Evening Star Newspaper, July 8, 1923, Page 35

EDITORIAL PAGE ' NATIONAL PROBLEMS SPECIAL ARTICLES Part 2—16 Pages SPECTER OF U. S. CONTROL STAMPEDES RAIL HEADS Old Policies Dropped, Public Support| - . Sought, to Defeat Ends Advocated by Senate Liberals. BY JOHN EDWIN NEVIN. + The big railroad systems of the na- tion are fighting with their backs &gainst the wall. They see the specter ©f “government ownership and opera- tion" just around the corner. To avert it they are willlng, for the first time in history. to compromlse with the semi-radicals. They are even ready to accept, with certain changes, the ! . Teglonal consolidations suggested by “the Interstate Commerce Commission, indorsed by President Harding and now being investigated by the former body. How successful the railroads will be in preventing drastic regulatory legislation by the Congress which meets next December probably de- vends in great measure on the elec- tion to be held in Minnesota on July 16, when the successor to the late Senator Knute Nelson will be chosen. A careful poll made by both sides in- dicates that of the ninety-five sena- tors who now make up the Senate forty-seven are certain to vote to re- tain the Esch-Cummins law and will oppose freight rate reductions through mandate of Congress. There are forty- ®ight Who are on record as favoring some change in the law to provide lower rates. although not all are agreed on any individual plan. Should Gov. J. A. O. Preus, the regular re- publican candidate, be elected, he will vote with the regular republicans and thus bring about a tie vote. And Vice President Calvin W. Coolidge would be expected to vote to retain the present law. Johnwon for Change. On the other hand, should Magnus Tohnson, the farmer-labor candidate, win out, he will vote for the entire Drogressive program as fathered by Senator La Follette, Senator Brook- hart and their associates. This pro- gram, as announced officially by the Wisconsin radical, provides: Repeal of the Esch-Cummins act, which guarantees railroad earnings; directing the Interstate Commerce Commission “forthwith" to reduce freight rates; sharp cuts in tax rates and compulsory publicity of income tax returns; prohibition of “gambling’ n any of the necessities of life and radical reduction of appropriations for Lhe upkeep of the Army and Navy. Meanwhile Senator Albert J. Cum- mins of Iowa will Initlate here next month a serfes of hearings to deter- mine whether the Esch-Cummins act will be amended by its friends, who also will struggle to prevent its emas- culation by its foes. Cummins is chairman of the interstate commerce committee, and, while classed in the past as & “progressive,” s on record «s opposed to government ownership - of railroads and in favor af “giving them a chance” to make a fair return on the capital invested. Senator Cum- mins and other members of thé com mittee will hear arguments affecting any proposed raflway legislation, so that they will be able to recommend such action as, In_their judgment, may be necessary immedlately upon Congress assembling. Meanwhile, the various railroad sys- tems are endeavoring to line up pub- lic sentiment on their side. For the first time in history chief executives have taken public notice of the sen- timent for a change. They are mak- ing speeches before various organi- zations pointing out why they believe government ownership would hamper Instead of help the rallroads and pre- vent reductions of passenger and freight rates. Along this line Alfred P. Thom, chiet counsel for the Asso- clation of Rallway Executives, has just made an address to credit men pointing out that if government own- ership of railroads comes, it will be the entering wedge toward government ownership of nearly every other sort of property. Speech Broadcanst. So important do the railway chiefs consider this speech that thousands of coples of it are being distributed in every section of the country. The various raflroads are “on their oar” in the publicity plan. In the . past they have been content to have their chiefs coms to Washington, appear be- fore committees of the Senate and the House and denounce those. who advocated any change from the ex- isting order. But now ail this has been changed. The opposite is the case. Facts and figures designed to refute the claims of the advocates of government ownership, to show that existing high passenger and frelght rates are necessary If ef- ficlency i3 to be malntained, are belng compiled by officials of each system. These. are spread broadcast in every possible way. And the roads now have economists of natlon-wide fame at work preparing facts to “prove thelr case,” which will be made avallable to Senator Cummins and his committee when it meets here. “We plan to start the backfire back home and have it work its way down here to Washington,” sald an execu- tive here vesterday. “That is where we must cope with the radicals, not here. If the people back us up Con- gress will heed the pedple, not other- wise." Which was rather a startling state- ment from a man who heretofore has done business with perhaps one or two Individuals In Washington. Way to Success Thrown Open For Disabled War Veterans Most effective steps toward absorb- | ing into industrial life the many thousands of former service men taking vocational and rehabilltation training have been taken by the Na- tional Assoctation of Manufacturers in adopting a policy which calls upon @1l members to co-operate with the United States Veterans' Bureau In employlng these specially tralned men and giving them a fresh start on earning thelr living and advance- ment. The appeal to the manufacturers, who produce everything in the alpha- bet of manufactured products from abrasives to zine, urges that these war victims “be afforded the widest opportunity for development and ad- vancement which their Industry, sac- sifice and capacity justify.” 90,000 in Training. The United Statcs Veterans' Bu- reau now has approximately 90,000 men In vocational training who, as a result of the war, were made fin- capable of continuing on in the par- ticular lines of occupation that they pursued before entering the war. ‘The United States government, in or- der to make these men productive factors in our country's work and development rather than to have them continue \as public charges, is en- deavoring\to educate and train them so that they will be able to make thelr own living In new lines of oc- cupation wherein their physical and mental abllities will be equal to the demands made upon them. The national government can go only 8o far in the placement of these men back into industry. It can take them and train them up to the point of employability and them it must call upon the great employing public of the country to carry on the good work from that point. ° ‘Way Opened for Them. The action of the National Asco- ciation of Manufacturers in annual convention in formally adopting a resolution urging upon all members “the most generous co-operation” in placing these men in their industrial establishments opens the way for these trainees to again take their place in the world and before the world as producers, throwing off the cloak of dependence. The national government, through its highest offict has expressed confidence that industry will do its full part when it fully realizes what the proposition is. The following facts were prepared by the Veterans' Bureau at the request of the National Association of Manufacturers to help industry to grasp the situatién in regard to the employment of these so-called “disabled ex-service men"”: Less than 5 per cent of them are ‘Physically disabled in a way tomake them unpleasant to. look upon, If they do happen to be one-arm men, they afe being trained by the government for work In which only one arm will be necessary. If they are deaf .or blind, they are belng trained for work in which these senses are not absolutely necessary. -Normal fa Appearanmce. .The great majority of them are normal In appearance, normal In ability and normal in their manly desire to be self-sustaining and to make & succees of their lives,for the sake of themselves, their dependents and their fellow men in general. These men are recelving thelr training mostly In their home locall- tles and are scattered throughout every state of the Unlon from Maine to Florida and Callfornia. The Veterans' Bureau had in train- ing March 1 42,714 for trades and industries, including carpenters, draftsmen, electrictans, machinists, patternmakers, plumbers, typewriter repair men, welders, etc. It had 20,- 763 under training In commercial lines, such as accountants, advertis- ers, bookkeepers, business managers, employment agents, forelgn trade, salesmen, etc. It had 12,618 in train- Ing for such professions as archi- tects, civil engineers, mechanical en- gineers, minig engineers, lawyers, welfare workers, etc. It had 11,410 under training in agricultural lines. The majority of these -men have been In training for more than two years. More than -10,000 have been in training for three years. In Best Schools. Most of the Veterans' Bureau's vo- cational students are enrolled in uni- wversities, colleges, trade schools and commercial schools—the best schools of the country in general. Others are are being given regular apprentice- ship training “on the job" in thou- sands of factories and workshaps scattered all over the entire country. More than 20,000 of these.men have been rehabllisated. and have gone into employment within the last two years. Statistical studies made- on some 20,000 of them show that they are earning fully 25 per cent more. In their new vocations than - they earned before the war and before they received their - disabilities .or handicaps from service In the Afmy. This prospective labor supply .is more ‘or less immobdlle, just as the general labor supply is. In order to make these men willlng to go to the| places of opportunity for employment and in order to make them llanle to the emplgyer, the govern makes nmvl-lon for their m..pq i BY N. 0. MESSENGER. SCAR UNDERWOOD, in the opinion of practical politicians, has as good as, declared himself a prospective aspirant for the democratic presi- dential nomination in 1924, through the state- ment he issued last week presenting his views on the European situation. Analysis of it shows that it was a very adroit utter- ance, designed to unify important elements in the democratic party and to point out the alleged Shortcomings of the republicans on America's share of responsibility in the set- tlement of world affairs. It likewise is construed by the politicians as a clever appeal, looking forward to elec- tion day, for support of that known element of the republican party which wants the United States to do something to relieve economic distress and to guard against war. If Senator Underwood should be nominated he would expect to attract republican votes to the democratic ticket. He moreover assailed the administration’s world court plan on the charge of its being inadequate, a mere gesture, not going to the root of the case, nor promising a cure. * ok ok % Reading between the lines of Senator Un- derwood's declaration of principles as to world affairs, the politicians discern that he is laying great stress upon and putting large dependence in the thought that “the Ameri- can people in their heart of hearts still be- lieve that the sacrifices of the war were in vain if they do not lead to the ultimate peace of the world” A great. many republicans share that idea, and a great many democrats, including all the Wilson democrats, sympa- thize with i The politicians recognize that he has fore- D. C, SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 8, 1923. Politicians Now Regard Underwood’s Hat As Definitely in the Presidential Ring by the other aspirants and that he will loom larger on the political horizon, not to be overshadowed by the comparatively paltry consideration that he .was born below the Mason and Dixon line. * ok ok ok It is true that objection has, up to this time, been considered a fatal handicap to presidential ambitions, but all politicians agree that conditions are changing, and that old prejudices are giving way to the demands and necessities of the times. It is felt by many democratic leaders that it is the man and not the locality that is to count heavily in the selection of candidates. Senator Underwood’s friends are counting with confidence on the candidate's experi- ence in legislation and statesmanship and his natural and acquired ability to forward his fortunes in seeking the nomination. * % % % Nobody has foreclosed on the democratic nomination yet. It is still an open field and a fair fight unless Henry Ford's managers should, at the psychological moment, become convinced that he has a chance for running away with the nomination and induce him to declare himself a dyed-in-the-wool democrat and demand the nomination from that party. Then all lines would have to be reformed and the whole contest would be thrown into the air. There is a shrewd suspicion among poli- ticians in both parties that this may be just what the Ford managers have in mind, and an astute and clever group they are, whoever are the master minds back of the Ford cam- paign. The present driit of the managerial forces of Mr. Ford seems to be toward build- ing up an apparent demand in the country at large for his nomination, even to the extent Chairman Hull of the democratic national committée, in a recent conversation with the present writer, described the attitude of dem- ocratic leaders toward the nomination. As he views it, the influential leaders in the democratic party, the -elder statesmen who are looked to for advice and practical leaders who control delegations to the national con- vention, are disposed to keep aloof at this time from the personal ambitions of candi- dates and mainfain 2 wary and watchful position. “They are likely to await conditions as they develop,” he said, “then take advantage of that situation arising which may seem to contain. the most elements of success at the polls in November, and nominate the than who seems best fitted to meet those condi- tions and bring them to the party's as- sistance.” s * % ¥ % It is a fact that what is troubling the democratic national managers most at this time is a-present and possibly prospective shortage of funds for the most primary needs of the committee and for bye elections as’ they come along. It is understood to be true that the national,committee is pretty well “strapped” for funds, and that a loud cry for help is now going out to the faithful.. The national management is kicking itself be- cause a lack of a few hundred dollars in the . recent Congress district elections in Iowa and Michigan kept them -from what they thought were the prospects of a smashing blow at the republicans. * % % % Senator Underwood is believed to be like- Iy to take some of Gov. Alfred E. Smith's candy away from him in the contest for the nomination, with his position announced on America's isolation upon the affairs. By Frederick Canliffe-Owen, C. B. E. N Christmas eve of next year the celebration of the “Anno Santo,” or “Holy Year,” will begin at”Rome and will be observed as such, not only in the| Eternal city on the banks of the| Tiber, but also by the 273,000,000 members of that most anclent of all Christian denominations in all parts of the world. It will be the twenty- second of these jubilees of the Roman Cathollc Church that were first instituted by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 with such success that, as Dante tells us in his “Inferno,” a strong barrier had to be constructed along the bridge of the Holy Angels in order to keep the crowds flocking to St. Peter's trom mingling with and obstructing- those who were coming in a contrary dfrection. It is a mat- ter of record that over 2,000,000 for- eigners visited Rome in connection with the celebration, and, in the words of the historian Gibbon, “from the remote kingdom of’Britain the highways were thronged with swarms ot pllgrims, who sought to exp! their sins in the journey to Rome. I The “holy years” were continued at intervals of fifty or twenty-five years until 1776, and, owing to the Na- poleonie wars and to the presence of 2 French army of invasion in Rome at the end of the eighteenth century, the twentleth celebration was ‘not held until 1825, during’the pontificate of Léo XIL In 1850 Pius IX had been obliged by revolutionists to flee from the Eternal city to the Neapolitan stronghold of Gaeta, while in 1875 h felt too keenly the recent loss of the temporal power of the papacy to be inclined to do anything in the shape of public festivities. In 1900, how- ever, Leo XIII returned to the custom last observed by Leo XII in 1825, and inaugurated the present century with the celebration of the twenty-firat of these jubflees; and now Plus XI has announced that the next and twenty- second “holy year” is to receive its celebration throughout 1926, the ob- servance beginning on the eve of Christmas, 1924, with a solemn cere- mony in St. Peter's at Rome. Pius XI has determined to make this celebration memorable In the an- nals of the church over which he exerci: spiritual domination as su- preme pontiff, the most enlightened, progressive, modern and altogether human prelate who has ever occupied the thrare of St. Peter, with the pos- sible exception of Leo XIII: For the bishops ‘subject to his jurisdfction in the new world, like those of the old world, will receive during the course of the present month, through.Cardi- nal Willlam Van Rossum, the Dutch- born prefect of the Sacred Congrega- tion of the Propagation of the Faith, an Invitation to take part in and to promote the .profect ‘of signalising stalled all other candidates for the democratic nomination in a hint of appeal for the farmer support, in playing up the asserted result of economic condition and its reaction upon a arket for American agricultural and indus- trial products, in his discussion of European The leading politicians will tell you, should you-ask them, that Senator Underwood, as a serious equation in the presidential nomina- tion problem, will have to be reckoned with | ubiquitous him in the field. distressful leader and saying: ble political asset, widespread, which, with your democratic country in party.” Roman Catholic missionary activities in every corner of the globe. * x * % The holy father is anxious that, in | view of the popular encouragement and support given to the well nigh mission work of the its members and the sub- this vast international church, scribers to undertaking should have some oppor- | tunity of visualizing the scope of the work and the far-reaching nature of its endeavors. Every diocese, every religious order that has at heart some special missionary enterprise of its own to which it devotes its pa: tioular efforts, will be accorded the opportunity of bringing to the atten- tion of ity co-religionists and of the public in general the nature of its good work In this connection, and espeolally of its fruition and success. In fact, the exhibition of the mission- ary work of the Roman Catholic Church, covering a period of nearly twenty centuries and extending to reglons so remote as Peking, where the Roman missionaries not only add- ed to the development of the amazing knowledge of astronomy possessed by the Chinese of the fifteenth cen- tury, but even wrought for them and furnished them with those wonder- ful bronze astronomical instruments which were looted at Peking by the Germans at the time of the interna- tional expedition for the rellef of the forelgn legations at Peking in 1900 (and were carried off by the late Fleld Marshal Count Waldersee as-the per- sonal plunder of ‘the ex-kaiser to Potsdam, where they still remain in the gardens of the palace of Sans Souci to this day, in spite of Ger- many’s Versailles peace treaty pledges for their return), will make a mar- velous showing of profound interest to solentists and to people of every creed and denomination. In fact, the exhibition at the Vatican seems dese tined to become an epoch-making afe fair, * k k% But Plus XI does not propose. to imit the celehration of the next ‘Anno Santo” to thils international exhibition at the Vatican. The holy father has a far more important proj- ect In view for 1926. It is nothing more nor less than the resumption of the deliberations of the last Oecu- menical Council in the Baslilica of St. Peter. It may be recalled that the last Oecumenical Council, the twen- tieth in the history of the church since the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325—the first one to bo held since the |, Counclil of Trent In 1563 — was brought to a premature close after eight months’ deliberations, -by the sudden outbreak of the war between France and Germany in 1870. Some time this month or in the early part of August all the Roman Catholic bishops In the United States and in the other countries of this. western hemisphere will .receive a circular letter from the Vatican asking for their opinion on the project: of the holy. father for the resumption|at Christmas time, at the end of mext ¢ag, of ‘the Oecumenical Council—. of creating a third party, if necessary, to put It is thought that if they can create that seeming situation they will be in the position of going to the democratic “Here we have a tangi- Henry Ford sentiment of Henry Ford in November. him as your candidate, fall in behind him the name of the democratic course, will mean You'd better take votes, and sweep the European affairs. his war bags now is his position on the “wet” question, and many democrats think that will prove a gold brick to him. Senator Underwood is not classed 2 wet, although he is regarded as a liberal. Smith has no record except as a state ex- ecutive, no experience in national affairs. Senator Underwood can con on any platform the democratic party makes, and it is a certainty it will not build 2 plat- All that Gov. Smith has in Gov. tently stand form on the Smith stream lines. rupted by the outbreak of the Franco- | German war, the immediate with- drawal of the French garrison of | Rome and the transformation of the Eternal city into the metropolis of the kingdom of United Italy in 1870. The world has traveled far In the fitty-odd years that have elapsed #ince then. Its entire face has been changed. Not merely governments and monarchies, but even entire tions have been wiped out of exis ence. Séience has attalned develop- ments that-were not evén dreamt of in 1870. Not only the Roman Citho- lic Church, but also the whole of Christianity has been called upon-to confront and deal with new situa- tions and conditions. 5 *xox ¥ At the Oecumenical Council of 1870 the Roman Catholic Church was rep- resented at Rome by some 740 bish- ops, assembled from every corner of the universe, Today the Roman Cath- olic episcopacy exceeds 3,000 prelates, all of whom would be expected to vote and to volce their views when the deliberations of the council are resumed. And they will be assisted in their deliberations by the heads of the various religious orders, by the most eminent theologians and canon- ists, who, as in 1870, will act as “consultors” to the council. | the so-called Vatican Council—inters ' And it Plus XI follows the ex- ample of Pius IX. he will issue spe- cial bulls conveying invitations to the bishops and archbishops of the oriental and orthodox Greek rites, to the Lutheran bishops of Scandi- aavia, to the Protestant bishops of Great Britain and of the- United IBtltn—lndaed, to the responsible heads of all other Christlan denom- inations—on the ‘broad ground that all people who have received Chris- tlan baptism. are included In "the brotherhood of Christianity. and are entitled to give their views, if not to actually vote, in the ecumenical council which Is-held in the inter- ests and for the welfare of Chris- tianity. In 1870 none of these non- Catholics took part In the actual de- Hberations of the Vatican council None of them accepted the Invitation, though many made a point of visiting the Eternal city during the seven months that the council was in -prog- ress. They were discouraged by their respective governments. -There were all sorts of political questions involved which caused even a num- ber of Catholic forelgn governments to 1éok upon the council of 1870 with ill-timed and as em- ** %% 3 It i a\terent now., Many of the political issues and problems which | stood fn:the way ot'the council fifty- three years ago no longer exist. To begin, with the papacy has ceased to be a temporal state and has. be- come a spiritual power of immeasur-. ably greater influence and weight in the . international situstion. With | this transformation, much of:the -an-| tagonism which. formerly reigned with regard to the: papacy, on.'purely Bolitical and’ temporal . grounds, . has; - “Holy Year” and an Ecumenical Council Two Great Events Ahead for Catholics disappeared and in every country the relations between Catholics and hone Catholics have become friendlier and more cordial, mutual understanding and even co-operation having taken the place of former sectarian hatreds and fanatic antagonism. A few years ago a number of broad-minded Christians of various @enominations in England, but more especlally here In. America, endeav- ored to organize a sort of undenom- inational congress of -all Christian churches, somewhat on the same line as ‘the International Parllamentary Union Congresses which have been held In years gone by in St Louls and Chicago. The promoters, how- ever well meaning, did not carry sut- ficlent weight even with the mem- bers of their own following and con- sequently did not command the necessary attention on the part of coreligionists of ‘other sects. The result was a disappointment. But the ecumenical council, which it is hoped may open on Christmas eve of next year on the occasion of the beginning of the celebration of the “Anno Santo” at Rome, may, if the invitations are issued on the same scale as they were by Plus IX In 1869, develop into the greatest In- ternational Christlan congreés —a congress of all Christian chdrches— that the world has ever seen since the foundation of Christianity nenrly two thousand Vears ago. Lk x % Even if the voting at the oecumeni- cal council of 1924-25 is restricted to archbishops and bishops and heads of religious orders of the United States, the latter would be represent- ed by near 200 delegates, who would each be required to respond with a “placet” or “non-placet” to the issues under discussion, and they would have to determine beforehand as to whether they would adopt a collec- tive or individual course of action. The action was not collective in the case of the relatively small number of North American prelates present at the Vatican council in 1870. In- deed, two of the most notable arch- bishops from the United States took dlametrically opposite views to one another, just in the same way as the members of the hlerarchy of Great Britatn. 2 1 The American d mdy, in- deed,- be expected to play. & by no means insignificant role at.the next oecumenical council, if the inten- tions of the holy father are realized. Many are inclined to ascribe to the influences of the new world the re- sumption of the oecumenical councils, abandoried since that of Trent in the midale of the sixteenth century. Even the ecclesiastical law providing for ths holding of triennial provincial synods had bécome, to all intents and purposes,. a dead letter in Eurcpe, owing to. political conditions = Thelr revival was due to the United States Soon after the organitation -of the Jatter'n dfoceses and hierarchy, its leaders bscame convinded ~that it ‘would be of great.advantage to es- i & popular, instead of.an.auto. ), Column. FRANCO-BRITISH UNITY HANGING BY A THREAD Premier Baldwin Determined to Force Poincare’s Hand—Independent ‘Action Draws Nearer. BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN. AS THE tociln of independent ac- tlon in amelioration of Eu- rope’s tremendous etoromic dffficultles, and marking a severance of allied unity in dealing with the perplexing Ruhr and ropa- rations problem, England soon will annouce deflite idividual courses. The Frech thesis in regard to con- tinuation of the Ruhr enterprise will be denfed, in-dlplomatic, but never- theless firm language. - England almost immediately will enter into negotiatiéns with the Ger- mans fn the hope of saving Europe from complete economic and finan- cial collapse. These are conclusions predicated upon relfable dispatches fram Lon- don deplcting the rapid currents now running counter to Polncare's idea that only In insistence and use of force can Germany ever be made to settle her reparations obligatjons. Centingencies Invelyed. But before England acts It reason- ably may be presumed that Premfer Stanley Baldwin will first exhaust overy plan to perpetuate the close- working alllance with France. That only Polncare's refusal to specifically and satisfactorily state France's viewpoint as_to purposes, prolongation of the Ruhr project and the minimum sum of reparations de- sired, will bring on a break. That England's private advices from central Europe will emphasize the chaos toward which millions of peo- ple’s are swiftly drifting. That England’s domestic situation will not permit prolongation of ne- gotiations or indefiniteness in regard to flauguration of reconstructive processes. Germany May Accede. And. when England .finally has de- clded upon the parting of the ways in g0 far as attempts at co-ordination of .the Franco-British policies in re- gard to Germany are concerned— England will set forth in detail her attitude, possibly outlining repara- tions terms considered entirely com- mensurate with Germany’s ability to pay. And Germany, it-is belleved certain, will accept the British viewpoint. In which case the Anglo-German working agreement in economic af- fairs of Europe will immediately be- come effective, with Italy 'and pos- sibly Belgium, later, joining them in a general effort to counteract the evil effects such drifting, as has marked the general course of the allles since the treaty of Versallles was signed— drifting occasioned almost wholly by the absolute inability of elther of the varfous prefnlers represented in the supreme council to forgo strictly nationalistic .viewpoints and, frame policies more deslgned to the progress of Europe as a whole. Movement Gains Headway. Though, as I stated.in last Sunday’'s discussion of European trends, Eng- land was expected to initlate moves looking toward Independent action which might later attract the sup- port of Belgium and Italy, it was not the expected that this movement Immediately would gain such great|terms and Germany headway. - the past week. Premier Baldwin, an- swering the Insistent demands of the industrial and financial interests of England came into the open and though he carefully refrained from so stat- ing, it has been common knowledge in London for the past week that the British cabinet Has mapped an elabo- rate course of procedure in case Pre- mier Poincare of France fnsists on retaining his present Ruhr polley and remains ambiguous as to what France will and will not demand in | the way of final settlements. This proposed English course ot procedure embracing independent ac- tion naturally has caused much grave discussion in both Paris and London. The former apparently has been in- difterent “to what England does, Premier Poincare having stated that France cannot be swerved from her present courses. While there has been' firmness in the conversations which have been held by Lord Cur- zon on behalf of the British govern- ment and Ambassador Count de Saint I capital backing Premier Baldwin and the great trade machines of England once more working at their efficlent high speed, there are few peoples of Europe who could resist British in- fluence directly or indirectly, particu- larly If-this ifluence {s thrown into the scales on behalf of general Euro- pean reconstruction- which Is so vital- 1y needed at the moment If there is to be prozress of any character whut- soever. Britiskh See Dangers. The British government always has had mamemts of the highest altralsin and this factor tinctures present-day action. It nevertheless is a fact that the position of British trade s haz- arded by continuation of the present {mpasse in the Ruhr. Furthermore, England belleves that with the Rubr situation remalning status quo. with the constant danger of Germanic up- heavals, there are belng sown seeds of-war which sooner or later will bring on one of the greatest conflicts In history. According. to advices from London, the British government has been in- formed that in Germany today thers 13 a constantly Increasing effort on the part of the malcontents to us! in a period of open and armed re- sistance to the French. The poli of passive resistance may get from out governmental control at almost any_ juncture and if therp is danger of this transpiring soon England has warrant for speeding her action. It is generally known that in ‘case of revolutionary outbreaks or outbreaks directed toward the French position in the Ruhr and the Rhineland, Parls would quickly usher in retallatory meéasures which would preclude finally settlement for decades, i much as Germany would be retarded to a point ‘where there would be doubi of her ever paying. In faet, there is strong bellef tn England stat should the present situation continue Ger- many never can pay, which would permit Premigr. Poincare or his suc- cessors to remain in the Ruhr for- ever with their refusal to withdraw unt{l all funds due from Germany have been pald. Making Agreement Seen. In case Polncare remains firm in the present crisls and resists the British viewpoint on the adequacy or {nadequacy of Ruhr measures even to the point of breaking with London it is belleved England immediately will enter into working agreements with Berlin, predicated, however, upon Germany's willingness to abide by British decisions as to what Ger- many shall and shall not do to square her accounts with England as a re- sult of the war. There is no indica- tion, however, that Germany's course will not be bent in accordance with the British viewpolnt, for the reason that Germany, always belleving that sooner or later England would be the nation to break the Ruhr impasse, has shown an eagerness to heed Eng- land's volce in tenders of reparations payments. That Germany has not gone as far as she should is un- questioned, but if Germany's future depends upon accepting England's knows that by But during the course. of | g5 doing she, in measure, .can protect herself from complete chaos and re- lease French impositions in the Rhineland and the Ruhr, there is little question but that Germany will do about anything Chancellor Bald- win may suggest. The British and German viewpoints as to the sum total of reparations. and how they should be pald, with proper guaran- tees, are more in line than the view- points of any others, and this makes the success of the Baldwin plan more certain in case it is initiated. Germany Is Firmer. A few weeks back there was every indication that Germany might end her passive resistance and that the government would gain every support to this end. Since that time.France and Belgium twice and England once have refused to entertaln German reparations proposals, the last one still being ignored. In view of the delayed settlements and even any appreciable progress towdrd settle- ment, unrest {n Germany is growing Aulaires and the Belglan ambassador, | and as a result the government is it nevertheless is a fact that Britain loathfully will take any course de- signed to break the old entente. But it is very apparent that previously Francophile = sections of British thought now are taking the lead in demanding that the government give not an inch and definitely establish the British viewpoint throughout the ‘world and act accordingly. . It France goes along in concord so much the better. If France demurs further, then the time will have come to plainly proceed with the new Brit- ish course ‘of action, embracing, as it undoubtedly will, an entirely new trend ' In continental politics, with’ possible British direction rather than direction through French alllances, as &t present. Sperring for mll'.' Briefty put, Premler Baldwin and Premier Poincare today are sparring for leadership of the old world. Since ‘the .Versallles peace treaty, ascend- ency in things European unquestion- ably has been France's.. If the attributed British purpose of the mo- ment s accurate, thén Premier Bald- ‘win immediately challenges. French diptomatic leadership. With Eng: land and Italy and the peoples of ‘the one-time central ‘powers working in close laison ahd with Belglum for- saking Poincare’s position, tHen it Is belfeved ‘the ‘British ‘prestige quickly will be.regained. - Fusthermore, . Lon- don.to-day-isthe second’financial cen- ter. of ‘tha Motld and. ';m}.nnm, having difficulty in combatting the confilcting currehts. Chaos is writ- ten large in domestic and financial affalrs and the government is getting but little assistance In framing its policies from a-large section of in- dustrialists who are amassing bil- llons of marks as the result of Ger- many’'s necessities. There are other industrialists, however, who are really in earnest in desiring to end the deadlock and have. offered the gov- ernment fair' and honest aid, but until Cuno brings the big moneyed interests into line little may be ex- pected from Germany. The impasse will increase in its ominous portent. But if England acts expeditiously after Polncare refuses further to. ls- ten to Baldwin's pleas, it is belleved -that all'the interests of Germany will flock arcund the government and sup- port’it to the finish. The Germans are sure-to bear the 1d of revenging themselvs on France and defeating Paris’ purposes. ‘And this may bring on far-reaching diMculties - between . England "and France, war-tfme allles. Fighting Drugs. Coineldent with reports from federal government, showing alatming Increase. ih .the sale and consymption of narcotic. drugs, ‘nu- me meetitigs have, been. held .in ‘eastern . sfates to. discuss ways and Tea02 ol Gombaliag tha evil the an