Mexico Missouri message., 1917-12-06


to prevent a threatened attack by the
Teutonic forces on the SalOnlki front.
Very large numbers Of German troops
have been taken from the Russian
front, and while many of them were
sent to replace the worn-out divisions
in Flanders, others probably were
turned toward the Greek frontier.
Not many could be used in Italy owing
to the narrowness Of the fighting front
there.
1t does not seem reasonable to as
sumo, from the success of Byng's at
tack, that the allies have any idea Of
abandoning high explosive artillery
preparation for such movements In the
future and depending on the use of
great masses of infantry, regardless
of the consequent heavy casualties.
Either great droves Of tanks such as
Byng used, or heavy shelling, is nee
essary to open the way for infantry,
and it Is likely the tanks alone could
not have done 1t If the Germans had
not been taken so completely by sur
prise.
The movements Of the French last
week were not so sensational as those
Of the British, but they were of great
Importance. A strong salient of the
German line to the south of Juvin-
court was attacked and partly straight
ened out, and all the positions recent
ly won north of the Chemin des Danes
were maintained. 1t Is not unlikely
that the Germans will be forced to
line north of Laon, losing that very
important city.
Allenby Surrounding Jerusalem.
Jerusalem seems the certain prize Of
General Allenby's expeditionary forces
in Palestine, for after taking Jaffa he
moved on to the east and northeast un-
til he had the city almost surrounded.
If the Turks attempt seriously to de-
fend 1t, 1t may be Allenby will draw
a Gordon about 1t and starve them into
surrender, rather than shock the
Christian world by bombardlDg its
holiest shrlnes.
The remarkable tenacity with which
the Italians held on to their Piave
| river line and its continuation In the
mountains between the Piave and the
Brenta so checked the Austro-German
advance that attacks virtually ceased
during the first half Of the week. On
Thursday, however, the enemy began
a great mass attack on the upper Pi-
ave where 1t bends to the northeast
into the Belluno Alps. The German
commander brought into action picked
troops Of the Prussian guards, some
of the best units from the west and
Russian fronts and large body of the
notoriously brutal mountaineer/ from
lower Hungary.
American Troops Going Over Fast.
1t is no breach of confidential infor-
nation to state now that the transpor-
tation of American troops to Europe
is going forward with increasing rapid
ity, and that General Pershing prob
ably will have q million men in his
command by next summer. The train
ing of a great part Of the National
army will be curtailed in America and
completed quickly on French soil.
The British government has now come
over to the view of the French war
commission that visited us, and is
urging that our troops get into action
In as large numbers and as swiftly as
is possible. This has been the pro-
gram of the administration for some
time, and the ship-building program
has been speeded up accordingly. In
fact, President Wilson is insisting on
swiftness in all departments, and on
Monday he made his requirements In
this line clear to various cabinet Off
GERS and other officials. At the same
time he appointed Daniel Willard
chairman of the war industries board
to succeed Frank A. Scott, who re
signed on account of Ill health.
Rear Admiral Capps resigned as gen
eral manager of the emergency fee
corporation on Thursday because HI
does not believe the policy of con
structing wooden ships will result sat
isfactorily, and thinks the shipping
board should have extended existing
plants to their capacity instead Of at
tempting to build new yards. Chair
man Hurley, however, is eradicatini
many of the causes Of complaint ant
his program promises to be successful
If he can get enough labor.
Mr.. Wilson is earnestly-even in
sistently-in favor of the creation o.
supreme war council Of the allies
and has instructed Colonel House t
do all he can to bring It about at thu
Paris conference.
Triumph for Lloyd-Georoe.
When Premier Lloyd-George cam,
to reply to his critics in parlIamen
concerning his advocacy of the inter
allied war council, he gained a grea
J personal triumph and quite routed AS
quith and his followers. In the cours
Of his speech he said the goyernmen