The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-11-30

people many facts concerning the war,
and doubtless this has been, wise, but
they could not If they would conceal
the part the German people as whole
have played. Every one of us knows
that the latter, whatever their status
or their politics, supported their gov
eminent as long as it appeared to be
winning, gloatingly approved all the
crimes and outrages committed, and
repudiated the leaders of the criminal
conspiracy only when their failure
was assured and it became necessary
for them to look for some way OF
crawling out from under the wreck
age.
Why, then, should the president of
the United States or any other repre-
sentative of the powers that defeated
Germany, feel it necessary to make
special plea for a square deal for the
vanquished? Paraphrasing the old
saying, what we demand for the
Germans is plain justice, and id
little of that.
-
Mr.. Wilson is said to be especially
concerned in the problem of estab-
fishing a stable government in Russia
and there is reason for his concern.
That distracted country has bobbed
up again in the news columns and the
situation there is, If possible, more COM
Dlicated than ever. The new all-Rus-
sian government that was established
at Omsk and recognized by most of
the anti-bolshevik elements is now in
control of Admiral Alexander Kolchak.
-sr.rrfe courier Auf ministers executed q
coup d'etat and made Kolchak the vir-
tual dictator and commander of the
all-Russian army and navy. He is
called supreme governor" Several
opposing ministers were imprisoned.
What the course Of the commissioners
Of the allied governments will be is
not known.
Along the Dvina the bolsheviki at
tackled the allied forces and were re-
pulsed with heavy losses. Since then
they have contented themselves with
Smelling the Russo-allied positions
from the gunboats with which they
are, better supplied than their adver
saries.
An event that was very gratifying
to Washington and the entente cap
itals was the overthrow of the Ukrain
ian government and the capture Of
Kiev by anti-bolshevik troops from
Astrakhan under General Denikine
This opens the way for the allies oil
rectly into the heart of Russia. While
they were being ousted at home, the
Ukrainians We're engaged in continu
Gus fighting with the Poles in Galicia
where they had taken Lemberg, ant
in Bukowina where they held Czerno
WITT. There, as in the Ukraine, the
Ukrainians were helped by German
officers.
No news has come from eastern 81
IBERIA, nor is much to be expected
since it's dissemination is under thu
control of the Japanese. The recen
lifting of the censorship does no
seem to apply to that region.
Ia
The government took two steps las
week that aroused much comment ant
not a little protest. The first was al
order making effective governmental
| control of all the marine cable sys
TENS of the United States; and TIN
| second was the consolidation of tn
| services of the Western Union ant
| Postal Telegraph companies unde
governmental control. Postmaste
General Burleson is in control.
| la
Congress adjourned on Novembe
| 81 in order that the members Nigh
have brief rest before the short ses
| sion opens on December 2. The pres
| ident has planned that all importan
legislation shall be held up during hi
| absence In Europe, the scheme bein
/ to have the vice president and speah
err withhold their signatures to bill
| passed; but considerable opposition t
this plan is developing. Many leader
in congress contend that there is III
gent necessity for legislation In tn
line of reconstruction, In which Amer
lea already is being outstripped by Eli
ropean nations
-n
4
President Wilson signed the foo
production stimulation bill with tn
Jones rider, and consequently th
United States will be "bone dry" froI
June 30 next until the time when tn
| rehabilitation Of its fighting force
has been completed. The importati0
Of all intoxicating drinks stops a
vnce, except that wines may be In
| ported until May l. 1919. The liquo
| interests may contest the constits
tionality Of the law.