, 1918-07-18


scandal resulted, and extremists in
Vienna are asserting that both the
emperor and the empress should be
literally sequestered and made to take
orders from Berlin. Hungary, too, is
furious at Austria because the Hun
garian regiments were forced to bear
the brunt of the attack in Italy and
in some cases were practically wiped
out.
-A-
There were no major operations on
the italian front last week, but the
Italians increasingly harassed the
enemy by raids and sorties and in the
mountain region improved their OWE
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 a 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 a front of two and a
half miles northwest Of Complegne.
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
tillery 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 o as
sert the superiority in the air now I'M
questionably rests with them. The
British flyers a engaged in a num-
Der OF extraordinary exploits, and the
French and Americans are keeping up
their end Of It most satisfactorily. On
"ChhCsuuy q bQuduIOh VI AIuCilCaA
scout planes few back of the German
lines in the Chateau Thierry region
for so 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 r
increasing in frequency and effective
ness.
20
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 filled 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 ~
preme command is straining every
nerve to end the war this year. To
encourage the troops there mas 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 1t 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
Atlantic continues, although 1t may be
they are not being sent SO rapidly just
now as in recent months. The war
department recently decided that all
men Of the new drafts should be given
six months training on this side.
-
The senate gave a big boost to the
plan for a bone-dry America by
voting In favor of the prohibition
rider to the agricultural extension
bill. It went on record FIRST by re-
versinR the ruling of the chair. that
the amendment is general legislation
and therefore barred from Al appro-
priation measure. The vets admitted
their defeat since the move for war
prohibition originated in the lower
house, and relied on tho president to
veto the bill on the ground that the
workers In vital war Industries should
$1,000 ~Arl~ h~----&Ar