The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-05-31
GERMAN SNEERS TURNING
RAIL RATES AND WAGES

Important developments appear to
be impending in the Far East. Ger
man aggression in Russia has reach
ed point where the Entente press is
clamoring for counter measures, and
some action of this nature is appar-
emily about to be taken, at least so
far as the safety of the peace of the
Far East, and probably of Siberian
integrity, are concerned. The action,
it is understood, is to be confined for
the present to China and Japan, who,
with Entente assent, are to cooper
ate in protecting Manchuria, with
the possibility that the operations
may be extended into Siberia as a
more effective defensive measure.
Mexico's break with Cuba is re-
garded in Washington as a veiled
thrust at the United States. The
action followed the seizure of certain
papers from Foreign Minister Fabela,
who was on his way to Argentina,
Mexico, it is believed, regarded the
action as prompted by America. Mex
leo has recalled her representative at
Havana, it is stated. Havana re-
ports, however, that the Mexican
charge turned over his affairs to the
Mexican Consul General The feel
ing is expressed in the Cuban capital
that it is not Mexico's intention
definitely to cease diplomatic inter-
course.
Even the Germans at home, pre-
viously adopting the tactics of sneer-
ing at the Americans, now are be-
coming aware of Americans strength
and virility. No less an authority
than the semi-official North German
Gazette is remarking on the ma
turing" American re-enforcements
behind the allied line and wondering
"how the lightning-trained Yankee
will hold his own against the, Ger
man lads who have had AIRY
training from their youth.
Stories of the heroic daring OF
American officers end men in rescu-
ing thirty-four of the seventy-five
members of the crew of the Ameri-
can munitions steamer Florence H.,
which caught fire and broke in two
in French waters last April II, are
told in the report of Rear Admiral
Wilson, commanding American naval
forces in France, made public by the
Navy Department. Ensign William
Overton Harris, of Louisville, is one
of the officers mentioned.
Prohibition advocates were VIC
torious in the passage in the House
of the Administration Food Bill, au-
thorizing the Department of Agri-
culture to spend $10,864, 400 to in
crease food production with a pro-
vision stipulating that the principal
appropriation, $6,0O1,000, for the
expenses of county agents, should
not be available unless the President
issued proclamation fcrbidding the
use of foods for the manufacture of
liquor.
Charges that Morris & Son and
Wilson & Co. have sold tainted meat
and unfit food products to the army
camp in Texas were made by the
War Trade Board. The charges date
back to December, but details of the
charges were withheld. Food Ad-
ministration officials declared that
the packers were guilty of negligence
and not intent, as their facilities
were not adequate to the demand at
Camp Travis.
Nearly two million railroad en-
ployes will be given wage increases,
Secretary Baker announced. The
aggregate of the increases will be
more than $500, 900, 900 year. The
recent Recommendation of the Rail-
way Wage Board are substantially
carried out. Women are to receive
the same wages as mon for the same
work, and negroes are to get the
same rs white men for similar en-
ployment.
The total of the third Liberty
Loan is $4,17O,O19,65O, and oversub-
scription of 80 per cent. above the
$4,000, 100000 minimum sought, ac-
cording to an announcement by the
Treasury. The number of subscrib-
ers was 100000. Secretary Hc-
Adoo stated that this was the most
successful loan the nation has Of
fered, both as to the amount realized
and the number of subscribers.
President Wilson was patron of
mass meeting in Washington cele-
brating the third anniversary of
Italy's entrance into the war. Among
the principal speakers were Secre-
tary Lansing and the Italian Am
basgador, Count Macchi Di Cellere.
MANY high Government officiaIc and