3 
Feb. 25, 1916. 
AccorDING To A BuLLEtiIn of the United States 
‘health department, pneumonia is the cause of ten percent 
of the deaths in this country. Only tuberculosis and heart 
disease outrank this affliction, whch attacks particularly 
the aged. In many localities the rate of mortality from 
pueuronia exceeds that from all other causes. It 1s a 
disease, the germs of which are ever present, and only 
wait for a weakened condition of the organs to gain a 
foothold for rapid growth. At this season of the year it 
is particularly important to guard against any run down 
~ condition of the body as this is the period of the year 
from pneumonia occur between December and May. 
the insurance paid. 
during which pneumonia is most prevalent. According to 
the health department more than 70 percent of the deaths 
The 
dreaded grip is the great ally. of pneumonia and paves the 
way for the latter disease by weakening the system by its 
ravages. It is almost as important to avoid taking colds 
‘at this season as it is to shun the house quarantined with 
small-pox. The old adage to “keep your feet warm and 
your head cool,” should never be forgotten. 
Last YEAR UNDER THE Direction of Major General 
Wood a training camp for. civilians was undertaken at 
Plattsburg, N. Y., during the month of August and the 
‘experiment proved more successful than could have been 
expected. John L. Saltonstall, formerly representative to 
the General Court from the Beverly-Danvers district, was 
a member of the camp and returned enthusiastic over its 
possibilities, but with the idea in mind that a similar train- 
ing should be provided by the navy departnent. The 
plans were laid before Assistant Secretary Roosevelt and 
- the plans have been approved by the navy department and 
‘a naval training month for civilians will be arranged for 
the month beginning August 15. The dreadnaughts Kear- 
sarge and Kentucky have been assigned to the work.. Mr. 
Saltonstall’s campaign was successful and the proposed 
summer cruise should prove as helpful to the navy as the 
Plattsburg experiment to the army. 
Fary River Was More Fortunate than Chelsea 
and Salem in that the fire was kept within the business 
district and no homes were destroyed. There is still a 
great need for a campaign of education in the cause of 
fire prevention. Fire is one of the worst foes. The 
losses incurred in Salem and Chelsea and in Fall River 
are permanent losses to the communities burned despite 
Insurance is only a modern method 
of distributing losses due to fire. The loss is permanent. 
CAMBRIDGE IS CONTINUING Its Ficut for a separate 
postoffice and if they keep on they will be able to prove 
their charges and obtain a divorce from Boston. The ar- 
tangements so far. have been altogether satisfactory to 
Boston because it increases its ratings, but Cambridge has 
ambitions of its own. 
Mr. BRANDEIS Is FINDING it more difficult to obtain a 
confirmation as a Justice of the Supreme Court than he ex- 
pected. Some serious charges of unprofessional conduct 
have been brought against him, and his confirmation, if it 
follows, will in a way be a personal vindication. 
Harvard Has Not BEEN Stow in following up its 
preparedness campaign aroused by the. European war. 
The Harvard regiment is being equipped and drilled, and 
May 30 it will be inspected by Major-General Wood. 
This brings the preparedness movement pretty near home. 
Bitty SunpAyY is building his first line of defense for 
his winter campaign in Boston. 
g. 
NiO Reb Hees HOR SB RE BZ Ey 9 
It 1s Now Beinc WHIspERED that America must 
fight shy of increasing its navy to such a size as to com- 
pve with the navy of Great Britain, and there are those 
who feel that such a policy must inev.tably end in a war 
with Great Britain. A war with our English cousins is 
inprobable, in fact it seems inconceivable. There is no 
reason to fear that America will pick a quarrel with Eng- 
land, and England surely will ward off any attempts to 
force a war with America. England’s real attitude to 
war was shown in the vigorous and efficient manner in 
which the government endeavored to avert the crisis which 
has ended in the world war. As a matter of fact the 
English navy is America’s great safeguard now upon the 
open sea. It is England’s navy that will determine this 
present war. The success of the Allies must conserve 
the interests of humanity. The Allies are fighting the 
world struggle for the freedom of the sea and for the 
democracy of men in their governmental relations. If 
the navy of Great Britain is to win the war for the Allies 
and the war of the Allies is to conserve the liberties of 
the whole world, it is the simplest reasoning to see that 
the British navy is America’s friend not foe. The sea 
must be safeguarded. America is not, nor can it afford 
to be, jealous of England’s sea power. On the other hand 
the spirit of America is not the spirit of world conquest 
ror adventure. There is much to be said for the proposed 
world league to enforce peace. Why 1s it not possible and 
reasonable for the mother country and America to unite 
their naval forces by a treaty? Then, must Great Britain 
profit by every vessel which America builds. It is no 
dream! The navy is the first line of defense for America 
and it must be maintained at a high degree of efficiency. 
Size 1s naturally an important factor in any naval equip- 
ment, but it is by no means the only factor. Personal 
efficiency, brains and intelligence win most battles with 
the modern naval weapons. The United States may aspire 
to have the largest navy in the world, but it must also as- 
pire to have it the most efficiently manned. ‘The first cost 
of the naval vessels is indeed a large item of expense, but 
by far the largest item in naval efficiency must be the 
training of the men and the maintenance of the equip- 
ment in the best of condition. To the slogan, the largest 
ravy, should be added “the best equipped navy.” 
Tue ADMINISTRATION is submitting a Bill favoring 
a duty on dye stuffs, but not high enough to satisfy the 
trade. This is one item that the administration can little 
atford to neglect. The administration has committed it- 
self to a propaganda for preparation and a high protec- 
tive tariff is only another way to accomplish that end. 
Primarily, all dye duties are intended to aid the manufac- 
turers of dyes in America to place the business in this 
country on a paying basis and free of any destructive 
competition from Germany. Secondarily, there is another 
issue and that is the by-products of dye manufacture are 
necessary in the modern ordnance making. Today the 
old dye manufacturing establishments are being utilized 
to manufacture the chemicals needed in the war explo- 
sives. The dye tariff is not only a tariff question, but a 
preparedness proposition. 
Ir Was America’s PRIVILEGE and duty as a neutral 
nation to have issued a formal protest to Germany upon 
the violation of Belgium’s neutrality. It was a national 
blunder that it was not done at the time. It may have 
made no difference as far as the conquest of Belgium’s 
territory is concerned, but it would. have made a great 
deal of difference in American honor and self-respect. 
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