Mexico Missouri message., 1917-11-01
sy EDWARD w. PIcKARp.

The week brought no real relief to
Deleaguered Germany, externally or in
ternally. While the kaiser was hurry
Ing down through Bulgaria to Con
stantinople TO mend his crumbling
fences, and Chancellor Michaelis was
struggling to hold on to his job, and
the German armies on the west front
were making costly and futile counter
attacks and slowly giving ground be-
fore the British and French, the land
and sea forces of the empire did strike
at Russia what, considered superficial
ly, might be thought to be serious
blow. But the operations in the Bal
tic cannot be considered of prime I'M
portance and cause no special concern
among the allies, not even Russia be-
ing greatly worried.
Troops landed on the Island Of
Oesel, supported by the fleet, have sue
ceeded in capturing or driving off the
garrison, which resisted stoutly and
the kaiser's warships are pushing back
the Russian naval forces toward the
Gulf of Finland. In the sea fighting
both sides lost several vessels. The
Russian fleet fought we'll but was hope
lessly outclassed in strength. The Ger
mans made aerial attacks on Pernau,
and it was reported that they were at
tempting TO gain footing on the main
land. At last reports both sides were
hurrying up strong naval reinforce
ments. The real objective of the Ger
man high command is not revealed,
but 1t does not seem probable Won Hin
denburg, who Is directing the opera
tions in person, will attempt to capture
and hold Petrograd. That would mean
q perilous extension of his lines in
view of the fact that winter is at hand.
South of Riga the Russian artillery
prevented the Germans from throwing
bridges across the Dvina.
Trying to Hold His Allies.
Increasing signs Of breakup of the
alliance of the central powers prob
ably sent the kaiser on his trip to the
near East. First he jollied the Bull
garians, who, like the Austrians, are
sick of the war; and 1t was significant
that Emperor Charles grasped puny
excuse not to accompany his overbear-
ing ally. Then William ran down to
Constantinople, where Turkish girls
strewed flowers in his path and he and
the sultan exchanged decorations. If
the kaiser can hold his coalition to-
gether much longer, it will be because
the allies do not make sufficiently at
tractive separate peace suggestions to
Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and Tur-
key.
As was expected, the opponents of
Chancellor Michaelis were quick to
take advantage of the Wilhelmshaven
naval revolt incident. The Socialists
now present a united front against him
and have decided to vote against the
war credit of 81, 500, 100000 at the De-
cember session of the reichstag unless
he resigns. Foreign Secretary Won
Kuehlmann or Prince Won Bulow Is
said to be his probable successor,
though the war party still fears Count
Won Bernstorff may be appointed. In
the effort to save himself Michaelis
offered Friedrich Won Payer the post
of chancellor, displaying readiness to
throw overheard Doctor Helfferich and
also Minister of Marine Won Capelle.
There are rumors that Michaelis is
contemplating the establishment of
military dictatorship.
On the West Front.
In Flanders the British practically
completed their occupation of the i'm
portant Passchendaele ridge and the
Germans were observed to be hurried
Iy building long dam for the purpose
OF flooding the low land east of the
ridge. Meanwhile the French on the
left flank of the British steadily w'd-
ened The base of the wedge that is be-
ing driven In between the German