Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-02

and the amount which was to be raised In this manner
lie to be levied by additional taxss ON tea. coffee. spices.
ana . number OF similar commoditiea
. = . ga
The week has been one OF comparative quiet on
the French war front. 1t is true that during this .quiet"
millions Of rounds Of ammunition have been .hot away.
spectacular air duels have been fought, trenches have
been stormed and taken, and enough work has been
going on to equal a dozen major operations In any pre-
local and sporadic. and the dispatches from the front
have indicated no great movement such ~ We have seen
of late on various sections Of the line.
r
The meaning Of this quiet is doubtlesn we'll under
stood by the military leaders who are in actual charge
Of affairs. but these men have a way of keeping their
own counsel. One explanation is that the British and
French are employing the time to consolidate the posi-
tons in the recent great offensive, and in preparation
for another blow Of similar character. After every con-
siderable advance there must be q halt until new lines
OF communication are established. There are great guns
to be brought up. food and munitions to be stored At
points nearer the actual fighting front, railroads to be
built, trenches to DO dug and strengthened. and q vast
amount Of construction work of all kinds to be per-
formed.
Another element which probably has a bearing on
the situation is the condition in Russia. For some time
preceding the revolution Russia was practically out of
the fighting, this being due. according to well-informed
writer's. to the reasonable conduct Of men holding high
positions. who were members of a conspiracy which had
its head in Berlin Since the revolution affairs have
been so disorganized that no resumption Of activity has
been possible. although there have been some indications
OF a stifening Of the Russian army forces At various sec-
tons along the east front. But 1t is reasonable to sup
of German troops have been withdrawn from that front
for service in France, and that the consequent strength
ening of the German west line has retarded the progress
of the allies.
This situation brings foroibly before the American
people the responsibility that rests upon them. With
Russia eliminated there is all the moro need for Ameri-
can troops to aid in the crushing Of the menace Of Prus-
sian domination, and whether or not the war could be
won by the allies without the aid of the United States.
it is certain that unless America does her part the war
will drag on indefinitely, to the infinite injury of the
whole world.
The Italians have kept up their fight for the pos
session Of Trieste, and they have made progress. The
difficulties In their way are almost insutmountable, but
little by little they are being overcome. Because Of the
magnitude of the events on other fronts We have had
comparatively little in detail about the work along the
italian front. Some day, when the war is over. and
there is time to gather up the loose ends. the world will
be given a story of the war in that section which will
convey some impression of the tremendous work that
had been performed by the italian troops.
.
The central part of our continent has been visited
by the most remarkable series of destructive storms
experienced for many years. Tornadoes almost too nu-
merous to count have visited several Of the great GEN.
trail states. and several hundred deaths have been re-
corded, with inestimable property loss. The northern
temperature and other phenomena. Heavy snow fell in
Montana. Frosts were general throughout the north
west, and In some Canadian sections as much as sixteen
degrees Of frost was reported. In North Dakota tender
garden stuff has suffered. but no damage to field grains
10 reported.
Some sections Of the state have had quite heavy
rains. but In others there il a very general desire for
showers. AZ a rule grain on fall blowing is reported to
be doing we'll. and to be In no immediate need Of mois-
ture. Spring blowing has dried rapidly, and germina-
ton is likely to be slow and irregular unless rain comes
before long.
Tho Democrats of the First district have decided on
approaching election, and petitions nominating him will
be fled as soon as they can be properly circulated. 1t
was decided to adopt the petition plan Of nominating.
hence no convention will be called. The Republican
convention, called for June 20, 10 to be held as arranged.
and the nomination Of the man selected at that time
will be rendered to the secretary Of state. This nomtna-
ton, under the ruling OF the attorney general. will be
refused. and an appeal will doubtless be made to the
courts to decide on the methods which may be employed
in nominating candidates at special elections.
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The Nonpartisan league will have a candidate for
this position in the field in the person of John NJ. Baer,
formerly Of Beach. but more. recently Of Fargo. Mr..
Baer was nominated for this position at a gathering of
league men similar to the league convention Of 1915. at
which state candidates were picked out. He has been
engaged as cartoonist for the Nonpartisan Leader. Later
he will be formally nominated by petition.