The Benson signal., 1917-06-09

his conscience out and look at it, for
itis certainly sick"
AS registration day approached the
number of towards fleeing the cOun-
try to avoid the draft increased. A
great many crossed the borders into
Mexico and Canada, and considerable
numbers went to Cuba. All decent
citizens join in the hope that these
creatures will never have the impu-
dence to return to the United States.
President Wilson, loath to abandon
entirely the volunteer system, on Tues
day issued an urgent call for 100000
more volunteers to bring the regular
army up to full strength.
What Is Doing in Russia.
Developments of the week in Rus
sia were both encouraging and dis
couraging. Admittedly, the fate of
that new republic is in the hands of
Kerensky and he has taken a firm
stand in the matter of restoring dis
cipline in the army. The soldiers seem
willing to submit, and are giving evil
dence of a renewed intention to con-
tinue the fight against the central pow
ers. They have been heartened for
this by the injunctions and appeals of
the councils of peasants and work
mems deputies and by the exhortations
of government officials. This state of
affairs is recognized by Germany in
statement that an early offensive by
the Russians is expected.
The most discouraging news from
Russia was contained in a statement
by Minister of Finance Shingaroff that
the Industrial crisis is so acute that
only a miracle can save the country
from economic ruin. The demands Of
the wOrkmen are so enormous that
most of the industrial enterprises
working for the national defense will
be compelled to close down before
long. On top of this comes the formal
demand of the troops at the front
that they be supplied with enough mu-
nitions to fight on an equal plane with
the other belligerents.
A hopeful note was sounded on
Tuesday by Prof. Boris Bakhmetieff,
the new Russian ambassador to the
United States. Reaching Tokyo on
his way to this country, he said: II
am immensely satisfied with conditions
in Russia, including Siberia. 1 think
the new regime is carrying on the
work of reorganization successfully
or vii h0 oh f0 Of
fensive against the enemy"
Russia's official position seems as
anomalous as ever, for she still insists
she will be faithful to her allies, and
in the same breath demands that peace
be made on terms that cannot con-
ceivably be accepted by those allies.
President Sends Note to Russia.
President Wilson last week dis
patched note to Russia's provisional
government designed to pave the way
for the Root commission and to give
Russia an idea of the war aims of the
United States. He set forth that
America is in the war to make the
world safe for democracy" and that
no material compensation for the sac
rifices we shall freely make" but
makes it clear that there must be in
demnity for innocent nations laid in
ruins, like Belgium.
Maxim Gorky, the noted author, pub
fishes in his paper a sensational ac-
count of an attempt by D. Rizow, Bull
garian minister to Berlin, to induce
him to enter into negotiations for
separate peace. Rizow's proposition
was that Russia conclude an immedi-
ate armistice with Germany and Aus
tria, both belligerents retaining their
present fronts, and a Russian cOnstitu-
ent assembly meet at once to decide
on peace or war.
The Socialist party of France last
week decided to send delegates to the
Stockholm conference, but the rejoic-
ing of the TeutonS over this is not
justified, for it appears the Frenchmen
concluded it would not be safe to
leave the Russian Socialists alone with
the German delegates. The German
ana Austrian SOcldllSLS SET ISfIH IAelI
peace program, a program which might
we'll be acceptable to the two emperOrs
who have given up hopes of crushing
their enemies. Austria is still banker
ing for peace at almost any price, and
the kaiser's control over the dual mon
archy was weakened by the appoint
ment of Count julius Andrassy as pre-
mier Of Hungary to succeed Tfsza.
Italians Move Toward Trieste.
The Italians and AuStrianS did most
of the actual fighting last week. Ca
dorna's men pressed on further toward