The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-02-21

the Chinese border to take the railway.
The Tartars occupied Yalta, in the
government of Taurida, and were ad-
vancing to SebastOpOl, the great naval
base on the Black sea.
Adding to their own troubles, the
bolsheviki decreed the separation of
church and state and seized all church
property for the people, which aroused
the patriarch Of Russia to excommuni-
cate some Of them and to call for
holy war.
An unconfirmed report said Polish
troops had captured Mohilev, head
quarters of the bolsheviki army, and
had captured Commander in Chief
Krylenko and his staff.
A deadlock over the question of the
Ukraine put an end, for the present
at least, to the peace negotiations at
Brest-Litovsk. The Germans, it was
said, then demanded their terms be ac-
copied at once, threatening otherwise
to march on Petrograd. The Russian
soldiers council at Moscow called on
the government to form a. volunteer
socialist army and continue resistance.
Meanwhile economic and food condi-
tons in PetrOgrad and other parts of
Russia are growing steadily worse.
It is quite evident that Trotzky has
been counting on a real revolution Of
the workers of Germany, and it is
equally evident that no such revolution
Is forthcoming in the near future. The
widespread strikes which were hailed
with JOY by the foolishly optimistic
were quickly crushed by the military
power Of the government, many of the
leaders forced into the army and the
rank and file of the workers driven
struggle the German autOcracy seem
fngly did not yield single point to the
democracy, though some effect Of the
strikes may appear la the future. The
radical leaders in the empire are not
backing water, any more than are their
autocratic opponents, and the situation
there Is still critical.
AS substitute for the war cabinet
he so firmly opposes, President Will
son on Wednesday had introduced in
the senate by Senator Overman a bill
designed to do away with bureaucratic
lneficiency and to give the chief exec
utive vast powers. 1t was drafted for
Mr.. Wilson by the attorney general
and authorizes the president during
the war to distribute, coordinate, con-
sOlidate and otherwise reorganize any
and all existing administrative func-
lions and agencies and create such
new agencies as he deems necessary
Tor the conduct Of the war. He is also
to transfer appropriations
rom one department, bureau or COM
mission to any other agency he may
designate.
Those who support the measure say
t properly confers on the president,
Is commander in chief of the nations
armed forces, whatever power he
leems necessary to perform his task |
with efficiency. Other congressman |
declared the bill actually creates mill |
tary dictatorship. There doesn't seem |
o be much difference between these
WO views.
Ships, ships and more ships, is still |
he cry of the United States and the |
ntente allies, and all are agreed that |
victory hangs largely on the |
bihty Of America to turn out the re-
uired amount of tonnage to transport
is troops and the immense quantities
f food and munitions necessary. The |
resent lack is not shipyards and ma
er1al, but labor. Already the govern
1ent is operating great yards on both
casts, and others are being rapidly
but even those now In op-
ration are working but ones shift of
len where three should be worked.
he appeal for laborerS in the yards
J urgent and should meet with ample
not only for patriotic rea-
ons, but for selfish reasons, too, for
he pay assured is large. The United
tates now has in all services about
100000 tons of shipping, approx
lateIf One-fOurth of which is engaged
/ bringing In materials that have been
)nsidered Industrial essentials. The
OVernment is considering a plan to
axe so per cent reduction In imports
= eliminating articles that are not es-
initial to the winning of the war. This
ould help some. and of course the
lies can supply certain amount of
image, but there will still be left a
lde discrepancy between the availa-
e amount OF shipping and the amount
e must have in order that Secretary
aker's promise of half million men
&ur0pe by spring and million and