Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-24

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On the whole, the Russian situation
looks better for foes of Germany, and
their diplomats are prepared to take
advantage of ii and to treat the boil
sheviki leaders with some considera-
tion, since it seems probable the latter
will be Joined by the influential men
of other factions to oppose Teutonic
oppression.
French Victory in Italy.
The French forces on the Italian
front started off the New Year right
with a beautifully organized and
well carried out attack on the enemy's
positions on Monte Toba. After del
>uging the Fiftieth Austrian division
with artillery fire, the fine French in
fantry moved forward on a two-mile
front and in short, sharp fight, took
the position with comparative ease,
capturing 1,400 prisoners-more than
they had men engaged. The captives
were said to be In wretched condition
On the lower Plave the Italians
drove the invaders out of the Zen
son bend, and day or two later broke
up an attempted crossing in vessels at
Intestadura. The mountain passes be-
hind the Austrians are filled up with
snow, and re-enfOrcements and supply
conveys are held up on the Tyrol
frontier. The enemy aviatorS are max
Ing repeated raids on Padua, Treviso
and other cities of northern Italy, de-
voting themselves mainly to the de-
struction Of architectural and art treas
ures, as is their pleasing" custom.
Operations on the west front were
confined to raids and artillery duels,
uous arrival behind the lines of great
masses Of German troops. General AL
lenby sent word that he was making
satisfactory progress to the north of
Jerusalem, beating of attacks and TAX
ing many prisoners.
That Germany's disregard for Amer
ica's entry into the war Is feigned Is
proved by an official army order which
calls for a considerable number of new
aircraft units to combat the American
air fleets. 1t is to be hoped the kai-
ser's anxiety on this score is justified,
though civilian experts do not report
encouragingly concerning our prog
ress in the manufacture of airplanes.
Ordnance Department Reorganized.
Results of the congressional investl-
cations Of bureaucratic delays In fit
ting out Americas armies are coming
fast. The latest is the complete re-
organization of the ordnance depart
ment by which almost full control Of
the purchase and production OF artil-
lery, rifles and ammunition is put in
civilian hands. A procurement divi-
sion is established to negotiate all or
ders and contracts for such munitions,
and at the head Of 1t is placed Samuel
McRoberts, executive manager of the
National City bank Of New York.
Generals Crozier and Wheeler, nom
inal and acting chiefs of ordnance, are
shorn of most of their power, but the
military officials Of the department re-
tain control Of the inspection and dis
tribution divisions.
Not satisfied with this reorgan!za-
tion, and vOicing the desires of great
many citizens, Senator Chamberlain
introduced bill providing for the ere
alton of a munitions board and a di-
rector of munitions who shall be re-
sponsible directly to the president Of
the United States and not to the sec
retary of war. Other members of the
senate committee on military affairs
are backing Chamberlain's bill.
General Goethals began the reor-
ganization of the Quartermaster corps
and let 1t be known that he will add
civilian experts to his bureau and will
cut red tape and disregard precedent
wherever necessary for the sake of
efficiency and speed.
Presumably in response to the re-
quest of General Pershing that only
comparatively young officers should be
put in command Of troops in France,
General Sibert, second In rank to Per
shing, and General Mann, who COM
manded the Rainbow division, have
been recalled to duty In America. Maj.
Gen. r. L. Bullard succeeds Slbert and
Mai. Gen. Charles Il. Menoher be-
comes commander Of the Rainbow
boys.
Troops to Be Hurried Across.
The state department on Wednes.
day made public summary Of the re-
suits of the inter-allied conference in
Paris, the outstanding part Of which
was the recommendation TO the Amer
lean government to send troops to the
battle fronts Of Europe as speedily as
possible. This Colonel House also