The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-03-15

American forces occupy splendid po-
sitfons throughout practically the en-
tire line. They are In nearly all cases
on the high ground, and 1t Is these
strong defensive positions against
which Germany must throw her shocR
troops In massed battalions. The
price these troops will pay for even an
attempt to break through win be ter
rife, and in all probability more than
the million men Won Hindenburg has
prophesled. 1t is not likely that
even the iron discipline Of the German
army will Withstand such losses.
Possibility of a disagreement be-
tween the. United States and Spain
because of the refusal of the latter
country to supply certain war mate
rails to General Pershing was remov-
ed by the signing of an economic agree
ment, under which General Pershing
will get mules, army blankets and 9TH
er materials from Spain in return for
cotton, oil and other commodities from
the United States. Success of these
in Washington as ability to buy sup
plies In Spain will save ship tonnage
| and enable General Pershing to build
up his reserve stores more rapidly. The
United States was able to bring pres
sure to bear upon Spain by refusing
fuel to Spanish steamers in American
ports.
The German invasion of Russia
mysterfously slowed up and on March
first 1t was reported from London that
the forward movement of the Huns
had been stopped on orders from Ber-
lin. At the same time reports from
Petrograd were to the effect that the
bolshevlh were preparing to make the
best possible defense of that city If
1t was attacked.
On February % 1t was reported from
Petrograd that the allied ambassadors
had left the Russian capital for 81
IBERIA. 1t is unlikely that they viii be
able to reach the Pacific coast at
Vladivostok in less than close to three
weeks, and the probabilities are that
they will be seriously molested by the
mobs of armed bandits that are roam
/ Ing the country from the Ural noun
tains to beyond Lake Baikal. The boil
| shevih have practically no control Of
any kind beyond the Ural mountains,
though 1t claims to have suppressed
the so-called Siberian republic.
| Every report received from Austria
| indicates that that country would
willingly seek peace on any fairly rea-
sonable basis offered by the allies, II
It were possible for her to do so, but
she is so dominated by German infiu-
ence that 1t is hardly possible for her
to break away. The hold of Germany
4 is maintained through the Austrian
army which has been very largely Ger
manlzed since the war began.
So 1t is believed that Austria will
have to remain in her unholy partner
ship despite her war WEAKNESS. She
has lost 100000 men, her food situ-
alton is desperate, and the future,
even IL Germany could win, is dark
for her, for a greater Germany would
only mean more impotent Austria,
but she cannot break away. She
must continue in the war under pain
of being stamped on by the nation
that has her In Its power.
That is how our allies regard the
Austrian situation, and Is the ex-
PLANTATION Of their lukewarmness
toward the American effort to widen
the rift between the kaiser and EN-
perur Carl.
The German socialists have not taker
kindly to the German governments
attitude toward President Wilson'S
laSt peace message. During the de
bate IN the reichstag on Won Hertling's
speech Philip Scheidemann, socialist
took the emperor TO task for his reply
to the sao>,ess OF the burgomaster Of
Hambue~ "a which the emperor said
"We dSstrs to live In friendship witt
neighboring peoples, but victory FOL
the German .rms must first be rec
ognized."
'SThe imperial chancellor frank,
StAleu yesterday liihl ne dCCeptet
President Wilson's four principles,
said Seheidemann. This declaration
Is all the more important when on,
] considers that President Wilson EN-
! phasized sat his principles were &C
, cepted ever gwhere except by the Ger
man military and annexationist party
! Well, this party. fortunately. is In thl
country ne longer Of decisive impsg
; lance"