, 1918-05-09

German propaganda, though there was
doubt as to its motive. 1t was not
confirmed from any Russian source,
Possibly the Germans meant to use
the alleged revolt as an excuse for
selling Petrograd, a move they al.
ready have threatened to make unless
the Russians agree to their outrageous.
ly unfair plan for the exchange Of
prisoners. According to this plan.
which Russia rejects, all German prls.
oners in good health are to be re-
turned, the unfit being kept In Rus.
sia; and all unfit Russian prisoners
will be returned, the fit being retained
in Germany.
Another bit of characteristic Ger
man insolence cropped up last week,
when Berlin formally protested
against the action of the allies in CIV
ing aid to the Red guard of Finland,
because it %interfered with the internal
life of Finland, though the Germans
themselves are helping the White
guard Of the country with land and
sea forces. This combination has now
occupied Viborg after severe fighting.
-h-
The Russian bolshevik government
is really preparing to re-enter the war
against the central powers, whose ag-
gressions have become intolerable.
The pan-executive council at Moscow
has adopted Trotzky's plan for uni
versal military training for all men
between the ages of eighteen and
forty and the conscription of all work
ers and peasants. The best military
experts have been recalled to the sery-
ice and the government expects to
have a large and effective army with
in ten months.
-
War work in America is progressing
with unprecedented speed these days.
The third Liberty Loan campaign
closed on Saturday with the $1,000
100000 of bonds heavily over-sub-
scribed. The most satisfactory fea-
lures of this loan are the large num-
bers of individual subscribers and the
fact that the country districts took
a portion Of the loan relatively much
larger than they did of the previous
issues. AS the campaign neared Its
end the enthusiasm became really ire
mendous. All classes of the popula'
ton Joined in the work of selling the
bonds, and most substantial aid was
rendered by 80 wounded American SOL
diers and a group of French Blue
Devils" who came over from France
for the purpose.
The war department permitted 1t to
be known that It now plans to have
1000, 900 men in France by July l.
and that considerably more than 6Uo''
900 are already there. Secretary ba,
ker says the army will be expanded
to 100000 men and then will Oe
made as much larger as is considereu
necessary. The movement of troops
across the Atlantic is so swift Thai the
training camps are being emptied' ahd.
therefore the draft registrants are De
ing called in increasing numbers. sec
rotary Daniels is enthusiastic FOR an
army Of unlimited size, and SAYS II
there are not enough young men !"
whip Germany the age limit WIN pe
changed and the older ones VIII 60
The brigading of the Americans WIN
the British and French has grrauy
expedited the placing Of the men vi
the firing line, for now only 81 ua!S
of training in France is considereu
necessary.
The senate grew impatient all Oh
sudden last Tuesday and three DUE
were introduced for expanding "e
army. In the house Chairman DEM
the military affairs committee also ~
troduced such a bill, but he |oudo
limit the size of the army to 4'oo'Vvs
men. AS usual, he is not In eeco''
with the spirit of the nation.
On Thursday Secretary Baker PIo
sented the administrations program
the house committee. 1t inciudes e.
penditures on the army aggregauI.
$13, 600, OOO, 900 In the next fiscal yen
manufacture of artillery on a SUI
pendous scale; drafting of at le"s'
1,OOO,O 900 additional registrants ana
many more as can be equipped INV
transported to France.
IA
The Overman coordination Dill W."
passed by the senate Monday uy
vote of So to 13, and when II t,,s
through the house there will D. hn
in any way connected with me o o".
which the president will not De vm
powered to do. The measure s N
him dictatorial powers to reorsa
bureaus and departments OF tne ont
eminent and to transfer goverh"
functions at will.