The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-17

< Officers Must Be
 More Discreet
 7HHE national guard is composed J of splendid material and it is well officered, but some of those hon. ored with commissions cannot quite get over the guard habit of seeking publicity. Now that the national guard is federalized it is on footing with the regular army; is, in fact, part of the regular army while the war lasts.
 ! Officers in France have been al- lowed to send cablegrams to their 1 families or relatives announcing briefly and without comment their ar- rival, but no information intended for publication must go over the wires. An officer of one of the regiments cabled the governor of his state an- nouncing the safe arrival of the troops, but the local press, respecting Uncle Sam's voluntary censorship re- quest, did not publish the message, although offered for publication. Another guard officer was so indis- erect as to send a cablegram to the governor requesting that it be given the fullest publicity. 1 The war department has just is- sued very stringent orders against any telegraphing on the part of of ficers other than those holding direct official relations with the department. The offenders referred to will be let off this time, it is believed, with reprimands. It is certain that there will be no court-martial. But in the 
 future discretion" must be the watchword
 ! A preacher, delivering an address at 1 Columbus, O., said I. w. w. members "are men of beatific countenance." Im- | possibly There can't be anything beatific in the countenance of person 1 who goes around with a suitcase full ot dynamite looking for something to blow up.
 1 The President seems to think the na- tion's wheels can be kept turning in spite of the fact that he turns down 19 out of 20 appeals for exemption from military service on industrial grounds. | MT. Conan says he popularized the flag in his shows from patriotic motives. Still, a great many show people use the l American flag for no other purpose 1 than to get a hand * * l The Mobile Register thinks MT. Heflin spoke in his haste Maybe so, but mo- body can accuse the Alabama states man of being prime favorite with the Kaiser.
 Jt iS Sajd that sawdust groiIpd excaed- ingly fine is being used to eke out Ger many's food supply. If you were full Of * $
 Chicago burglars, ignoring money, jew elry and silverware, stole half a side of !; bacon and two dozen eggs out of a re- frigerator. They were after valuables.
 The Turk sees the day drawing near when he'll have to pack up his belongings and decamp from Europe, which he has afflicted too long with his presence. | !: * *
 Maybe after the war is over well know how many people were shot down on the Nevsky Prospekt while Russia was gaining her freedom.
 
 Another discarded affinity has tended it all" The straight and narrow path may be a trifle dull at times, but 1t has its compensations.
 A beauteous dancer, who wormed mli- tary secrets from officers by her wiles, has been executed Her vampiring days are over
 Graft is so prevalent in Russia--or has been-that the question, Where did you get it?" is considered very bad form.
 k
 There is shortage of nearly every thing. apparently, but you will notice there is no shortage of sab.
  With Flanders in a liquid state. even the redoubtable tanks are forced to rest on their laurels