March 24, 1916. 
Tue FoLrLowine ParacrapH from William Roscoe 
Thayer’s “Life of John Hay” is particularly appropriate 
to these severe times: “During the half century follow- 
ing the Civil War, American development refutes the 
common saying that war is good for a people because, 1n 
calling out their courage and requiring of them fortitude 
and self-sacrifice not less than valor, it puts them to the 
test of ultimate reality. In truth, however, though there 
have been wars through all the ages, none has ever yet 
cured the most intimate diseases of society; but on the 
contrary, war causes these to flourish and raise up other 
evils. Mr. Thayer cites among the evils of the Civil 
War bequeathed, “‘sectionalism, a diminished respect for 
the State, the commutation of patriotism into pensions, 
the preferment of soldiers to civil offices for which they 
were unfit, the centralization of the national governmental 
control and the unbridling of national extravagance.” 
However one may feel about Mr. Thayer’s conclusions, 
the facts remain that while the United States preserved 
the integrity of the Union and freed the slaves, the war 
started a series of social evils that are still rampant, un- 
checked. There will be some good come out of this war. 
Monarchical governmental schemes will have received a 
serious set back and republicanism, the government of 
the people, for the people and by the people will have 
been conserved; but whatever the results of the strife for 
the good of humanity there will be a long list of ills from 
which the world will not be able to recover in a genera- 
tion. 
THE RESIGNATION oF Von TiRpITz from his import- 
ant position as the director of the submarine policy of 
Germany is the best news that has come over the wire 
since the exchange of notes between this and the German 
governments over the Lusitania problem. It is evident 
that the Kaiser is determined not to antagonize America. 
If the resignation of Von Tirpitz really means a cessation 
of the German submarine policy it will indeed be good 
news. It is averred, however, that the head of the ad- 
miralty is really the power behind Von Tirpitz and that 
the removal of Von Tirpitz does not necessarily mean an 
abandonment of the German submarine policy. However 
that may be, the facts are that the man whom America 
has been led to believe was responsible for the policy has 
been removed. This may be the way the admiralty will 
take to make a change of front and inaugurate a new 
policy. 
THE WOMEN OF SCOTLAND have been aiding the 
surgeons in their work by gathering peat moss. It has 
been demonstrated to be three times as efficient as cotton ° 
wool, especially absorbent cotton, in absorbing blood from 
wounds. ‘The discovery while not new is making up for 
the lack of cotton which is being used for ammunition 
purposes. So war teaches science new arts. 
THE Constant REpuLses which the German forces 
met at Verdun are significant. The great German drive 
has failed. The victory, however, is a negative one. A 
positive victory must mean the success of the Allies in 
making a drive into the enemy line. This has not been 
accomplished. 
THe Axis Rerariarep after the aeroplane raid 
last week by an air attack upon Zeebruges, an aeroplane 
base, doing much damage. It is noticeable, however, that 
the casualties did not include women and children. The 
attack was of a military character and made upon a mili- 
tary base, 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE 11 
Reading the Past in the Embers 
E, sat by the fireside musing— 
Watching the ruddy glow, 
Reading the past in the embers 
As the shadows danced to and fro. 
He sees the bright days of his boyhood, 
When the cares of the world were unknown; 
He recalls that proud day when he first donned the blue 
To fight for flag, country, and home. 
’Mid the curling smoke and ember’s crack 
He pictures the midnight bivouac, 
Sees the faces of comrades standing there, 
Hears the bursting of shell on the midnight air. 
On yonder hills by the moon’s pale light 
He sees the campfires burning bright, 
And longs for the dawn of the coming day, 
For he knows the conflict’s not far away. 
As the morning sun gilds the eastern skies 
He sees the smoke of battle arise, 
Sees the sabres and glistening bayonets shine, 
Hears the stern command “tall in line.” 
He remembers the charge that awful day, 
Sees his comrades silent in death as they lay, 
Never again to march by his side— 
Fought for their country, suffered and died. 
Now he sees in the embers their faces; 
Their shadows he sees on the wall 
In memories he’s lived the war over, 
And is waiting the last bugle call. 
—G. D. H. 
MANCHESTER, Mar. 21, 1916. 
Justice Hucues 1s BEING ASSAILED by his antagon- 
ists and criticized by some of his followers because he 
does not make a statement of his views. Such an activity 
would be a transgression of the inherited customs that 
hedge his position as a Justice. His present course of 
action is the only one that he can honorably pursue. He 
does not know whether the nation desires him, and 
furthermore, any statement would be an announcement 
of his candidacy, and his resignation from the Supreme 
Bench would be immediately in order. He refuses to 
make a statement and his silence is creditable. 
THE SKILLED FARMERS say that despite the weather 
conditions and the heavy snow-fall, that as far as farming 
is concerned the season will not be so very late after all. 
There is no frost in the ground and very soon after the 
snow has disappeared and the soil has dried out a little 
it will be ready for spring work. 
THE WILLINGNESS OF CARRANZA and his party to 
cooperate with the United States government has simpli- 
fied tue Mexican situation. If VCarranza abides by his 
present policy the Mexican situation will not be more 
serious tnan it now is. 
Ir 1s TIME FOR.BLUE Brrps and seed catalogues and 
tc plant sweet peas, but winter still holds the grip. 
Arthur D. Clark of Brookline, has bought 23,950 
feet of land from the Phillips estate, Phillips beach, 
Swampscott. It is the part of the estate that is called 
“The Paddock.” Mr. Clark will erect a fine summer 
home on the property. 
oOo 8 9 
The Lawrence Morgans have returned to Beverly 
Farms, and are occupying the Little cottage, off Hale st. 
