The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-08-22

FROM northern RUSSIA came Tile
news that revolution against the boil
sheviki had broken out in Archangel
and that the soviet troops had fled
from the city, which had been occu-
pied by a detachment Of allied SOL
diers.
The soviet government of Russia is
reported to have renounced all claims
to the great provinces of Esthonia
and Livonia, and these, together with
Courland, probably will be united un-
der a general government under Ger
man auspices.
From Copenhagen, the source Of
many lies, came the statement that
Turkey had severed relations with
Germany and Austria because of the
disputes between the Turks and Bull
garia over territory taken from Rou-
mania and Russia. There was every
evidence that this was "greatly exag-
gerated," as Mark Twain said of the
report of his death, but there is no
doubt that Turkey is tired of the war
and is getting all the worst of it. How
ever, Germany, being in control OF
Turkish finances and in command of
Turkish armies, has the whip hand
and probably will be able to keep the
Turks to their alliance for some time
yet.
la
The war department has prepared q
bill, with President Wilson's approval,
lowering the minimum draft age limit
to eighteen years and raising the maxi
mum limit to forty-five years. This
measure, to be put on its passage as
quickly as possible, not only will pro-
vide enough class 1 men to carry out
the military man power program, but
also will enable the war department to
extend the "work or fight" order and
thus do much toward solving the labor
shortage problem.
-M-
General March, chief of staff, has
been working out the details Of plan
by which the American land forces are
to be amalgamated into'one army, the
existing distinctions between the reg
ular army the National army and the
federalized National Guard being
wiped out. This will do away with
many jealousies concerning promo
tons and every soldier will wear on
his collar the letters ~. ST." the IN.
A." and an. G." being removed. The
chief of staff also is beginning to
"1oosen up" some regarding informa-
ton as to what American units are
engaged in certain operations.
Ia
The war department prepared the
country last week for the reception
of long casualty lists. The casualties
in the Aisne-Marne battle, though not
excessive when the magnitude of the
struggle is considered, may run as
high as 10 per cent, it is stated. 1t
is comforting to know that the vast
majority of the wounded are suffering
only from clean bullet wounds and will
soon be back in the lines.
-
Sir Eric Geddes, first lord Of the
British admiralty, told the house Of
commons the naval situation was sat-
isfactory and that the civilized world
was gaining steadily on the U-boats,
by reducing the sinkings and increas-
ing the building Of ships. He said
Americas program of destroyers and
anti-submarine craft is beginning to
come along and twill become a veri
table torrent"
More trouble In realizing the Ameri-
can aircraft program came to light
with the information that General
Pershing had told the war department
to send over no more of the De Havi
land-Four planes it had been building,
until changes were made, as they had
proved useless. Secretary Baker half
denied this and half admitted it by
stating that Improvements are being
made in the plane that it is hoped will
make it satisfactory, and that General
Pershing has requested large ship
ment of the De Havilands. The SEN
ate committee investigating airplanes
heard testimony highly praising the
work of General Kenly, director Of
airplane operations. but was told that
John d. Ryan, in charge of production,
was only beginning to get his bearings
in the big task.
Ia
While Mr.. Hoover is in Europe con-
ferring with other food controllers,
the food administration has cut the
monthly allowance Of sugar to two
pounds per person, and warns the
country is threatened with serious
sugar famine. The wheat situation is
better and citizens are released from
the voluntary pledge to do without
that cereal.