The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-06

llcation of the German decree conns-
eating for government use all grain
and Hour in private hands i'm the
German empire. If Germany fln0s
IL necessary to the prosecution of the
war TO seize for the use OF the army
the food supplies OF non-combatant
German citizens. England is justified
by the rules of war and bv coneidevo-
lon or SELF preservation to use what
ever power she has to prevent the
replenishment Of the food su.plv of
the Germans from neutral countries.
For England to acquiesce in the Ger
man policy of requisitioning the fooG
supply of the civilian population IN
sustain the army and prolong the
war and permit the replacement OF
the food thus diverted to military use
against England by continued imports
from neutral countries would be 10
help Germany and injure the allies.
Germany is doing her utmost to cut off
hnsland's food supply for both the
army and civilians by the submarine
warfare on merchant ships destinc1
Tor English ports, and if England
can cut off Germany's food supply bv
enforcing n blockade they are both
doing the same thing. 1t is war ana
The object of war. according to the
German theory and practice is to in
iiict as much damage as possible un-
on the enemy i'm the shortest time
possible. If Germany can disrc gavd
the dictates of humanity so far as
TO seize the food of her own people
and leave them to starve in order that
the army may be we'll fed, England
cannot In reason, be expected to be
more considerate OF the men. women
ana children of Germany who arc
not on the firing line. The Germ,,
decree setting the food supply of the
German empire forced the hand Of
England and for that country to con-
-inuc to permit the shipment of grain
md Hour to Germany would be 10
knowingly aid Germany in carrying
on the war.
DR.. j. w. Rabcock, former SUPER
ntendent OF the state Hosoital for the
Insane, publishes an open letter call
ms attention to the fact that in 1900
he and the board of regents made q
report to the legislature embodying
the same recommends
lions for improvements that are now
made by DIR. Herring. 1t is but nat
1ral that DR.. Babcock should not
wish the belief to become fixed In the
public mind that he held the position
u Gperintendcnt Of the asylum for
"entv years and remained isuorant
ot and c1livious 30 the intol.rablc
conditions existing III that institution.
The report. which lie quotes in his
communication to the press, is evil
OF the shortcomings of the asylum
md that he had definite idea of the
reforms in management and improve
nent in equipment needed. This
much must be conceded in fairness to
Or. BabcOck. but it remains an in
disputable fact that he did not sue
ceed in impressing upon legislature
md public that the reforaus suggested
we're imperative and should be made
tmmediately. If he had gone to the
legislature and told them in plain,
blunt language that the conditions i'll
asylum were iptolerablc. stencil in
ne nostrils OF humanity and a dis
grace to the State, he would have
lroused public interest and obtained
results. AS guardian of the helpless
wards OF tho State who were unable
10 speak for themselves his duty did
not end with formal recommendations
he should have demanded and kept on
until the asylum received
adequate support from the legislature.
Tic was in "a position Co make the
asylum an issue in the state and by
appealing To the people he could
have. single handed. forced the lcgis-
lture To provide ways ana means for
the proper care OF the insane commit
tod To his custody.
The Torrcns land registration law
Is in fair way TO be side-tracked
again this year. For the past several
elections IL has been very popular hc-
fore the primary. but by the time the
legislature convened the legislators
have become rccstablishcd in their be-
lief I'm the sancti;y Of the old system
of examination of title every time a
transfer is made or mortgage is re-
a 81 1. ~