Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-07-14
EVENTS OF A WEEK

EVENTS OF A WEEK
During the week the attention Of the country has
been directed very forcibly to the fact that the nation
is at war by the preparations which have been mace
for the drawing Of numbers to select men for the new
National Army which is soon to be sent across the water
to perform its share in the work on the battle. front.
This work has entitled a vast amount Of preparation
both on the part of the officials in washington and on
the part of the local officials who have been charged
with the carrying out of many of the details. The
method to be employed has been carefully described
but still there has been more or less confusion. For the
purposes of the drawing the numbers on the cards Of
the registrants are to be ignored entirely. In each
registration district all registrants are given consecu-
tive numbers, beginning with l in each district. Then
when a number is drawn in Washington each person
in every district who has been given that number is
drawn"
The plans as now announced contemplate not mere
ly the drawing Of a sufficient number of persons to sup
ply the needs of the army after those exempt have been
eliminated, but the listing Of the whole body Of regis
trants in regular order, so that men will be required
to report in the order in which they have been drawn
until the lists are full, and later. when other troops are
required, the examination for the new force can pro-
coed without further drawing. North Dakota will be
required to furnish $500 men, and the share Of Grand
Forks city will be a little more than 100. The total
number to be enrolled is $4,000.
Because Of the injection of extraneous matter into
the food control bill, and from other causes, that bill,
which the administration hoped would be ready for
signature July l, has suffered a process of disintegra-
ton, and the prospect now is that substantially a new
bill will be framed to take the place of the old one.
Under the authority given him to control exports
the president has issued a ton prohibiting the
expectation Of many of the chief commodities except
under federal license, and orders have been issued to
the railroads in conformity with this proclamation. The
managers of the roads are required t -halt ali ship
ments under way in order that proper licenses may be
secured. The purpose sought is not the prohibition Of
exports, but their direction in such a manner that the
portion of the surplus of the United States may go first
of all to meet the needs of our allies, and that the needs
of neutrals may be supplied in the manner best cal
culated to meet our necessities of war. One of the
essential things, of course, is that American goods shall
not find their way to Germany.
In an address to coal dealers and manufacturers
the president presented in a very forceful manner the
axiom that patriotism and profit cannot be considered
together. Patriotism, if it is real, the president main
tains must exist and manifest itself without regard to
profit Reasonable profits, which will fairly 4conlpen-
safe the producer for his labor and investment the
president holds to be proper and necessary, but he takes
a stand which indicates clearly that exorbitant profits
in the great industries will not be permitted, and he
makes the specific statement that prices to the public
must be the same as prices to the government.
The fact that the president has taken a stand
sauarely against enormous profits made out of the
necessities Of the people caused a sharp decline in sew
eral lines Of stocks. The Interpretation placed on his
address was evidently that wherever there has been a
tendency to exploit the necessities Of the people that
tndency must and will be curtaned. At about the same
time the Chicago board of trade took action tending to
curb speculation in corn, fixing the price for the settle
naent Of existing contracts at s1.2s per bushel. The
result OF this was a break in corn prices. There is at
least the appearance of at least a partial return to
prices based on actual conditions, and not on the specu-
lative competition of gamblers in any of the necessities.
Russia has continued to occupy the center Of the
stage in the weeks war operations. For ten DAYS or
more the Russian forces in Galicia have been hammer
ing at the Austro-German lines, and they have ad-
vanced miles in the direction Of Iemberg. which is
their objective in that section. Lemberg has changed
hands twice in this war. In their first great offensive
the Russians captured the city. Then. when the grand
duke Nicholas was forced into his great retreat. and
yielded thousands of square miles Of territory and vast
numbers of prisoners, and yet extricated his main
armies time and again when the feat seemed impos-
sible, Lernberg was regained by the Teutons. Now the
prospects seem good for its recapture by the Russians
who are achieving one Of the most wonderful feats Of
al this or any other war.
On the west front the Germans have been the
aggressors during the greater part Of the week. They
have made vigorous assaults around verdun and In
Champagne, without making material gains. IN Rel
GUM they made q sudden onslaught against the British,
and were successful in penetrating the British lines ror
some hundreds OF yards. It is impossible to tell. at
this distance, whether In these efforts the Germans
such as another attempt at Calais, or have merely been
seeking by striking unexpected blows here and
there to disarrange offensive pians in course OF
preparation by the entente forces. In view OF the fact
that no serious attempt has yet been made Is follow
up even the success in Belgium the latter explanation
appears to- be the most reasonable one.
The capture Of Calais would be a serious thing for
France s.or Great Britain, and for the United states.
IT would bring the Germans virtually within cannon
range of Great Britain. II would add effectiveness. 10
the Submarine campaign. It would require Increased
vigilance on the part Of the British feet, supported by
The American squadron. to prevent a great raid on the
british coast. IT would tie up hundreds OF thousands
Of British troons where they could not be llsed eFec-
lively III the offensive in France. IT would cloae one
1is nao1k Amaektant narts Asalnst sha x~aaentaQn "