The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-13
WAR ECHOES

Wall Street Journal: From different re- ports OH the worlds bread crops, 1t now looks as if the importing countries will need 650.00O.oo0 bushels of wheat this sea son Of this, about 575.000.o00 bushels will go to different points in Europe, if it can set there.
 But wheat Is conditional eontraband of war The neutral shipper has the right to ship his grain to any warning country he chooses but he runs the risk of cap ture of his cargo, in which case he can make no appeal to the government at Washington This danger may deter ship ments to Germany, but not to England and France.
 The southern continent has little wheat | for export and the new crop will not come on the market for nearly six months. The total acreage is rather less than last year. Roumania usually fur- nishes surplus of 500OO,OOO bushels year. but this seasons harvest is dis appointment. Russia is a large exporter and has a good crop to sell.
 But at present the Baltic and the Dar- danelles are bottled up. India might fur nish 50.O0O,0O0 bushels. But at present the risk is greater than the need. Unless a way is opened for Russia and India to ship their wheat, North America must be the source of supplies until the south ern continent comes into market.
 But the American farmer should look farther ahead than the crop he is now marketing. Last year the warning coun- tries produced 1,750,0O0,000 bushels of wheat, and a slightly less quantity of rye. With the exception of about one-third of the Russian wheat crop, this is all au tumn sown.
 With the able-bodied men withdrawn from their occupations, and immense ar mics trampling down the fields of France. Germany and Belgium, the crop prospect is a serious one. The American farmer should be awake to this fact and SOW as much wheat as he can properly care for. The demand bids fair to be greater than the supply.
 New York World: The arrival of the Celtic with a consignment of socks, muf- fiers and jackets knitted during the voy- age by women passengers for distribution among the British troops calls attention to the effect of war conditions on an old feminine industry. What Mrs. J. P Morgan and her fel- low voyagers did on board ship hundreds of thousands of other American women have long been doing, and with unwonted energy. As soon as it became apparent that the war was to be something more than a 30 days campaign. there was an
 
 on every summer hotel piazza throughout the land. Those learned to knit who had never knitted before, and the output of seeks, sweaters and mufflers, in place of the usual production of babies caps and boudoir jackets, must in the aggregate be very large. Some of it was ready Tor shipment by the Red Cross vessel.
 This contribution of garments for the comfort and relief of the combatants of all nationalites will materially supplement Americas gifts of money to warning Flu rope. As the work of the daughters and granddaughters of the women who soraped lint for the soldiers of our own civil war, it exemplifies fine spirit. Ger tainly muffler made by sympathetic American girl, and serving to keep i5el- gian, Seryian French, German, British, Russian or Austrian soldier warm, is an interesting expression of "hands-across- the-sea" sentiment.
 New York Herald: When Bismarck was asked by Great Britain in 1870 whether Germany would respect the neutrality of Belgium the Iron Chancellor gave prompt reply that such a question was wholly superfiuous in view of the treaties in force. At that time the chief concern of Great Britain, acting as Intermediary in behalf of Belgium, was directed toward France. France gave prompt assurance that Belgiums neutrality would be re- spected, as Germany did. France went further. When the last of her armies was wedged up against the Belgian iron tier. with every other means of escape cut off it surrendered rather than violate the | neutrality of Belgium.
 In dropping his pilot the present Ger man Emperor seems to have also cast overheard the principle of respect for treaties, for which Bismarck stood firm ! One result is a bleeding. despoiled crushed Belgium.
 l No page in all history is backer than 1 that which tells the story of Germany's 1 treatment of a friendly nation whose neu- trality, integrity and sovereignty the Kaiser and his government were solemnly pledged to respect.
 
 STARED INTO SNAKES ENES