The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-10-25
By EDWARD W. PickARo.


The week brought no real relief to
beleaguered Germany, externally or In
ternally. While the kaiser was hurry
ing down through Bulgaria TO Con-
stsntinople to mend his crumbling
fences, and Chancellor Michaelis was
struggling to hold on to his job, and
the German armies on the west front
were making costly and futile counter
attacks and slowly giving ground be-
fore the British and French, the land
and sea forces Of the empire did strike
ut Russia what. considered SUPERFICIAL
ly, might be thought to he a serious
blow. But the operations In the Bal
tic cannot be considered Of prime i'm,
portance and cause no special concern
among the allies, not even Russia be-
ing greatly worried.
Troops landed on the Island Of
Oessl, supported by the fleet, have sue
ceeded In capturing or driving on the
garrison, which resisted stoutly, and
the kaiser's warships are pushing back
tho Russian naval forces toward tho
Gulf of Finland. In the sen fighting
both sides lost several vessels. Tho
Russian feet 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 IA footing on the main
land. At last reports both sides were
hurrying up strong naval re-enforce-I
Inents. The real objective Of the Ger
man high command Is not revealed,
but II 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
II perilous extension Of his lines In
view OF the fact that winter is at hand.
South of Riga the Russian artillery
prevented the Germnns from throwing
bridges across the Dvlna.
Trying to Hold His Allies.
Increasing signs of breakup Of the,
alliance of the central powers prcb-
ably sent the kaiser on his trip to the
near East First he jollied the Bull
gnrlans, who, like the Austrlans arc
sick % the war; and II was significant
that Emperor Charles grnspcd II puny
excuse not to accompany his overbcnr-
ing ally. Then william ran down to
Constantinople. where Turkish girls
strewed ih,wers In his path and he and
the sultan exchanged decorations. IL
the kaiser can hold his coalition to.
geihcr much longer, II will he because
the allies do not make sufficiently at
tractivp separate peace suggestions To
Austria. Hungary, Bulgaria and Tur-
key.
As was expected, the opponents OF
Chancellor Michaells were quick to
take advantage Of he Wilhelmshaven
naval revolt incident. The Socialists
now present II united front against him
and have decided to vote against the
war credit Of $500, 600 600 nj the De-
cember session OF the reichstag unless
ne resigns. Foreign Secretary Won
Kuehlmann or Prince Won Bulow Is
said to be his probable successor,
though the war party still fears Count
Won Bernstorff may be appointed. In
the effort to save himself Michaels
offered Friedrich Won Payer the post
Of chancellor, displaying readiness To
throw overheard Doctor Helfferich and
also Minister Of Marine Won Capelle.
There are rumors that Michaelis Is
contemplating the establishment OF a
military dictatorship.
On the West Front.
In Flanders the British practically
completed their occupation OF the Inn
portant Passchendaele ridge and the
Germans were observed to be hurried
~ building a long dam for the purpose
nf flooding the low Land east Of the
ridge. Meanwhile the French on the
left hnnk Of the british steadily wild
en.d thc-basc uf the wedge that Is be-
Ing driven In between the German
armies and the Belgian coast The aEs
lied aviators made many raids and
dropped vast quantities OF explosives
on German military establishments
with destructive results. The German
airmen were not idle. but then main
raid was made on Nancy, where num-
ber Of civilians were killed.
The British government on tuesday
announced formally, through Bonar
Law, chancellor OF the exchequer. that
reprisals would be made for the Ger
man raids over London and other un-
fortified places. German towns, Mr..
Law said, will be bombarded so far as
military needs will release the neces-
snry machines. Tive threat may be sur
ncient to check the barbarity Of the
Germans I'm this respect.