The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-12-27

the islands of Moon sound. To this
the German delegates replied evasive-
ly, merely promising to consult their
government.
On Thursday Berlin announced that
a suspension of hostilities along the
entire Russian front for ten days be-
ginning Friday noon had been arrang-
ed. The same day Trotzky declared
the Russian government did not want
a separate peace.
There were reports, which, however,
were emphatically denied, that Rou-
mania desired to open negotiations
for an armistice. If their flank on
the north were left unprotected by the
quitting of the Russians, the Rournan-
an forces between the Dniester and
the Black sea would be in extreme
peril. Members of the Red Cross mis-
sion of Roumania have just brought
to President Wilson a message from
King Ferdinand declaring his country
would never make separate peace.
Ensign Krylenko IS now in control
Of much of the Russian army, his men
having captured the headquarters at
Mohilev and murdered General Duk-
hOnin, former commander in chief.
At last reports General Kaledines'
Cossacks were marching on Vitebsk
and battle with Krylenko's forces
was impending. Most of the Russian
diplomatic representatives in allied
countries and the Russian troops in
France have disowned the doings of
the bOlsheviki leaders and refuse to
recognize their authority.
Germans Try Hard for Big Victory.
1t is evident that the German high
command is trying desperately to OBJ
tain a decisive military victory in
France or Italy, or both, before the
American army gets across in suffi-
cient force to be effective. So far the
result achieved by the enemy has been
the gain Of a few rods of ground at
an appalling cost In loss of life. The
fighting in the Cambria sector devel-
oped into the bloodiest and fercest
battle of the war, and despite the
bringing up of great numbers of Ger
many'S best troops, the British in the
main repulsed the repeated mass at
tacks and held most of the ground
gained the previous week. If Byng
can continue to hang on to his posi-
tons, the battle will prove the best
thing the British could ask, for it has
brought the Germans "Out of their
holes" and not only shown them up
as inferior in open fighting, but cost
them an enormous number of their
most valuable men. The reckless sac
rifices made by Grown Prince Rup-
precht contrast strangely with the in
formation that Germany is training
boys Of fifteen and sixteen to take
their places soon in the fighting lines.
America has cause for pride and
satisfaction in the reports that come
Of the part in the Cambria fighting
taken by American engineers. Caught
by a sudden advance of the Germans
these men took shelter until the Brit
ish came up to them, and then, borrow
ing guns, went into the fray with
gallantry and GOODNESS that won high
praise from the commanding officers of
the British. A few of them were
killed and wounded, but the others
went right on with their fighting, pa
trolling and railroad building.
Fierce Fighting in Italy.
Along the Italian front the fighting
has been little less fierce than at Cam
brai, and as the week closed the Aus
tro- Germans were making their Sec
ond great offensive there. In the in
itial attack by largely increased forces
the enemy compelled the Italians to
withdraw from some advanced posi-
lions between Monte TOnderecar and
Monte Badenecche, but elsewhere the
violent assaults were repulsed If
the invaders succeed in that sector in
thanking the Piave and Brenta lines,
they might force General Diaz back as
far as the Adige. However, the Italian
commander seemed quite confident he
could prevent this, and his forces were
CALAMITY guarding the entire line
while increasing numbers of British
and French re-enforcements continued
to arrive. Among the allies in action
on this front are a number of Ameri-
can aviators, and the declaration of
war against Austria-Hungary seems to
make sure the speedy dispatching of
a considerable force of American SOL
diers to REINFORCE the Italians. At
any rate that is what Italy expects,
and the entire country celebrated joy
ously the news that its chief foe was
TO be included in the enemies of the
United States.
U. S. Troops to Be Hurried Over.
One of the main subjects discussed
in the interallied conference in Paris
was the best means of getting Ameri-
can troops to France as rapidly as pos