Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-08-24

I'm view of the many kinds of Ger
man intrigue seeking to create disorder
In China, the Chinese government
found it impossible to wait for the con-
vocation of parliament before declar-
ing the existence of the state of war
with Germany, especially since the rup-
ture Of diplomatic relations with the
imperial German government had been
previously approved by parliament al
most unanimously.
"Austria-Hungary has all along been
acting in concert with the German i'm
perial government. Moreover, the Aus
trians, like the Germans, have special
settlements In China which might cas-
lily be used by Germans, who speak the
same language as Austrians, as a base
Of operation for further intrigues,
thereby rendering the situation still
more difficult for China to cope with.
1.-THE Chinese government, therefore,
was unable to adopt a different atti-
tude toward Austria Hungary, but was
constrained, as an act of self protec-
ton, simultaneously to accord her the
same treatment as was accorded Ger
many"
To Take Over Wheat Crop.
The food administration is prepared
to take over the entire 1917 wheat crop
ii necessary to stabilize prices through
out the year. 1t formed a $50,000,0O0
corporation, with all the stock held by
the federal government, to buy and sell
wheat at the principal terminals.
The move was the first of q series to
be taken to reduce the price of bread.
Millers already have agreed to put
themselves under voluntary regula-
tons and are working out with the
food administration a differential of
profit. Distribution of flour by whole
salers and the baking of bread will be
taken up next.
The hope of the food administration
Is to establish a scale of prices from
the farm to the grocery store, eliminat-
ing undue profits and ending specula-
ton. The maintenance of a standard
price for wheat, the officials believe, is
the first and most necessary step.
Wants More Winter Wheat.
Secretary Houston urged leading ag-
ri~culturists of the eastern states gath
cred here for the first of a series of
greater production" conferences to
plant every available acre to winter
wheat this fall. 1--WE must have wheat
far in excess of our normal needs next
year." declared Secretary Houston.
"The response of all our agricultural
agencies since this country entered the
war has been tremendously crafty
ing,'' he continued.
"The farmers have done their part
with enthusiasm and patriotism, and
for the most part they were favored by
nature. The result is, as you know,
that in a number of important crops
the nation will have this year enor-
nous yields.
But from a military standpoint we
were unfortunate in respect to the very
crop of which we have the most imme-
date and pressing need. Wheat bread
seems to be peculiarly the war bread,
due to it's own special characteristics
as well as to the habits of European
nations with whom we are associated
In this war. 1t was not the farmers
ldulC LudL we uIu uOC udNG u large
wheat crop. A large acreage was plant
ed, but there. was a tremendous winter
killing, and so we have the very short
crop of last year followed by a short
crop this year"
Red Cross Titles.
Henry p. Davidson, chairman of the
American Red Cross var council, is
sued a statement emphasizing that the
decision of the war department to au-
thorize the use Of military titles by
Red Cross officers while on active duty
In the war zone was adopted only as
an emergency measure to give Red
Cross officers in effect exceptional pass
ports and freedom of action. 4
Nothing in this plan changes the
character or status of the American
Red Cross, Its officers or any Of its
members" Mr.. Dawson said. 1.-THE
American Red Cross Is distinctly a nom
ounh 70 pt civilian or0o n . zion