Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-14

AUB II Ou1p00 8At90. IA Br02l mas broken on relations
with Germany. Argentine has adopted a policy Of neu-
tralty. but in sympathy with the United States. Chile
has declared neutrality, but has also expressed approval
Of the course Of tho United States. Guatemala and
Costa Rica have sgnihed their intention to follow the
lead Of the United States. and similar sentiment prevails
in Peru. Apparently the only country in this hemis-
phere from which Germany can expect sympathy or aid
10 Mexico. and in the Mexican situation we have much
that merits close attention.
The action taken by the United States lis naturally
pleasing to the entente powers. Many expressions Of sat-
isfacton have come both from the press and from pub
lie men in those countries. One Of the most notable OF
these came recently from Premier Iloyd-George, Of
Great Britain, who, in a stirring speech in London. ex-
pressed the qualification Of himself and his government
that these two countries were to be comrades-in-arns
in the greatest struggle of the ages. One expression In
his address which has been widely quoted was that in
which he said: THE United States of America, by a
noble tradition never broken, never engaged in a war
except of liberty. That it has made up Its mind finally
makes 1t abundantly clear to the world that this is q
great fight for human liberty"
Tho United States will cooperate in this war with
the entente powers in every possible way. The sending
of troops to the continent is not now an issue. We have
not the troops to send, unless it should be decided to send
a small expedition to serve as a visible demonstration of
our full participation with our allies. Tho actual work
for some time will be performed by the navy, and it is
assumed that the American navy will take over a con-
siderable share of the work on this side Of the Atlantic
which has hitherto been performed by British and
French cruisers, releasing tho latter for service nearer
hOAA0 DuI AAVA0u ohe W la PA0eAS5 ooNAAA ~
ward the unihcation, as far as possible, Of the entire re-
sources Of the democratic nations. military. naval, COM
mercial, industrial and financial. so that each may sup
port the others in the fullest possible measure. One
Of the war measures likely to be undertaken here very
soon is that of advancing to France a large loan without
profit, to be returned at her convenience.
The American government is confronted by a COM
plicated problem in safeguarding Its property and the
lives and property OF its citizens at home from attacks
by alien enemies. The destruction Of grain elevators in
Si-~.o-1 o-I %h- oofrnptio ~ $h> EHAyckor pon.
nitions factory, with the death of nearly 200 persons, are
conspicuous incidents of which there are several minor
examples, where, without actual proof. there is good
ground for belief that these disasters were caused by
foreign agents among our own population. 1t is the duty
Of the government to guard against insidious attacks IT
this kind, and in this work 1t is embarrassed by the fact
that our population, cosmopolitan as it is. contains a
large number of German subjects who are peaceful and
law-abiding and have no intention Of abusing the hos
pitalty of the country in which they happen to be, and
also large numbers of citizens Of German origin who are
thoroughly loyal to the country Of their adoption. The
situation is one calling for vigilance. and also for dis
erection and restraint.
The progress of the war, and the revolution in Rus
sa have both had their influence on German sentiment
at home. There are evidences that the explanations of
the German strategic retreat in France are received
with something less than enthusiasm in many parts of
Germany. And the news that has filtered into Germany
that Russia is well on the way to universal suffrage has
caused many Germans to express some desire for a like
privilege for Germans. The kaiser has responded to
these expressions Of discomfort with promises of cleo
toral reforms to be made after the war. and the sop may
serve to allay discomfort for a time.
! Ms The week has been marked by tremendous fighting
on the French front. The chief activity has been on
that portion Of the line held by the British, and impor-
tant gains have been made from Arras south to the
southern Somme district. What is described by critics
as the great achievement Of the week was the capture
Of the entire Vimy ridge, which contains valuable Goa
mines. and which. because of the contour of the ground
was considered an extremely important position for
whichever party held it.. The Germans contested the
Canadian advance there with all the means at their COM
mand. and after they had lost the position they launched
one after another several counter-attacks in the attempt
to regain it. The Canadians held their ground, and the
ridge is theirs. Other important advances were made
at various points along the line, and the French took ur
the work of INJECTING punishment while the British were
consolidating their new positions.
The talk of the Hindsnbure trap may be dismissed
as it was at the beginning by military observers general
ly. as a fable told for the entertainment of the Germans
at home. Tho facts are that the Germans have aban-
doned positions to retain which they fought as hard as
they could; that instead Of being left hopelessly in the
rear for weeks, the allies were able to pursue the enemy
and keep in touch with him all the time; that they were
able to bring up their big guns almost as rapidly as the
enemy retreated; and that, after the retreat. withou
having had time to rest or reform. the Germans nov
find themselves as hard pressed in their new position:
as they were in those which they abandoned because
they were untenable. The Germans have lost territor,
and have lost men, and they are still on the defensive
with the enemy seemingly able to penetrate their line
whenever he chooses to invest enough powder and shell
in the enterprise.
'
Only sporadic fighting has been reported from thu
other fronts. In Mesopotamia the Russians and British
have effected a junction northward from the Tigris, ant
are advancing toward Mosul, where, If at all, the shat
tered remnants Of the Turkish armies are expected to at
tempt a stand. In the operations a considerable Turk
ish army has been cut OFF entirely from the main body
and is effectively separated therefrom by the combined
forces of the allies. This army has ceased to exist as al
organized body. It has scattered through the mountains
in small bands, to live as may be possible of what car
be picked up in the little settlements which can b.
reached.
Among the decisions rendered by the federal su
preme court last Monday were two, covering similal
ground, which apply to a wide range of transactions
In these, one involving the handling of talking machines
and the other the use Of moving picture films, it is hello
that the owner of a patented article cannot, under the
| form of a inoit. -licansaN rasfrain h ~ ha da