Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1917-07-12


Of much of the unrest. Both nations,
may be forced into the ranks of the |
allies by shortage of food, for the
countries that are warning against
Germany intend to look after their
own food needs first, regardless of the
walls Of the countries that have pre-
ferred to remain neutral. Norway
also is now exasperated almost to tbs
point of warfare by the deliberate de-.
struction of her merchant marine by
the Germans. About one-third of her
tonnage already has been sunk by sub.
marines, and few days ago came the
exposure of German plot to destroy
Norwegian steamships by explosives in,
the form of Jumps Of coal taken into
the country by courier of the Ger
man foreign office. Should Norway
join the allies, her coast would be
mighty convenient for naval bases for.
the British and American warships.
Brazil arrived at the definite parting
Of the ways with Germany and for.
mally revoked it's decree of neutrality
In the war between the entente allies
and the central powers, as 1t had previ-
ously so far as the United States is
concerned. Whether it will enter into
actual hostilities was not announced.
If 1t does, its navy will be of consid-
cradle help.
Europe provided several instances.
to prove that it is well sometimes to-
strain the quality of mercy. In Cork
and other Irish cities the Sim Fem
rebels, who had been Internationally
pardoned and released, again raised
their flag of rebellion and staged riot
Gus demonstrations that were quelledl
with difficulty by the police and mill
tary forces. In numerous districts Of
Russia the cOnvicts who were set free
at the time of the revolution, commit
ted murders and other Outrages and
seized property, defying such aUthori--
ties as now exist there. Anarchists:
who have returned to Russia from ex-
lie in other lands are especially vi
cious and lawless.
British Attack on Lens.
Despite desperate defensive fighting
by the Germans, the British last week
the very important cOal-mining center
north of Arras. Crown Prince Rup-
recht's men before the end of the week
had been driven back into the suburbs
where they made fortresses of the
railway embankment and Stag heaps.
Lens itself already is q mass of ruins,
but its possession means much because.
of the coal mines.
Most of the French fighting of the
week was done In the neighborhood Of
Hurtebise on the Chemin des Danes.
| Their most brilliant exploit was the
capture of the Dragons cave, an enor-
nous cavern that had been made into.
a formidable fortress by the Germans.
| The forward movement of the Italians.
was checked by the furious gunfire OF
the Austrians on the AsiagO plateau
The great campaign to raise $780,
| 100000 for the American Red Cross ind
one week was eminently successful, I
more than that>amount being pledged.
| The official announcement that all Of
| the immense sum could easily be spent
in six months relieving the needs Of
the allies brings the American people
| to a realizing sense of the money that
| will be needed when our own troops
are taking an active part in the war.
But evidently the people intend to-
give, and give freely, so long as the
demand exists. To contribute from
surplus wealth is among the least Of
patriotic actions; to contribute wheu
one has no surplus, as hundreds 81
thousands are doing, is among tle
| greatest.
Newspapers and individuals with
the broader vision are striving jest
now to counterfeit the effects of the
hysteria of those who, not realizif9R
that conditions in America are MOI
what they are in France or England.
are counseling all kinds OF unneceS
sary economies Their advice, II foIA
lowed, would lead to the ruination %
many kipds of business and the wipInlf
out Of that prosperity upon which
America and its allies count to finance
the war. in belllgerent countries 81
Europe, Of course, nearly all indus
tries and activities are devoted IA
war needs, but we have not VET
reached that stage, though reasonable
economy a0d frugality must be prac-
| ticed.