Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1917-07-07

OF mucn or the unrest. BOtn natlOns
may be forced into the ranks of the
allies by shortage of food, for the
countries that are warning against
Germany intend to look after their
own food needs first, regardless of the
walls Of the countries that have pre-
ferred to remain neutral. Norway
also is now exasperated almost to the
point Of warfare by the deliberate de-
structiOn of her merchant marine by
the Germans. About one-third Of her
tonnage already has been sunk by sub
marines, and a few days ago came the
exposure of a German plot to destroy
Norwegian steamships by explosives In
the form of Jumps of coal taken into
the country by courier of the Ger
man foreign Office. Should Norway
join the allies, her coast would be
mighty convenient for naval bases for
the British and American warships.
Brazil arrived at the definite parting
Of the ways with Germany and for
mally revoked it's decree of neutrality
in the war between the entente allies
and the central powers, as it had previ-
Ously so far as the United States is
concerned. Whether 1t will enter into
actual hostilities was not announced.
If 1t does, its navy will be of consid-
cradle help.
Europe provided several instances
to prove that it is well sometimes to
strain the quality Of mercy. In Cork
and other Irish cities the Sim Fein
rebels, who had been Internationally
pardoned and released, again raised
their flag of rebellion and staged riot
GUS demonstrations that were quelled
with difficulty by the police and mill
tary forces. In numerous districts Of
Russia the convicts who were set free
at the time of the revolution, commit
ted murders and other outrages and
seized property, defying such authori-
ties as now exist there. Anarchists
who have returned to Russia from ex-
lie in other lands are especially vi.
cious and lawless.
British Attack on Lens.
Despite desperate defensive fighting
by the Germans, the British last week
steadily closed in on the city of Lens,
the very important coal-mining center
north of Arras. Crown Prince Rup-
recht's men before the end Of the week
had been driven back into the suburbs
where they made fortresses of the
railway embankment and Stag heaps.
Lens itself already is mass of ruins,
but its possession means much because
of the coal mines.
Most Of the French fighting of the
week was done in the neighborhood Of
Hurtebise on the Chemin des Danes.
Their most brilliant exploit was the
capture Of the Dragons cave, an enor-
nous cavern that had been made into
q formidable fortress by the Germans.
The forward movement of the Italians
was checked by the furious gunfire Of
the Austrians on the Asiago plateau.
Great Red Cross War Fund Raised.
The great campaign to raise $780,
100000 for the American Red Cross in
one week was eminently successful,
more than that amount being pledged.
The official announcement that all Of
the immense sum could easily be spent
In six months relieving the needs Of
the allies brings the American people
to a realizing sense Of the money that
will be needed when our own troops
are taking an active part in the war.
But evidently the people intend to
give, and give freely, so long as the
demand exists. To contribute from
surplus wealth is among the least Of
patriotic actions; to contribute when
one has no surplus, as hundreds Of
thousands are doing, is among the
greatest.
Newspapers and individuals with
the broader vision are striving Just
now to counterfeit the effects Of the
hysteria Of those who, not realizing
that conditions in America are not
what they are in France or England,
are counseling all kinds of unneces-
sary economies. Their advice, If fol-
lowed, would lead to the ruination Of
many kinds Of business and the wiping
out Of that prosperity upon which
and its allies count to finance
the war. In belligerent countries Of
Europe, Of course, nearly all indus
tries and activities are devoted to
war needs, but we have not yet )
reached that stage, though reasonable
and frugality must be prac-
iced.
Austria to make certain "frOntier