Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-09

the weight OF her Afluence and the vast volume of her
natural resources toward the German group. The allies,
1t is announced, are quite satisfied with the attitude
and the '.tentions Of Japan. but thus far no formal APP
prevail has been given to any plan Of japanese occupa.
ton Of Russian territory.
The only fighting on a considerable scale reported
during the week was in Palestine, where the British
made an important advance on a twelve. mile front to
the north of Jerusalem. The Turks have also shown
some activity in the east, and have made some advances
against the remnant Of the Russian forces on the Black
sea district.
Raids and artillery fire have been common all along
the west front. No important results are recorded, nor
is there reason to believe that any were expected. The
forces on both sides are masstns for the big spring en-
gagements, and while the work of concentra ton is going
on each side seeks to inflict such casual damage on the
other as is possible by the employment Of small bodies,
TO feel out the enemy's positions, to test his strength,
and to keep him as busy and in a state Of as great
anxiety and uncertainty as possible. In the carrying out
Of this program the Americans have played their part,
both on the defensive and on the offensive, ana in each
case they have given a good account of themselves. In
a minor engagement on March / a number OF Americans
we're killed and wounded, and of these four of the Killed
and two of the wounded were from North Dakota.
Some idea of the magnitude of the operations in France
Americans in France must now number not far from
Secretary Bakers promised half million, and while stores
in vast quantities have been going forward for months.
ana American troops, have been given thorough and
tapid drill, at this time. eleven months after the be-
ginning of Americas share in the war, our troops are
now holding on their own account a bare eight miles
of ze-zag trench. or about four and one-half miles in a
straight line out of the 800 miles covered by the entire
line. This is no reflection on the adaptability or the
sneod of oon~;oor so1d;a,. r. 3. u,~., ....r-
demonstration of the immensely of the work that has
been done by the other armies in assembling men and
material for manning the lines. and it gives some hint.
of the scope Of the work which it will be necessary for
us to do before the United States is actually in charge of
a length of front in any way commensurate with her
size, her resources, and the resourcefulness and fighting
'''',' :. .., men. i
After long and animated debate the senate, by "a
vote of IS to 4, has passed the war finance bill, which
now goes to the house. This bill provides for the crea-
ton Of a financial corporation with a capital Of $780,
100000, with authority to issue bonds up to the amount
of $4,000 100000. The sums thus realized are to be used
for the Strengthening of the financial and industrial
necessary for the promotion of war work to business
concerns Of all kinds.
-. -. So
What appears to be a decidedly S practical step grow
ing out Of the unificatton of the railroad systems of the
country under government control was announced a few
days ago when the country was told Of the plans nov,
practically perfected by Secretary McAdoo for the pur.
chase of a billion dollars worth OF. railway material with
which to increase the carrying capacity of the railroads,
and to provide for the maintenance of the properties in
good working condition. Instead of a multitude of con:
tracts led by scores Of purchasing bodies in competition
with each other. and. each contrasting according to its
own peculiar specifications, the material IN he purcha sod
will be bought by one purchaser, the government, and,
in so far as the circumstances will permit, the specifi-
cations are to be standardized, so that the work Of man
ufacture will be simplified and the material may be dis
%tributed to the best possible advantage. Under the ,et-
tng OF contracts in this manner it should be possible to
save many millions for the railroads without impairins
the reasonable profits Of the manufacturers.
Information has been made public of the reorx,n.
izauon of the war industries, board under the chairman
ship of Bernard NJ. Baruch. The business of this board
will be to corellate the. supply work for the various de.
partments Of the government, to arrange for. priority Of
service according to the needs, and generally to har-
monte the work SO that the greatest needs may be first
served, and material may be distributed to the best ad-
vantage.
The formal opening of the campaign for the third
Liberty loan has been fixed for April 6, the first ami
versary Of the entrance Of the United States into the
war. The amount Of the sums to be borrowed at this
time, the rate of interest to be paid. and other details,
remain to be fixed.
There has been great activity in the work Of the
board in charge Of the disposition of enemy property
under the direction Of A. Mitchell Palmer. The purpose
of the government is not to confiscate a dollars worth
OF property belonging to German citizens. but to pro-
vide for its use in such a manner that the proceeds OF
no business in the United States will be available for
use either directly BY the German government or in
Germany until the close Of the war. Heretofore large
sums Of money the product Of American activities Of one
sort and another have found their way to Germany be-
cause Of the fact that Germans are stockholders In
American enterprises The activity Of the government,