The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-11-15

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the Interpretation of the phrase
freedom Of the seas" Information
on this was sent to Berlin by Secre-
tary Lansing in the same note that
told the Huns to ask an armistice from
FOch.
Prominent men OF England and
France, backed by the press of those
countries, insist that the German mill
tary commanders and others who have
been personally responsible for the
brutalities and inhumanities Of the
war shall be brought personally to
trial and punishment. The names OF
these wretches have been carefully
compiled by the British and French
and Belgians during the years Of war
fare, and If they are permitted to go
unpublished there will be general
outburst Of wrath. The individuals
thus accused include the officials of
the Krupp works, who were in con-
spiracy with the militarists to bring
on the war.
What will happen to Kaiser Will
helm is still on the laps Of the gods.
He is no longer a free agent, and
there have been loud and persistent
calls in the cities of Germany for his
abdication. However, the German gov
eminent, after long consultation with
the leaders of all parties, decided that
he should remain on the throne, at
least for the present. The Socialists
wanted to Gust him IA symbol OF the
militaristic system that has brought
disaster on Germany; but the other
parties believed he should be retained
as the symbol Of the unity of the Ger
man empire, which is so threatened
Just now. That they have reason to
fear the growing separatist movement
which openly advocate the separation
of Bavaria from the empire.
HI
The allied commanders In France
and Belgium gave no sign that they
knew armistice negotiations were I'M
titl way tlit tilh WI tiiV Nui bt
hand. Not for one second did they
cease their furious attack on the arm
les of the Huns, and the result was
that before the end Of the week the
latter were facing the most complete
disaster that could overtake them.
The fighting ragged all along the front
from Client, which was surrounded and
taken by the British. Belgians and
Americans, to the region north Of Yer
dun, where the Americans were forg-
ing ahead despite fierce resistance and
almost inSurmountable difficulties of
terrain. Between these points the
French armies. assisted on each wing
by their allies were mighty busy I'm op-
erations designed to complete the work
Of cutting off the retreat of the Hun
armies in the great pocket between
the Holland border and Metz. Be
tween the Sambre and the Scheldt
three British armies engaged twenty
five German divisions and utterly de-
feated them, infiicting terrible losses
and compelling n general retreat. On
their right, after taking Valenciennes,
they drove ahead through the Normal
forest, captured lie QuesnOy, and al
most reached Maubeuge. The Canadi-
ans, on the British left, made equally
important advances.
Id
After accomplishing the difficult
crossing Of the Sambre canal and then
starting the Huns well on their way
eastward. the French made one of the
greatest leaps forward recorded dur
ing the war; Vervins, Montcornet and
Rethel, all German strongholds, and
innumerable towns and villages of less
Importance were taken and passed by
the Irresistible Poilus, with whom an
italian corps was operating, and clear
down To the Meuse the enemy was in
full flight. So fast did the Huns fall
back and so close on their heels were
the French that the Germans were
compelled to abandon many guns and
great stores Ct material, and their
losses In prisoners were enormous.
-E-
Meanwhile the Yankees were car
rying out their part of the big drive
by smashing through the German lines
on both sides of the Meuse, and by
Thursday they had entered Sedan and
were close to Mentmedy, Mezieres and
other important towns. The feat of
the Americans In forcing the crossing
of the Meuse river and canal south of
Dun and the taking of that town was
one Of the most dashing of all the in
cidents Of the whole war. The dough-
boys had to swim across the water
ways under heavy machine-gun fire
and to climb the steep banks of the
canal with the aid OF graphing hooks.
Between the river and the canal they
had to cross a stretch Of mud land