The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-10-17
Fate of War and Fate o
World Will be vitality Shap 8
ed in Next Few -,
Weeks.
EVENTS OF IMPORTANCE
First Of All 10 Completion Of Fourth
Liberty Loan as Keystone OF
Great Arch Of
Victory.

+, CBy Robert J. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.--The fate
! of the war and the fate of the world
will be vitality shaped in the next few
days or weeks.
] Impending events that will do much
to formulate history include:
| First, completion Of the fourth LIB
erty loan.
! Second, smashing OF the German ar
mics in Belgium and farther south
along the western battle line
Third, Germany may send new re-
ply in the peace situation after, or be-
fore, the reichstag meets tomorrow.
Fourth, Austria-Hungary and Tur-
key will probably go through new
throes of political turmoil, which per
haps will have a tremendous affect on
,Germany's position. (Revolts are re-
ported in Bohemia and at Constantine
ple)
Fifth, the United States shipping
board has ordered an increase in the
speed OF production that 1t may keep
pace with an enlarged war department
program of sending United States
i troops over there.
The Liberty loan still has long
way to go. But, the nation is beginning
to make an eleventh hour response
under the realization that the war
must go on.
The developments in Belgium are
fastening evacuation of the Lille re-
gion and will render less difficulty for
the allies their advance on Valen-
ciennes and Maubege. Indications are
that Germany intends to evacuate all
or virtually all of that over-ridden ma
tion with as small loss as possible.
While the allies hammer on. Germany
is evidently trying to keep alive the
peace talk she started with her re-
cent overatures. reports that she had
capitulated and the kaiser had abdi-
Gated appear to have had German in
spirauon in Amsterdam. But the facts
seem to be that the reichstag before
the week end will discuss the Wilson
decision" In this connection, official
dom was interested today in press re-
ports that the ka1ser's war-making
and treaty power had been limited, by
bundesrath APPROVAL of constitution
al amendment and that franchise re-
form had been undertaken. These re-
ports, like the rumors OF capitulation
may be part OF the German peace
propaganda system, but probably have
certain basis in fact, according to
information here.
Germany-or at least some parts OF
it appears from press comment, how
ever, to have been stirred to a new
fighting spirit by the Wilson note. II
that spirit becomes general-which is
doubted here--it means that the war
wi ot
summer campaign.
In any event, America is proceeding
at new speed with its war work, real
izing that victory may have to be
achieved by arms.
In this connection, it became known
today that the monthly troop shipment
will be increased and na- demands
have been made upon the shipping
board for greater, and faster product
ion. Destroyer construction Is being
speeded both to meet an expected sub
maine outburst and to furnish protect
ion for the enlarged troop shipments.
Starting with next March draft calls
will be at the ratea of 344 900 a month
In the winter months, these figures
will be smaller and will fluctuate, but
the total program Is such that troop
shipments could be run up to from
$50, 600 to 400 900 month before long,
if necessary.
War is Not over.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.-"The war
is not over. This is no time to slack
an effort or to fail to do our part here
at home. To keep up and to increase
the pressure On the retreating Ger
mans is the only certain way to win"
Secretary OF State Lansing who has
been handling the diplomatic deal
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