Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-23

The president, it is said. has been committed to . plan
OF this character from the first. 1t was for the purpose.
among other things, Of arriving at a definite understand
ing and a central control that Colonel House went TO
Europe. General Bliss is the American representative
on the council, and, naturally, the American troops as
we'll as those Of Great Britain, France, Italy, ana their
lesser associates, are under its direction. The president
is understood to have insisted that steps must be taken
to avoid the frittering away Of time ana effort, and on
the coordination Of all the allied forces under a central
authority in such manner that all would be able to
work to the best advantage, each supplcmentlns the
work of the others, and the whole organization being
directed to a vigorous offensive carly in the present
year.
As the days pass there are dispatches telling from
time to time Of increased participation in the actual
front line work of the war by American troops. So
far as our public is informed at this time Americans
in considerable numbers are now holding trenches on
three sectors, one on the Lorraine front near St. Miheil,
one in the Champagne district, and one in the Aisne
valley. Our men have participated in a number of
trench raids and other minor activities, and our artil-
lery has been doing excellent service. A few casualties
are reported, but no movements Of great Importance
have yet been undertaken.
=
Tht long heralded German offensive is still delayed.
The chances are that weather conditions have prevented
an important movement by either party, but the work
of preparation goes on apace. 1t has usually been a-
cepted that the Germans would strike first, and. while
military men appear still to be of the opinion that they
must strike before long, there is growing a feeling that
If the Germans do not make haste their adversaries
will do the striking on their own account.
In the senate the railroad bill has been receiving
more attention than any other measure during the
week. There has been a sharp contest between those
who wish to use the special needs created by this war,
which resulted in the assumption of control over the
railroads by the government, for the purpose of COM
hitting the nation definitely to a program of permanent
government ownership, and those who believed that the
whole railroad situation should be treated on the basis
of an emergency, and that the properties should be re-
stored to their owners within a reasonable time after
the war. The pending railroad bill provides for the re-
turn of the properties within eighteen months after the
war. Senator johnson, Of California, headed A move
nent for the. permanent retention of the roads by the
government, and was signally defeated when a vote was
taken on his amendment. The passage Of the eighteen
months provision is generally conceded.
y
The passage Of this bill does not necessarily pre-
clude permanent government ownership. 1t does pre-
vent such permanency being automatic. If, after the
war is ended. there appear to be good reasons for the
continuance Of government ownership. the law can be
amended and new legislation can be enacted to cover
the new conditions. There will be eighteen months
within which to do this. If positive action in this direc-
ton is not taken the roads will revert to their .orrner
owners
. =
The fuel administration has rcscinded it's order for
the Monday cosinss for the latter part of the period
provided for in the original notice. The reason ad-
vanced for the resembling of the order is that tho effects
of the closings thus far had been SO satisfactory that
further closing would not be necessary. Thus this mat
ter passes into history, and when other matters for ar
surent grow stale there will occasionally be a return
to the disputed question of whether or not this order
was actually necessary and wise.
=
Food Administrator Hoover is out with a warning
that the country faces grave food conditions due to the
inability Of the railroads to operate properly throush
the extreme cold weather of past weeks. Congestion
continues and large quantities Of food are likely to spoil
This is said to be especially true of corn and potatoes.
Within a few weeks there will be need for many Cess
for the movement of potatoes. The southern crop must
soon be planted, and the southern states look to the
north for seed. In addition there is always a large
movement Of potatoes for home consumption in the cary
spring months. If cars are not forthcoming at the
proper time most of the crop will be wasted. Corn, also,
must be moved early, and the shipments last fall were
unusually light.
The United States and Great Britain have concluded
a treaty which will simplify the draft arrangements ir
the two countries. Under the ARRANGEMENT the Amer.
can government can conscript British subjects in the
United States between the ages of 20 an: as, and tho
British government can conscript Americans in British
territory between the ages of 81 and 81. These are the
ages which limit the draft in the two countries respec-
lively. Because Of the different limits it will still be
possible for some British subjects in the United State.
to evade the draft regulations of their own country
The plan, Of course, is for the draft regulations Of each
country to apply to the citizens of the other reside emf
within the territory of the first. except that in no case
can a citizen Of either country be drafted il he is out
side Of the age limits prescribed in his own countr: