The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-06-15

were blown into the air by 20 charges
of high explosives, totaling million
pounds. Instantly the Englishmen,
Irishmen, Australians and New Zea.
landers that make up the British army
in Belgium sprang forward in success
sive waves, and one of the fiercest
battles Of the war was on.
The attack was directed at the Mes
sines ridge, between Messines and
! Wytschaete, where ever since October
of 1914 the Germans had maintained
themselves in a sharp salient that al.
ways threatened Ypres, only three
miles to the north. The morning rush
resulted in the capture of Messines
and Wytschaete and the enemy's de-
Tense systems on the nine-mile front,
and later in the day another forward
| movement took the British into and
through the village of Oosttaverne.
The entire salient was Strengthened out
and all the counter-attacks were re-
pulsed. Any considerable further ad.
vance In this sector will threaten the
German hold on Lille, which Is about
five miles from the nearest British po-
sition. Large numbers of prisoners
already have been taken.
The Germans must have known that
the attack of Messines ridge was In.
tended, for the preparatory lombard
ment was terrific, and yet reports from
prisoners indicated that they actually
were taken by surprise.
In preparation for the operations in
Flanders the British feet co-operated
with the land forces, subjecting Os-
tend to severe bombardment. The
British air forces also were in action,
repeatedly raiding the German bases
at Zeebrugge, Ostend and Bruges. In
retaliation squadron of German air.
planes attacked the British naval base
in the Midway, close to London, ON
Tuesday, but was driven off with the
loss of eight machines.
Several times during the week the
Germans made vicious attacks In the
Aisne and Champagne sectors and
even gained possession of some French
positions; but the gallant poilus al
most Immediately recovered the lost
ground, INJECTING severe losses on the
enemy.
The Austrians claimed to have eff
fectually checked the italian advance
toward Trieste, and announced that
the Italian losses in the offensive were
10000 men. On Tuesday the Italians
We're forced back south of Jamiano.
Dispatches from Rome revealed the
fact that Italy had proclaimed the in
dependence Of Albania.
Once more the British admiralty is
sued very satisfactory report on
the work of the submarines, showing
but 20 British vessels sunk in the
week, five of which were fishing ves-
sells. The American destroyers COM
pleted their first month In the war
and have proved themselves most valu-
able aids to the British naval forces.
Russia Is Warned.
Conditions in Russia remain chaotic,
though they may be Strengthened out
somewhat by the work Of the Root
commission and the American railway
engineers. The revolt of the garrison
of Kronstadt, which declared the is
land fortress independent of the gov
eminent, caused considerable concern
in Petrograd, but as the action of the
garrison was denounced by the Petro-
grad council Of workmen's and SOL
diers' delegateseit collapsed, and the
garrison bowed to the authority Of
the provisional government.
Following President Wilson's exam
pie, France replied to Russia's state
ment Of her peace plan by setting
forth In general way the demands Of \
the French. These, embodied in
vote of the chamber of deputies, in
clude the liberation of the territories
invaded by Germany, the return to
France Of Alsace-Lorraine and Just
reparation for damage.
Japan also took official cognizance
last week Of the Russian crisis, in
forming the government at Petrograd
that If Russia withdraws from the war
Japan, In consultation with England
and the United States, will consider
what measures to adopt. The pro-
government was warned that
II Russia accepts a separate peace 1t
will become another Austria under the
of Germany, will lose Po-
land, Lithuania and Finland and will
be stripped Of many of her outlying !
possessions. Furthermore, Japan in
formed Great Britain that while, In
case of Russia's withdrawal from the |
entente, japan would prefer to send |
her troops to France rather than to
undertake military chastisement Of |