Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-04-20

guns
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IRE upon the sufiiclency of its food sup
plies. and during the past week one
after another of them has placed this
grim truth before the people with In
sistency that already Is fruitful.
The most Immediate need is that the
farmers of the Northwest shall In
crease 10 the limit the acreage of
spring wheat. and that the corn acre
age also shall be brought up to the
maximum. Seedtime for these crops
is at hand.
There Is no reason TO doubt the pa
triOtism of the American farmer. and
he Is receiving the urgent advice of
numerous experts. but farm labor Is
distresslpgly scarce. To relieve this
situation. agricultural experts called
into conference Mt St louis by Sec
rotary Houston have recommended
that the nations men who are unfit for
active military service be modified for
use In the production Of farm prod
ucts.
Railway Men Prepared.
The railroad executives of the coun-
try are alive to the great responsible
ties that win deyolve upon them, and
Ave OF them. headed by Fairfax Har-
rison of the Southern, have been con-
stltuted board to direct the opera
ton OF American railways throughout
the war. Speedy transportation Of
troops, munitions and food supplies is
assured, for the railroad men have
been preparing for present conditions
for rs months.
Not tho least important of govern
mental activities during the past week
has been the rounding up OF German
spies and plottcrs. Hundreds Of sus-
poets have been arrested, and events
In various parts OF the country indi-
cate that many others should be be-
hind the bars. On Tuesday a terrific
explosion partly destroyed the Eddy
stone ammunition plant OF the Russian
near Chester. Pa. killing |
at least 1f6 men and women, and there
is reason TO believe II was the work |
OF an enemy alien.
Latin-Amerloan Republics.
one by one the republics OF Central |
and South America are declaring |
themselves. Cuba. Panama and Brazil
severed relations with Germany Ar
gentina and Costa Rica supported the
position OF the United States, and Chile
and Uruguay decided to maintain neu-
trallty. Guatemala also ranged herself
alongside Uncle Sam. and her position
IN the southern border Of Mexico has
decreased the danger of
';erman-fomented attacks on our bor-
iers by Carranza or villa. This peril,
however, Is far from negligible. and the
american forces along the Rio Grande
IRE on the alert.
ON Monday Austria-lIungary severed
.elations with the United States. and
he diplomatic representatives OF both
were given their passports.
m Austrian vessels in American ports
we're seized promptly.
bulgaria was reported on Friday 60
ave followed Austria's example. and
I Is not unlikely that Turkey win do
ne NHthc. hVePitt WIN ottAhfhk Hoi-
Iarity OF the central powers, there are
Wilderness that the ties that bind them
ogether are weakening. for both Aus
rss and Bulgaria are said TO have I
gents IN Switzerland who are trying 1
o approach entente diplomats there I
n the subject OF peace. Both nations
re weary OF the war and the Russian I
evolution has had n great effect |
mong the people. Should they break !
way from Germany Lloyd Georges (
reelection that the end OF the war Is 4
I hand would probably be fulfilled. I
Two branches OF the American
rmed service already are participant Z
* actively In the warfare. The navy c
as taken over the patrol OF the At d
mite coast. relieving the warshlps OF b
Ne entente allies. and "a busy also In I
ne Pacific. whore the presence of Ger h
ian submarines was announced on r
Wednesday. In France the Lafayette d
lying corps, composed OF Americans. 9