Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-28

for them. The fixing of maximum prices in the interest
of the consumer has also been suggested.
. .
In the war areas the week has been practically a
repetition Of former weeks since the spring offensive OF
tie allies began. The British and French continue their
pressure against the German lines. Progress has been
made in France from Lens almost to Verdun, and in ev-
cry case the allies have thus far been able to hold what
they have gained. though the German resistance has
stirened, and at certain points along the line the Ger
mans have fought with such masses of troops, and with
such desperate fury as to make it evident that their CON-
manders realize the gravity of the situation which con-
fronts them.
In Mesopotamia the British advance has been con-
tinued. There has been fresh activity along the Italian
front. and the Italians report slight gains in the Gorilla
field. The developments in Russia are being watched
with grave interest. The Germans appear to have plan
ned a movement in force In the direction of Petrograd.
News from that quarter is difficult to obtain, but large
bodies of German troops and great numbers Of German
ships are reported to have been massdng along the Bal
tic shores, apparently for the purpose of striking a blow
by sea and land at the same time for the purpose of iso-
lating Petrograd.
The political situation In Russia is unsettled. Dis
turbances of various kinds have arisen. indicating that
reactionary forces are at work. and also that certain ele-
ments of the population do not quite know what to do
with their newly found freedom. An American commits
sion. headed by Elihu Root is soon to be sent to Russia
to aid in strengthening the hands Of the provisional gov
eminent, and also to aid in the solution Of industrial
and other problems which present themselves. The Uni
ted States will in all probability arrange to render sub
stantial aid to Russia by advancing funds for internal
development Of which Russia is greatly in need. 1t is
expected that the knowledge that this work is being I'M
dertaken by this country will have a favorable effect on
the political situation there.
German internal conditions are also being watched
with interest. The German censorship makes 1t difficult
to obtain satisfactory information, but enough filters
through to show that there is in Germany a vast amount
of unrest The strikes which caused trouble quite re-
Gently have not been settled satisfactorily, and 1t is ex-
peoted that May i will witness labor demonstrations
which may lead to riots. The Russian revolution has
had its influence on German sentiment, and the German
demand for a larger share Of self government Is becom-
ing more and more insistent.
w
The business which congress will undertake after
disposing Of the main army bill is that Of considering
means to raise the large revenue which will be made
necessary by the war. The subcommittee Of the ways
and means committee Of the house is expected to report
q tentative plan to the main committee not later than
Monday. The disposition in congress Is to take plenty Of
time for the consideration of this subject. The great
war loan measure has been passed; the army bill will be
out of the way: and the precise method Of raising the
funds needed will bear considerable discussion. No
changes in the tariff are to be undertaken at this time.
The discussion at present centers around income taxes
and the taxation of profits on various forms Of corporate
activity. 1t seems to be likely that the income tax ex-
emptions will be lowered materially. and in that case
many who are not contributing directly to the federal
revenues Will be required to do 20. One proposal that
has been made is to levy a considerable tax on automo-
biles of all kinds. the tax being based on the production
cost Of the vehicle.
sssss
OF special interest in this immediate vicinity is the
organization OF a local chapter Of tho American Red
Cross. This organization was effected at a meeting held
in the city hall on Monday evening, which was addressed
by DR.. Beard. of Fargo. The new chapter is headed by
DR.. r. y. Campbell, and plans are being perfected for a
thorough canvass of the city for the enrolment Of the
largest possible number of active members. The organ
ization of this society has been urged on the ground
that it is wise to make preparation now for such work
as the Red Cross performs while the work can be given
proper time and attention, and citizens are responding
heartily to the apeals which are made for their co-opera-
ton.
News was flashed across the Atlantic late in the
week Of the sinking a few days earlier. of a German
steamer, Mongolia. This is the first shot fired in the
war since the existence Of war was declared by the Amer
lean congress. The sinking of the submarine is assumed
from the attendant circumstances, for the nature Of the
case always makes 1t difficult to tell whether a subma-
rine has actually been sunk by a hostile shot or has
voluntarily submerged. The shot from the Mongolia
destroyed tho periscops Of the diver. which was seen no
moro, and quantities Of oil were observed on the surface.
was destroyed.
Two features especially marked the meeting Of the
American Newspaper Publishers association which was
held in New York. One was the un~reserved expression
of loyalty to the government in this emergency, ana the
other was the declaration Of opposition to tho provision
In the proposed espionage law imposing restrictions on
newspapers. Tho publishers believe that the restrictions
proposed are of such q character - to involve q suppress
sion OF FREQ speech which would be an inVaaon OF popu-
Lar. rights and q source Of weakness instead Of strength
to the government- Protests against the inclusion Of this
feature were forwarded to Washington.
Spain has notified the German government that II
Germany continues to sink Spanish ships on the pretext
that Germany is fighting for her life, Spain may also
decide to fight for its own life. E&
M -
There ars many minor BITS Of news from Europe
that seem to indicate that the end Of the war cannot be
far away, but unexpected conditions havs followed eacn
othsr 10 regularly since tho war began that nobody ven
lures to predict early psace. Possibly psace may come
unexpectedly, too-but probably not immediately.
The M.lwaukse Merchants Manufacturers association
has q membership u about three thousand. nearly
Edouble the number II Gnd e yaar.a no. .NilKaukea sees