Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-12-20

Jugo-Slav republic which hopes for
international recognition, and in Cat
taro, Dalmatia, an armed conflict, 1t
is said, was averted only by the active
Intervention of the commander of the
American contingent there. Prince
Alexander of Serbia has been made
regent Of the state of Jugo-Slavia.
Ia
Conditions In Vienna and in Ger
man Austria generally are growing
desperate. Food and coal are almost
exhausted and the former soldiers,
who are said to possess 100000 rifles
and many machine guns, have de
clared that unless food arrives speed
lily they will be at liberty to find it
where they can. The CZechS could
send the Austrians food and fuel, but
will not do SO until the latter agree to
the Czech claims for certain Austro-
German territory. The Vienna author
tiles are praying for the arrival of al
lied troops, preferably Americans, to
check the rising disorder and boil
sheviSm.
Bolshevik power in Russia is grad
ually dwindlings but there is little
else in that country to encourage the
allies. Admiral Kolchak, who was
made dictator at Onsk, is disposed to
cooperate with the allied forces, but
their governments have not recognized
him. The Russians and the Czechs
do not know what the American and
Japanese policies are-they are not
alone in that-and the latter are re-
ported to be hard pressed by their en-
emies in some quarters. Meanwhile,
, according to Stockholm advices, a
new government for Russia is being
formed in that city under the leader
ship of former Premier Trepoff, Prince
Volkonsky, Baron Taube and Senator
Jassiadko. 1t is alleged this govern
ment will be supported by the entente
and will carry on matters of state in
Stockholm until the bOlsheviki are
finally crushed. In southern Russia
Grand Duke Nicholaievitch, former
commander IN chief of the Russian
armies, is in command of a formidable
force of Cossacks. What his inten-
lions are is not stated. The ~bolsheviki
In the Volga region continue to attack
the Russo-allied forces, without sue
cess. What is doing in Siberia, If
anything, is concealed by the Japanese
censorship.
Advocates of leniency toward the
Germans will find little support for
their arguments in the reports that
come from the allied armies Of occu-'
patton. While the Germans in the
occupied territory are giving their
conquerors little trouble, they main
tain their naughty and even insolent
demeanor, and unbend only for the
purpose of getting trade benefits.
repentance for the crimes of their
former government and their armies,
and east of the Rhine those armies
are being received as unconquered
heroes and hailed as the chief sup
port of the new state.
The American commanders have
chosen not to interfere with the civil
life of the inhabitants of the occu-
pied cities more than is absolutely
necessary. But in the regions occu-
pied by the French and British strict
regulations are enforced. When the
Huns wall, they are reminded that
these are almost copied from the mild
est of the regulations imposed on the
French and Belgians by the Germans.
The German armistice delegates
asked that they be permitted to main
tain communication with the provinces
west of the Rhine now being occupied
by the allies, but Marshal Foch told
them it was necessary to maintain the
blockade of Germany as provided by
the armistice. 1t appeared likely last
week that the armistice would be ex-
tended.
"a
Director General McAdoo. express
ing, he says, not only his own opinion
but that of President Wilson as well,
recommends that congress adopt leg
~isiation extending the period OF gov
eminent control of railroads to Janu-
airy l, 1924. He say the prosperity
of the nation depends largely on the
efficiency of railroads; that to con-
tinue government operation under
present conditions for 81 months after
peace is declared, the limit set by the
present law, is impossible, and that
unless congress takes the action rec
commended the roads must be returned
to private ownership at the earliest
possible moment.