Middletown transcript., 1917-04-21

ure upon the sufficiency 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 issbringing re-
suits in the way of detailed plans.
The most immediate need is that the
farmers of the Northwest shall in
crease to 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
distressingly scarce. To relieve this
situation, agricultural experts called
into conference at st. Louis by Sec
retary Houston have recommended
that the nations men who are unfit for
active military service be mobilized 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 will devolve upon them, and
five Of them, headed by Fairfax Har-
rison of the Southern, have been con-
stituted 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 1S months.
Not the least important of govern
mental activities during the past week
has been the rounding up of German
spies and plotters. 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 terrific
explosion partly destroyed the Eddy
stone ammunition plant Of the Russian
government, near Chester, Pa, killing
at least 116 men and women, and there
is reason to believe it was the work
of an enemy alien.
Latin-American 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 neh-
trality. Guatemala also ranged herself
alongside Uncle Sam, and her position
on the southern border Of Mexico has
decreased the danger of
German -fomented attacks on our bOr-
ders by CarranZa or Villa. This peril,
however, is far from negligible, and the
American forces along the Rio Grande
are on the alert.
On Monday Austria Hungary severed
relations with the United States, and
the diplomatic representatives Of both
countries were given their passports.
All Austrian vessels in American ports
were seized promptly.
Bulgaria was reported on Friday TO
nave IOllOWeu AuSIIld anu
it is not unlikely that Turkey will do
the same. Despite this seeming soil
darity of the central powers. there are
evidences that the ties that bind them
together are weakening, for both Aus
tria and Bulgaria are said to have
agents in Switzerland who are trying
to approach entente diplomats there
on the subject of peace. Both nations
are weary of the war and the Russian
revolution has had a great effect
among the people. Should they break
away from Germany Lloyd Georges
prediction that the end of the war is
at hand would probably be fulfilled.
Two branches Of the American
armed service already are participat-
ing actively in the warfare. The navy
has taken over the patrol of the At
lantic coast, relieving the warships of
the entente allies, and is busy also in
the Pacific, where the presence of Ger
man submarines was announced on
In France the Lafayette