Evening star., 1917-01-21

Conference Between British
War Council and Military
Commanders Important.
PROBABLY FORESHADOWS
GREAT ACTIVITY IN WEST
Tide of Battle Seems to Be Turned
in Rumania-Possible Causes
Set Forth.

losses. If official advices are to be be-
lieved.
While the Russians have taken a
brace in Rumania, they likewise have
been constantly pounding the enemy in
the Riga section of the eastern front.
The Germans have launched several at
larly in the Lake Babit sector. but as
yet they have been unable to wrest
from the foe advantages recently
gained by the Russians. The czar's
forces have been particularly active in
scored minor successes here.
Actions in this region apparently
have been of local character, but 1t
nevertheless is believed that they are
but forerunners of more concerted
action on the part Of the Russians.
British forces operating northward
along the River Tigris, with the hope
of capturing
British Gaining Kut-el-Amara.
Along Tigris River. wrested - Il from
Gen. Townshend earlier in the war, are
making progress, according to official
advices. Except for small strip of
land to the northeast of the town the
British are declared to have cleared
the right bank of the river. The Turks
claim to have checked the British at
several points.
Miserable weather conditions prevail
ing both IN the Trentino and Trieste
regions of the Austro-Italian front have
materially curtailed activity in these
directions, but the Italian and Austrian
artillery has been kept busy during
cent weeks. With the exception Of a
few small actions of no Importance
infantry on both sides has been mac
tive.
II it is true. as stated In entente capi-
tails at the time the German peace
tenders first
Germans Convinced It were m d e.
Is Finish Fight. fers TO- end
the war composed political trap and
| were intended solely to place the onus
of further struggle upon the shoulders
| of the allies. and, above all. were in
tended to convince the. German people
beyond peradventure that they were
fighting a defensive struggle. German
statesmen figured well.
Today after full discussion of the al
lied peace note to President Wilson, in
which the ambitions of the entente
were explicitly set forth, all Germany
is convinced that the nation must fight
as never before, il the integrity of the
German empire is to be preserved. The
feeling that Germany has no other
choice than to make ruthless war until
the enemy has been conquered per-
vades to the lowest classes. Every
where there is a willingness to fight
on and on until victory comes or 1t is
plainly apparent that Germany cannot
win. But there are few comments that
Germany cannot win. If dispatches en-
anating from German sources are to be
given credence. There seems to be
only inflexible opinion that the bravery
of German soldiers and superiority Of
arms are sure to surmount the gravest
difficulties.
uBt with all this, and even through
many organizations of varying charac-
ter and purpose voice their undying
fealty to the causes for which the Ger
man empire Is fighting, there Is a con-
| tinued feeling of unrest, due to the
great suffering which has come to pass
because OF the extremely unsatisfac-
tory economic conditions. Food is
scarcer than ever in Germany and great
restrictions have been thrown about
| the purchase of such articles as cloth
ing and shoes. There has been built
reality the people are living complete
I ly under the domination of the state,
which not only keeps the purse strings
| tied pretty securely, but curbs quantity
purchases OF all kinds as well. It is
| reliably stated that even though Ger
| mans have money. it avails them little
for food Is not to be had in sufficient
| quantities. The scarcity of fats is de-
ciared to be even greater than a few
| weeks ago.
| There is declared to be a growing
opinion among the several small states
duchies and independent cities which
make up the German empire that Prus-
/ sfa, the greatest of the many is pre-
pairing to perpetuate itself in the fore
front after the war has halted, even at
the expense of the others. If this feel
ing grows. it Is declared, a revolution
| in Germany seems certain. Such re-
ports. in the main. cannot be given
great credence, however.
The one important feature in Ger
many's present situation Is the very
evident determination of not only the
to the fullest every possible means to
bring the common enemies to their
| knees.
| Ruthless submarine warfare has been
championed in the Prussan diet Other
| political leaders
Opinion Divided on have counseled
| rrp vry against the tor
| pedoing of ships
without warning, and have advocated
the fulfillment of all pledges made to
the United States. Still others have
stanchly advocated the employment of
the U-boat irregardless of neutral opin-
ion and neutral rights, the consequences
be what they may The German people
as mass. believing that great battle
of starvation is being waged between
Germany on the one hand and England
on the other. are inclined to favor a
sharper" campaign against English
shipping. with the hope of forcing
hunger in the British Isles. The Won
Tirpitz group. which has long stood
against Chancellor Won Bethmann