The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-02-01

terms Of peace, so far as they concern
Belgium itself, are absolute political,
economic and territorial independence,
equitable reparation and guarantees
for the future.
ID
The British labor party in conven-
ton at Nottingham declared it's posi-
ton In the matter of war and peace.
A resolution was adopted welcoming
and indorsing the statements of Prem
Ter Lloyd George and President Wilson
and calling on the central powers to
formulate their war aims at the ear
Hest possible moment. Speakers gave
high praise to Mr.. Wilson's statement,
and 1t was made clear that the party
would not stand for peace negotiations
with Germany while she holds the ter
ritories She has seized.
Fuel Administrator Garfield's indus
trial shutdown was far from being
wholly successful in relieving the coal
shortage and railway tie-up. For this
the plan was not entirely to blame,
for heavy SHOWS in the eastern part
OF the country interviewed to prevent
the free movement of coal trains
Consequently Mr. McAdoo was con-
strained TO declare an embargo on
three of the largest coal carrying roads
Of the Easy, forbidding the transporta-
ton of any freight save fuel. munitions
and foodstuffs. The situation, espe-
cielly on the A lantic seaboard, still Is
L1ost serious.
sRHrtispn politics -res red Aiks ugly
head In congress last week ard en-
tered into the discussion of the con-
duct OF the war. SO far it has done
little harm, and perhaps it cannd be
kept down in an election year. sena-
tors Penrose and Stone were the hief
offenders, the former attacking the ad-
ministration and the latter having the
ffrontery--considering his own record
to assail the patriotism of Colonel
Roosevelt.
Interest in the doings of congress
conferred on the Chamberlain bill 70.
war, cabinet, the introduction of which
was, perhaps fastened, though rot
caused, by the investigation of Secre-
tary Bakers department. The presi-
dent had fordffully, even angrly de-
clared his OPPOSITION to the measure
and his absolute confidence In Mi.
Bakers ability'and efficiency, and the
defeat Of the bill was predicted, al
though it had the support of many sen,
ators of both parties.
Mr.. Wilson In public statement &C J.
cused Senator Chamberlain If m.,LIng
ian astonishing aud absolutely unjus-
tifiable distortion of the truth" in
New York speech, in which the Ore
gon senator told Of the failures OF the
war department. In relying to this
in the senate, Mr.. Chamerlain reiter-
ated his charges and Undertook to
prove them by citations from the In
vestlgation by the senate ommittee.
The senator scored the w,r depart
ment numerically, and prodced docu-
mentary proof that Secretary Baker,
when before the senate committee, was
ignorant Of the actual conditions In the
matter of supplies to the ARMY camps.
1.-THE president" he said odd not
know the truth, and I did. IN must
have got his facts from his distinguish
ed secretary Of war and he in turn got
Athem from somebody else, and ifthose
who furnished the evidence knet the
facts, they lied"
In the course Of his sgiecJh Mr..
Chamberlain read q heartbreaking let
ter from father telling Of the death
Of his son In an army camp under most
astounding conditions Of neglect. AZ
terward Secretary Baker said cf this
that II was not singular case. that
there had been several such due to the
lack Of nurset, and that each one hai
been rigidly vestigated.
The hot dl cussion over the inefi-
cheney Of our war preparations con-
tinues unabated and is reachiug the
stage where II becomes personal and
vicious. The 'hick-and-thin support
ers OF the administration deciafe the
critics of some OF it's acts arr border-
Ing on treachcry because they give
comfort to the enemy. while thos, who
criticize assert that only by letting the
public know the faults that are Seing
committed can those faults be correct
ed. Their cour.t, they hold. is die
tated by the purest patriotism.
-
General Tasker II. Bliss, chief of
staff. has arrived |, Paris to represent
the American army In the supreme
war council. II 10 believed he VIII ure
that the allies renew offensive opera
lions on large scsls