Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-06-19
CURRENT EVENTS
BY
Frederick B. Heitkamp

Our big brother policy as exempli-
fled in our Monroe Doctrine has been
forcibly set forth this week in
speech made by President Wilson to
group of editors from Mexico. He
urged them to make known to the
Mexican public the attitude of the
United States with regard to our
brothering Of the nations and coun-
tries to our south. Our policy toward
Mexico has always been one of aid and
assistance. Our recent movement of
troops to the border was to assist the
government in getting rid of a man
detrimental to the efficient admins
tration of government. The newspaper
men from Mexico were deeply i'm
pressed with the attitude Of the Presi-
dent and expressed their intention Of
cementing the friendship of the two
countries by making public the true
status with regard to our international
relations.
The Norwegians have resented the
attitude of the United States which
they claim has been taken with re-
gard to their shipping interests. Their
ships have been taken over by the
government for our use and thus far
they state, no consideration has been
received for their service. Norway
has Jared hard with the submarine
policy of Germany and at this time
she is hard pressed for ships and ton
mage of all kinds.
Two Norwegian ships have been
added this week to the toll of ships
sunk by the raiding submarine which
is lurking about in The waters off the
Virginia Capes.
No advertisements will be allowed
to appear in any French newspapers
which are intended for foreign circu-
lation and distribution. 1t has been
feared that the German spy system
has extended itself to the newspaper
advertisements and what may appear
to be a simple advertisement may be
a secret code. For hat reason no adj
vertisements win be allowed to leave
the country.
In Russia we are feeling a bit of the
unrest and uneasiness that has been
present since the signing of the
peace Treaty" at Brest -Litovsk.
There are several elements which are
eager for the chance to strike back at
Germany Certain of these are plan
ming for a national army, and word
has come to the state department in
the form of an appeal that the allies
powers unite in sending an eXpedi-
tionary force to Russia to repeal the
Germans.
Endorsement of woman suffrage
has come from the pen of President
Wilson this past week. He has piedg-
ed his earnest support once again and
in forcible language has asked that
Congress give the matter of suffrage
it's consideration at this present ses-
sion. The house already has passed
favorably upon the proposed amend
ment and the Senate will be expected
to do so this summer.
While the states are voting in their
several legislatures with regard to the
proposed amendment for national pro-
hibition there is a marked endeavor
by the dry element of congress to en-
act prohibition for the duration of the
war as a special war measure. At
present the suggestion has been to do
it by means of a rider to an agricul
tural appropriation bill, but this me-
thod does not meet with the evident
approval of the president 1t is under
stood that he is in favor of measure
in Itself dealing with prohibition bEss
that he disapproves of a round about
method which by parliamentary pro-
ceedure accomplished the desired end
indirectly.
Chairman Hurley of the shipping
board has asked Congress to limit the
shipbuilding industry by the issuing
of licenses. He desires that all ship
building come under the direction of
the government in order that private
profit and greed may be eliminated
This would give the government
monopoly of the ship production and
would be one step more toward eff
cient industrial control-a result of
unified power
Senators may talk as long as they
choose almost At anV rate the pr0-
posed bill limiting the time of debate
for senators has been defeated and the
old eloture rule adopted last year at
the close OF the famous filibuster on
the armed ship bill remains in force
Work or fight has been the slogan
handed down by Provost Marshall
Crowder That slogan has been en-
acted as law in several of our states
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