The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-05-09


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gagged in the big battle, but they were
steadily and rapidly moving up TO
their assigned positions, and the news
that more and more Of them were De-
ing hurried across the Atlantic was
greeted with enthusiasm by the Brit
ish and French officers and men. They
are needed, and needed quickly, for the
allied commanders, though believing
their lines cannot be broken, know the
enemy is still very strong, and I'M
doubtedly is gathering his strength for
further tremendous efforts. While he
well might be held by the allied forces
now there, he can only be crushed and
driven back when they have been
greatly REINFORCED by the boys from
America
Moreover, the commanders of the
allies say no greater mistake could be
made than to think this is the final
battle Even if it can be called de-
cisive, it is absolutely essential that
the United States send over all its men
as quickly as possible, that all possible
eventualities may be faced and the
right kind of a victory ultimately en-
forced.
That this is the view of Secretary
of War Baker also is made plain in
his report to the president, made on
his return last week from Europe. In
sentence this was that the United
States must furnish the strength that
will crush Germany, and must furnish
it at once If Mr.. Baker ever thought
the war was $4,000 miles away" his
trip abroad has cured him Of that de-
fusion. There is now no warmer adj
,vocate of the policy Of giving force,
precision and rapidity to American ac-
tivities, and on his own behalf and
that of his department he pledged bet
ter results in hurrying men and NUM-
tons to the fighting front.
AS for the American troops now in
France, Mr. Baker had nothing but
praise for their condition and their
military qualities. They have made
good in every way, he said. Those
same troops during the week had OPP
portunity tQeSAow the stuff they were
made of, for several times the Ger
mans made fierce attacks i'm the Toul
sector. Each time they were repulsed,
and the Yankees went into the fray
with joy that did the hearts of their
officers good. Their bravery, GOODNESS
and efficiency were SO general that
their commanders had difficulty in
picking out any men for especial COM
mendatiOn.
The evident and urgent need for
more soldiers helped to hasten Lloyd
Georges man-power bill through par
lament, despite the opposition caused
by the clause applying CONSUMPTION to
Ireland. The government also pre-
pared to introduce it's home rule bill
which it announced it would pass or
fall in the attempt. There was con-
siderable dissatisfaction in England
over the fact that the British in FIand-
ers were so badly outnumbered by the
Germans. and the blame, If any, was
not placed, there were insistent calls
for the return of Sir William Robert
son to the position Of chief of the i'm
perial general staff. On Thursday
Viscount Miner was made secretary
of state for war, the earl Of Derby be-
coming ambassador to France.
Since it is still evident that "Ships
will win the war;" and that America
must supply most Of the ships, our
national shipbuilding agencies were
reorganized last week for the fifth
time and Charles NJ. Schwab, chair
man of the board Of directors OF the
Bethlehem Steel corporation, was Civ
en- the new position of director general
Of shipbuilding and placed in supreme
control of the construction OF mer-
chant vessels. Chairman Hurley or
the shipping board and General Man
ager Piez will work in complete har-
mOny with him, directing the Organl-
cation necessary to carry out ms
plans. The necessity for some such a
step was shown by the official an
nOlIuCei0enL OIL Tie Nhith
said: 'The carrying forward of the
construction work i'm the 40 ship
yards now in operation is so bad that
it requires reinforcement OF the
shipbuilding organization throughout
the country" The determination to
speed up shipbuilding was evidenced
by the warning issued by Mr.. Hurley
that delinquent plants will be taken
over by the government unless they
show decided Improvement.
The British admiralty report showed
ID British vessels sunk by submarines
during the previous week, III OF them
being 1000 tons or over.
On Monday British warships encoun-
tered fleet of German armed trawl-
ers in the Kattegat and sank ten OF
them, the nearby German naval forces
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simultaneously the manufacturing
program of this industry was ordered
rearranged and divided, placing 1T on