The Wahpeton times., 1917-12-06

was taken III the appointment or II su-
perior war council through which all
the war activities of the government
will be en:.hitti to work together. This
council is made up of the members Of
the council of national defense-Secre-
taries Baker. Daniels. Lane. Houston
Redfield and MISUNDERSTANDING Nc
Adoo. Chairman Hurley of the ship
ping board, Food Administrator HOov-
er. Fuel Administrator Garfield and
Chairman Willard of the war indus
tries board. Director Clifford of the
council of national defense will sit
with this superior council, and Presi-
dent Wilson will meet with it when
ever he thinks it advisable.
The government is making deter
mined effort to settle the troubles Of
the railways and its own problems in
the matter of transportation, and just
now the plan of railroad pool for all
lines east of Chicago is being tried out.
If this is not successful, it is predict
ed. the government may take over the
operation Of all American railways.
President Wilson proclaimed a new
embargo on the importation of many
articles that are essentials Of muni-
tions of war, without the express per-
mission of the government. This will
operate to conserve American tonnage
for war purposes and to facilitate the
Imnnrf finY, af ;,1e
er supplies necessary in the manufac-
ture Of munitions. This assumption
of control over imports, provided for
In the embargo act. gives the govern
ment a powerful weapon for the eco
nomic war on Germany and can he
directed also against neutral traders
suspected of supplying the central
powers with American goods.
President Wilson on Monday ap-
proved recommendation of Mr..
Hoover reducing the alcoholic content
of beer to 3 per cent and reducing the
amount of grain used by brewers to
about 1O per cent of the volume hither-
to consumed. Prohibition of all brew.
Ing. the administration believes, would
divert tipplcrs from the comparatively
harmless beer to the consumption Of
whisky, brandy and yin. of which there
is in the country enough to last seye.
eral years.
No War on Austria Vet.
Vigorous enforcement of thn orders
restricting enemy aliens made things
rather lively last week for Gern,an
residents. especially of the large cities.
But thH hope that the administration
would make easier the checking Of es-
pionnge by having congress declare
war on Austria Went glimmering. For
reasons which could not be made pub.
Tic, President Wilson and his cabinet
agreed that no declaration against the
dual monarchy should be made unless
IT commits some further especially
hostile acts. The president pointed ont
the fact that the enemy alien law could
be amended to include the subjects Of
countries allied with Germany, as was
done in the trading with the enemv
act, and Attorney General Gregory nt
once began the preparation of such nm
amendment.
Vatican Replies to Critics.
Unusually bold criticism of the
course of the Vatican by a number If
papers, and assertions that the pope
mad been fostering the cause of Ans.
tria. had been far from neutral and
should be called on to make his posi-
AZ
ton clear, brought forth indignant de-
NAL from Cardinal Gasparri. papal
secretary Of state. Said he: "ro saw
that his holiness favOrs, or has f..
vorcd. or will favor an unjust. I'm.
Christian. and uncomfortable peace Is
not only false but also absurd ANY
propaganda for such Il pence. nllpred
70 be conducted ut the Vaticun's in
splration. especially in certain nations.
Is the product of pure malic:G,snrss /"
lie asserted That the disru,tiye
propaganda that began to affect the
morale of the Italian army could nor
be laid at the doors of the Vatican
ana that "tte shoulders on which
rests the responsibility for the re-
verses are weIl-known. Il rcsponsibilitv
winch certainly does not touch Cath
olics, the clergy and least of all the
august person Of the sovereign pon.
tiff." p'"'
Ills eminence made no reference ia
the Sim Fein rebellion in Ireland
One OF the first matters taken IN nv
the iii'eraiiied conference in Paris was
the need of speedy diplomatic action
IN regard to Switzerland. where Ger.
man intrigue Is imperiling the neu.
trahty or the country and ginning eco.
nomical domination through contro, n,
the Swiss railways. The Swiss federal
couacll Is becoming anxious over Ger.
man military movements on the fron.
der. >''e ''"n'