Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-17

they began their somme drive last
July. The town itself 10 Of special
Importance. but several railroads con-
verge there, and these roads have been
very useful to the Germans for the
transportation of troops and supplies
behind their lines. The Germans
have undoubtedly made such other ar
rangements for transport as were pos
s.tle. as their loss Of Bapaume has
for some time seemed inevitable.
4 4 y 4 +
All Of the operations on the west
front have been regarded everywhere
as preliminary to a grand spring Of
fensivs by the allies. Last years op-
erations were interrupted by the early
closing in of winter. but the winter
months have been used by the allies
in preparing for their resumption on
an inconceivably greater scale, and 1t
Is to be supposed that the Germans
have been equally energetic in their
preparations for the impending strug-
gle.
X X + X X
ChinA's severance Of diplomatic re-
lations with Germany has passed with
little comment. From military
standpoint this will probably mean
little. even il the non-intercourse be
followed by a formal declaration Of
war, for China has neither army.
navy nor equipment that could be
used with any effect against Ger
many. and, with the exception Of an
occasional surface raider that slips
through the British Gordon, Germany
has no ships ahoat which could find
even momentary refuge in China's
ports II they remained open to her.
There is. however, the possibility that
the new situation may develop some
commercial significance. Germany
has for many years sought to gain q
foothold in China, and as one of the
results Of sthe Boxer rebellion, she
had some success. In the form Of in
demnity she exacted from China the
payment of large sums for long pc
Aoo, cud SAS dlEO 4oECCu IuC CSSS1Ou
to her of the port of Kiaou Chau.
which was captured by the japanese
early in the war. The Chinese sub
mitted because they could not help
themselves, but Germany has not been
popular in China. The present situa-
ton seems to afford opportunity for
the wise use Of American enterprise
and credit in the development Of
which China is sorely In need, and
the present time appears to be ap-
opportunity.
X X X X
Ambassador Bernstorff has reached
Berlin after a rather uneventful cross
ing, and Ambassador Gerard reached
Washington at almost the same time.
Each ambassador has been in close
communication with his government,
and each has maintained an attitude
of reserve toward the public. Mr..
Gerard has stated his conviction that
Germany is determined on the pros
ecution of her ruthless submarine
campaign at all hazards. and he re-
ports that there appears to be strong
faith in its efficiency.
X X X 4 X
The submarine campaign was
marked during the week by the sink
ing without warning Of the American
freighter Algonquin. No lives were
lost. but this was not because of any
effort on the part Of the attacking
party to spare life The ship was
shelled from the surface. and was
later sunk by means Of bombs placed
by boarding party. No public COM
ment on the incident has been made
by the American administration
Probably it is realized that comment
is needless and that It would be futile
The relations between the two coun-
tries are those Of war in all but the
name. Germany has declared her
purpose to sink slipping on sight. and
she is carrying out that purpose. The
American government has ordered
the arming Of merchant ships to re-
sist such attacks and the first en-
counter between a German submarine
and an armed American merchant
vessel Is but a matter of time and
chance. The only further step which
can be taken by the American gov
ernment, short of q declaration Of
war. which can be made only by
congress. is the dispatch Of American
war vessels to convoy merchant ships
through the danger zone.
X \ II \ Il
1t was stated some time ago that
this step was not regarded with favor
in Washington because Of strategic
reasons. The real meaning Of that
statement is, doubtless, that we have
not at present the material Of which
to make an effective convoy. We
have some good battleships, but bat
tleships are not sent scouting for sub
marines. Tho submarine chaser must
be small, light and swift, the smaller
and lighter and swifter the better,
and Of this sort Of craft our supply
10 depressingly small.
\ \ i \ Il
The issue Of The Herald which con-
taans these paragraphs will contain
the reports Of developments in the
strike situation at the time Of issue.
What those developments may be It
is impossible to foresee at this time.
During the week plans have been
made by the railway. employees for q
progressive strike, beginning on some
Of the eastern roads, and extending
day by day until every railway system
in the countrv II invo1v>A 1h>