The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-01

erable side issue" phases of the Eu- ropean war This is due to the fact that they have placed their cause even before patriotism
 Their motto seems to be: Give us what we want or let the government fall"
 In the beginning the government permitted the suffra gettes impudently to picket the White House and the capitol-arrogantly to fly their yellow banners containing biting inquiry or sharp retort.
 Had men so conducted themselves they would have been confined either in asyluns or federal prisons.
 But in the case of women lientency was displayed Government by toler- ance proved a failure. The women be- came bolder and bolder. Finally they struck their master blow. That 1t was a blow against their country deterred them not at all
 They were mobbed by outraged men and women.
 The police were compelled then to interfere and Jail sentences followed
 These suffragettes and the suffra- gettes they represent-the rich, ldle, progressive. modern women as con- trasted with the so called "contented" women-struck their country in the face. The blow might have been aimed at the country's heart. No one save the suffragettes seems to know.
 If was at time when the United States and it's allies were straining every muscle to the end that Russia might be held firmly to its pledge against entering into a separate peace Ito the end that Russia might be dis suaded against what was an immi- nent danger of it's retiring from the fight.
 Russia's adherence to the cause was all important. In the fight 1t would hold from France a million Germans and more; out of the fight it would turn upon France enough fresh Teu- tons to cause Paris again to tremble.
 It was of the utmost importance that Russia be held in line. For has not Russia wheat fields which would make the hunger problem of Ger many an inconsiderate problem? And would not the extension of the period of war result in the death of thou sands and thousands of sons of Amer ican mothers?
 And yet in that critical moment the suffragettes took advantage of a stage unwittingly set to their own peculiar ideas.
 President Wilson. having sent Elihu Root with a conciliatory mission to Russia. was preparing to receive at the White House a special Russian mission to the United States
 At a certain hour the distinguished Russians were scheduled to enter the White House grounds through the west entrance.
 There the suffra gettes established themselves.
 When the visitors appeared they un- furled their yellow banner with it's enormous black lettering.
 The Russians were informed that in it's dealings with Russia the United States, by it's President and it's agent, Mir Root, was engaged in policy of lying and deception.
 The Russians. unmoved, passed in.
 A man tore the offending banner into shreds.
 Thereafter day by day the suffra- gettes were mobbed.
 The police finally interfered and the suffra gettes-some of them of the south-the pity of it,-are in jail.
 Had the suffra gettes been men they would have been charged with trea- son.
 The women are charged with melt ing a mob. Long sentences are with held for fear lest the women will go on hunger strikes and perish.
 It would be folly to permit woman to die in jail.
 So the problem grows each day more intricate and the end is not yet
 At any rate, Russia promises, de- spite the suffragettes. to remain strong in it's purpose of securing freedom and the suffragettes have lost stand ing even with former friends in Con- gress.