The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-20

CThis column is conducted under the auspices of the press and publicity coun- cii of the Birmingham Equal Suffrage association. Questions about government and politics will be welcomed. Anwsers will appear every Sunday in The Age Herald. Please address all questions care of Mrs. Roy NJ. Sterne, 1895 Beech Street. Birmingham, Ala)
 DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF FOR
 EIGN AFFAIRS
 Q. President Wilson's first decree in the peace terms was for the abolition of all secret treaties What would the ef- feet of this be upon our diplomatic pol icy?
 A. Ours is the only nation where rep resentatives of the people. elected by them, have final control of foreign af- fairs. Between the United States and other countries there can be no secret treaties, because to be valid every treaty must be ratified by the Senate. If such a provision had been constituted in the government of Europe this war may have been averted because the. entire course of the diplomacy of the century would necessarily have been changed It is of paramount importance, therefore, that such provision be an integral part of the peace terms. The changes that this course will necessitate in the laws of our allies as we'll as those of our enemies will be treated of in this column next week.
 TEREADBARE STATE OF OUR ALA
 RAMA CONSTITUTION a If fba suffrage amendment masses the Senate how soon can it become a law?
 A. There is no time limit set upon | the ratification of the Susan B. Anthony amendment, and as soon as 36 of the AS states ratify, it will become the law of l the land. It is possible that this will be Accomplished this year, for of the 4S states fl Legislatures will meet in 1918. | In Alabama the election of tho state officials and new legislature which will | call convention for the purpose of framing a new constitution for Alabama, embodying equal suffrage, would be a l triumph for progress, democracy and sanity. The report of Governor Hen derson for the fiscal year revealed the | tattered fabric of our state government It is a threadbare garment unworthy ta clothe the aims and purposes of ths men and women of Alabama. There
 
 constitutions even in wartimes. 1 Governor Henderson admits that the re. i, port of surplus to take up our floating debt was not due to scientific manage ment of affairs. He attributes it to SO | called luck We cannot but delve fur. l ther and see that this surplus of oul l revenue was bought at a dear sacrifice l A sacrifice paid by schools. poorly equipped, sacrifice paid by lover. lnfo Jn1 st &l,., yir1r f,,f | school at East Lake, a sacrifice paid bS l the feeble minded of Alabama, wander ing free and uncontrolled. propogatns | idiots and moral degenerates because WI I offer them no adequate refuge, and sacrifice paid above all by the miserabl, I prisoners of Alabama worked in mine! and turpentine camps so profitable tC Il state and certain individuals alike AT lunscientific surplus revenue derived iron j neglect Of the neediest people in tn [ state is attributable to something be J sides Tuck
 Il There are some fundamental defects il our state easiest remeded by a nev constitution. Let the voters remembe that when they elect the next leglsa ture. And also let them remember tha
 the most gracious and most just ac
 certance of woman suffrage will be
 new franchise law admitting women ol
 equal terms with men into the citizen 2 ship of our state. Whether the fedora
 amendment is ratified this year or not 1919 should see the women of AIabami .with the vote.
 WAR PLANS OF SUFFRAGIsTs.
 The state executive board and tl
 Birmingham executive board each hel
 important meetings in Birmingham tn
 week for the purpose of considering ful
 ther plans for utilizing the splendid oI
 ganizaton of the suffragists in the ser,
 ice of our country. Making use of tn
 registration cards signed by the wome all over the state in the summer, an
 cooperating closely with the nation.
 council of defense it is planned to pre-
 N1 @ @0 .