The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21


 exploit of the Deutschland has won universal admiration and the hope is freely expressed that Captain Koenig and his men may get back to Bremen safely. They are taking a Sporting chance" that is intensely thrilling. T1 VERY democrat will be asked to L contribute something to the campaign fund now being sought by popular subscription. The republicans will have this year as usual a large "slush" fund, raised chiefly by con-
 tributions from the Contribute to big interests, de- Campaign Fund spite the law limit
 ing such subscrip- tions. Time was when the democrats, like the republicans, spent a great deal of money on national elections, contributed by rich individuals; but such methods were reformed years ago. Yet, with money used only in defraying the legitimate expenses of a presidential campaign-printing, postage, travelling expenses and the like-it requires from $2,000,000 to $2,5O0,000 to meet the bills.
 The national finance committee is making an organized effort to collect a small amount in every voting pre- cinct throughout the land, and if this plan is carried out generally the ag- gregate should be sufficient for all re- quirements.
 Thousands of democrats could spare substantial sums and not miss the money; but it will be more democratic and more satisfactory from the view point of sentiment if every man eager for democratic victory gives 50 cents or $1.
 Even if the democratic outlook were not bright, it would be the duty of well-to-do democrats to aid the fi- nance committee; but now that pros- poets are roseate, giving should be real pleasure.
 Do not wait to be urged. Respond promptly and the reader the response, the more life will be infused into the democratic campaign organization. THE war department did a wise j. thing when it sent Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, assistant chief of staff, to the border to make a personal inspection of camp conditions there. The gov ernment had every reason to feel sat-
 isfied that General Bliss Satisfied Funston, in com- With Conditions mand of the Mexi-
 can frontier forces, was fully able to cope with the situa- tion.
 But as there are always some ill., disposed persons ready to criticize and find fault, complaints had reached Washington that the National Guard was not as well provided for as it should be; and to obtain first-hand report from member of the general staff who, in the nature of things, would be absolutely unbiased, General Bliss was sent to the front with in structions to examine closely and set forth facts as he might find them. This staff officers inspection has been in progress several days, and his brief telegraphic reports to the department are, as it was reasonable to expect, al- together satisfactory. He finds the National Guard properly provisioned, the discipline thorough and the morale of the men in the highest degree cred itable.
 One of the differences between reg ulars and militia is that the former know not what it is to complain. Uncle Sam takes the best of care of his enlisted men, but even if an indi- vidual has grievance he never thinks of airing it before the people. He makes it known through the proper military channel and if there is any thing wrong it is soon remedied.
 The National Guard is composed of splendid body of young men and the country is proud of them. But occa- sionally an individual guardsman inn agines he is not as beautifully fed as he should be, and either writes home about it or inspires a sensational story for the press.
 In 1898 the Spanish war volunteers in concentration camps had much cause to complain. Food at the start was poor; some of it was rotten. Sick ness was prevalent and the death rate