The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-16
HENRY CLEWS
 WEEKLY LETTER

Rus4aa's collapse has doubtless re- inforced Germany and in consequence Pan-Germanism. so far as the map is concerned. has come nearer realiza- ton than anticipated. Naturally the German people are encouraged, des- p6te the failure of the last big drive, and her military leaders use the situa- tion for all 1t is worth, keeping their people ignorant of the one great fact; that the military power of the Central Powers is fast declining, while that of the Allies is as rapidly rising. At the moment the outlook is probably for a longer struggle, because German power of endurance has been increas- ed by use of Russian resources, while our own army, which must offset these | gains, will require enlargement to meet the full strength that may be re- | Quired. We are making efforts com mensurate with our powers as a na- tion, and there is no doubt whatever of the result. Our Government is now considering a change of policy towards ! tie beyond offering moral and finan- cial support. It Is evident that Rus sia cannot recover without some strong central leadership, either from with in or without. Leadership from with in is not yet forthcoming. Encou- ragement from without is the only ap- parent way of preventing Germany from permanently holding Russia in It's talons. Russia, is evidently back ward in calling for Japan's aid; and she seems to fear the selfishness of other nations, There Is no country which can offer disinterested assist ance so completely as the United States; and if force is needed, as seems likely, active participation of the Uni ted States would reassure Russian sen abilities and be an important factor toward bringing Russia back into the war on the Eastern front.
 The subject of taxation Is now ab- sorbing public attention and Congress will be obliged to give 1t close atten' ton in spite of the recess. Many ex' treme and impractical suggestions are being offered for raising the enormou: amount required for conduct of the war. President Wilson has signed ar army appropriation bill of $12,000,- 900 900 for the current fiscal year, ant Secreta-y McAdoo announced a pro. gramme still larger, the latter presum' ably including loans tO our Allies. I is also expected that about one-thirt of the latter sum will be raised by taxes and two-thirds by loans. WheI IA nue bill raised over $4,000, 100000 | is evident that taxes must be increas ed, and that Liberty loans will make much larger demands upon our finan- cial resources than ever. There is not the slightest doubt but that the coun- try will meet the strain with compara' ~ftfve ease and cheerfulness. This gen
 eration is perfectly ready to pay thu price for making the world a free anC decent place in which to live. Con
 gress, however, has a difficult tasl ahead, and it's greatest danger lies il the mass of confusing and incompe tent advice. Perhaps the best sug gestions that can be made are q, simplicity of plan, avoiding the con fusion of the last tax law; CD a jus distribution of the load, refusing ia Vor to any class and placing the heav fest taxes upon the largest incomes and (3) g. careful avoidance of an, taxes which discourage necessary pro duction or threaten to exhaust source of revenue. For the public there only one course to adopt; that is economy in both essentials and non essentials, particularly the latter; als the turning of all energy available ii money and muscle toward helping tn
 Government win the war. Industr
 must be stimulated at home to affor
 this aid, but a stricter discriminate
 is required as to what is necessary an
 what is not. There is great deal c