The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-12-13


to prevent threatened attack by the
Teutonic forces on the Saloniki front.
Very large numbers of German troops
have been taken from the Russian
front, and while many Of them were
sent to replace the WORKOUT divisions
in Flanders, others probably were
turned toward the Greek frontier.
Not many could be used in Italy owing
to the narrowness Of the fighting front
there.
1t does not seem reasonable to as
sumo, from the success of Byng's at
tack, that the allies have any idea of
abandoning high explosive artillery
preparation for such movements In the
future and depending on the use of
great masses Of infantry, regardless
OF the consequent heavy casualties.
Either great droves of tanks such as
Byng used, or heavy Smelling, is nee
essary to open the way for infantry,
and it is likely the tanks alone could
not have done 1t If the Germans had
not been taken so completely by sur
prise.
The movements of the French last
week were not so sensational as those
of the British, but they were Of great
Importance. A strong salient of the
German line to the south Of Juvin-
court was attacked and partly straight
ened out, and all the positions recent
ly won north of the Chemin DIES Danes
were maintained. 1t is not unlikely
that the Germans will be forced to a
line north of Laon, losing that very
important city.
AlIenby Surrounding Jerusalem.
Jerusalem seems the certain prize of
General Allenby's expeditionary forces
in Palestine, for after taking Jaffa he
moved on to the east and northeast I'M
til he had the city almost surrounded.
If the Turks attempt seriously to de-
fend it, it may be Allenby will draw
a Gordon about 1t and starve them into
surrender, rather than shock the
Christian world by bombarding it's
hottest shrines.
The remarkable tenacity with which
the Italians held on to their Piave
river line and it's continuation in the
mountains between the Piave and the
Brenta so checked the Austro- German
advance that attacks virtually ceased
during the first half of the week. On
Thursday, however, the enemy began
a great mass attack on the upper Pr
ave where it bends to the northeast
into the Belluno Alps. The German
commander brought into action picked
troops of the Prussian guards, some
of the best units from the west and
Russian fronts and a large body of the
VIGOROUSLY brutal mountaineerS from
lower Hungary.
American Troops Going Over Fast.
1t is no breach of confidential infor-
nation to state now that the transpor-
tation of American troops to Europe
is going forward with increasing rapid
ity, and that General Pershing prob
ably will have a million men in his
command by next summer. The train
ing of great part of the National
army will be curtailed in America and
completed quickly on French soil.
The British government has now come
over to the view of the French war
urging that our troops get into action
in as large numbers and as swiftly as
is possible. This has been the pro-
gram of the administration for some
time, and the ship-building program
has been speeded up accordingly. In
fact, President Wilson is insisting on
swiftness in all departments, and on
Monday he made his requirements in
this line clear to various cabinet Off
GERS and other officials. At the same
time he appointed Daniel Willard
chairman of the war industries board
70 succeed Frank "A. Scott, who re-
signed on account of Ill health.
Rear Admiral Capps resigned as gen.
eral manager of the emergency fleet
corporation on Thursday because he
does not believe the policy of con-
structing wooden ships will result sat
isfactorily, and thinks the shipping
board should have extended existing
plants to their capacity instead of at
tempting to build new yards. Chair
man Hurley, however, is Graduating
many of the causes of complaint and
his program promises to be successful
if he can get enough labor.
Mr.. Wilson is earnestly-even in
sistently-in favor of the creation of
a supreme war council of the allies,
and has instructed Colonel House to
do all he can to bring it about at the
Paris conference.
Triumph for LIoyd-Georee.
When Premier Lloyd-George came
to reply to his critics in parliament
concerning his advocacy of the inter-
allied war council, he gained great
personal triumph and quite routed AS
quith and his followers. In the course
of his speech he said the government
nonondpnfS of ouv man ki11od ho-