Putnam patriot., 1911-12-08
Editorial Scraps

and i'll treatment of Russia who dts- regards her treaty obligations in mai treating American citizens who Nisit her territory on business or pleasure and insults our government by order ing Persia to dismiss her financial minister sent at the latter's request only because he has been accomplish ing the duty for which he was engag- ed-our government had better stop building ships Of wal and scatter the ones she has built in the depths ot the sea that their heavy cost may be saved and the burden of expense saved for useful purposes. Our country is being dishonored before the world by the snubbing and il-treatment already quietly submitted to, as if our nation was as craven as Ike semi-barbarous countries over which Russia dominates with rutiianly spirit because she is stronger in naval and military forces than her weaker semi.barbarous na- tions like Persia, Turkey and the like. While great movement has been going on for a few years to bring about the cessation of wars by arbitration, the nations of Europe-including even civilized England-have been engaged in planning and carrying out secret ae- tivities that were likely 10 bring on a Continental if not q worldwide wal This has been brought to light by speech of Sir Edward Gray, late Brit ish Foreign Minister, in the House of Commons on the 14th or November, wherein he dscloses how near Eng land and Germany came to be involved in a deadly conflict in regard to Moroe- co, which would have involved all Flu rope, and 1t Is not clear that 1t may still occur. Persia has appealed to the Powtrs included being the United States-that Russia's arrogant treat ment may be referred to the Hague Tribunal.
 The Chinese revolution is developing such crueties against foreign mission aries and dissensions among their leaders that the Powers may soon be obliged to interfere to bring about peace.
 The American Good Roads Conyen- tlon recently held took up one of the oldest of humane problems and one of the most insoluble apparently, namely how to build the most endurable high ways. Modern built roads cannot withstand the modern vehicles even when roads are built better than those of ancient Europe which have endured for century or more under old style Of vehicles and are still in a fair state of preservation. These old roads have been held mp to view as a reflection on modern road engineering altogether unjustly, as though we could not dc as we'll as the old Romans century ago. l Is the style of modern vehicles that makes havoc with the best made roads even when superior to the old Roman roads. Nowadays something entirely new has to be tried to meet the modern vehicles destructive wear.
 A we'll known German cancer eX- pert announces he has discovered a cure for that dread disease and has ap- piled for the valuable prize offered for the discovery of such a cure. It will be a great relief to have such discove- " made.
 Italy is learning that her precipitate declaration of war against Turkey in order to rob the latter of her Tripoi territory in Africa, is not so productive of benefit to the arrogant deSpoiler as il expected Turkey with the Arab tribesmen are not willing to submit to the great wrong and in the end Italy may be defeated in her shameless effort to deSpoil Turkey. Even all the eivi- lized nations now are casting up slurs al the unjust war waged against Fur key because Italy expected to carry out her unjust purpose easily.
 The Progressive Republicans who broke away and set up a new party in. tending 10 defeat Taft are not winning the great success lthey expected and from general indications it is doubtful if they will do more than to try and get La Toilette nominated in the regu- lar Republican National Convention in place of Taft--a hopeless effort.
 Committees representing seven of the Protestant bodies of Canada-the Church of England in Canada being one of them-have agreed that the questions arising out of the enforce ment in Quebec of the Roman Catholic ban on 'elandestinen marriages ought 10 be passed upon by the judicial com mittee of the Privy Council.
 Holy Cross college, Worcester, is very happy over the news that the Ro- nan Catholic bishop and priests of the Springfield diocese are going to give 1t asio0,oo0 building.