Middletown transcript., 1918-07-20


noted by President Wilson.
~~~~~~>~~~~~~~
scandal resulted, and extremists il
Vienna are asserting that both thu
emperor and the empress should b.
literally sequestered and made to take
orders from Berlin. Hungary, too, I.
furious at Austria because the Hun
garian regiments were forced to beal
the brunt of the attack in Italy anG
in some cases were practically wiped
out.
There were no major operations or
the Italian front last week, but the
Italians increasingly harassed the
enemy by raids and sOrties and in the
mountain region improved their OWL
positions considerably. The American
aviators on that front kept up their
excellent work.
On the western front there was an
ominous silence on the part of the
Huns. The usual 40 days needed by
them to organize new drive had
nearly expired, but still they did not
start. However, abnormal activity was
observed behind their lines, especially
in the regions where the Americans
are stationed. On Teusday the French
undertook the first considerable in.
fantry operation in many days and,
with the aid Of tanks, advanced more
than a mile on q front of two and q
half miles northwest of COmpiegne.
Prisoners and guns were captured and
positions occupied that serve to pro-
tect the important railway junction at
Estrees-St. Denis. General Petain also
took important ground east of the
Retz forest on the Marine front. There
were many raids by all the allied
forces during the week, and some ar.
t;llery activity beyond the ordinary in
the British sectors.
Such splendid work is being done by
the air forces of the allies on the west
front that military observers now as.
ser: the superiority in the air now un-
questiOnably rests with them. The
British flyers have engaged in a num-
Der Of extraordinary exploits, and the
French and Americans are keeping up
their ED Of it most satisfactorily. On
Wednesday squadron of American
scout planes flew back of the German
lines in the Chateau Thierry region
for 80 miles, obtaining valuable in
formation and all returning safely.
Colonel Roosevelt was elated by the
news that his youngest son, Lieut.
Quentin Roosevelt, had downed his
first Hun plane. Bombing raids on
German cities by the allied airmen are
increasing in frequency and effective
ness.
In preparation for the next big drive
Won Hindenburg called for a million
more men, to be taken from the fac
tories, their places being filed by pris-
Oners and foreigners, and, contrary to
agreements, by exchanged prisoners of
war. Recruits Of sixteen, seventeen
and eighteen years are being called,
and everything indicates that the su-
preme command is straining every
nerve to end the. war this year. To
encourage the troops there has been
a systematic campaign to mislead
them as to Americas participation in
the war. The people now refuse to
believe we are taking an active part
in the conflict or that there are more
than a few thousands of our men in
France.
~
There have been many stories of
the declining morale of the German
troops, due partly to the prevalence
of Spanish influenza, but it would be
foolish to grow optimistic over these
reports. The enemy is still strong and
can produce an amazing number of
men, and confidence in our victory
must be based on our growing strength
rather than on his growing weakness.
The stream of Americans across the
continues, although it may be
they are not being sent so rapidly just
now as in recent months. The war
recently decided that all
men of the new drafts should be given
six months training on this side.
The senate gave big, boost to the
plan for bOne-dry America by
voting in favor of the prohibition
'ider to the agricultural extension
Dill. 1t went on record first by re-
7ersing the ruling Of the chair. that
he amendment is general legislation
md therefore barred from an apprO-
,riation measure. The vets admitted
heir defeat since the move for war
originated in the lower
louse, and relied on the president to
.eto the bill on the ground that the |
workers. in vital war industries should |
lot be deprived of alcoholic beverages