The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-03-23
WASHINGTON
NEWSLETTER

Washington, D. c., March 22-Wher
the news of the upheaval in Russia
was received at Washington the first
thought of those watching develop
ments among the Ententes Allies was
what effect will it have in England
France and Italy?" The first flashes
from London to Washington indicated
that the trouble had been discounted.
1t was said that the condition of af-
fairs in Russia had been thoroughly
understood both in England and
France, and prominent Englishmen pro
fessed to be pleased that the outbreak
had come at this time. Prominent
men here in Washington, and that in
formation does not come from anyone
at present connected with the adj
miistration, have known of the exist
enee of clique of pro-German agita-
tors in Russia whose work is so stu
pendous and farreaching as to make
the Teutonic operations exposed in
this country look like nothing. 1t is
known that Teutonic pressure brought
to bear on the Gear and his immediate
circle was so intense that Russians
alive to the seriousness of break with
the Entente Allies were fearful.
The Grand Duke Michael, younger
brother Of the Gar, who was Danish
ed from Russia by his brother on ac-
count of his marriage with divorced
woman who was not considered of high
enough social standing to be consort
to the royal house of Russia, is des-
cribed by an American whom ct him
in Switzerland, as fine type of gen.
tleman, democratic beyond anything
known of Grand Dukes.
In the disturbed state of affairs it
would be rash person who would
predict the happenings of the near
future in Russia. The concensus of
opinion, however, is that the pro-Ger-
man element has failed and that the
clumsy Teutonic diplomacy has once
more worked against itself.
1t is believed the trend of emigra-
ton from Russia to Canada and the
United States will be materially affect
ed by the new order of things at home.
Russian resources are so great and
there is so much undeveloped farming
land, especially in southeastern Sibe-
ria that Russia needs all the men she
can get at home. Hitherto the emf
grafton has been caused by hardships
undergone by peasants at the hands of
The government. The reason for the
of the Jews is perfectly
we'll known. Whatever the immediate
outcome of the present break may be
t is altogether likely that Russia will
With its vast domain of undeveloped
and, offer more inducements to her
'wn people to stay at home. Present
signs point to a decrease of immigra-
ion of all kinds here.
Superstitious people, and some who
are not superstitious but merely OBJ
serving, are pointing to the fact that
With the exception Of he war with
England in 1872, every foreign war in
which the United States has been in
'olved started during the month of
April The war of the revolution be-
ran April 10, IT'S at Concord and
lexington. The war with Mexico be-
IAN April "a, 1916. War was declared
gainst Spain April q, 1898. Now in J
rider to add force to the statement,
ct it be considered that the Civil War
egan with the Fort Sumpter attack,
april II, 1861, and the Black Hawk
Var, the greatest conflict with Indian |
orces, began April 81, 1881. The J
rst of April is two weeks off. q
The Bureau of Navigation reports {
rogress for the upbuilding of an /
merchant marine. Since Ju-
7, 1914, the tonnage under the Stars 6
nd Stripes has increased 35t,114, al {
OIL vessels have been lost during that a
me through their transferal to a t
oreign register. 204 ships in this pc s
od were transferred to foreign flags, I
ut the tonnage on the 204 that were l
aimed was 664,925, while on the 4O5 v
hips lost it was only 1851. Amer $
an ship owners are selling their small '
r boats and buying larger ones. Thu
evival of wooden ship building is also
reelected. 1t is pointed tut that wood
4 ships can be built in much less time
ian iron ones. In building wooden
Zip, no great yards are ecessary, and
fact, there is hardly a place along
lie coast where it is possible to put
ways and turn out a big sailing
esesl, or one propelled by steam, for
1t matter in a short time. If this
ovement is really started on a large
ale it will be to the advantage of
merican lumbermen and laborers. A
andard plan of construction may be
topted and the knees and timbers
wed out IN great numbers and ship
I'd east or west to the coast to be as
mbled. AS illustrating the quick
,ss with which a wooden ship can be
it is recalled that during
e gold excitement in California good
zed ships were turned out in ninety
ys. These vessels were sent around
'pe Horn and paid for their building
one or two voyages. When Com
odore McDonough was ready for bat
! with the English on Lake Cham
ain in 1912 the Brig Eagle of five
7IR-al - L. L