin
Kaiser William’s Keen Humor.
Even the direst adversity fails to |
repress the Kaiser’s sense of humor.
At the outset of the war, his army
racing with the irresistible force of a
tidal wave through Belgium and
his imperial majesty face-
tiously declared that he would eat his
next Christmas dinner in Paris. Under
the elation of victory such persiflage
might have been pardonable, though
coarse. But he only reached the
exuberance of cheerful railery when
he found his army heading, not to-
ward Paris but away from that city,
with the enemy in hot pursuit. The
late Mark Tapley was something of
an optimist and radiated cheerfulness
under fhe most distressing conditions.
But he had nothing on the Kaiser at
that.
After several .days of continued
reverses and repeated defeats on the
French and Belgium fronts the
Kaiser’s attention was probably called
to the rather discouraging plight of
his western army. But did he dis-
pair? “Not on your tin-type.” On the
contrary he “took his pen in hand”
and wrote to Field Marshal Hinden-
burg a congratulatory epistle upon
his masterful manoeuvers that must
have set the entire French army in a
roar. He also addressed a similar
epistle to the King of Bavaria, whose
son, Crown Prince Ruporecht, had
something to do with the operation,
telling the old man what a bright boy
he has and how proud he ought to be
of his successor if there is a successor
to the King of Bavaria.
Of course nobody can blame the
Kaiser for encouraging his helpless
subjects to hope for victory. It makes
them more willing to stand up and be
shot in order that an absurd, debilitat-
ed and diseased pretender may con-
tinue to claim ownership of their
souls and bodies. His proposition,
through a Swiss newspaper, to make
peace if France will pay an indemnity
of fifteen billion francs, if Belgium’
would agree to maintain no army in
the future and Germany. be permitted
to garrison Namur, Leige and Ant-
werp perpetually. It is a rare type
of humor beyond question but in this
country men who indulge such dreams
are usually sent to insane asylums
for safe keeping during their natural
lives.
————————
Perfidy of Germany Rebuked.
Secretary of State Lansing in de-
clining to renew or extend a couple of
century old treaties with Prussia,
frankly expressed his opinion of the
authorities of that country, the other
day. He said it is not worth while to
make treaties with people who fail
to keep their pledges and as Germany
had frequently violated the principles
of honor in this respect, he would not
consent to enter into any agreement
upon that or any other subject. A na-
tion, like an individual, is bound by
certain conventions and when it fails
to fulfill its obligations so expressed
it becomes an outlaw.
Germany was under written pledge
not only not to violate the neutrality
of Belgium but to protect that weak
State from violation by any other
power. But when the violation of the
pledge promised advantage to Germa-
ny the treaty was declared “a scrap
of paper.” More than a year ago, or
soon after the sinking of the Lusita-
nia, Germany gave a solemn pledge
to discontinue that barbarous method
of warfare but the moment resump-
tion of it promised advantage the
pledge was forgotten and the barbar-
isms were renewed with increased vi-
olence. President Wilson had declar-.
ed that unless the outrage was
stopped diplomatic relations between
the United States and Germany would
be severed.
As long back as history records
events the perfidy of England has
been a popular tradition. “Perfidious
Albion” has been a term of reproach
“go long that the memory of man
runneth not to the contrary.” But Al-
bion never was so careless of honor,
so indifferent to obligations as Ger-
many has been in recent years. It
would hardiy be just to blame the
German people for this wretched state
of affairs. As a people they have al-
ways been honest and honorable. But
of late years a moral deterioration
has been working havoc. Probably it
is something in the blod of the
Kaiser but whatever it is it should
be eliminated at once.
oor micow—
— A few more days of such
weather as we have had the past
week and the farmets will be plowing
the soil for their spring crops.
somes
Democratic Recreants in Harrisburg.
There are thirty-seven Democratic
members of the House of Representa-
tives in Harrisburg. Last week the
House had under consideration a bill
to forbid firemen and policemen of
Philadelphia from pernicious partic-
ipation in politics. It declared that
canvassing precincts, using the office
to influence political movements or
the political action of any other offi-
cer, member or employee or in any
way or manner interfering with the
conduct of any election, except in the
exercise of his right to vote, a mis-
demeanor punishable by fine, impris-
onment and the forfeiture of office.
It was literally an attempt to rescue
the city from the dominance of boss-
es who compel firemen and policemen
to do dirty work. ; 3
One would think that every Demo-
crat on the floor of the chamber
would be anxious to support such a
measure of legislation. The corrup-
tion of politics in Philadelphia
through the medium of police inter-
ference in the interest of fraud has
been notorious for years. One of the
members of the dominant South Phil-
adelphia family openly boasted that
the fraudulent vote cast for John K.
Tener in the wards under control of
‘his machine exceeded Mr. Tener’s
plurality. In other words if the po-
licemen and firemen had been kept
out of politics as the bill in question
contemplated, Tener would not have
been elected Governor in 1910 and
there would be a Democratic Governor
in commission at this time.
As a matter of fact, however, sev-
enteen of the thirty-four members of
the House of Representatives voted
against the bill and helped to defeat
it. So far as we have been able to
discover none of these recreants has
offered an excuse for his action. Pos-
sibly they were influenced by an im-
pression that Penrose favored the
measure and some men are SO obsess-
ed With hatred of Penrose that they
will sacrifice themselves to disappoint
him. But they are not in the House
of Representatives to express their
own blind prejudices and in this case
they sacrificed the Democratic party
instead of themselves. The measure
may pass yet but for the good it will
do we owe no thanks to the recreants.
—1It behooves every person who
can to make every inch of ground at
his command yield something. If
actual war with Germany comes
prices will be very much higher than
they are now and every penny that a
garden can be made to save you in the
purchase of food stuffs will be a penny
that will help you pay for the advanc-
ed cost of your clothing, shoes, and
other necessaries, that you cannot
make or raise.
— No doubt the retreating Ger-
man soldiers enjoyed the work of dev-
astating the towns they left and pass-
ed through on their retreat from the
French front. But those of them who
survive the war may regret the van-
dalism for every dollar’s worth de-
stroyed will be put in the indemnity
bill.
— Washington news which finds
its way to Berlin these days is quite
different from the code information
sent by Ambassador Bernstorf a few
months ago. The people are not as
strong for Germany as the Kaiser was
led to believe. .
— Congressman Mann offers to
withdraw from the Speakership con-
test in exchange for some of the offi-
cial spoils. But Speaker Clark is not
conducting a political trading post.
— The interned .German sailors
were reluctant to leave Philadelphia.
But they didn’t behave well enough
while in the city of Brotherly Love to
be entitled to stay there.
me mre
——The training of the National
Guard on the Texas border cost some-
thing but it will be worth the price if
we have war with Germany.
——————————
— The prompt and hearty re-
sponse to the President’s call for
troops reveals the spirit of the people |
of this country.
mm mmm
——Possibiy most things are fair
in war but the weather is trying hard
to establish an alibi.
—
— The impending war will cost a
lot of money but we “have millions
for defence.”
——
——1If things don’t take a turn pret-
ty soon the Kaiser is likely to get in
Dutch.
Washington in Holiday Mood.
Washington Cor. New York Evening Post.
Is America really going to war?
Everything in the way of military
and naval preparation would point
that way, but here is so little of jingo-
ism, such an absence of enthusiasm or
emotional demonstration as to belie
the prediction. Something Charles J.
Vopicka, American minister to Ru-
mania, just home from the Balkans,
said to a friend today gives accurate-
ly the perspective of the detached ob-
server.
“I have just left a land of tears,”
he said, “where everybody is engaged
in the serious business of war.
dazes me to find things so different
here—people dancing, cafes bubbling
with gayety, everybody seemingly un-
conscious of what war really means.”
Mr. Vopicka was making no argu-
ment for or against war. He was
merely commenting on the difference
between peaceful America and war-
torn Europe.
The point is: Will the United States
soon alter its peaceful moods and
ways, will it become 2a “land of
tears?” Truly, if war is coming, it is
so slowly and gradually as to bring a
terrific shock of reality when first
casualties on the ocean or else-where
are reported. The executive branch
of the United States government has
made up its mind to go to war. Its
reasoning is that war already exists
by the act of Germany. America’s
part must be defence. ere is as yet
no determination to assume the offen-
sive. :
Members of Congress already here
say there will be no opposition to such
recommendations as President Wilson
may make in his forthcoming message.
When Congress assembles, however,
debate is certain to raise as to the ex-
tent of America’s part in the war.
Measures of naval preparedness will
be authorized to the fullest extent. As
for sending an army to Europe, that
undoubtedly will bring the first dif-
ference of opinion of a serious char-
acter.
President Wilson has told no one
what he thinks the part of the United
States should be. He hasn’t even said
that he will ask for a resolution to
recognize the existence of a state of
war. No one doubts that he will do
this, but in the interval through
which we are now passing the pos-
sibility of a revolution in Germ 7
withdrawal even of submarig g
fare, and other happenings that may
alter the whole aspect of events, could
conceivably produce a change in the
administration’s policy. Nothing short
of a complete abandonment of the
submarine decree of February 1, how-
ever, will be acceptable; but Germany
has yielded before, and, while it is
a precedent that did not live long,
there is still a hope in Washington
that, faced by America’s determina-
tion to place all her resources at the
disposal of the entente allies, the im-
perial government will turn about
once more.
Perhaps it is this waiting on what
may happen in the few days that are
to elapse before Congress assembles
which makes Washington seem as
peaceful as it did before the subma-
rine warfare began.
Voice of China; Hand of Japan.
From the Johnstown Democrat.
The action of China in breaking off
diplomatic relations with Germany is
perhaps less a compliment to the
United States than a confession of the
paramountcy of Japan in the affairs
of the celestial republic. The Chinese
government apparently has yielded to
the subtle pressure from Tokyo and in
effect has become an ally of the allies.
It cannot be overlooked, of course,
that Japan is one of the entente bel-
ligerents and has a very vital interest
in promoting any movement likely in
the least to add to the disadvantages
of the enemy.
Much rejoicing is likely to find ex-
pression in this country over the step
taken by the Chinese. It will be loud-
ly heralded as a tribute to our leader-
ship in this momentous international
business. Yet it is seriously to be
doubted whether China would have
been readier than Latin America has
been to break with Germany but for
the overmastering influence of the
Mikado’s government.
~As a matter of fact, nothing has
more clearly revealed Japanese in-
fluence in China than this episode.
The voice is the voice of China, but
the hand is the hand of Japan. It can-
not be reasonably doubted that Tokyo
has encouraged, if indeed it has not
actually forced, the step which Pekin
has taken. Manifestly the latter would
have acted long ago had she felt there
was proper ground for action. Her
delay in breaking with Germany is a
reasonable indication. that she acts
now only because she can no longer
resist a pressure which perhaps has
been steadily brought to bear ever
since Japan entered war as an ally of
the entente powers.
It remains to be seen what effect
this move will have on the future of
the oriental republic, regarding whose
welfare the people of this country
have been so solicitous. As a result
of it there is occasion for fearing that
Japan may tighten her hold on Chi-
nese affairs and at length warp them
wholly to her own ends. And of course
Japan has no stomach for a free dem-
ocratic government in such close
proximity to her own shores. The
Chinese republic cannot be other than
a standing menace to the empire of
the Mikado. And it should surprise
no one were the final outcome of
China’s break with Germany to be the
utter overthrow of popular govern-
ment in the orient.
t this
SPAWLS FROM THE KEYSTONE.
—-Mrs. Amos Pfoust, of Muney, mad: a
gruesome discovery at four o'clock Svadey
afternoon, when she returned to her © ne
to find the body of her husband dan; ng
from a rafter in the cellar. Pfr was
55 years of age. )
— The Hoffman Brothers, of 7 ne
tawney, are prospecting for coal clay
in the Eagleton fields, near Eas .aey.
A large diamond drill is being uséd and it
is reported the prospectors are meeting
with much encouragement.
—The question of a bond issue for a
disposal plant for Lewisburg will be sub-
mitted to the electors at the coming fal
election. In the meantime the permit will
be extended by Dr. Dixon for the dis-
charge of sewage into the Susquehanna
river.
__About 3 o'clock on Tuesday aftérnoon
a wind storm passed north of Williams-
port doing considerable damage. The Oak-
Grove school house, in old Lycoming
township, collapsed, burying teacher and
pupils, about twenty of whom were badly
but not seriously injured.
— The working time of the Pennsylva-
nia railroad shopmen on car and locomo-
tive repairs in Altoona, will be cut from
65 to 55 hours a week on April 2. The
company has caught up with this work,
which was materially increased by the se-
vere winter and the demand for cars.
An order which affects a number from
section who are employed in the
munitions plant at Milton, has been posted
in the factory. It states that on March
31 the plant will close down. Those from
out of town are notified to leave their
names and addresses at the office and in
case a large order for shells which the
company is after is secured from the Unit-
ed States government, they will be sent
for.
—The Susquehanna Silk Mills company
last Wednesday took over the real estate
in Huntingdon for their mill there, making
the accession of the industry an assured
fact. Charles G. Brown, Esq., was paid
| $5000 for his and George W. Fisher $9000
for their respective shares in the property
transferred. It is reported the silk mill
company will begin construction work as
soon as the weather permits, which will
be some time next month.
—When Clarence E. Smith enlisted last
June in Company B, Eighth Pennsylva-
nia regiment of Huntingdon and went to
the Mexican border for service, he left a
fine job with the Standard Steel company,
a subsidiary of the Baldwin Locomotive
company at Burnham. Upon returning to
work he found that the company had de-
posited to his credit in a bank more than
$600, his wages which he would have re-
ceived if he had stayed at work.
__The organization of the State Good
Roads association was perfected at Har-
risburg on Monday by representatives of
over half of the counties of the State, R.
L. Munce, of Washington, being elected
president; W. H. H. Davis, Chester; J. E.
Loveland, Lackawanna, and I. J. Dreese,
Centre, vice presidents, and William Field
Shay, Northumberland, treasurer. The as-
sociation favored a $12,000,000 appropria-
tion for the state highway department's
work and a one mill tax on all real, per-
sonal and corporate property for road pur-
0ses.
{= —School districts cannot have less than
the legal term of actual teaching this year
without jeopardizing their state appro-
priations. The State Department of Pub-
lic Instruction is so informing all inquir-
ers. Many districts show a disposition to
count the time lost last fall when the in-
fantile paralysis quarantine kept the
schools closed, as actually a part of the
term. State officials say this cannot be
done. The school code specifies twenty
days of actual teaching as a month; first
and second class districts must have at
least nine months; third class eight, aud
fourth class seven months.
__Just as Game Protector John J. Slaut-
terback, of Lewisburg, was about to be-
gin preliminary operations toward the
erection of a stockade as a means for re-
capturing the big elk that during the win-
ter has been holding forth on the Isle of
Que in the Susquehanna river near Selins-
grove, the animal decided to seek new
pastures. The elk swam a branch of the
river to the mainland upon the Snyder
county side of the stream and, aceording
to the latest reports, is now located in the
wooded region about Port Treverton. This
is the big elk that wandered away from
the Centre county game preserve below
Coburn.
_Mr. John Langdon, the widely known
coal operator of Huntingdon, with offices
at Hopewell, on last Monday afternoon
bought out all the stock and holdings of
the Chevington & Bunn Coal company, in-
volving the ownership of nearly 1,000
acres of coal land under which are millions
of tons of coal. The consideration was not
made public. This tract of land is the old
Harriet Lane holding, owned at one time
by Harriet Lane, niece of President James
Buchanan, and first lady of the land when
he was the occupant of the White House.
She was also a relative of the Lanes of
this place. The tract is located in Broad
Top township, Bedford county, and has
been mined under lease by Langdon for
years past. :
—The annual warning of the approach
of the spring forest fire season was is-
sued Wednesday by Commissioner of For-
estry Robert 8. Conklin. Reports from
the northern counties state that but little
snow remains in the woods except on the
north sides of the hills, and in the south-
ern part of the State the dead leaves are
practically bare. Two weeks more of dry
weather will usher in the series of confla-
grations which disgrace Pennsylvania
every year. No fire warden system or
method of protection can reform the born
fool who forgot his fire, says the commis-
sioner. His change of heart must come
from within. Pure carelessness caused
the burning of 150,000 acres of forest last
year in Pennsylvania, and of over 300,000
acres in 1915.
—One of the largest sales of an operat-
ing mine in Jefferson county will be con-
summated today. The Stewart Coal com-
pany has made an agreement of sale of its
Timblin mine for the sum of $125,000 cash,
the purchaser being the New Yerk
World, of New York city. The mine will
continue in operation, the coal’to be ship-
ped to the plants that manufacture news
print paper for the World. That news-
paper has two pulp mills, one located in
the Adirondacks and the other in Canada.
The Timblin mine is one of the best
equipped in this part of the State. The
thine employs about 125 men, the daily
capacity being 500 tons. The equipment
consists of a tipple, 215 mine cars, elec.
trical machines, motors, boilers, generators
and other accessories.
~“