The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-03-29
NEWS REVIEW OF
The PAST WEEK
German Occupation Of Odessa In
creases Teutonic Menace
In East.
NEW ROAD TO INDIA OPENED
President Wilson, In Message 10 Rus
slan sovIets, Issues Def 10 Kaiser
American Troops In Many
Raids.

Announcement that German troops
nave occupied Odessa Is one OF the
most significant Of recent develop
ments, This action by Germany. In
spite OF the conclusion OF the so-called
peace With Russia, was expected ul-
tlmately, but II cnme somewhat as
surprise because Of the fact that little
had been heard Of the Germans and
Austrinns In that region.
The occupation of Odessa, the great
ut Russian port on the Black sea, Is
u the greatest Importance for several
reasons. First, II gives the Germans
control of the center OF great agrI-
cultural section, the products OF which
are desired to feed the hungry peoples
OF the central empires.
With Odessa safely In their hands,
the Teutons win have access to vast
stores OF wheat which can be trans
ported overland or by sea TO points
where II can be readily shipped into
Austria and Germany.
But the capture OF Odessa win mean
something more-an advance over the
route 20 Persia and Atghanlstan, and
possibly India. which Is to be followed
now that the British have severed the
famous Berlin and Bagdad route 10 the
East.
The passing Of Odessa into German
control win make possible the COM
pietlon OF the German military line
across Russia from the Baltic at
Marvin (st miles from Petrograd) to
| the Black sen. II gives the Germans
control not only OF the resources Of
| the Ukraine, but OF the bulk of Rus
sia's grain stores and OF the vast ex-
| port trade OF Russia's southern prov
lnees.
| Control Of this territory opens a
route for a German land drive into
the far East. by way OF Batum, In
Trans Caucasia (which was taken
from Russia at Brest-Lltoysk and CIV
en- 10 Turkey, Baku, across the
asplan sea 10 Krasnovodsk, In Turke.
nm, and through Merry to the border
81 Arghanlstan, thus threatening the
Indian empire.
Another route Is through Tekeran
across central Persia 10 Ispahan and
thence to Shlraz, 20 the Indian from
tier, spelling equal menace to Brit
aims FAR Eastern possessions.
-
The carrying out by the Teutoni'
powers OF their plans for conquest II
the East brought from President VII
son move which was declared 10 b,
one ef the holdest made by any gov
ernment since the war began. Thli
action was In the form Of messag,
dispatched tn the Russian congress o
soyiets In session az Moscow. In tht
message President Wilson pledged tn
| power % the United States to seeur
free Russia, Tie declared that tn
United States ''will avail itself Of ey
cry opportunity to secure for Russl
once more complete sovereignty and In
dependence In her own affairs and ful
restoration Go her great role In th
life Of Europe ard the modern world.
President Wilson's message was n
garled as second declaration OF wa
IA declaration OF war on the Germa
government until II Is compelled I
! rellnqulsh It's told on Russia. Tn
president proposed. In effect, that I'll
United States and its allies shall figt
until Russia regains unimpalred so'
areignty aud independence. The me
sage was also regarded as a direct r,
ply 70 the recent address on peaS
terms made bs Count Won Hertling, Il
\ German chancellor
"a
z Reports FROM Jassy tell how the II
: serlallstic spirit OF the central er
: Sres is showing itself in growing q
5 aanas Cor concessions by Roumaai