Ir 1s Nor ALways to one’s credit that he is popular. 
It is easy enough for one to go with the crowd. But it is 
hard for one to oppose the will of the majority,—to cham- 
pion an unpopular cause, and to fight in a losing battle. 
When about everybody is advocating war it is not alto- 
gether easy for one to champion the cause of peace. 
Even today the advocates of peace are not popular ia 
some quarters at least, especially among those who have 
nothing to lose, but everything to gain. How Sach 
people are to call a man unpatriotic if he refuses to serv 
in the army for six long years, or if he cries Eaebiily 
against war which he firmly believes will never settle 
wrongs, never subdue the passions and hatred of men, 
and never make friends out of foes. Through all the 
centuries the thinking has been done by the few; the 
masses: have done what they have been told to do. 
“Theirs not to make reply, 
Thewrs not to reason why, 
Theirs but to do and die.” 
But it will not always be so. Men will assert their rights, 
they will have their say, they will refuse to obev the un- 
just and selfish demands of kings and rulers, they will 
refuse to give the very best years of their life learning to 
bé experts. in killing their fellowmen. 
At THE PRESEN? ‘TrmE the Mexican situation docs 
not appear to be quite as acute. This does not mean, 
however, that the dangers of the situation have passed. 
Most anything may happen in that country at any mo- 
ment. Logically spedking one would imagine that Car- 
ranza would be careful to gain the favor and the good 
will of America inasmuch as America primarily made it 
possible for him to gain the recognition accorded him as 
a political leader in Mexico. Naturally one would im- 
agine that he would be most friendly to President Wilson, 
but upon such a supposition one may not rest. ‘The policy 
of Carranza must ever be that of the opportunist. He 
moves from day to day and that which suits his policy 
today may be against it tomorrow. A quick shift is al- 
ways to bee xpected. The spirit of the Mexican is always 
to put off until tomorrow. They will avoid the making 
of a compact or a negotiation. The Mexican dislikes the 
responsibilities that obligations place upon him. Carranzi 
himself is dependent upon his associates and he may not 
be strong enough to control all his men and in the forma- 
tion of a policy and in the negotiation of an agreement 
their influences may hinder his personal judgment and 
wishes. President Wilson has a difficult task upon his 
hands and may it be that he will be shrewd enough to 
avoid war and strong enough to maintain the dignity and 
honor of the nation. 
THE: Speciar, Arp Society for American Prepared- 
meeting a need hitherto unnoticed. Organized 
but a few months ago to prepare for emergencies it was 
called to duty when the militia was called out. The men 
from Massachusetts will long remember the service they 
rendered the evening they embarked for the Mexican 
border. 
ness 1s 
Some Werks Aco Tue Brekze commented upon the 
evident intention of the 400,000 men in the train service 
of the railroads of the United States to strike unless their 
demand for an eight-hour day was granted. It was point- 
ed out that the men had no desire for a shorter work day, — 
but wanted their present pay for ten hours work on an 
eight-hour day basis—in other words an increase of 25. 
percent in wages. It seems doubtful at the present time 
whether the railroads of the country can stand the ad- 
ditional drain of $100,000,000 annually. The railroads 
have urged a public inquiry and arbitration by the Fed- 
eral government. The men have declined to arbitrate 
and are taking a vote on the question of authorizing their | 
leaders to declare a nation-wide strike. A few poin‘s 
are worth remembering as the relations between the 
roads and the men become more strained. The men in 
the train service are the highest paid class of workers in 
any branch of railroading; they are unsympathetic of the 
efforts of their fellow workmen in other departments to 
better themselves; they have the power to cripple the 
nation as it has never been before in its history—and they 
are not bluffing. There is one course open, arbitratioa. 
Either that or the roads must grant the demands of the 
men and in turn raise their rates (if the Interstate Com- 
merce Commission will allow it) and let the public pay 
the bill. 
THe AMERICAN PEOPLE have detonate during 
the last two weeks beyond the preadventure of a doubt 
that they are opposed to hostilities with Mexico and that 
the national government that precipitates a war will be in 
popular disfavor. America has taken a sober second 
thought and the people have spoken with a voice of thun- 
der that they do not want war with Mexico. There is 
somthing consoling and inspiring in that. Americas 
long for and love peace. It is not apathy, the lack of 
national feeling and loyalty, it is the best spirit of Ameri- 
can patriotism asserting itself. War without honor is 
deprecated. America has found herself. The terrible 
lessons of the war across the sea have been learned by 
the American people. The folly, the horror and the fruit- 
ee of it all has been taught. America can read the 
hand-writing upon the wall. America wishes Mexico to 
gain its liberties, develop its resources and obtain an equit 
able self-government and prefers to leave that nation on 
the south to fight out its own battles, adjust its differences 
among themselves and to establish a stable government. 
If war does menace us in the near or remote future it 
must be said that America took up its task reluctantly 
and without the spirit of conquest and enmity. May the 
storm clouds pass and Mexico settle its own difficulties ! 
Drsprre tHE MANY Socrar, and philanthropic inter- 
ests that are being cared for by the North Shore the inter- 
ests of the old world and its struggles have not been 
neglected. ‘The musical services, the hospital supply sew- 
ing classes and the programs arranged for war relief 
funds show how interested everyone is in the problems 
that life presents. 
/ 
