The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-10-26
sv EDWARD w. PIcKARD.


The week brought no real relief to
beleaguered Germany, externally or IN
ternally. While the kaiser was hurry
ing down through Bulgaria to Con-
stantinople to mend his crunpiins
fences, and Chancellor Michaelis was
struggling to hold on to his JoD, anu
the German armies on the west front
were making costly and futile counter
attacks and slowly giving ground De-
fore the British and French, the land
and sea forces of the empire did strike
at Russia what, considered supernclai-
ly, might be thought to be serious
blow. But the operations In the bal
tic cannot be considered of prime Sm-
portarce and cause no special concfin
among the allies, not even Russia Pc
ing greatly worried.
Troops landed, on the Island or
Oesel, supported by the, fleet, have sue
ceeded in capturing or driving OIL the
garrison, which resisted stoutly, ana
the kaiser's warships are pushing back
the Russian naval forces toward the
Gulf of Finland. In the sea hghting
both sides lost several vessels. Inc
Russian fleet fought well 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 It does not seem probable Won Hin
denburg. who is directing the opera
tons in person, will attempt to capture
and hold Petrograd. That would mean
a 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 a 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 overDear-
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-
pether much longer, 1t 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 ol
Chancellor Michaelis were quick to
take advantage of the Wilhelmshaven
naval revolt incident. The Socialists
now present united front against hin
and have decided to vote against tho
war credit of S2,5OO,0OOOO0 at the De
cember session of the reichstag unless
no resigns. Foreign Secretary vor
Kuehlmann or Prince Won Bulow II
said TO be his probable successor
though the war party still fears C0un
Won BernstOrff may he appointed. Ii
the effort to save himself Michaeli'
offered Friedrich Won Payer the pos
of chancellor, displaying readiness t.
throw overheard Doctor Helferich ant
also Minister Of Maril~ Won Capelle
There are rumors that Michaelis Il
contemplating the establishment of |
military dictatorship.
On the West Front.
In Flanders the British PRACTICAL.
completed their occupation of the i'm
portant Passchendaele ridge and tn
Germans were observed to be hurried
~ building long dam for the purpos
OF flooding the low land east Of tn
ysdge. Meanwhile the French on tn
i eft flank Of the. British steadily wild
ened the base Of the wedge that is be
J Ins driven IN between the Germa'