Middletown transcript., 1917-05-19


characterizing the American socialist
delegates, Norris Hillquit and Alger-
non Lee, as radically pro-German.
In Greece matters moved rapidly to-
ward a climax. The king is losing
supporters daily in large numbers, and
on Sunday 10000 persons assembled
in Saloniki and with great enthusiasm
adopted a resolution proclaiming the
deposition of King Constantine and his
dynasty.
Germany is attempting to start in
Italy the same campaign of disintegra-
ton she Is carrying on in Russia.
Baron Sonnino is the object of attack
by radical journals in the southern
country, as is Milyoukov in Petrograd.
A war mission from Italy is now on
its way to America. 1t is headed by
the prince of Udine, and MarcOni is
one Of the members. The Italians are
coming to discuss especially the prob
lens of transporting food and muni-
tiOns from America and the purchase
of coal and railway rolling stock. The
submarine warfare has caused a sriev-
GUS shortage Of coal In Italy.
The Food Problem.
Herbert C. Hoover, chairman of the
food committee Of the Council Of Ma
tional Defense, strongly advocated the
government measures that give the
president and the department Of agri-
of %
food resources. He also urged a more
limited use of wheat in this country,
and his talk on that topic was followed
Immediately by a government report
showing that the winter wheat crop
will be only about 366,OO0,OO0 bushels,
the smallest since 1904 The acreage
abandoned is the largest on record.
In Great Britain the ''meatless day"
was abandoned because Baron Devon
port, food controller, found dminu-
tion in the consumption Of breadstuffs
was of more Importance.
Food riots took place in many cities
and towns of Sweden, and according
to an official statement, the vast ma
Sweden's predicament. however, was
lessened greatly on Wednesday when
England agreed to release the Swedish
ships laden with food and other neces-
sites that had been detained in Brit
ish harbors. In return Sweden agreed
to release 100000 tons of allied ship
ping that had been tied up in the gulf
of Bothnia since the beginning of the
war.
Desperate Struggle in France.
The desperate battle for possession
of the coal fields of Lens in northern
France continued unabated through
the week. Crown Prince Ruprecht of
Bavaria brought up great masses Of
reserve troops and every available gun
to check the unceasing British attack,
and on Tuesday he succeeded in re-
taking Fresnoy village and wood. But
that night and the next day the British
returned to the assault and again took
possession of most of the lost ground.
There was heavy fighting at other
points along the Drocourt-Q -Queant line,
which evidently is regarded by the
Germans as Of vital Importance Bad
weather lessened the severity of the
fighting along the French front.
The expected general offensive by
the allies on the Macedonian front be-
gan after several days of intense artil-
lery activity and according to London
advices it was fairly successful. Be-
tween Lake Ochrida and Lake Doiran
capturing Bulgarian trenches for a
stretch of two miles. In the Cerna
river bend the Russians took several
enemy trenches, and in the upper Mog-
lenica river valley the Serbians, fight
ing to regain their own land, hit the
Teutonic allies hard blows. AS usual,
Berlin claimed that all these attacks
by the entente allies were repulsed.
An interesting development Of the
week was the announcement that ia.
pan had been asked to supply ships
for the transportation Of American
troops and supplies to Europe. and the
resulting discovery that Japan itself
was planning to send large number
of soldiers to the Russian front this
summer.
President Wilson on Thursday Gre
ated a war council Of the Red Cross
and Henry P. Dawson of J. P. Morgan
& Co. was. placed at its head. In ac-
cepting that post Mr.. Dawson said all
the vast facilities of the Morgan firm
would stand behind the Red Cross for
the duration Of the war.
figures represented q total daily ex.