Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-24

Oay morning the railroad managers
agreed, in view Of the critical state
of the country's affairs, to yield to
the demands Of the employees, and to
grant substantially all the demands
made. This was done without refer
ence to whatever decision the su-
preme court might make as to the
validity Of the Adamson law. On the
same day. Monday being the regular
day for the announcement of deci-
sions. the court, by a divided vote,
held the Adamson law constitutional.
The authority of congress to regulate
the acts of the railroad companies
was declared. and the decision also
carried the implication that when the
interests OF the country demanded it
the same authority extended to the
regulation of the acts Of the en-
ployes. This portion of the decision
is exceedingly unpopular. with some
Of the labor leaders, but It seems per-
fectly logical and entirely fair.
i \ y X +
On two great battle fronts impor-
tant operations have been in progress.
The German retreat has assumed re-
markable proportions, and 1t is still
in progress. At this time it Is i'm
possible to estimate just what 1t may
involve. Some facts concerning it,
however, stand out very clearly. Mil
itary observers who followed the
events Of the war closely pointed out
after the thrust Of the British and
French in the Somme valley has
forced the Germans back. som etimes
a little and sometimes a considerable
distance, that this movement, II un-
checked, would make it necessary for
the Germans to shorten their line IN
France or to suffer the annihilation
Of large sections Of their armies. The
Germans have consistently belittled
the retirement, and British and
French authorities have carefully
pointed out to their people that while
they were winning ground and gain
ing advantages, immense work must
be performed before the Job could
be considered even we'll on it's way
toward completion. But observers at
distance who are familiar with the
terrain, and who are skilled in mill.
tary matters have for months been
Of the opinion that very soon the Ger
mans must either retire In fairly
good order or be rendered incapable
Of retiring at all except as shatterea
and routed forces. No one has ex-
pected the Germans to court destruc.
ton by remaining until this fateful
time arrived. They have retired be-
cause they could not stay. but they
have retired in good order, and. so
far as has been reported, without
great loss Of men or material.
Naturally, the Germans have GER
tain plans in mind when the retire.
ment began. They, as we'll as their
adversaries. knew that the time to
leave was approaching. They must
have made elaborate preparations for
stand on new line. How closely
they have been able to fulfill their
expectations remains to be seen
There are indications that the prep
arations Of the allies for pursuit have
been quite as elaborate as those Of
the Germans for fight. and some OF
the late dispatches tend to indicate
that tho pursuit has followed more
closely on the heels Of the retreat
than the retreating party had bar.
gained for. Altogether, the situation
on the west front is the most inter-
esting, and the most filled with fate.
full consequences of any that has De.
veloped since the Germans were
turned back from the gates Of Paris
X X X X
The other district in which impor.
tant events have been transpiring 1,
that Of Mesopotamia. There the Brit.
ish have continued their pursuit o1
tho fleeing Turks far up the valley Of
the Tigris from Bagdad. They have
thrown out columns to the eastward
to meet the approaching Russians
They are moving forward with a large
army in southern Palestine. And the
Russians are coming by rapic
marches from the Persian border
The Turkish strength seems to have
been entirely dissipated, and at tn,
present rate. by the time the Rus,
slams and British meet there is like
ly to be nothing left in the shape o.
Turkish army to be captured. Tn,
one element of doubt in the situatio,
seems to be that of supplies. Tha
eastern territory is practically desti
tute Of railroads, and almost eauall,
destitute Of other roads that are o
any value. and il the difficulties O
transportation impede the progress
OF the advancing allies greatly, tn,
Turks may be able. II not to offer ef
fective resistance, to escape with
considerable part Of their forces.
| + 4 r.
week has passed since the Abdi
cation Of Car Nicholas, and, 30 fa,
~ the western world can ascertain
the new provisional government 4
handling affairs in Russia capably an,
effectively. For some reason not an
nounced. both the former czar ant
his wife have been returned to Petro
grad, whore they are held as prison
srA It was at first announced tina
the deposed ruler would be permit
ted TO occupy one Of his estatas 1,
the crimsa, but that program ha
been changed. It has been realize.
that the new order Of things woulI
be contssted most bitterly BY the oil
court party. whose membsrs were no