Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-12

IeilS WHICH II government was I OulAiu
officers to train the recruits. Lack of these ofacers caused
delays which would have been avoided had there been
a force Of competent officers at the beginning.
. . 90
All the powers with which the United States is ASSOC
ciated in this war are making every possible arrangement
for complete cooperation in all the work Of the war.
Great Britain and France have had their representatives
here comforting with members Of our administration.
Italy and Japan are to be similarly represented. The
purpose is to arrange for the coordination Of the work
Of these various groups SO that every act will be an ef-
ply. land transportation. shipping. are all to be brought
under such control as will give to the unity of purpose
which exists the unity of action which IL necessary.
=
As ono of the American contributions to the war
we are to have a large number Of small freight ships
which will tend to complicate the submarine problem for
tho Germans by their number and srnallneas. A thou
sand Of these ships, to be built under tho direction Of
General Cocktails. have already been under way, and 1t
has been announced that the administration will ask for
authority to spend a billion dollars in shipping Of this
character. 1t is evident that the authorities regard the
distribution Of the risk as one of the effective means
OF dealing with the submarine. This plan, Of carrying
freight in small armed ships has two advantages. One
of these is that 1t will be a good deal more difficult to
destroy a given quantity Of property distributed In ten
little ships than the same quantity carried In one big
one, The other is that while 1t is engaged in this enter
prise the submarine itself will be subjected to ten times
the risk that it would be subjected to II 1t had to deal
with one big ship instead of ten little ones.
.
The food situation in tho United States IL growing
moro acute. Supply conditions have undergone no i'm
portant change. but there has been a constant and rapid
advance in prices all along the line. With wheat selling
at over So a bushel, and -four at more than SIG a barrel.
broad has become almost a luxury. and there has been
almost a similar increase in the price Of commodities
geenraly. Herbert c. Hoover, who had charge Of the
relief work in Belgium, and who is regarded as tho most
likely man for food commissioner here. declares that
moro OF the abnormal prices are unwarranted. But he
believes they will continue unless tho government takes
a hand and places restrictions on speculation and Wild
competition among individuals and nations for the necos-
saries of life. He believes that II the matter is taken
In hand now and dealt with properly prices can be re-
duced to reasonable figures, that all legitimate interests
will receive fair compensation, and that there will be
enough to meet all the neds Of this country and leave a
comfortable balance for export to our allies who are
dependent on us for food.
=
Tho series Of tremendous battles along the French
front Is still in progress The Germans have been put
ting forth every possible effort to check the allied adj
vance. and, at enormous sacrifice, they have been able
at one or two points to regain a part of the ground that
was taken from them a few days earlier. Southwest of
Ions one Of the bloodiest struggles of the war has been
going on for the possession Of the village Of Fresnoy.
This village. commanding some of the important a-
proaches to Ions and the great coal districts beyond, was
captured by Canadian troops, and then was retaken by
the Germans. The Canadians attempted to recapt,,re it.,
but at this time, while they have resained trenches and
advance posts in the vicinity, they are still fighting ror
the village. which remains in German hands.
At other points along the line the allies have been
nibbiing at the German positions, gaining a little here
and a little there. and, in nearly all cases, holding what
they have gained. 1t is the opinion Of most American
military writer's that unless the Germans can stop defn-
ltely and very soon this wearing down Of their defenses,
another great German retreat is inevitable.
.
There are signs of fresh activity in the near east.
In tho Macedonian district the allies appear TO have been
preparing for some time for an offensive on a large scale.
and apparently this movement has now begun. The re-
ports tell of the movement of large numbers of troops
and of fierce artillery engagements, with considerable
infantry fighting.
The Russian situation is just now, to the allies. the
most disturbing feature of the war. 1t is an open cues
uon whether or not the new provisional government will
survive. but, whether it does or not, the revolution APP
pears so to have disorganized the army as to render it
utterly ineffective and incapable. There is no Likelihood
of Russia joining hands with Germany, and little nkeli-
hood that she will consent to a separate peace. Blu, with
her armies IN the condition In which they appear to be
the Germans are relieved Of an eastern menace which
mas held several of their large armies out of the western
conflict If matters In Russia assume such shape that
a small number of troops Of the central powers will serve
for duty along that front a million men may be released
for service In France, and that would mean a great
change in the complexion of things. The Russian situa-
ton may develop in a way which will prolong the war
for months ar years
The railroads Of the country are before tho interstst.
commerce commission to maintain their right To . is
per cent advance in rates, an advance which waa ten
tatveiy granted by the commission some time ago, sub
ject to review and reversal il facts developed on INQUIRY
appeared to warrant modification or reversal Railroads
and shippers are presenting the arguments with which
the country is already familiar, the railroads insisting
that they cannot continue to do buainess at thu present
rates, and tho shippers maintaining that they cannot
possibly pay moro.
s.s
A Republican convention for the nomination ~ a
candidate for congress in the First di.tno. I. y h. held
at Grand Forks on Jun& 20. This decision was reached
at a meeting Of members Of the Republican state COM
mittse at Fargo on Friday. ana the COMMITTEES mat in re-
Spouse to q call from National Committeeman Olson and
. majority OF the members Of the committee from the
First district held q few days earlier. Caucus,s are to
% neld IN the various precincts on June s. county con-
vendon on June IL. and the district convention Juns 90.
The sal for the holding of this convention Is the drst
step IN what viii probably BE- = series Of contested steps
until the proper mode Of procedure for nllinr the con.
sressional vacancy has been determined by the courta
The governor has not yet called an election, and has In.