davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1917-04-01
May Be Fighting for Time.

Last of all, it remains to consider the
possibility that the German retirement
in the west is predicated primarily on
the notion that time has become the
ally of the central powers. If the Ger
mans believe. as they seem to do. that
their submarine campaign against
Great Britain is likely to succeed
within the next six or eight months,
then they can afford to avoid the great
loss and the great strain incident to a
new battle like that of the Somme.
Suppose, for example, that the Ger
mans while making some successful
offensive either in Russia, the Balkans
or Italy, choose to follow Il defensive
policy in the west. Then it is clear that
they can stand for a time upon that
line to which they are now falling
back-the ArrasLaon line Three
months hence. when the allies have
brought up all the machinery that they
mad along the old front, the Germans
NAV then retire to the French frontier
and hold the line from Lille along the
frontier forts to Mezieres. OH the
Meuse, and then along the Meuse to a
point of junction with their present
front BY laying waste the country in
front of them, as they have already IN
their present retreat, they could delay
for at lease two months more. probably
three, any allied offensive on this
front This would mean that there
would be no allied drive in the west
this year, unless the British attacked
in Belgium or the French in Lorraine.
Such tactics would necessitate the
evacuation of the most of France, but
ii would enable the Germans to shorten
their front another forty miles. and.
granted that they were as successful as
they have so far been in the present
retreat, 1t would bring no military dis
advantage.
Again, supposing that the war were
prolonged through next winter and
German foods and materials held out,
it would be possible again for the Ger
mans to retire next year to a line from
Antwerp in front of Brussels through
Namur to Mezieres. This would neces-
state the evacuation Of the seacoast
Of Belgium and of Zeebrugges to which
Evening star., 1917-04-01
INQUIRY STARTS TOMORROW.
Bureau of Labor Statistics to Inyes-
tigate Retail Prices.

A conference of woman agents ofshe
bureau of labor statistics. who WIN
start tomorrow on the bureaus sema-an-
nual investigation of retail food prizes
throughout the United States. was nste
at the Labor Department yesterday.
The women will gather the .statisfs01
from large retail establishments In Va
rious large cities of the country. ms
cluding the National Capital A c0Qpi9
of the Investigators have been a& Wor
here for a week. The prooe
~ the regular annual work Of tho -
reau and is carried out through ooroDI
eration Of stores In -yAyia0A NtanA
Evening star., 1917-04-01
The Russian Possibility.

It is well to remember that such an
the recent Russian revolution, because
wherever the Germans mean to attack
they have OF necessity been preparing
for the last six months. for the mod
crate preparations and long period
of preliminary activity. We may see
that the conditions in Russia. out OF
which the revolution grew-conditions
well known to the Germans and in
large measure induced by them-may
have led the Germans to decide TO at
tack Russia. They might have calcu-
lated that Russian disorganiZation was
such that the attack upon Russia would
be most profitable, but their decision
was necessarily made not in March,
but not later than the beginning of
last winter.
An attack upon Saicniki would yield
immediate profit The allied hold upon
Monastir is of the slightest, and L do
not think any one questions the ability
of the Germans, il they chose to send
the troops, to drive Sarraifs army back
upon Saloniki, although the actual cap
ture OF the city would be rather i'm
probable. Such an attack, however,
would put q tremendous strain upon
the allied transport in the region in
which it is most difficult to protect it
from submarine activity.
AS to the Italian possibilities they
are at present too remote to discuss.
If the Germans plan an offensive
against Italy they Will merely follow
the pathway of the .Austrians last year,
a pathway which led almost to the
Venetian plain.
Evening star., 1917-04-01

the Germans will hold as long as they
can, because it is a convenient base
for submarine operations. But IL would
again entail no serious military loss.
It would once more very greatly short
en- the German front, thus saving men,
and it would not bring the allies within
dangerous distance of the German
frontier.
Such a program as this may may
not be within German calculations.
What | desire now to point out is that
methOdical retirements may be carried
out from each of the lines which the
German has prepared in France and
in Belgium, If 1t be the military policy
of Hindenburg to avoid battle In tho
west, as he has now, temporarily at
least, avoided a renewal of the battle
of the Soume.
Russia Appears Chief Objective.
And present Indications do seem to
point toward a determination on the
part of the Germans to avoid q battle
in the west this year. although IL re-
mains conceivable that they will ~.
tack either I'm Flanders. Champagne or
Lorraine. To judge from what tho
German papers are now beginninG<
say, it would appear that their policy
to retire in advance of a decisive baths
with their most dangerous enemies
!
their chief effort not against Russia or
in the Balkans, but actually to rely
upon their submarine campaign, II not
to bring England to her knees, at least
to bring her to the point where she will
consent to a negotiated peace.
1t is well to remember that we have
as yet no hint of the actual German
strategy, apart from the possible EVIL
dence of retirement between Arras and
scissors. We may fairly accept this
retirement as an evidence of allied sue.
cess in the battle of the Somme, but we
cannot see in II yet any evidence of
the breakdown of German morale or the
weakening of the defensive power Of
the German in the west that is q
weakening which points to an imme-
diate and decisive ending of the war.
We have just seen the first move in
the greatest campaign the world has
ever known. This move has been made
by the Germans. Conceivably it is to
be followed now by a German blow in
the west or by an allied offensive be-
tween Arras and Ypres; between
Rheims and Nerdun; between Mont-a-
MousSon and EpinaL The present i'm
dications seem to me to point to a Ger
man offensive in the east or in the
! south, and not in the west. Beyond
! that no one can go at this time and
! the chief element in strategy is to
strike where the blow is least expected,
| been consistently faithful
Evening star., 1917-04-01
Plan to Strike
France Is Hazardous.

strike France in this way is dscredited
because of the extremely difficult char
acter of the territory which must be
traversed by the Germans before they
can come within striking distance of
the French frontier. Under most favor
able circumstances German progress in
this direction would be difficult to the
point Of hazarding all possibility of
success Then again, though the Ital-
ians might suffer extremely great re-
verses it is not believed that the forces
of Gen. Cadorna would be so thorough
" beaten that they would not offer Sc
rious and constant menace to the Ger
man lines of communication, which
would necessarily be long.
Even the Macedonian and Rumanian
fronts where there hive been let-ups
in the fighting. have seen renewal of
onerations during the past seven days
chief activity, however. has centered
about the heights captured by the
French to the north of Monastir in Ser
bia The French gained positions in
the region of Tsrvena Stena after ter
rible fighting. During the week Ger
mans and Bulgars have directed several
hitter counter attacks, all of which
have been repulsed according to Paris
official statements. The French claim
to have taken total of 2.l04 prisoners
in recent fighting.
That allied suspicious respecting the
possibility Of Greek opposition are not
wholly without warrant is indicated
by the activity of Greek insurgent
bands operating in the general region
of kipurgos. These have been the source
of much annoyance to the allied forces,
and, according to the French. they
have been dispersed.
In Rumania the Germans have direct
ed several attacks against the Russian
lines in the vicinity of Folkshani. Rus
slams claim to have made minor gains.
The character OF, engagements indicates
that resumption of operations on a
large scale soon is likely.
Evening star., 1917-04-01
mania it was stated in Berlin and given
Italians Expect Big
German Drive.

1tal1ans Expect Big
German Drive. enemv to be
made the victim of Teutonic military
might would be Italy. In view of al
lied preparations on other fronts 1t was
stated in London and Paris that the en-
tente armies would be keeping the Ger
mans so busy that they would be un-
able to turn considerable attention to
wiping out the Italians. in other words.
the proposed German effort was dis
credited as being impracticable under
the conditions which the allied govern
ments then were planning for the pres
ent spring.
During the week just closed there
have been renewal of signs that the
Teutonic governments were not jesting
when they declared that they intended
to strike the Italians mighty blow.
Allied capitals apparently are not wor-
ried. but it is a significant fact that
they are overlooking no preparations
for any move the Germans may make
against the forces of Gen. Cadorna. Sir
William Robertson, great British army
leader, and Gen. Weygand. right hand
man to Gen. Nivelle, have been confer
ring with Gen. Cadorna. commander-in-
chief of the italian armies Presumably
plans have been laid for the expected
German drive.
Not only have the announcements of
Berlin and Vienna Spurred the entente
nations to realization that the Ger
mans are in earnest but the military
activities along the whole Italian line.
more particularly in the Trentino re-
gions, have convinced Italian officers
and soldiers as well that there are to
be exciting times in the course of the
next few weeks. The AustrianS have
been largely reinforced not only with
men, but heavy artillery The big gun
activity in the Trentino has been partic-
ularlv marked. After the failure of
the Trentino offensive last year the
Austrians were content to rest in their
positions. Not so recently Several
vigorous attacks have been launched
against various Italian positions
with varying results Rome re-
ports the repulse of the majority of
these On the Julian front however, the
Austrians have captured several
trenches The general military situa-
ton has not been changed so far, how
ever.
With increased Austrian activity and
the possibility that the Austrian armies
on the Italian front have been rein
forced with German divisions from
France and Rumania, Rome declares
the main Germanic drive cannot be long
delayed. It is believed there that the
Germans will endeavor to deal death
blow to Italian aspirations, at the same
time overrunning northern Italy below
the Swiss frontier and striking at
France through this region.
x
Although the Germans may have ef-
fected arrangements to cripple Italy's
Evening star., 1917-04-01

trail powers, or. the internal conditions
prevailing in Austria and Germany were
the chiefeSt of the issues taken up by
the Teutonic rulers. There is a possi-
bility that these internal conditions
have become SO menacing that the two
emperors are forced to take every
measure to combat the results of con-
tinued disaffection. On the other hand
there is a likelihood that the kaiser sum-
moned Emperor Charles with the hope
of forestalling any plan Austria may
have of proposing separate armistice
with the Russians.
Undoubtedly the Russian revolution
has created a feeling of unrest in Ger
many. There is
German Unrest demand for
Probably Increased. tora1 reform
and though Chancellor Won Bethmann
Hollweg has tried to forestau any
move in this direction until the war is
over. his effort probably will not be
successful for the reason that the Rus
sian workingmen and socialists have
called upon their fellows in Germany
to rise up and through off the imperial
istic yoke.
Germany, if she keeps pace with other
nations, must adopt a more democratic
form of government, it is declared. I'm
doubtedly strong pressure viii be
brought to bear on Won Bethmann Holl-
veg to make some move. That it may
come in the immediate future. possibly
to forestall any effort to completely
overthrow the present monarchica1 form
of government, is likely.
The new Russian government is ac-
complishing it's work well. Grave prob
lens are being solved and everywhere
there is tendency among all classes
of people to in nowiSe impede the for
ward march toward complete deliver
ance from the old order of things.
The Russian army is thoroughly loyal
to the new government and royal I'M
perial dukes and princes have pledged
their support. Grand Duke Nicholas,
though deprived Of military leadership.
is stanchly a supporter of the new
regime. Even the most radical of so
cialist elements is backing the new
government. In the ranks of the work
ingmen-a section destined to play a
big part in the Russia of the future
there only is fear that by some false
move the government may again rest
in the hands of some monarch. The
workingmen everywhere are bending
to the gigantic task of revamping Rus
sias industrial life. No tolerance Is
being shown officials or so-called
bosses who in any way impede prog
reSs.
The new cabinet is building up the
transportation and supply systems OF
the nation. Tolerance and fair dealing
are manifest in all handling OF civil af-
fairs.
Everywhere there Is a strong senti-
ment that Russia must win the war
Further uprisings which undoubtedly
would lead to a state Of chaos are
frowned upon. for the fear that these
may lead to Russia's defeat in the
struggle Russia desires the war to
end, but Russia of today knows victory
must be won If all aspirations are re-
allied and the quickest road to victory
is loyal, eo-ordinated and efficient en-
deavor.
Evening star., 1917-04-01
Meanwhile Retirement Before British and French DriUe
Releases Troops for Probable Teutonic Offensive
Against Russia or in South---Expen Doubts
Counter Attacks in West
By FRANK H. SIMONDS,
Author of "The Great War;"



MI
Iswihpr
allies haveap
Evening star., 1917-04-01

Considera Die speculation has been In
dulged in in recent days as to possible
German plans for
Speculation as to the future Reports
n p, have come that the
Germans already
are sacking and destroying in those re-
gions lying Immediately to the east
and north of their present positions,
which might indicate that they con-
template further retirement from their
present line. 1t is argued that IL the
Germans are planning further retreat.
Evening star., 1917-04-01

1t will be the second of a series. for
retrograde warfare cannot he effective
at any juncture. While it is claimed
in some quarters that the Germans full
we'll realize that they are defeated In
the present war and must retire before
facing the horrible punishment that
must come in any sort of future bat
tie, others maintain that the Germans
undoubtedly will strike back with tre-
mendous power when they consider
that the opportune moment has ar
rived.
1t is believed that they have not yet
abandoned the idea of reaching either
Calais or Paris, or both. News dis
patches declare that the Germans al
ready have started a retiring movement
from Mulhouse. in Alsace. and that
big military events may be expected
in Belgium owing to the strict meth
DDS pursued by the Germans to conceal
their movements in this region.
On the other hand. 1t is declared that
the Germans are anticipating an OF
fensive Whatever German plans. they
undoubtedly will be revealed In many
of their details within the course OF
the next few weeks. for it is expected
that at no time will the fighting die
down along the western front from
now on 1t is to be an open kind OF
conflict. and such methods of war lead
to striking events.
Evening star., 1917-04-01

Undoubtedly the Russian revolution
has created a feeling of unrest in Ger
Evening star., 1917-04-01

In that section of the line to the
south of st. Quentin the Germans also
Evening star., 1917-04-01

Though but little space has been de-
voted in official dispatches to the oper-
Evening star., 1917-04-01

Following the overrunninx Of Ru-
Evening star., 1917-04-01

Although the Germans may have ef- |
fected arrangements to cripple Italy's |
Evening star., 1917-04-01

The political situation in Europe
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-01-23
JUMPED FROM HIS
BURNING MANSION

Knoxville, Ia, Jan. 23.-The ten
room suburban mansion belonging
to S. f. Collins, a retired Marion
county bridge builder, situated in
South Knoxville was almost COM
pletely destroyed by fire yesterday
afternoon, causing a loss of about
$4,000, covered by only $500 in
surance.
The cause vas a defective furnace
flue.
While Mr.. Collins. who is a man
past 65 years old, was trying to save
furniture from the upper rooms, he
was cut off by fire from escape by
the stairway.
In order to save himself he ran
back to the bedroom, seized a mat
tress and threw it out of the Win
dow, and then after giving direc-
lions that it be held up from the
ground by women, who were first at
the scene, he jumped onto the mat
tress and escaped without injury.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-01-23
HOSPITAL Notes.

Miss Emma Timm of. Fort Dodge
an operation for the re-
moval of her tonsils yesterday at
Mercy hospital.
Mrs. Ada Nelson of Duncombe,
who has been in the hospital for
three weeks recovering from two Sc
we're operations, was able to return
home today.
Mrs. E. Koontz of Alden, who has
been in the hospital three weeks re-
covering from a major operation, ex-
poets to return home today.
Mrs. H. H. Carson of Kamrar. who
underwent a serious operation yes
terday, is resting as we'll as car be
expected.
Mrs. j. H. Willie of Williams was
brought to Mercy hospital Sunday
suffering with an attack of gall
stones and appendicitis. She was
the victim of a severe fall on a ce-
ment walk Friday night in which
she received a hard bump on the
back of her head and was otherwise
quite badly shaken up. Mrs. Willie
will not undergo an operation now
but will remain at the hospital a
week or so taking treatment.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-01-23
Attend Brothers Wedding.

DR.. and Mrs. r. w. Pote and lit
tie daughter returned yesterday
from Des Moines where on Satur-
day evening they attended the we'd
ding of the Doctors brother, Har.
old F. Pote of Stuart, and Miss Mel
laby Finney, daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Frank Finney Of Des Moines.
The wedding was an elaborate af-
fair, taking place in the Ashbury
Methodist church. Little Miss
Jeanne Pote acted as ring bearer,
preceding the bridal party down the
church aisle and carrying the gold
en- circlet in a basket of %jonquils.
The bride is prominent in educa-
tional and musical circles, having
been instructor in the voice depart
ment of Simpson college. Mr.. Pote
is a prominent business man of Stu
art and after a short wedding trip
the couple will be at home in that
place.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-01-23
i. S. FIRMS DROP
RAILROAD LOANS

Toxic, Jan. 23.-Because Of pro-
tests raised by Great Britain, France
and Russia, the railway loan o
tract signed September 80 between
the Chinese government and the
American firms of Stems C Carey,
st. Paul, has been revised, accord
ing to an official dispatch to the Jap
anese government. Four lines, all
but the one connecting Yingchow
in the island of Hainan, have been
dropped from their original contract
it is reported. The line in Hainan
Island and another of 500 miles
which is to connect Chuchow, a
town in Human Province, with
Chinchow, in Kwangtung. are given
in the new contract. The amount OF
the loan is to be changed as a result
of a change in the plans, says the
dispatch received here. The new
amount is to be decided after a sur
vey by Mr.. Kyle, engineer of the
Siems-Carey Company, who is now
on his way to China. 1t is probable
that the last proposed line between
Chuchow and Chinchow also may re.
ceive a protest from Great Britain
and France, because Of conflict with
the Hanking-Hisngyi line and the
Peking-Hankow road, both under
British interests. The French claim
rights for lines from Yunnan to
Chinchow and from Chinchow to
LChungkung.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-01-23
Baby Passes Away.

j. H. Rice, an employe in the Ma
tional Sewer Pipe plant who has
been boarding at the d. c.. Miller
home, left yesterday for Alton. In
diana, called by the death of his five
months old baby daughter, Eva, who
passed away early Sunday morning
following a severe cold on the lungs.
The Rice family, consisting Of the
father, mother, a little girl of seven,
a boy of four and the baby, lived on
west Water street until about two
months ago when the wife and
mothers health became impaired
and physicians diagnosed her case as
tuberculosis. The sick woman's par
.ents, residing in Alton, Indiana, sent
for her and she started on the long
journey with the three children.
Friends thought she would not sur-
.vive the trip, her condition was so
serious when she left here. How
ever, she did and now writes back
that she is in practically a normal
condition and that the physicians
there say she hasn't tubercular
trouble.
Upon leaving this city yesterday,
Mr.. Rice said he would return as
as possible. However, it is
presumed by friends here that he
will remain in Alton with his FAM
lily if he can find suitable employ
mant.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-01-23
S%toneburner- Miller.

The marriage of Miss Goldie
stoneburner. a prominent young
woman of Boone, to Mr.. Glee Mil
Ter, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Ray Miller
of the Miller lunch room and a for
mer resident here, was solemnized
at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon at
the home of Rev. c. V. Pence, pas
tor of the Christian church. Mr..
and Mrs. Oliver J.. Boylan of this
city accompanied the young people.
Mr.. and Mrs. Miller will remain in
the city for a few days visit with
the formers parents before return
ing to Boone where they will make
their home.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-01-23
.CRUMPTON'S PILL
! mixers DEFEATED
Lose Three Straight to Richeson's
Cracks in Bowling League
Games.

Crumpton's Pill Mixers went
down in defeat last night in the Elks
Bowling League to the count OF
three straight. In spite of the fight
ing spirit shown by their captain,
the Pill Mixers were unable to hit
the pins and Richeson's Cracks walk
ed all over them. No startling
scores were made but the consistent
bowling Of DR.. Berg gave him the
honors Of the evening with 1S5 for
high game and 16S for high aver
age. Local contests will start at s
o'clock instead of 9 from now on.
The score:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-01-23
National Official Coming.

The Daughters of the American
Revolution of this city expect to en-
joy a special treat on the evening
of Jan. 3Oth, when Mr.. E. M. Went
worth, national president-general Of
the Sons of the American Revolu-
ton, a kindred organization, will be
in the city to address a meeting. An
nouncement of the place of meeting
and further particulars will be fur
nished later.