The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-01-17

On the whole, the Russian situation
looks better for foes of Germany, and
'hplf diplomats are prepared to take
advantage Of IT and to treat the boil
Sheriki leaders with some conSideru-
non, since 1t seems probable the latter
Will be joined by the Influential men
or other factions to oppose T'cutonic
oppression.
French Victory in Italy.
Inc Frrnch forces on the italian
front started Off the New Year right
with q beautifully organized and
well carried out attack on the pnpmy'S
positions on Monte Tobn. After del
uSihG The" FiftIcth Austrian division
WIN artillery fire, the fine French in
Iahlry move forward on n tw0-mile
'front.' ana i'm IL short, sharp fight. took
III" position with comparative ease.
capturing l.IO0 pris0ncrS-more than
'h"y lihd m"i' engaged. The cnp1ivcs
"rr" Shid To be In wrctchcd condition.
On the lower Iiavo the Italians
the invaders out Of the Zen
son bend, and n day or two later broke
up an attempted crossing In vessels ut
lntrSihdurn. Tie mountain passes be-
lihd the Austrians are filed up with
SNOW ana rc-"nforccmcnts and supply
conveys arc held up on the Tyrol
frontier. The enemy uvintors nrc maxi
ing repeated. raids on Pauua, Treviso
and other cities Of northern naly. de-
voting themselves mainly to the de-
Struction OF architectural and art treas
ures, rs Is their pleasing" custom.
Operations on the west front we're
confined to raids and artillery duels,
|>but allied avint0rs reported the contin-
uous arrival behind the lines of great
masses Of German troops. General AL.
lcnby sent word that he was making
satisfactory progress to the north Of
Jerusalem. beating or 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 n considerable number Of new
aircraft units to combat the American
air fleets. 1t Is to be hoped the kali
scr's anxiety on this score IL Justified,
though civilian experts do not report
encourngingly concerning our prog.
reSs In the manufacture OF nirpluneS.
Ordnance Department ~Reorganized.
Results of the congressional investi-
cations OF bureaucratic delays In 1T
ting out Americas armies arc coming
fast. The latest Is the complete re-
organization Of the ordnance depart
mcnt by which almost full control OF
the purchase and production of artil-
lcry, rifles and ammunition is put / II
civilian hands. a procurement divi-
sion Is established to negotiate an or
dcrS ana contracts for such munitions.
and nj the head OF II is placed Samuel
McltohcriS, executive manager of the
National city bank of New York.
Generals CroZicr and Wheeler, nom
inai ana 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
Tihution divisions.
Not satisfied with this rcorganlZa-
ton. and voiclng the desires Of a great
many citizens. Senator Chamberlain
introduced II biz providing for the Gre
alton of II munitions board and Il di-
rector OF munitions who Shall be re-
spOnsible directly to the president Of
the United States and not to the seq
rotary OF war. Other members OF the
senate committee on military affairs
are backing Chnmberlnin's bill.
General Gocthals began the rc0r-
Gnnizntion of the Qu~artcrmaStcr corps,
and let 1t be known that he will add
civilian experts to his bureau and will
cut rcd tape and disregard precedent
wherever necessary for the sake OF
efficiency and speed.
Presumably In response to the re-
quest of General Pcrshlng that only
comparatively young officers should be
put in command OF troops In France,
General Slhcrt. second In rank TO Per
shing. and General Mum. who com
mnnt.ed the Rainbow division, have
been recalled to duty I'm America. Mai.
Gen. II. l.. Billiard succeeds Sibcrt and
Maj. Gen. Charles ~. Mcnohcr be-
comes commander Of the Rainbow
boys.
Troops to Be Hurried Across.
The state department. on Wedncs.
day made public Il summary Of the re.
suits of the intcr-nllicd conference in
Paris, the outstanding part Of which
was the recommendation to the Amer.
lear government to send troops to the
battle fronts OF Europe as speedily rs
possible. Thls Colonel House also