The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-09-20

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man people, who have an astonishing
capacity for self-deception, evince no
desire to throw these militarists out
and save their empire from ultimate
disaster.
Siam Joins kaisers Foes. &.
One by one the smaller nations of
the world are lining up with the enc
mics of the kaiser and despotlc mill
tarism. Far-away Siam Is the latest
addition to the list. German vessels
In Siamese ports were seized and Ger
man citizens were interned. The In
fiuence of every country that comes
In on the side Of freedom and justice
will be felt, If not strongly now. at
least after the war is ended. The
Teutonic economists well know this,
and even now are holding a conference
on postwar conditions, seemingly still
hopeful that their armies can bring
about the realization of that dream
of 'Aiittel Europa" that would be
self-sustaining and self-contained and
that would always threaten the peace
of the rest of the world. The frus-
tration of that hope Is the great ulti-
mate aim of the allies.
Representatives of the entente allies
met in Paris on Wednesday for the
purpose of determining the course of
their future policy In the Balkans.
which Premier Ribot. who presided.
said must be modified because Greece
is now ranged with the allies The
Tvrtt %ko
administration holding that this nation
is not yet directly Interested In Balkan
matters.
Food Control Bill Delayed.
President Wilson's strenuous Objec-
ton to the senate amendment to the
food control bill creating congress
sional committee on expenditures for
the war, and the determination of the
house to defeat the senate amend
ments. caused delay in the final pas
sage of the measure. The prohibition
lists were bound to have restored the
"bone-dry" plan for which the house
voted.
The entente allies held conference
In Paris and adopted unanimously this
declaration:
"The allied powers, more closely
united than ever for the defense Of the
peoples rights. particularly in the Bal
kan peninsula, are resolved not to lay
down arms until they have attained
the end which In their eyes dominates
all others-to render impossible re-
turn of the criminal aggression such
as that whereof the central empires
bear the responsibility"
In accordance with the recommends
ton Of General Pershing.. the American
army is to be reorganized on the
French plan of conformation. This
will change company from $50 to
25O men, n regiment from / 800 to g.
900 men. and division from 2S.5OO to
approximately 1900 men.
The government is planning a sys-
tenn Of war insurance that will pre-
clude the establishing Of pension rolls
as a result of this war. 1t Is proposed
that every man in the army, navy and
marine corps shall be entitled to insur-
ance ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.
paying premium of 50 thousand,
the insurance being assumed by the
government In lieu of pensions; in ad-
dition. the families and other depend
ents will be provided for by allotments.
Recruiting was given a big boos
last week, partly by the announcement
that drafted men would not be accept.
ed as volunteers after they were called
before the exemption boards. and part.
ly by the concerted campaign of the
American and British recruiting Off.
GERS. The British mission Is obtaining
large numbers Of enlistments in Chi.
cago, New York and other large cities,
Despite the tremendous financial
drain on the country due to war ex.
penditures and in the face of fervid
protests from Senators Borah, Ken.
yon. King and a few others, the sen.
ate passed the annual rivers and har-
bors bill, carrying an appropriation of
S27, ,954,OOO. Only eleven members of
the upper house dared to vote against
this ''pork" measure which, Ubiquitous
at any time, is especially so when the
nation Is engaged in a war that VIII
demand all it's resources.
Ireland's great opportunity is at
hand. The convention to draft a home
rule constitution is in session in Lon
don, with Sir Horace Plunkett in the
chair, and IL the delegates can reach
an amicable and satisfactory agree
rnent, the government of Great Britain
Is pledged to put 1t through. The re-
suit is in the hands Of the Irish them
selves.