The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-01-18
WHEN THE WAR ENDS.

NAV end, will make great changes-soclal'
nolitical and economic-in the contending
nations goes without the saying. In
deed, many changes have already taken
place and others are in progress. In
England, France and Germany women
have largely taken the place OF men IN
manv lines of work and business and 1t IS
predicted will continue in most of their
new occupations. The general restrlc-
stion in the use of intoxicating liquors as
war measure will, it is believed, ensure
greater sobriety in the future. Russla's
cutting off the sale of vodka, OF which 1t
had monopoly and from which it de-
rived large revenue, resulted IN such
increased efficiency in her workmen, In
deposits in the banks, and il. the general
welfare and prosperity of the people,
that further restrictions on the sale and
rse of liquor are likely to follow The
Russian peasants, who have been little
more than serfs or slaves, drink-sodden
and degraded, have had their manhood
aroused and are assured greater freedom
in the future The industrial activity
and the development of Russla's great
natural resources which will follow the
war will bring in foreign capital, ensure
profitable employment to the people, and
in comparatively few years make up
for the losses of the war. Russia is des-
,afj nj nd
Gus nation, and in her rehabiiment
American mer, money and machinery
will figure largely.
In England there has been notice
able leveling of class distinctions, Prince
and pauper fight side by side i'll the
trenches. drink from the same canteen
and are literally brothers in arms. Off
cars from The working classes have in
their commands men of wealth and title.
In the nunition factories and in the hos
n;tals women of rank and wealth tend
the machines or minister to the sick and
wounded side by side with those Of hum
bier walks in life, and between them
there is mutual regard and self respect.
MANY have very erroneous idea of the
British aristocrscy. Royalty is thing
apart. 1t is hedged around by conven-
tons which date back for many genera
tions. and which are no doubt often found
irksome, but cannot be transgressed. As
to the nobility they are not arrogant,
purse-proud or inhuman AS SO often por
traved Generally speaking it may be
said of them that the higher the rank
the more democratic and unassuming.
The war will not lower their distinction,
Int will raise the standard of citizenship
and tend to promote the general welfare
Increased activity in all industrial and
AGRICULTURAL pursuits will follow the war,
and London will no longer harbor an
army of unemployed. The growing
scarcity of food has brought home the
necessity of raising more crops, espec-
ialv of potatoes; and it is found that
many articles made in Germany" can
be manufactured. at home and give en-
ploymenl to MANNED victims of the war.
There will be less eXtravagant living. In
this country as we'll as England, where
meat has been SO high, other food has
been substituted with beneficial results,
SO that the consumption of meat is like
w to be greatly lessened in the future.
France has nothing to learn in the way
of household economy or intensive cult
t. hoa sold hot a
French family would live we'll on what
an American family wastes.
This country, though not in the war,
is paying ''war tax" and the prices of
the necessities of life are as high, OF
higher, than in the war zone Certain
manufacturers and financial magnates
are making colossal fortunes and the en-
ployes in the munition factories are re-
ceiving wages before unheard of, while
outside of the sections in which these
industries are located business is poor
and stagnation prevails. The big wal
contracts are ending now, and will not
be renewed. The men and women tt
whom they have given employment will
have to look for work at lower wages
There must be slump in the stock
market in what are known as the "wal
babies" and the country will face fl
>nancial and industrial crisis. This hal
been foreseen and the emergency will nj
doubt be met. There are many othel
problems that will come up for solution
when the war closes, concerning which
predictions would be futile.
1t is somewhat of surprise to read il
the annual report of the State dairy in
structor, j. H. Blanchard of Auburn, tn
statement "that after careful investi
cation he believes that more than one
half of the dairy products of Maine ar
produced at loss, and that the pric
received is not commensurate with eithe
the cost of production or the intrinsi
value ef milk as compared with othe
foods" But at the 47th annual meeting
of the Vermont Dairymen's Association