Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-05
EVENTS OF A WEEK

EVENTS OF A WEEK
The war. together with the things pertaining to it.
constitutes the great topic Of interest throughout the
world. Almost every human activity is affected by the
war. and practically every human agency is being direct
ed to the prosecution of the war in one form or another.
In the United States, the latest great nation to enrer
the war. the people are gradually adjusting themselves
to the fact of a great war in which their country is en-
gagged, and Americans, who for more than half a century
have been unaffected in their personal affairs by military
developments. are becoming accustomed, little by little.
to the close personal contact with war into which they
are thrown at every turn,
=
War matters practically monopolize the attention of
congress. The draft bill. passed by both houses, is not
likely to emerge from conference for some days. The
general features of the bill are agreed on by both houses,
and there is no question concerning the passage of the
bill. One of the main differences between the house and
senate is on the %estion Of the age limit. The senate
nxes this between the ages OF 81 and 81. The house bill
extends this to 81 and 40. One prediction is that the two
houses will agree on a maximum of IS. The important
51act Is that there 10 agreement between the two houses
on compulsory service. the government being empowered
to make its selections with proper regard for the rela-
tive availability of the individual for army or other sery-
ice.
The appropriation bill passed by the house and
Wn1ch Will be passed In substantially the same form by
the senate carries appropriations of a little more than
$4,000, 0o.0oo. OF this 81, 800. 900, 900 lie for the military
establishment One large item included is due to the
SS<SN "A0~o~"o VI eO a VI JULIET $40 Z $6U
Per month. This, Of course, is in addition to tho main.
tenance charges. which are borne by the government a
fact which is oftsn overlooked when comparison. are
made between the pay Of the soldier and the civilian.
II commodity prices continue to increase At tho present
rate civilians Will be tempted to break into tho army N
order to be assured Of their keep, with a little money
over at the end of the month.
.
The government authorities are working on the dis.
tdbutdon OF tho loans which arc to be made to the allies
Tentative arrangements have been made for the proper
f}nna f4 n N 3-ovod - EA~-~> 80 vA, 49,.
sured Of material aid. Serbia will receive a share and
Russia will be granted a considerable sum. subscr1p-
tons are now being received for the bonds to be issued.
Banks are handling this matter without charge, and the
responses arc so numerous that the fund is certain to be
largely subscribed.
The food situation Is receiving attention from var
lous departments of the government. Every possible ef-
fort Is being made to stimulate production. and II seems
quite likely that authority will be placed in the hands
OF the government to control both maximum and mini
mum prices of food products In general. The price of
wheat has reached a point where white bread must be
classed among the luxuries. Recently the announce
ment has been made that tho American and Canadian
governments were working out plans for a reduction in
wheat prices, and on the strength Of this prices dropped
sharply in the great markets, but a portion of the loss
was regained later.
The price of wheat is something which is Of intense
interest to all persons just now. The statement has fire.
quenty been made that present prices are largely specu-
latve and due to hysteria. 1t is significant that tho
price OF wheat for fall delivery is approximately q dollar
a bushel less than the price Of cash wheat. Evidently
the Judgment Of the men who make a business Of buying
and selling this grain is that the price will be materially
lower II the fall than at present. There is also the 1act
that at present prices wheat -four is placed practically
out OF reach Of many American families. 1t seems evil
dent that further advances will call for action by the
government IL suoh action can be taken effectively In
asmuch as all of the European nations are operating
under military law, and that food prices and food dis
tr1buuon are controlled almost entirely by the govern
ments the cooperation Of Great Britain and her de-
pen0enC1eS, France, Italy and the United States IN in
sure the distribution Of wheat at lower prices than at
present appears to be among the probabilities.
Britain and French representatives have be.n IN
close conference with members of our government a.
Washington, during the week, and plans have been ,aid
Tor the closest cooperation between the governments IN
the prosecution Of the war. The visit of these foreign
representative has been hailed as Visible evidence of
the union. in form and spirit, Of the great democracies
g the earth IN q common cause. and there can be no
question that much has been done in this way to BRINK
about conditions which viii make for the more effective
pFoeecuuon OF @e war. and for a unity of sentiment N
- the steps 10 be taken when the war is over for the
0fabltshrnsnt OF . peace which shall be permanent.
@gg$F r
Ths week has been full Of news from the French
Sbatxis fseoA. This news has been substantially a repst-
don % ce, news OF former weeks, as tho military move
snsntS have been prosecuted in the same manner and
Nth tDs ams object. The French and British are ham
Snsr4ns sway ct the German lines. striking first at one
@Helnt ana then 1t another, gaining sometime. a little
a1nd sometimes q great deal. but Away, makinr some
SananA IN spite Of the dssperate resistance Of the Ger
Ths noH violent lighting Of the week ha. been in
Ay1as .seotor: There: whore the iso-oalled Hindenburs
e whish the Germans retreated weeks ago leaves
SA1D Old nne that waS occupied before Ehat rstrlata the
NA1aH1h haxs besn throwing millions Of shells into the
1lFGnnan stFsnchesp following each bombardment with thu
SYMseonasy tAtlfantry advance. Tho Germans have con.
s tsds sysry inch of srosaA but thsy have been power.
q -. ~ 49, - ~. Britain hay. advanced
S3(l3sg III iif4ls, until Tiers - prospect of8 their being abb
Mgaa4Al & - W2lAe lin hsfefs .thsrs. has besn trns foi