The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-18
Other Mems Views
An Editorial That May or May Not
Square With The Forums
Opinions.

The chicago Tribune: ClLy Iolh
have been accustomed to think Of
sheep principally as an ornamental
adjunct of a pastoral landscape. The
only variety they know much about
is the black sheep of the neighbor-
hood gossip. Country folk in the
middle west have. as a rule, paid
less attention to sheep raising than
to other branches Of the live stock
industry.
But an emergency has arisen which
should enlist both city and country
folk in an effort to increase our
sheep production. The wool famine
is said to be acute. The national
sheep and wool bureau estimates a
yield Of 230,00O,0OO pounds Of wool
to meet a demand for 750,000.000
pounds. Shall our soldiers and Our
people be warmly clad? asks the
bureau. and suggests that the incen-
tive of high prices as we'll as patrio-
tic obligation should make a strong
appeal for raising more sheep.
BY reason of their cleanliness ana
unobstructiveness, sheep are COM
parativeiy easy to raise under ordi-
nary farm or suburban conditions.
In the past, farmers could hardly
compete with the ranch owners be-
cause sheep thrive on free range and
scanty vegetation. But the sheep
grazing domain has been much re-
duced. II IL estimated that during
the year 100000 acres have been
taken by settlers under tho new
homestead law.
The wool bureau is planning to get
the sheepmen of western states to
take over some 100000 acres OF
cut-oVer timber lands in Wisconsin,
Michigan and Minnesota. This
project will be considered Mt the
Great Lakes wool convention to he
held here Sept. II. But 1t will take
time to bring this scheme up to
maximum operation.
Meanwhile the wool bureau is
seeking to get farmers and subur-
banites to fill in the gap. The pack
ers have offered to supply eve
lambs to prospective wool producers
perfected to allow farmers to obtain
federal loans for the purchase of
sheep.
For the many suburbanites who
may be impelled to raise few
sheep one word of warning should
be given: Beware of dogs. Our
friend the dog is a great natural en-
envy of the sheep. Better protection
from vagrant dogs is a, primary need
in this emergency.
The st. Paul Dispatch: For the
first time in the history Of British
jurisprudence, so Associated Press
reports relate, the 'unwritten law"
has been successfully invoked to
save a murderer from paying the le-
gal consequences Of his act. A Brit
ish jury yesterday Endorsed the plea
than an army officer who had risked
his life on the firing line was justified
In Staying a Stacker" who remained
at home and attempted to dishonor
that officers wife, and the jury ar
rived at this verdict in nat defiance
Of the judge, who vigorously attack
ed the "unwritten law" and urged
conviction.
1t is interesting to note that our
own code, originating with the
Southern feudists, not only has won
tacit acceptance throughout the
United States, but at last has Cross
ed the Atlantic and threatens to
undermine the rigidity OF British
courts. And 1t also is interesting to
note that the war, which has affect
ed almost every relation OF human
life, Is directly responsible for what
British purists undoubtedly will co1-
slider this dangerous innovation"
EOEs haQ NnS HAuIuGlOE pGGH q
Stacker" and the slain an army Of
ficer, we have not the slightest doubt
that the Jury would have returned
the usual conviction. But there nave
been many cases in England during
the past three years where wives,
sisters and daughters Of men absen.
at the 'front.' have been the victims
of stay-at-homes and public opinion
has been aroused to a pitch whers
IL believes that these men who leave
their loved ones unprotected, that
they may fight for their country, are
justified in defending their honor by
violence If necessary.
This is why the ''Unwritten law"
at last has been sanctioned by a
British jury. Whether 1t will remain
permanent part Of British criminal
practice remains to be seen, but IL
does serve as an unmistakable hands
off" warning during the war, at
least, and the British people will APP
plaud the decision.