The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-23

HENRY CLEWS
\ WEEKLY, LETTER
The United States entered this war
fromsSthe7 very highest mouyes' tnose
of preserving International freeoo!n'
Justice and democracy against ruin
less autocracy At the same time we
have given the world a magnlrlcent
demonstration of our position as
world power. Our decision to join the
tAlliessin the fight for political free
don-not for territory, trade or IN
demnity-and our prompt efforts TO
send men, money and materials "
their assistance is a step leading TO
tremendous consequences. Its proo
able influence upon our future cai
only be equalled by the American
Revolution and the Civil War, ana IN
many respects it will surpass DOM.
Beyond question this great declslon
has raised us immensely in the re-
spect of all nations, and our presuge
and power have been correspondlngiy
"a position of prominent leadership IN
the family of nations, so that our flu
.ture for veal or for, woe will largely
depend upon the spirit in which we
cultivate, and maintain those new re-
ilations. If they are exercised with
ideas Of justice, tolerance and falr
dealing our peaceful advancement is
secure. If, on the other hand, we In
dulge narrow minded, ultra-self1sh
ambitions or fall into intolerant and
bombastic policies, our new departure
will lead to disaster. We must, there
fore, assiduously keep in mind that
the future of democracy depends, not
upon the state, but upon the 1ndlvldu-
Xal who must first himself emexplify
the spirit and the policies that he
wishes his country to adopt.
There is much complaint in all di-
1rections about high prices, and indi-
cation already point to lessened con-
sumption. Food is exceedingly high,
land unless relief is found some sort
! OF government food control may be
expected as a war measure. The Ia
/ Dor situation also promises to become
more acute. Scarcity is already pro-
nounced, and will be more so when
a. half to one million men are drawn
! into the army. There are some IN
! dustries from which no men should
; be withdrawn into the army; their
services being much more valuable to
the. country IL, their present occupa-
tons. President Wilson wisely called
attention OF the nation to the cultiva-
ton OF economy by the public. Elk
travagance should be discouraged in
all quarters, and unnecessary labor
should be released for more necessary
purposes Mt only should economy
be enforced, but production should be
! increased by every possible means.
Some, classes Of labor may be asked
! to do their share by moderating or
suspending during the war restric-
lions which have tended to increase
the cost Of comm dfties, especially in
! Industries where war profits and war
wages have aggravated inflationary
! tendencies. Some means will have to
be found for overcoming scarcity.
!! There is positively no other way than
! by enlarged Individual output; and
| patriotism and self interest should
prompt such exertions, without which
still higher prices will have to be en-
dured. We are In the whtrl OF war
| Initiation and nothing can check 1t
! but wise economy and harder work.
! Slackers, MASTERS and prodigals IN
these times help the enemy and in
: jure their country as well as them
selves.
+ believe that the official announce
ment Of the German government that
i no U-boat is in our waters is correct
| as I do not thing that Germany is
! likely to send submarines over here
at present at least; nor to inspire OF
order German reserves in South Am
| erica to organize and attack any por-
ton OF our country. Our government
| is truly a peoples government; of the
people, by the people, for the peo-
pie; where the humblest born either
Is eligible to become president and
! where such have indeed become pres
ident. Germany has an autocratie
| government and today is fighting te
preserve autocracy, while, we are
fighting for democracy. Therefore, II
time the German people will realize
! these facts which are likely to still
up revolutionary feeling among the
masses. We all have a high opinion
Of the Germans. Their artists, theil
scholars, their musicians. their scien
lists, their inventors and their me-
! chanics, are OF the best, and those
who have settled here have, as a class
been model citizens. Our fight is no
with those who are daily dying for the
ruling powers, but with the ruling
| powers who order and cause them tt
die.
The mobilization Of our finance an(
industry upon a war basis is for thu
time being the controlling factor Ia
business circles. Such an adjustment
i naturally causes nre or less initiation
and arrangement. Congress is abou
to pass the necessary legislation au
thorizing the issue of 0.000,00'
Treasury notes, S2,000,000,000 bond
for our own use and $4,000, 100000
/ fer use by our Allies. Since the vas
sums cannot be spent all at once, /
is reasonable to suppose that they will
be Withdrawn with as little disturb
ance IL the financial markets as pos
sible. Our own expenditures will be
! gin gradually, and be extended owe
many months before additional loan
can possibly be needed. The loan t.
j our Allies is q similar process and i
likely to follow similar lines; that is
the bonds will probably be issued a
stated periods, when most needed
thus avoiding the injurious effects o
locking up huge amounts at once, o.
suddenly Withdrawing. them from EN-
ployraent in the regular channels o
trade. The effects of these transac
ton will, of course, be far reaching
4 and temporarily unsettling. Thes,
vast sums will be largely spent il
the United States. partly for our owl