The Washington herald., 1918-06-06

Recognition of the Jugo-Slavs or
Southern Slavs in the organization
of units of the American army would
unquestionably give heart to hun
dreds of thousands of these people
who are entire friends OF the United
States and OF the allies.
Moreover, II would correct, in some
degree, the anomalous condition eX-
listing from the designation OF these
peoples as alien enemies of this ma
ton. The effect, it appears. would
give increased morale to spots where
there would be immediate good re-
sulting and where. correspondingly,
there would be much encouragement
to the enemy.
Tales of young aliens who have -
to separate themselves from ouJ
army. after the Austrian war CO.
laration, carry some impressive cvi-
dences Of genuine and inspiring pa
triotism. The statements of these
young men, coming from a heart
full to overfiowing with our most
splendid Americanism, show a concep-
ton of Americanism which We did
not suppose was possessed by these
peoples. 1t carries to us at once
iA pioLOhhu way. tht Id1t Aildl Nhc
melting pot is really a tangible and
effective agency, and that its con-
tinuance in the years to come can
be made an agency of genuine. re-
splendent democracy.
The matter will have consideration
at the hands of Congress one of these
days. without a doubt, and when
it does come UP We hope the utmost
g.. !.
gress. There are enough members
interested in It at this time, We are
quite sure, in fact, to warrant this,
and we are glad TO speak of 1t to the
readers Of The Herald.
Little opposition is expected to Sem
ator Hitchcock's joint resolution Civ
ing the Secretary of War power to
extend permits for water diversion
in the Niagara Falls project. The
need is so urgent there that no man
who knows of It will hesitate to give
instant support to the bill.
The resolution makes this extended
grant of power to the Secretary ef-
fective until such time as permanent
legislation can be secured. When that
Will be, OF course, no one can tell
just now. The assumption is that
the bills now pending on that SUBJ
pect Will be materially altered to
cover only the project I'm question.
II this Is done legislation may be
passed even before the members 60
home for their ''bide-a-wee" Kensing-
ton with the voters during the hot
months.
Landmen of the West. who despite
the ravages of the war, appear to
have been. reaping some good from
homeseekers. excursions and the sale
of lands offered to the aforesaid
homeseekers. arc up In arms against
the railroad administration because
OF the suspension of the homeseek-
ers' rates. kilograms and telephone
calls galore came. in from the Middle
West yesterday to the members of
Congress asking them to devote their
efforts to obtaining a cancellation OF
the order.
Doubtless the landmen feel their
business has been cut into and that
perhaps 1t Is a gross interference with
the Hooverized program to discour-
age the further settlement and culti-
walton Of the unsettled lands of vari-
GUS sections of the country. They
should regard the step Of the railroad d
administration from the standpoint
of the country's welfare. If 1t is best
to discourage. temporarily. the pro-
curement of new lands, through in
curing new debts and abandonment
of old lands which should be culti-
waited. the homeseekers' excursion
should be discouraged. There are
members of Congress willing to see
the country's tillable acreage increas-
ed who do not want to see this done
at the expense of older land, or at
the expense of the landseekers going
into debt to make their purchases.
1t will be viewed from this angle
quite generally in Congress, we take
II from discussion of the matter yes
terday with several members. and we
believe the country. too. will look at
it from the same angle.
Mr.. Hoover's position with regard
to the wartime prohibition move
which has been sweeping many pro-
hibition sections of the country
should make It plain that no war
time prohibition should be imposed
at this time. 1t is the position of the
President, of course, for on a matter
Of such magnitude Mr.. Hoover would
not think OF speaking until he had a
definite statement from the President
The result, naturally, win be disap-
pointing to hundreds Of thousands OF
people of the country who have been
exerting every influence to brins
about . prohibition result. But Y
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