The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-03-21
NEWS review OF
THE PAST Week
German Occupation of Odessa In
CreaseS TeutoniC Menace
in East.
New ROAD TO INDIA OPENED
President Wilson, in Message to Rus
sian SoViets, Issues Def to Kaiser
American Troops in Many
Raids.

Announcements that German troops
have occupied Odessa is one of the
most significant of recent develop
mentS. This action by Germany in
spite Of the conclusion of the so-called
peace with Russia, was expected Ill
timatcly. but if came somewhat as "A
surprise because of the fact that little
had been heard Of the Germans and
AuStrianS ia that region.
The occupation of Odessa, the great
est Russian port on the Black sea, is
Of the greatest importance for several
reasons. First, it gives the Germans
control of the center of a great agri-
cultural section. the products of which
are desired to feed the hungry peoples
of the central empires.
With Odessa safely in their hands,
the TcutonS viii have access To vast
stores of wheat which can be trans
ported overland or by sea to points
where II can be readily shipped into
Austria and Germany.
But the capture of Odessa will mean
something more-an advance over the
route TO Persia and AfghaniStan. and
possibly India, which is 10 he followed
now that the British have severed the
famous Berlin and Baguad route to the
East
The passing Of Odessa into German
control will make possible the com
petion Of the German military line
across Russia from the Baltic at
Narva (S1 miles from Petrograd) to
the Black sea. II gives the Germans
control not only Of the resources of
the Ukraine. but Of the bulk of Rus
SiaS grain stores and of the vast OK
port trade of RuSSia'S southern prov
inceS
Control of this territory opens a
route for German land drive into
the far East. by way of Batum, in
Trans Caucasia (Which was taken
from Russia at Brest-Titovsk and Civ
en- to Turkey Baku, across the
Caspian sea to Krasn0yodsk, in Turke-
stan, and through Merry 10 the border
Of AfghaniStan. thus threatening the
Indian empire.
Another route is through Teheran.
across central Persia to Ispahan and
thence to Shiraz, TO the Indian from
tier, spelling equal menace to Brit
aims far Eastern possessions.
w-
The carrying ont by the Teutonic
powers Of their plans for conquest in
the East brought from President VIII
son n move which was declared 10 he
one Of the boldeSt made by any gov
crnmcnt since the war began. This
action was in the form Of a message
dispatched ~ the Russian congress Of
sovietS i'm session at Moscow. In this
message President Wilson pledged the
power of the United States to secure
free Russia. He declared that the
United States twill avail itself of ev-
cry opportunity 10 secure for Russia
| once more complete sovereignty and in
dependence in her own affairs and full
restoration 70 her great role in the
| HE Of Europe and the modern world, u
President Wilson's message was re-
gnrded as a second declaration of war
IA declaration OF war on the German
government until 1t is compelled TO
reinqush It's hold on RUSSIA. The
president proposed, in effect that the
United States and its allies shall fight
until Russia reGains unimpaired SOW
crcignty and independence. The mes
sage was also regarded as direct re-
ply 10 the recent address on peace
terms made by Count Won Hertling, the
| German chancellor.
IA
Reports from Jnssy tell how the I'M
perialistic spirit of the central en-
plrcS is showing itself In growing de-
mnnds for concessions by Roumania,
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