The Republican journal., 1917-03-29
The War News in Brief.

Shortly after the Germans began their re-
treat in France statement was given out
from Berlin that this merely withdrawal
in accordance with pre- arranged plan to get
the Allies away from their trenches and into
the open, where the forces of the Kaiser could
fall upon and destroy them Thia is the sub
stance of statement column long from
German official Does any one believe, that if
this was the plan of the Germans it would
have been given this publicity that the A lies
would have been thus notified of what was in
store for them? Is it not more reasonable to
suppose that this retreat was begun because
the Allies had preponderance of men and
guns and the continuous pounding of the big
guns had rendered the German trenches unten-
able. Other reasons assigned for this with
drawap are the growing scarcity of food, in
ternal dissensions at home, necessitating get
ting nearer base. and at the same time shorten.
ing the line of defence. There are rumors of
serious riots in Berlin in connection with
scarcity of food, and of strikes in five munition
factories in Dusseldorf in protest against the
small ratlons entailed by the reduction in
the meat bread and potato allowances in
troduced last week. The workers refused
to work unless the food rations were increased
But whatever the reason it was a retreat.
with the Allies in hot pursuit, and rear guard
engagem ents until March 22nd, when the re.
tirement of the German forces appeared to
have halted. at least temporarily, as both the
British and French communications reported
counter attacks and stubborn resistance at
various points along the 'front.' DESPITE this
apparent change in German tactics, both the
British and French forces had made PROGRESS
and continued to do SO at the end of last week.
The week closed with the British and Rus
sian forces In the east apparently having the
upper hands OF the Turks, Italy holding her
own, and French activity near Monastir in
Serbia.
March 2lst the American steamer Herald
ton, from Philadelphia for Rotterdam via
Bergen, was torpedoed without warning when
"well within the so-caled safe channel" and
seven Americans lost their lives and at least
twelve others were drowned. This, however,
had less to do with the action Of the President
In calling Congress together on April 2nd. in.
stead of the later date, than the incess ant
pounding of the press, in which such leading
Democratic journals as the New York World,
the New YORK Times, the Brooklyn Eagle and
hosts Of others have been conspicuous. After
the cabinet meeting on March 23d it was indi-
Gated that the government wa preparing for
vigorous action as soon as state of war is de-
cared by Congress to exist. One of the first
steps under consideration is the supplying of
the Entente allies with money. Preparations
also are being made to speed up the work on
munitions.
Fighting continues on the western front and
at this writing has been generally favorable
to the Allies. If they continue to advance the
Germans will have to abandon the Hinden-
burg line of defence. Germans are believed
to be preparing for drive in Russia with Pet.
rograd as their objective point. great Aus
tro-German offensive the Italian front has
been freely predicted throughout Italy, but