The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-12-08


was taken in the appointment of SUI
perior war council through which all
the war activities of the government
will be enabled to work together. This
council is made up of the members of
the council of national defense-Secre-
taries Baker, Daniels, Lane, Houston,
Redfield and Wilson-Secretary Nc
Adoo, Chairman Hurley of the ship
ping board, Food Administrator Hoov-
er, Fuel Administrator Garfield and
Chairman Willard of the war indus
tries board. Director Clifford of the
council of national defense will sit
with this superior council, and Presi-
dent Wilson will meet with it when
ever he thinks it advisable.
The government Is making q deter
mined effort to settle the troubles Of
the railways and it's own problems in
the matter of transportation, and just
now the plan of railroad pool for all
lines east of Chicago is being tried out.
If this Is not successful, it is predict
3D. the government may take over the
operation of all American railways.
President Wilson proclaimed a new
embargo on the importation Of many
articles that are essentials of NUM-
lions Of war, without the express per-
mission Of the government. This will
operate to conserve American tonnage
for war purposes and to facilitate the
Importation of raw materials and 9TH
er supplies necessary in the manufac-
ture of munitions. This assumption
n Of control over imports, provided for
In the embargo act, gives the govern
b ment powerful weapon for the eco,f
yf5homic war On Germany and an be
g directed also against neutral traders
/ suspected of supplying the central
J, powers with American goods.
e President Wilson on Monday ap-
q proved recommendation of Mr..
8 Hoover reducing the alcoholic content
j of beer to per cent and reducing the
J. amount Of grain used by brewers to
e about 70 per cent of the volume hither-
L to consumed. Prohibition of all brew
It ing, the administration believes, would
n divert tipplers from the comparatively
/ harmless beer to the consumption OF
/ whisky, brandy and gin, of which there
is in the country enough to last seve.
r eral years
b No War on Austria Yet.
i Vigorous enforcement of the orders
q restricting enemy aliens made things
y rather lively last week for German
1 residents, especially of the large cities
5 But the hope that the administration
d would make easier the checking of es
d pionage by having congress declare
|, war on Austria went glimmering. For
q reasons which could not be made pub.
i lie, President Wilson and his cabinet
= agreed that no declaration against the
dual monarchy should be made unless
q 1t commits some further especially
hostile acts. The president pointed out
the fact that the enemy alien law could
be amended to include the subjects OF
g countries allied with Germany, as was
$ done in the trading with the enemy
t act, and Attorney General Gregory al
! once began the preparation of such an
t amendment.
Vatican Replies to Critics.
Y Unusually bold criticism of the
d course of the Vatican by number of
b papers, and assertions that the pope
d had been fostering the cause of Aus
h tria, had been far from neutral and
$ should be called on to make his posi-.
Y ton clear, brought forth indignant de-
d NAL from Cardinal Gasparri, papal
/ secretary Of state. Said he: "To say
Y that his holiness favors, or has ia
q vored, or will favor an unjust, I'M
d Christian, and uncomfortable peace is
Y not only false but also absurd. Any
r propaganda for such a peace, alleged
: to be conducted at the Vatican's in
! spiration, especially in certain nations,
8 Is the product of pure maliciousness.' y
e He asserted that the disruptive
d propaganda that began to affect the
Y morale of the italian army could not
be laid at the doors Of the Vatican,
0 and that 'the shoulders on which
e rests the responsibility for the re-
t verses are well-known, responsibility
0 which certainly does not touch Cath
: olics, the clergy and least of all the
august person of the sovereign pom
t tiff"
g His eminence made no reference to
9 the Sim Fein rebellion in Ireland.
: One of the first matters taken up by
y the interallied conference in Paris was
the need of speedy diplomatic action
In regard to Switzerland, where Ger
r man intrigue is imperiling the neu-
: trality of the country and gaining eco
. nomical domination through control of
r the Swiss railways. The Swiss federal
I council is becoming anxious over Ger
man military movements on the from
$ ter.