AMERICAN LETTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17078, 29 January 1916, Page 13

AMERICAN LETTER.

THE PIRATES. ANOTHER, NOTE FROM MR WILSON. [From Our Correspondent.] NEW YORK, December 22. Again this nation is close to the point of breaking diplomatic relations with a European Government. Demands have been made upon Austria for a disavowal of the sinking by one of her submarines of the Italian liner Ancona, on which were several American citizens, and' for the punishment of the officer who ordered the attack. Austria's reply to these demands is far from satisfactory, and the Government at Washington has just sent a second note to Vienna which has almost the character of an ultimatum. Tho Wilson Administration is evidently determined not to be Jed into a long drawn out controversy with the Austrians over this affair, having learned some valuable lessons in that respect from its dealings with Germany after the sinking ot tho Lusitania. Germany was called' sharply to account after that tragedy, and after several weeks had passed finally agreed to abandon submarine warfare upon unarmed vessels. But so far she has refused to make the disavowal demanded for the killing of the Americans who were among the Lusitania's passengers, and President Wilson has had to endure some very sharp criticism for his failure to get complete satisfaction from Berlin. Yet he lias shown a good deal of backbone in several instances in dealing with the offending Teutons and their Austrian Allies. He has sent home Captains Boy-Ed and von Papen, the attaches of tho German Embassy who were caught mixing in the offensive German propaganda, and he also presented the Austrian Ambassador, Dr Dumba, with his passports. Also many arrests have been made of Germans and Austrians on various charges in connection with plots to destroy munitions factories. These plots have become extremely serious. Several powder factories have been destroyed, anc. a. few days ago the town of Hopewell. Virginia, which was entirely given up to supplying Britain and her Allies with munitions, was wiped out by fire.' It is perhaos needless to say that, after these'events, the German cause is more unpopular than ever in this country. In the midst of al/ these troubles, President Wilson has found time to get married. Mrs Edith Gait became his wife at her home in Washington, last Saturday. The first Mrs Wilson died a year ago. THE FORD EXCURSION.

If there is any man of high standing in this country who takes tho Ford peace expedition seriously, he has yet to he discovered. When Henry Ford set sail on the Oscar TI. two weeks ago with the avowed purpose of stopping the war and getting "tho boys out of the trenches by Christmas," the jeers of his fellow countrymen were ringing in his ears, and his reputation as a successful manufacturer of automobiles and' his great wealth will not suffice to silence the bowls of derision. The expedition, however, has offered splendid opportunities to a number of men and women who have always been fond of cheap notoriety. PLAIN SPEAKING BY MR ROOSEVELT.

This is the emphatic way in which former President Theodore Roosevelt expresses his views of President TVood- • !,.., .. s itvenr. message to Congress: "President Wilson has met a oi • :.. ' ad '■.'> rit-n a policy of milk and' water. Indecision and the treatment of conversation as a substitute for action, and, above all, the making of threats which are not carried into effect, put a premium upon exactly the form of anarchy and conspiracy of which tho President complains. He now wails to Congress that ho is unable to control anarchy, and would like, it to supply what is lacking by passing laws the nature of which he does not indicate. There would be no need for this wail if, ten months ago, when be wrote his note to Germany stating that he would hold her to ' strict accountability' for outrages against us, he had meant what he said. Such action would not provoke war. It would prevent the cumulative outrages which lay the foundation for war. At the outset of his message President Wilson, speaking of the war, says: ' We have stood .apart, studiously neutral. It was our manifest duty to do so.' Further on he says, ' We' insist upon security in prosecuting our self-chosen lines of national development. We do more than that. We demand it also for others.' Later he says, 'We regard war as a means of asserting the rights of a people against aggression,' and continues, ' Wo . are fiercely jealous ... of aggression from without.' What does Mr Wilson mean when in one line he says that we have 'stood apart, studiously neutral,' because ' it was our manifest duty to do so,' and' a couple of paragraphs later says that ' wo demand security in prosecuting their self-chosen lines of national development for others ' ? He can take either of the two positions, but he rannot take both. Did or did not Mr Wilson ' demand security ' for Belgium to 'prosecute its self-chosen

lines of national development' P He knows he did not. Then what d'oes he mean by saying that ' we demand this security also for others'? Ho is using words "to cover a policy of dishonour-, able inaction." THE PROHIBITION MOVEMENT.

There is much encouragement for the prohibitionists in the annual report of the Commissioner of Interna* Revenue, and in their endeavour to promote a national agitation in favour of the abolition of alcoholic beverages they will hardly fail to turn his statistics to account. The figures tend to refute the commonplace that orohibition does not prohibit. The falling off in the consumption of intoxicating liquors is undeniable, the decrease in the withdrawals of distilled spirits amounting to almost 15,000,000 gallons a year. With twelve States'under prohibition and seven more about to bo controlled in the same way, it is but reasonable to believe that the decrease is attributable in large measure to legislative restrictions. Tho opponents of prohibition insist that the recent " wave of economy" is sufficient to account for the phenomenon, and point out that in the fast year the consumption of cigars was reduced by about (380,000,000. However, in the same period there has been an enormous increase in the use of cigarettes, and, though a saving spirit might possibly account for a decrease in thfc consumption of certain beverages, it is hardly sufficient to explain the all-round reduction indicated in the annual report. An interesting passage in the report deals with the so-called " boot-leg-ging " activities in prohibition States. The problem is one of the most difficult that confront the revenue officers. " The business of-the moonshiner in whisky in the Southern States," says the Commissioner, " from tho number of illicit distilleries reported seized during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915, appears to be increasing. There were reported 3832 illicit distilleries destroyed during the fiscal year 1015. as against. 2677 destroyed during the fiscal year ending June 30. 1914." Wherever prohibition has been forced on a community, similar difficulties invariably arise so long as a considerable minority are opposed to it. Alcoholic beverages are easily prepared—oven a saturated solution of sugar yields a beverage containing as much as 14 per cent of alcohol—and the opportunities for the illicit distiller arc practically unlimited. In many of the Southern States there, is a reasoned.opposition to total prohibition, and as long as that opposition exists so long will total prohibition be impossible.

WOMAN SUFFRAGE. In (addressing tho Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage at Washington the other day, Mrs Carrie Chapman Catt said that paupers and illiterates cast the deciding votes which brought about the defeat of the suffrage, amendment in the recent New York election. Delegates to the suffrage convention abandoned their deliberation to hear Mrs Catt and other speakers afc a hearing before the committee. One delegate fainted in the packed committee room. Others retired gasping for breath, but most of them stood for two hours listening to the plea of their speakers. 11l a sarcastic reference to the recent defeat of suffrage in New York, Mrs Catt told the Senate Committee, that Now York "was very liberal with its suffrage—except to women." " Our workers reported," she added, " that In many precincts voters were so ignorant that they had to be aided in casting their ballots. All the inmates of the almshouses and nil the paupers were voted by the machine to boat our amendment."

Dr Anna Howard Shaw in her closing address as president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association declared that the movement had passed beyond the grasp of "the idealist reformer'' into the hands of those "capable of dealing with politicians." " Those who answered the call of our movement in the beginning," said Dr Shaw, "were reformers; those who respond to-day are politicians. Our cause lias passed beyond the stage of academic discussion and entered the realm of practical politics. To the idealist this comes as a revelation and a distinct shock, but she must recognise that it is true and submit to the trend, though she may personally bo unable to adjust herself to the changed condition. Tho time has come when organised machinery must be political in character and the work directed by political leaders. This should not disturb us, for the science of government is essentially as righteous and holy as the science of religion. Let us not be afraid of the demands of the new day." Dr Shaw expressed the opinion that tho United States, until the franchise be granted women, is in no position to meditate between the warring nations of Europe. "No one will deny," said the speaker, " that the real cause of the war was the injustice and selfishness which permits governments as well as individuals to ignore their obligations and duties to each other. But can the United States bo said to hold a superior position? How can it plead for justice in Europe when it denies justice to its own womenP How can it claim that written arguments between nations are binding when it violates the fundamental principles of its own national constitution, which declares that the right of the citizen to vote shall not bo denied or -abridged Uy the United States or by any State?

Is it true that the Constitution, too, is but a scrap of paper to be repudiated at will?" EUGENICS. "One who has not three, and seventenths children is a failure as a eugenic member of society, inasmuch as the best children are the fourth or fifth," said Professor R. M. Johnson, of the University of Pittsburg, addressing the eugenic section of tho Academy of Science and Art. There arc three tilings that one must do to improve tho standing of the coming generation," he said. "First, one must not die, that is, not prematurely, and this is very important; secondly, one must mate; and, thirdly, one must have an adequate number of children. Divorce is far more profitable than separation. It is not an evil, but a remedy for ill-mated pairs. Monogamy is on trial in tins country. It is not working very well. If it cannot ho made to succeed better it will fail, and another system will be placed in its stead." According to Dr Carl T. Waugh, ot tho department of psychology of Beloit College, threo years of college training will do this for a young person: — Increase his amount of information 44.7 per cent, increase his general mental standing 19 per cent, increase his speed in learning 11 per cent, increase his power of concentration 4.6" per cent, increase his ability to learn 4.2 per cent, iucreaso his ability to associate ideas 2.6 per cent. Dr Waugh has compiled figures to show that the student who thinks %J quickest is highest in general class standing. The student who is least nervous is lowest in class standing. It took Dr Waugh three years to complete the tests and compile the figures and deductions.

INSULAR. AMERICA. Mr W. A. Russell, a corporation lawyer of Melbourne. Australia, who is in this country largely to see what the United States is able to offer Australia both in the way oi equipment goods and in the matter of investment of capital, said tho other day to a reporter: "During a six mouths' visit 10 your United States I have been particularly struck by the extreme insularity of your point of view. Nowhere is this so evident as in financial enterprise." Mr Russell, who is closely connected with some of the most influential interests in Australia, while successful in the particular mission bringing him here, says lie has boon disappointed at the attitude which prominent financial houses and leading American manufacturers take in rega'rd to the Australian field. Jn speaking of his impression, Mr Russell- said: "How often have [ read in your newspapers and hoard the same phrase echoed by bankers and brokers to the effect, that the war had made tho United States the pivot of financial movement; New York had taken London's place; the dollar had elbowed the sovereign off the stage, and that captains of industry would make your financial capital that of the world." All these phrases and more have been, circulating industrially and have to bring tho smile of the victor to the face of the American business man. Furthermore, your statesmen and representatives use .'ill the force of rhetoric! to drive home the undoubted fact that your banks are full, your granaries bursting with a record harvest; in short, that you arc beyond doubt in the proud position that Great Britain, or, rather. England, occupied—is it a. million years ago? Yet, in spite of your financial position, I have vet to- see. evidence that your people realise the responsibilities as well as the advantages of their wealth. And here is where your insularity comes in." " Australia is guiding her policy in order to become a. great manufacturing nation," said the Australian representative, " but at the present tune she is hampered on account of the lack of modern and up-to-date equipment. The United States, on account ot its efficient methods, is in a position to supply Australia with the-larger part of the. machinery equipment, but unless American investors are willing to secure control of the trade by encouraging and stimulating Australian development, the, bulk of this trade will go to other nations.' It is sometimes stated that Australians do not like Americans, that they prefer to deal with the British. Undoubtedly the Australians prefer io deal with the British, if the British can supply goods,wfiich meet their needs, but the Australians find, for instance, that American machinery, on tho whole, is better and cheaper, and that American boots ana shoei* more nearly meat the tastes & the people than the English styles. BOUNTIFUL HARVESTS.

The earth has brought forth its increase this year in a manner wnicfl toe greediest optimist would have been ashamed to ask for. Never was theie such a fortunate combination ot quantities and prices. Where the yield is short the price is high- Where tlo price is low, comparatively the yield s superabundant, Naturally the total J above all records. The crops, fltaoh are the usual standard, pass five bii-lions-0,568,773,000 clollars-ta- J ne first time, and other farm notably cattle, bring the total aim e ten billions. Calculating m the manner of the cotton farmers we a" should have been ruined by such a calamitous abundance but for the unprecedented demand on account of the Wat. -a* it is, wo have saved others from calam-

ity. Last year held the record for value for five principal crops, but is a poor second to this year. The only comparison for 1915 is all other years, all the best on reco/d. Examination in this manner brings out some notable contrasts. Tho largest crop of corn was in 1912, but its value was 1,520,454,000 dollars, against 1,755,859,000 dollars this year. The calamitous abundance of cotton was raised in 1911, but its vn.lue was 519,612,000 dollars, against 602,393,000 dollars this year, although the yield was almost 5.000,000 bales less. And this year the planters are said to have raised food crops, which they customarily have bought, to a va.lue flbove the cotton crop. Wheat passes the billion bushel mark for the first time, and just falls below the billion dollar mark. The comparison is 930,302.000 dollars against the previous best, 878,690,000 dollars. BIBLES AND THE WAR, Tho men who publish Bibles in this country are making money out of the war. Due partly to tho handicap which houses in Eurooe must labour under in turning out their product, and partly to an increased demand for Bibles fostered in adversity, they are getting rich out of the misfortunes of others, or so some of our European brethren would term it. But these detractors seem inclined to forget that the Bible is invariably worth so much more than it costs that it is the purchaser always who is the more enriched. It is estimated that the Bible business of the world, save only in Germany and Ausria, will be larger this year by 50 petcent than ever before,