Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1917-04-26
Authentic Enough to Show
That German Empire Is
Facing Great Economic and
Political Crisis Revoll-
tionary Demands Of Strik-
(By the Associated Press)
Anril 21 1417

April 21, 1917.
Interest in the great French
ofrense on the Aisne gave way to-
day to startling news from the
interior Of Germany. Yelled.
though the situation is, in the
midst Of rigid censorship and OBJ
scured by the shackled condition
of the German press, enough has
leaked through to indicate that
the German empire is facing u
great economic and political
crisis.
The latest information de-
ceived is that 10000 striking
working men have engaged in a
bloody riot in the great PrussiaH
fortress town of Magdeburg and
were only prevented from burn
ing the city hall after sharp
clash with the military.
The story comes from the
Dutch frontier with sufficient
detail to make it's claim to au-
thenticity impressive. On it's
heels arrives the account of de-
mands of such revolutionary
character that compliance with
them would mean prompt ending
of the militaristic regime in the
empire.
Similar demands have not beem
voiced publicly in Germany since the:
Imprisonment of DR.. Karl Liebknechr
on charge of treason. 1t is signiff-
cant that they include requisition
for the release of all political prison
ers, which would include, of course.
the noted socialistic leaders.
The exact status of the strike
movement in Germany is unknown
but it is certain that every portion OF
the munition workers have been af-
fected. There are reports Of new
strike in Essen, where the Krupp
works are located, and Magdeburg
is the site of an important branch
of the establishment. An indication
of the seriousness of the situation is
afforded by the fact that Field Mar
shall Won Hindenburg has considered
1t necessary to make a personal ap-
peal to the workers in which he de-
nounced strikes as inexcusable crimes
against the fighting forces.
In the meantime, General Nivelle
is making his unrelenting pressure
against the enemy against the most
vital point of his defenses. the sharp
angle at which the German line run
ming south from Lens turns east to-
ward Rheims. This angle has al
ready been crushed in to an apprs.-
ciable extent and is in imminent Gaas-
ger of being entirely shattered. The,
heavy toll Of prisoners taken BY the.
French mounts day by day, giving.
strong support of the report made IFS
Paris and London of the deterioratiops
of the German morale.
Three great obstacles stand in the
path of General Nivelle. The first is
the formidable and sinister Brimoat
plateau, the height from which the
German guns have poured their shells
on the Rheims cathedral. The French
are at the foot of this plateau and,
by double fanking movements, are
endeavoring to cut it off from the
main German line.
The second great barrier is the
almost similarly situated Fort de
Malmaison, which stands between
General Nivelle's troops and Laon
on the road from Laffeux.
The third obstacle is the upper
Coucy forest, densely wooded plat
eau which held up the French in their
initial drive from Scissors.
While, the French guns thunder
against these three German strong
holds, there is comparatively, inac-
tivity on the British front. That Gen
eral Haig is preparing for another
tremendous blow, is taken for grant
ed, and London believes this stroke
will not be long withheld.
Last nights progress by the Frensh
was chiefly in their movement against
the. Brimount plateau. They gafaed
ground here in grenade flghtinS east
of courcy. Similar progress 40 also