East African Battlefields

1916

If the occupation of Ruanda, German East Africa, by Belgian troops from the Congo, and their establishment of a provisional government in this territory prove to be permanent Belgium will possess the most densely populated as well as one of the most fertile and salubrious territories of central Africa, says a bulletin of the National Geographic society.

Ruanda lies to the east of Lake Kivu, through which runs the boundary line between the Upper Congo region and the German possessions. To the north lies British East Africa. The Kagera river, also known as the Alexandra Nile, flowing in irregular S shape, east, north and west, and emptying into Lake Victoria Nyanza, is the eastern boundary.

While there are two considerable tracts of forest in Ruanda, the central portion of the territory is bare of trees, but on the mountain slopes there is to be found wonderfully rich grass, on which graze magnificent herds of cattle that constitute the chief wealth of the natives. The agricultural possibilities of the region are almost unlimited.

One of the most striking advantages of this territory is its high altitude, an average of nearly a mile above sea level, so that although it lies under an equatorial sun, the temperature is usually about the same as that of a warm summer day in central Europe. Malarial mosquitoes are not known here, nor does the dread tsetse-fly hover over the land, bringing sleeping sickness to human beings and quicker death to cattle.

Contrasts in the Natives.

Two remarkable contrasts are to be found among the natives of this region. The highly developed, intelligent Watussi are magnificent physical specimens, lithe, well-proportioned and athletic. It is not uncommon to meet men from five feet eleven inches to seven feet two inches tall. On the other hand, on the island of Kwidschwei, in Lake Kivu, and in the bamboo forests of Bugoie the traveler finds the pygmy Batwa tribe, whose spear-carrying warriors are under five feet in height, shy, timid and devoted almost entirely to the chase. The aborigines belong to neither of these tribes, however, but are the Wahutu, a medium-sized, agricultural people. The black sultan of the region, one of the world's most powerful potentates ruling in territory held by white colonists, is a Watussi. His word, subject to the censorship of the European resident or governor, is law to a million and a half people.

There is abundant water in Ruanda, the small mountain streams never running dry. When the grass becomes parched on the hillsides, the natives burn it off and immediately there springs up fresh, tender pasturage for the cattle.

The perfunctory salutation among friends is one of the interesting customs of the country. Upon meeting they either place their arms lightly about the waist or else grasp each other's elbows, holding them for a while, then one declares "I wish you cattle," while the other replies, "I wish you women."

First Explored by Von Gotzen.

This region was first explored in 1894 by Count von Gotzen, formerly governor of German East Africa, who came from the coast as far as Lake Kivu, about which Arab traders had frequently brought vague reports. This beautiful, island-dotted body of water, 5,000 feet above sea level, was the last considerable lake to be discovered in central Africa. Its outlet is the Rufiji river, which flows south into the famous Lake Tanganyika.

One of the most noted parties of exploration which has visited Ruanda was that headed by Adolphus Frederick, duke of Mecklenburg, who marched through the territory with an impressive retinue of carriers in 1907-8. In his report he said of this region: "Ruanda is eminently adapted for colonization by white men. The country possesses a fabulous amount of wealth in its herds, to the breeding of which its pastoral people are particularly devoted. Also agriculture may be carried on in a remunerative way, for the quality of the cattle itself is as excellent as that of the milk they yield. As to the quality of the soil, it simply leaves nothing to be desired, so that it is evident that there is a splendid opening here for the establishment of business on a vast scale."

Immense Territory Involved.

When the American public reads that the troops of the Belgian Congo have defeated the colonial troops of German East Africa at Shangugu and that the victors are proceeding southward from Lake Kivu in the direction of Lake Tanganyika, it is hard to realize that the two colonial possessions involved have a combined area four-fifths as large as all of continental Europe, the Russian empire excepted. Belgium's territory alone in this quarter of the globe is 80 times as large as the mother country, while the population of the jungle wilds of the Congo basin is variously estimated at from 14,000,000 to 30,000,000. The German colony is nearly double the area of the home country, while the population is estimated at 8,000,000. In both possessions, however, the number of Europeans, chiefly officers of the home government, does not exceed a few thousands.

Shangugu lies on the southern shore of Lake Kivu, which has an area almost as large as the state of Rhode Island and is nearly a mile above sea level, with gigantic volcanic peaks looking down upon it from the north.

The most interesting settlement in German East Africa is Ujiji, a town of 14,000 inhabitants, chiefly Arabs. This slave and ivory mart of the nineteenth century was first visited by Europeans in 1858, when Richard Burton and J. H. Speke discovered Lake Tanganyika, on whose eastern shores the town is situated. Of even more interest, however, is the fact that it was here that Henry M. Stanley's famous undertaking to find the lost explorer, David Livingstone was accomplished on October 28, 1871.

Experience Proves It

1916

We see in one of these New York papers that women have a "Hereditary Fear of Man," that this fear has come prowling down the ages from the time when woman was not safe from the predatory male, and so on. Yes, we can prove it.

Some twenty-odd years ago or more we came face to face with our teacher over a small difference of opinion concerning a matter of deportment. We looked her right in the eye as lion tamers do now in moving pictures, and we talked up as United States senators have always done. We remember very clearly the haste with which she grabbed into her desk for her ruler. That hereditary fear was working.

Over what followed we draw a veil — no doubt she did it in self-defense and the interests of culture. We are still sorry we scared her so badly and it is rather nice to know that it was really her fear of us that made us such a model pupil for the next week or two. You see they didn't have all the advantages of sociology back in 1880 odd, but we can all live and learn and read the papers. — Collier's.


Where He Had It

Little Fred — I've been awful sick.
Little Harry — What was the matter?
Little Fred — I had brain fever — right in my head, too — the worst place anyone could have it.

A Tribute To The Home of His Childhood

Maine, 1916

By Rev. George B. Ilsley.

Where was it? In Limerick — one of the best of all the towns in York county, Me., encircled by hills on every side — with excellent farms and orchards, having "fine variety of hard and soft wood growth." The old academy stood upon one of its most sightly hill tops — with the village just below it to the north. From this eminence a splendid view of Mt. Washington was obtained. Except for the climb, it was an ideal spot for scholars. It was a High school, indeed! The village with its three meeting-houses and numerous stores was a centre for trade to surrounding towns. Stages ran daily to Portland, Saco and every other to North Berwick via Alfred.

Not a mile south was the home of my childhood. In 1825 grandfather and father bought one of the Felch farms, and lived together upon it, till 1856, when within three weeks they both died. Until then for 16 years it was my happy home. Working on the land was conducive to physical health and vigor.

Going to the summer and winter terms at the old schoolhouse, developed our mental abilities from the A B C's up to admission to the academy where I began to fit for college in 1856.

"How dear to my heart are those scenes of my childhood!" The making of maple-sugar was strenuous recreation — to lug up the sap from the woods and the boiling of it down to syrup! But, oh how sweet it was! Then came the putting up the gaps in the walls which the frosts had made all around the fields and pastures. It was an early spring task. In haying 5 and 6 would be mowing one after the other. It was fun for us boys to follow up and spread it; and then ride the horse to rake it with "the old revolver."

Sometimes it would be September ere we finished.

The old farm of 200 acres seemed immense to my childish comprehension. It was two miles around it. To go through the woods to the Marr's pasture, where the sheep and oxen were kept, was quite an expedition. But it was always a delight to go with father to salt the sheep!

The farm was well located, all in one solid block, bounded on the west by the Main road, on the north by the county road to Limington, on the east by Peter Fogg's pasture, and south by Isaiah Guptil's farm. (He had six boys, Moses, the triplets, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Hiram and Stillman, and five girls. At one time five in the family could not walk alone.)

To the south Ossipee Mt., 4 miles away, was the highest point to gaze upon. Shapleigh hills and plains were beyond. To the north those of Cornish and Limington appeared. The outlook, going back and forth to the village was always beautiful and inspiring. It is still so as I return to it. No other scenery is quite like it. II. No neighbors were quite so good as those just at a near by "Felch Corner". Shall I name them? Across the garden, below, was uncle Jeremiah's house, with cousins Ben and Ed. The Allen sisters, who sold out to Stoddards and moved to the village, one was my earliest school teacher. Then the Meserves, and aunt Polly and son, Nathaniel L. The Brackett Leavitt family with Shubel, Sarah and Louise; across on the corner. The FelcheS, Amos Gene, Amos Jr, and Alvan, the preacher, then beyond Major his son, Moses Fogg. Westward a bit the little Knowlton home, and then the Pierce family, Daniel and Josiah brothers; then the old wooden school house now since 1858, the brick one then, Albion Bradbury, mother and sisters, then the Doles and Gilpatricks, just on the brow of Favor's hill, where we had our best coasting in winter. Half a mile from Felch's Corner to the East way Tufts bridge. Here was the trout brook running through Bradbury's and Tufts field above the road and through Fogg's pasture south of it, and then into Cradbourne's, then into Pierce, and Gilpatrick's meadows. Do I not still see the hole where I caught my first one? Yes indeed, and going back to it 40 years later cutting away the alders I took another out of the same place. I may do it again before I'm eighty.

The new Dole, Gilpatrick, and Hodgdon saw-mill in which father had a share was a place of great attraction to me and all the boys of the neighborhood. In early spring we could get a big trout, and in summer pickerel. It was a fine place for swimming also, and for building rafts to paddle over the pond to fish and dive from when in bathing.

Many a pleasant picnic was held here, as well as on the old farm when the cousins came in summer time from Portland and Chelsea. But now the old mill is all gone.

Planting time always had some excitement about it, carting out the barn dressing, then plowing it in. Breaking up new ground required all the oxen and steers we could muster. It was a big team sometimes.

One year, Abe Guptil was the hired man, one of the twins. We began spring work April 9th and got all the planting done on May 13th. Then came the sheep washing when the flock was driven to the County Bridge over a mile away. Sometimes we boys, in ducking the big lambs, got plunged in ourselves by their vigorous resistance. This with the shearing and the marking of the lamb's ear, by splitting them was a time of great interest to us. There was nothing dull or dreary about such childhood days.

The hoeing, when the twitch-grass was stout I never enjoyed very much. But I recall one time when grandfather was about 80 and I 15. We had a race to see who would hoe his row out first. I did my best, but he beat me. Up to 83 he was a smart man to work, no matter whether it was hoeing or mowing, digging potatoes or husking corn, he was sure to do his part.

Seventy years ago we as boys had no boughten toys. We had to make our traps for squirrels, skunks and woodchucks if we caught them. Our bows and arrows to shoot with, and our kites to fly we made.

Grandpa being a cabinet-maker in Portland brought many of his tools to Limerick, and had a shop for them. This was our resort on rainy days; and we were not slow about using them to make what we felt we wanted most. At one time I strove hard to construct a violin, but failed in glueing it together. At bow-guns, stilts, traps and sleds, we became quite proficient.

When grandpa found that we had dulled his saws, planes or chisels, and each of us answered that "I didn't do it," he would make his earnest reply to us, "Nobody did it." "Nobody did it."

But we loved him if sometimes he did seem to scold us. We knew he loved us. He was a kind and great hearted, Christian man.

Every morning just before gathering about the big, round breakfast table, when all were present, was his time to furnish devotion. A chapter was read from his Bible, taken down from the dinning room shelf, then he knelt in prayer on our behalf. At every meal it was his custom to ask God's blessing on the food before us.

When the weather was too cold for the Sunday evening prayer meetings to be at the school house our dining room was the usual place for them, at early candle light, where 50 or more, by opening the sitting room, could be seated. In this he always took some part by prayer or testimony. He was a good singer and joined in every song. As a small boy I remember how I helped bring in the chairs and arrange them in rows, for men on one side and women on the other. The light-stand with the Bible and hymn book for the minister was always near the sitting-room-door. The young folks used to gather and those who were not church members used to take the sitting room.

It was grandfather's custom to have a song service after the people had gone.

It was his delight to rehearse many of the old hymns, and have us gather round and help him. With my three sisters and two brothers we had a good time of it; especially when he got out the old bass viol, and uncle Jeremiah came in with his clarionet, and if Aunt "Nodie" was there with her excellent soprano voice, those to me were pretty fine concerts. Here I took my first lessons in music. One of his favorite hymns was "How Firm a Foundation Ye Saints of the Lord." Such influences tended to draw me early into Christian life, and later all my brothers and sisters.

Our aged grandpa's example and life were a constant benediction upon us, filling the home with the sweetest of good influences. His benignant face stills hangs upon my study wall.

It was always a pleasure to be with him in the field, in the carriage, or in the old meeting house on the Hill. One of my boyish amusements in the square pew at the right of the pulpit, with closed door was the getting of flies and wasps into a paper box which was made for that purpose. In the winter Grandma had her foot stove there. Old Elder Flanders of Buxton, who had a very big nose, whom my father used to shave, before he went to church Sunday morning to supply, was one of the first I can remember. He used to put up at our house. When he blew his nose with a big red bandanna handkerchief he made a loud noise of it. In the "40's" when Josiah Tilton was pastor I remember going to the Donation Party at the parsonage and the eating of blancmange of which I still have a fondness. Then came Elder Tripp who taught one term of winter school, whereby my thirst for knowledge was much strengthened. After he came Rev. Jeremiah D. Tilton under whom I joined the church in 1854.

It is with grief I think now of the diminished membership and the closed doors on Lord's Day of the Little White church on the Hill.

Most of the people of 70 years ago are buried in the cemetery close by. What a joy it would be to go back and meet them there again as in the days of childhood.

"Backward, turn backward,
O Time, in your flight,
Make me a child again
Just for to night!"
***. (To mother)

"Many a summer,
The grass has grown green
Blossomed and faded,
Our faces between;
Yet with strong yearning
and passionate pain
Long I tonight
For your presence again.
Rocke me to sleep mother
Rocke me to sleep."
—Earnest Leslie.

"Be it ever so humble,
there is no place like home;
A charm from the skies
Seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek thru the world,
Is ne'er met with elsewhere.
Home, home sweet, sweet home."
— John Howard Payne.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Maine Notes

Maine, 1916

The annual reunion of the 4th Maine Regiment, 2nd Maine Battery, Berden's Sharpshooters and Naval veterans was held at Grand Army Hall Friday. Conspicuous among the members present was Percy Montgomery, aged 99, who served in the battery.

Harold S. Wright, a carrier at the Lewiston postoffice, was one of a mounted delegation in the parade which greeted Theodore Roosevelt Aug. 31. As a result papers have been served on him, alleging partisanship contrary to civil service requirements.

At Dexter Friday two bolts struck the belfrey of St. Anne's Catholic church, badly demolishing one side and doing damage estimated at $500. Lightning also entered the mill of the Dumbarton Woolen Company and started a fire, which was extinguished before any serious damage was done.

Freeman Mariner, 25 years old, of Patten is on the dangerous list at Bangor hospital with a shattered shoulder, caused by the accidental discharge of his rifle, which he had placed in the bottom of a canoe on a lake at Moro.

John Scott, 80, died at Ste. Marie'es General hospital at Lewision, as the result of injuries sustained when he fell from the hayloft in his barn. Mr. Scott suffered a fracture of one hip and also internal injuries.

Think of it, for September; Seven hundred and seventy-five guests at Kineo and every one of them having the time of their lives, as well as the opportunity of seeing white frost on the trees and a temperature in the early morning of an even 30, as was afforded last Monday week.

Miss Ellen Olive Walkley, of one of the oldest families of Southington, Conn., is soon to become the bride of Rev. Dr. David Nelson Beach, president of the Bangor Theological Seminary, Dr. Beach is much older than his fiancee, nearly 70. He graduated from Yale in 1872 and from Yale Divinity School in 1876. He filled pastorates as a Congregational minister at Westerly, R. I.; Wakefield, Mass.; Cambridge, Minneapolis and Denver.

It is quite likely that the work of the Rockland Y. M. C. A., which was dropped two years ago, may be taken up again this fall, using the association's old building on Limerock street until the way can be paved for a suitable structure on the new lot, bought this year. Interest has been sustained among the boys through the medium of the High School Annex, founded by Supt. G. A. Stuart.

Portland is not likely to land the Eastern League pennant this year. Local fans have supported the team almost up to a profitable point, but the season is said to show a net loss to the owner of the franchise. Sentiment at Portland seems to be that there will be another change in the circuit in 1917.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

What Congress Has Done

1916

Congress came to a halt yesterday. In this interval between the achievement of one Administration and the choice of another we can look out, as from an opening in the trees, over the slopes up which we have climbed.

Steep was this journey, often perilous, and to climb it required of the Administration both ability and courage.

First came the tariff. The Republicans had been put into office to revise the tariff downward. They coolly revised it in the opposite direction. Their retribution came in 1912. The Democrats were put in power to revise the tariff downward. They did so. The Underwood-Simmons bill of October 1913, was the first tariff in the history of this country which was ever made in the open, where it was difficult to slip in "jokers" and such clauses as the famous "Schedule K."

To that Congress has now added a Tariff Commission for the scientific, nonpartisan study of the problem. This body is fortified by a clause against the danger of European Nations seeking to recoup their war losses by "dumping" goods in our markets to destroy our industries. In respect to tariff, therefore our commercial ship is in storm trim to meet the heavy weather which is anticipated at the end of the war.

It had been complained, prior to 1912, that the control of financial credit was in the clutch of a few financiers who used that power selfishly and unjustly. The administration proceeded with its Federal reserve banking and currency act which, though bitterly resisted in certain financial quarters, is now admitted by bankers themselves to be an excellent measure.

Our foreign trade was stimulated by permitting National banks to establish foreign branches, thus releasing merchants from being obliged to pay tribute to London for financial transactions outside the United States.

The effect of financial legislation has been especially beneficial to the farmers. It has already enabled them, in many instances, to borrow money at 6 percent, which had formerly cost them 10, 12 and even 15 percent.

The Federal Rural Credits act has been pronounced one of the greatest pieces of constructive legislation in the last half-century.

Farm and town alike will profit by the law granting Federal aid to the States for the building of good roads.

A European war, unprecedented in world history, was "sprung" on the Administration, as it was on the rest of the world. In response to a very clamorous demand the Administration has enacted measures for defense involving an outlay of $662,476,512, the largest appropriation in peace times in the Nation's history, and of a magnitude which has mollified the complaints even of the rabid militarist.

Labor legislation which other Administrations have promised this Administration has performed. The Federal law prohibiting child labor is one of the most sweeping humanitarian measures of recent history. We now have a Workmen's Compensation act for Federal employes; an eight-hour day for Government employes in Alaska; an eight-hour day for women and children workers in the District of Columbia; a law requiring better treatment and better living conditions for American seamen; and the establishment of a Federal employment bureau, which, in its first year, obtained jobs for 75,156 people.

By the Clayton Antitrust act human labor ceased to be classed as a "commodity." An income tax and an inheritance tax have shifted a part of the burden of public expense to shoulders which are better able to bear it. The Government has undertaken to build and own a railroad in Alaska and to invest $50,000,000 in a merchant marine, under certain specified conditions protecting private initiative.

Nor is this by any means the whole record of the Administration's achievements. These are but the high lights. They are enough, however, to show that campaign promises have at last been removed from the category of a cynical joke about broken pledges.

What a Progressive party promised to do if elected, this Democratic Administration has largely done. And of its total achievement this record of progressive legislation is only a part, and perhaps not even the most distinguished part.

A great philosopher once passed what he called "a quiet hint to conservatives." It was that the only kind of conservatism that is possible is progressivism. You cannot, he said, make man walk backwards, crab-fashion.

The present Administration has been conservative in the best, in fact, the only sense. It has conserved by going steadily forward. — The Boston Globe.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

The President on "Our Interests"

1916

The characteristic aberration of Mr. Wilson's mind and his self-complacent disregard of traditional American principles are never more clearly shown than when he discusses American interests and the relationship of them to the interests of the world at large. It is a favorite theme with him, lending itself with facility to that fashion of phrase-making which forms so dominant a part of his public utterances, and in dealing with it he displays not only the self-complacency to which we have already referred, but also a degree of inconsistency which is actually bewildering.

It was only the other day that in a public address at the capital he rang the changes of emphasis upon the proposition that we should never exert the physical force of America for our own interests, but only for the interests of humanity, or for our own only when they were identical with those of humanity at large. He was, of course, entitled to that view of the case as his own. But how presumptuous an error it was to declare that to be the traditional American policy, established by the fathers of the republic, is suggested by simple reference to Washington's Farewell Address, in which Americans are exhorted to adopt and maintain a course of policy under which we may choose peace or war as our interests, guided by justice, shall dictate"!.

Again, speaking of the European War, Mr. Wilson has said that Americans have "no part of interest in the policies which seem to have brought the conflict on." We are not sure that even his epochal "too proud to fight" comment upon the Lusitania massacre was more repugnant to humane feeling. We have, then, no interest in the protection of small nations from oppression and spoliation; no interest in the respecting of neutrality; no interest in the faithful observance of treaty obligations; no interest in the substitution of justice for brute force. Those would be astounding declarations for America to make in the twentieth century! Why, even a pagan comedian twenty centuries ago declared that because he was a man he was interested in everything that concerned humanity. Have we fallen below Terence's code of ethics? We should like to bracket by the side of Mr. Wilson's inhuman disclaimer of interest the studied statement of England's poet-statesman, Wordsworth, that "every independent nation is interested in the maintenance of the national independence of every other country." By the side of such a proposition how sordid appears Mr. Wilson's plea of "no interest"! — The Boston Transcript.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Brass Tacks At Washington

1916

Judge Hughes and the Republican Party are challenged in the new Democratic National Textbook to speak out for or against the record of achievement made by President Wilson and the Democrats.

The challenge is issued in twenty-one brief, direct and pointed questions addressed to Judge Hughes and the Republicans by the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Committee. All the large issues, domestic and international, are treated. The questions carry the caption "Appeal for Light for Sixteen Million Voters: Let Mr. Hughes and the Republican Party Answer."

These questions are:

1. Do you favor repeal of the Federal Reserve Act passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, under which the danger of financial panics is forever banished from the United States?

2. Would you have protested against the violation of Belgian neutrality and have backed the protest by plunging America into the European carnival of slaughter?

3. Do you favor repeal of the Rural Credits Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which gives long-term credit at interest rates that promise an annual saving of $150,000,000 to the farmers?

4. Would you have recognized Victoriano Huerta as President of Mexico?

5. Do. you favor repeal of the Clayton Anti-trust Act, passed by a Democratic Congress and approved by President Wilson, which overthrew the principle that the labor of a human being is a mere commodity of commerce?

6. Will you, Mr. Hughes, recommend, and will the Republican Party in Congress support a law establishing universal compulsory military service in the United States?

7. Do you advocate repeal of the Federal Trade Commission Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which has given so much assistance to legitimate business enterprises and under which adequate protection against unfair competion is provided?

8. Mr. Hughes, would you have tried the policy of diplomatic negotiation as a means of summoning the moral force of law and neutral opinion to stop Germany's illegal use of submarines?

9. Do you favor repeal of the "porkless" Good Roads Act, passed by a Democratic Congress and approved by President Wilson, for the development of rural highways?

10. Would you, Mr. Hughes, have broken relations with Germany and sent our young men by the hundreds of thousands to nameless graves at the bottom of the Atlantic or in Flanders before the policy of diplomatic negotiation had had thorough trial?

11. Will you undertake to repeal the income tax, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which places a just share of the burden of taxation upon those best able to bear it?

12. Do you favor violating neutrality and risking the future safety of your country by placing an embargo on munitions of war?

13. Do you favor repeal of the Agricultural Extension Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which for the first time provides facilities for carrying direct to the farmer practical scientific knowledge of how to increase the profits of his farm?

14. Do you favor intervention in Mexico?

15. Do you advocate repeal of the Grain Standards and Warehouse Acts, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which aid commerce in the great staple cereals and enable owners of stored agricultural products to secure loans on warehouse receipts on better terms?

16. What is your attitude towards the disloyalists of your party who have attempted to prevent the enforcement by President Wilson, both on the part of the American government and by all American citizens, of an honest neutrality towards all the warring nations of Europe?

17 Inasmuch as the largest amount collected in any one year under the highest tariff ever enacted (Payne-Aldrich Act) was $333,000,000, what form of taxation would you substitute to pay a "Preparedness" cost of $630,000,000?

18. Do you favor the reactionary Republican plan of granting huge subsidies to favored corporations, money collected from the people by taxation, as the best way of encouraging the development of an American merchant marine?

19. Do you favor repeal of the Child Labor Law, the Anti-Injunction Law, the Seaman's Act and related social justice measures of high importance, passed by a Democratic Congress and recommended and approved by President Wilson?

20. Do you favor re-enactment of the Payne-Aldrich Act which betrayed your party's campaign pledge of 1908 and which has been repudiated by many Republican and all Progressive leaders?

21. Do you stand with those Progressives and progressive Republicans in Congress who voted for practically all the progressive measures mentioned above, or do you stand with the reactionary Republicans who voted against them?

In conclusion, the two Democratic Committees say,

"President Wilson and the Democratic Party submit their case to the American people on the record they have made. Broadly speaking that is the issue of the campaign. Upon the public survey and estimate of that record depends the outcome of the election.

"If, as charged by you, Mr. Hughes, and your supporters, that record is bad and does not justify the continued confidence of the country it will become your duty, if elected, to do all in your power to change that record. We submit that in all fairness the American people, for whose verdict you are contesting, are entitled to know how much of this record you and your party will attempt to destroy if placed in power."

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Recent Events

1916

According to Seattle Times, a $22,000,000 fleet is to be built in Pacific coast ports for A. U. Anderson & Co. of Copenhagen, Denmark, which will be placed under American flag. 14 vessels already have been contracted for.

Citizen soldiers who attended earlier camps at Plattsburg, N. Y., as well as those now in training there, will receive from government their traveling and subsistence expenses under army appropriation bill passed by Congress.

Mexican de facto government has promulgated decree requiring companies engaged in production of crude oil in Mexico to register in the tax bureau of ministry of finance before Sept. 15.

Department of commerce reports that 221 firms are holding nearly 5,000,000 cases of eggs — about 143,000,000 dozen — in cold storage, or 10 per cent less than a month ago.

Herald New York despatch says railroads may delay attack on eight-hour law. Prominent officials believe President Wilson's statement to Congress Friday was a pledge of remedial legislation and are inclined to await outcome of election.

State department has received information of an agreement between Great Britain and Norway whereby latter will place an export embargo on raw copper and will receive without interruption imports of copper from this country.

Copper is now chief article of export from Alaska. Export value for year to June 30 was $26,488,000, compared with $5,182,000 in 1915. Receipts of copper from Alaska aggregated 117,000,000 pounds.

A new labor union, composed of government employees, has decided to ask President Wilson to make Saturday a half-holiday for all government workers throughout the year.

Arrangements are being made for formation of a $50,000,000 automobile company in France to manufacture cheap cars after war capable of competing with Ford.

New revenue bill makes income tax returns public records, with proviso requiring an order by the President before such records can be seen.

London Times says that Swedish harvest will be finest on record, crop yield being from 50 per cent to 200 per cent above average.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Reject Principle that All Submarines Are War Vessels

1916

Washington, Sept. 5. — To the proposal of the Entente allies that neutrals accept the principle that all submarines are vessels of war, the United States has dispatched a reply which it is understood holds to the principle that the characteristics of each individual submersible must govern the case.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

New York Millinery District

1916

New York, Sept. 10. — With the avowed purpose of shifting the leaders in the millinery trade from Broadway and its vicinity in the section between Bleecker and Fourteenth streets to West Thirty-fourth street, in the Pennsylvania station zone, and to Seventh avenue between Thirty-fourth and Forty-second streets, John A. Larkin yesterday announced the determination of the Larkin and other prominent building interests to proceed immediately with the construction of five sixteen story buildings and one seventeen story structure within the boundaries outlined.

The six new buildings will provide ninety-seven floors of modern show and sales rooms, containing approximately 1,500,000 square feet of rentable floor area, practically all of which huge amount of space, according to Mr. Larkin, already has been underwritten by the leading millinery firms of the city now located south of 14th street.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Villa Reports Unfounded

1916

El Paso, Tex., Sept. 8. — Villa, on his northward march, told the natives that he would take part in the celebration at Chihuahua city on the evening of Sept. 15, which is carnival night in Mexico. Such at least is the story brought here today out of Mexico by a man well acquainted with the people. He also said he talked to a Mexican who recently had a conference with Villa and the Mexican said the bandit chief looked very thin and still used crutches when walking, although he was able to ride a horse.

Washington, Sept. 11.—All efforts of General Pershing to confirm persistent rumors that Villa is moving toward the border in northern Mexico so far have been fruitless. The general so reported today to the War Department.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Mexican Attack Engineers' Camp

1916

El Paso, Texas, Sept. 8. — Thirty Mexicans supposed to be Villa followers, made a raid on the engineers' camp of the American punitive expedition and escaped with a mule, according to members of the expeditionary force arriving here today from Mexico by way of Columbus. This raid, which took place last Wednesday on an isolated portion of the camp at Ojo Federico, is believed by military authorities here to have been indirectly responsible for today's rumor of a clash between the fifth cavalry and the 16th infantry of regulars, and a band of Villa followers south of Ey Valle, Chihuahua.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Strike to Help Jitneys?

1916

Wilkesbarre, Pa., Sept. 10. — A general strike of all crafts of labor, numbering approximately 75,000, is a contingency that faces Wilkesbarre and the Wyoming Valley as the result of efforts of labor union officials to obtain an immediate stay in the enforcement of the city ordinance which jitney owners say will make it impossible for them to continue in business. The result, union leaders say, would be to break the street car strike that has been in effect since October 14, 1915.

Mayor John V. Kosek announced on Friday that the ordinance will go into effect at 6 o'clock tomorrow morning.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Republican Uber Alles

Maine, 1916

Portland Sept. 12. — Maine Republicans reinforced by returning Progressives, won a signal victory at the State election yesterday.

They elected a Governor, auditor, two United States senators, four congressmen, and wresting control of the State House of Representatives from the Democrats, will be able on a joint ballot of the Legislature to elect the other State officers not chosen by popular vote.

Carl E. Milliken led his ticket, defeating Gov. Oakley C. Curtis, who sought re-election, by a plurality of approximately 12,000.

The Republican drift extended to county tickets, the greater number of counties choosing county attorneys and sheriffs. These offices are important locally because the holders are charged with the enforcement of the prohibition law.

The vote was heavy, as has been expected, for the campaign has been waged with a determination not seen in recent years. The country was searched out for speakers of national prominence by both parties, and the greater number of these battled on national issues. The fight was particularly hot for the two United States senatorships, and the four places held by Maine in the lower House at Washington. The national defense, the tariff and the eight-hour law for railroad men loomed large in the discussions.

The Progressives, who two years ago cast 18,226 votes, returned largely to the Republican party, in the opinion of Republican leaders.

The closest fight was for congressman from the second district, where Congressman Daniel J. McGillicuddy was defeated by Wallace H. White, Jr., whose plurality was about 500.

United States Senator Charles F. Johnson, whose wide popularity had given the Democrats great hope of his return, was defeated by Frederick Hale, son of the ex-senator, whose margin was approximately 9500 votes. For the other seat in the Senate for the short term, former Governer Bert M. Fernald defeated Kenneth C. M. Sills, dean of Bowdoin college, with 12,000 votes to spare.

L. B. Goodall won from L. A. Stevens in the first congressional district by 3000. Congressman John A. Peters retained his seat, defeating John E. Bunker in the third district by 4000. Ira G. Hersey defeated Leonard A. Pierce in the fourth congressional district with a plurality of 5000.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

U. S. Will Retaliate Only as Last Report.

1916

Washington, Sept. 6 — What shall be the attitude of the Entente Allies toward American trade relation legislation, will be determined by the Grand Trade Council of the 10 belligerent Governments at Paris.

Entente diplomats here said tonight no action will be taken until authorization has been received from the council, and in the meantime all information on the subject obtainable is being forwarded to Paris.

Formal notes of protest from the various Governments are not expected. It is thought no formal action will be taken unless the President actually puts into force the discretionary power of refusing clearance papers to ships discriminating against American goods, withholding the use of telegraphs and cable lines from subjects of discriminating Governments and denying import privileges to countries which restrict American trade.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Greeks Plan for War

1916

Athens, Sept. 9, via London, Sept. 11. — "If the Entente and anti-Venizelist factions can only keep quiet for 10 days and not embroil the situation, Greece's entry into the war will be a settled fact," said a prominent Greek official to the Associated Press this morning. "If not," he continued, "it is the end of Greece."

King Constantine and Premier Zaimis had a lengthy conference on the situation today. On the whole, the situation with regard to Greece's entry into the war on the side of the Entente Allies seems favorable.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

England Will Not Drop Blacklist

1916

London, Sept. 8. — "It is not likely that Great Britain will change her blacklist policy at the request of the United States," said Lord Robert Cecil, minister of war, in discussing today the possible effect of recent American retaliatory legislation. To the Associated Press, Lord Robert stated that a reply to the blacklist protest made by the United States may be expected soon. Lord Robert, however, declined to enter into the details of the contents of the reply beyond the statement that the principle embodied in British legislation forbidding trading with an enemy country is unlikely to be surrendered in any measure.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Sweden and England Exchange Sharp Notes

1916

London, Sept. 10. — There has been a further, and rather sharp exchange of notes between Great Britain and Sweden regarding the difficulties brought about by the allied blockade and Sweden's retaliatory seizure of mails in transit between England and Russia. No solution of the problem is in sight. The British foreign secretary, Viscount Grey, insists that as a condition to submitting the matter to arbitration Sweden must promise not to interfere again with English parcels post matter in transit across Sweden. The Swedish government apparently is determined not to make such an engagement.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Hindenburg at Western Front

1916

Amsterdam, via London, Sept. 9. — According to Berlin dispatches received here Field Marshal Von Hindenburg, the new German chief of staff, has arrived for the first time on the western battle front and will inspect all the principal positions in company with Crown Prince Frederick William.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

The Rumanian Campaign

1916

The German-Bulgar spectacular rush at Tutrakan has, according to a report telegraphed from Athens to the London Daily Mail, been speedily countered by an equally spectacular rush of Russians and Rumanians for Nish, the Serbian capital, after the fall of Belgrade, now in possession of Bulgaria. If the invaders manage to reach the neighborhood of Nish they will achieve a sensation and furnish a service to the Allied Balkan campaign of immense importance — the cutting of the Berlin-Belgrade-Constantinople Railroad.

The Athens despatch reports the Russo-Rumanian troops have already advanced more than ten miles into Serbian territory having occupied Negotin and doubtless pushed on at once. At Negotin the expedition is about seventy to seventy-five miles from the Orient railroad. Allowing for delays to despatches the invaders must have been in Negotin on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

The crossing of the Danube from Roumanian territory was made to Prahavo on the Serbian side, near the river. Prahavo is seven miles from Negotin. The success of this attempt depends entirely on speed and surprise. Doubtless the Rumania staff was aware that this section had been skinned of troops to furnish the Bulgarian rush into Rumania.

The crossing of the Danube unopposed substantiates this belief. The country through which the expedition is moving will afford it every assistance possible, as what inhabitants are there are entirely unfriendly to the Central Powers.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.