The Colorado statesman., 1918-03-09

American forces occupy splendid po-
sitions throughout practically the en-.
tire line. They are in nearly all cases
on the high ground, and it is these
strong defensive positions against
which Germany must throw her shock
troops in massed battalions. The
price these troops will pay for even an
attempt to break through will be ter
rife, and in all probability more than
the million men Won Hindenburg has
prophesied. 1t is not likely that
even the iron discipline of the German
army will withstand such losses.
Possibility of a disagreement be-
tween the United States and Spain
because of the refusal of the latter
country to supply certain war mate
rials to General Pershing was remov-
ed by the signing of an economic agree
ment, under which General Pershing
will get mules, army blankets and 9th
er materials from Spain in return for
cotton. oil and other commodities from
the United States. Success of these
negotiations was welcomed by officials
in Washington as ability to buy sup
plies In Spain will save ship tonnage
and enable General Pershing to build
up his reserve stores more rapidly. The
United States was able to bring pres
sure to bear upon Spain by refusing
fuel to Spanish steamers in American
ports.
The German invasion of Russia
first 1t was reported from London that
the forward movement of the Huns
had been stopped on orders from Ber-
lin. At the same time reports from
Petrograd were to the effect that the
bolsheviki were preparing to make the
best possible defense of that city II
1t was attacked.
On February % 1t was reported from
Petrograd that the allied ambassadors
had left the Russian capital for 81
IBERIA. 1t is unlikely that they will be
able to reach the Pacific coast at
Vladivostok in less than close to three
weeks, and the probabilities are that
they will be seriously molested by the
mobs of armed bandits that are roam
ing the country from the Ural noun
tains to beyond Lake Baikal. The boil
sheviki have practically no control of
any kind beyond the Ural mountains,
though 1t claims to have suppressed
the so-called Siberian republic.
Every report received from Austria
indicates that that country would
willingly seek peace on any fairly rea-
sonable basis offered by the allies, II
it were possible for her to do so but
she is so dominated by German infiu-
ence that 1t is hardly possible for her
to break away. The hold Of Germany
is maintained through the Austrian
army which has been very largely Ger
manized since the war began.
So 1t is believed that Austria Will
have to remain in her unholy partner
ship despite her war WEAKNESS. She
has lost 35O0000 men, her food stu
alton is desperate, and the future.
even If Germany could win, Is dark
for her, for a greater Germany would
only mean a more impotent Austria.
but she cannot break away. She
must continue In the war under pain
of being stamped on by the nation
that has her in its power.
That is how our allies regard the
Austrian situation, and Is the e1-
planation of their lukewarmness
toward the American effort to widen
the rift between the kaiser and EN-
peror Carl.
The German socialists have not taken
kindly to the German governments
attitude toward President Wilson's
last peace message. During the de-
bate in the reichstag on Won Hertling's
speech Philip Scheidemann, socialist,
took the emperor to task for his reply
to the address of the burgomaster OF
Hamburg, in which the emperor said:
1--WE desire to live in friendship with
.t-A .