Mexico Missouri message., 1918-10-31

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with the French at Laucon. East OF
the Meuse also the Americans were
going forward and, at the time OF
writing, these movements, as well as
those all along the line, were still pro-
crossing.
These operations In France were
steadily crushing the great German
salient whose apex was near Laon,
and the French were maintaining
continuous pressure on both sides of
that city. They also were compelling
the further retirement of the Huns
who still remained south of the Aisne
between Neufchatel and Vouzieres.
The American air service on the
front of the First army clearly dem
orstrated its superiority during the
week. Huge aggregations Of bombing
planes continually flew over the en-
emy front lines, communications, back
areas and troop concentrations, doing
incalculable damage, while the pur-
suit planes kept the air clear of Hun
machines.
The Serbian army kept up the unre-
mltting pursuit of the Austrians In
Serbia as the Bulgarians withdrew
from that country, or surrendered, ac-
cording to their agreement. Before
the end of the week the Serbs were
quite close to Nish and moving ahead
steadily. To their west, in Albania,
the allied troops made considerable
progress. The Italians took Elbassan
after crushing determined resistance
by the Austrians, and then continued
their advance northward.
-M-
The occupation of Beirut by French
marines only accentuated the troubles
OF Turkey. The cabinet resigned, af-
ter peace note was said to have been
started on its way to President Will
son, and Tewfik Pasha, 1t was report
ed, would be the new grand viZier. His
sympathies are rather with the allies,
and there is little doubt the sultan
himself would be mighty glad to get
out of the war on the best terms OBJ
tainable. London was convinced Tur-
key had notified Germany 1t intended
to make peace and that the kaiser
tried to stave this off by the proposal
of the chancellor.
Hungary was in condition
almost of panic and was nervously
awaiting the outcome Of Prince Max's
effort. Reports from Vienna said the
ministerial council had decided to in
troduce national autonomy sin order
to make President Wilson's stipulation
al accomplished fact" Among the
reople Of the empire the movement to
proclaim the separation of Hungary
and Austria was making great head
way. Meanwhile the Bohemian lead
ers were comforting and preparing to
| declare the independence of their
country and its separation from Aus
| tria-Hungary, and, knowing the dan
gers Of such action, made their wills
and settled their personal affairs.
"a
Boris, who has succeeded to tht
throne Of Bulgaria on the abdicatior
of his father, Ferdinand, adheres tC
the terms of the surrender made by
his armies, and has ordered German!
and Austria to quit his country with
in a month Already the rail connec
ton between Vienna and Constantine
pie seems to be effectually broken.
-H-
Three more victories" by the mur
derous German U-boats are to be re
corded. The Irish mail boat LeinsteI
the Japanese liner Hirano and tn
American cargo steamship Ticonderog
were torpedoed. The total loss of lif
was estimated at more than 900. /
the case of the Ticonderoga about %
were killed, most of them by shrapnt
fire after the boat had ceased to resist
Ia
One painful result Of the German
peace offensive was the decided slow
ing up Of the campaign for the fourt
Liberty loan. Presumably becaus
many short-sighted people though
peace was at hand and the none
would not be needed, subscriptions I
the $6,000000,0O0 loan were distress
lngly slow in coming in. All the ager
cies engaged in the campaign r.
doubled their efforts and the America
public was loudly warned that tn
Hun peace talk must be dlsregarde
and the money must be raised. Unc1
Sam needs those six billions and h
will get them, and he win need an
! will get much more, in all probabilit
before peace is declared and the arm
; les are disbanded, If the people r
: fuse to lend the government all ii
money IT needs, at a good rate OF 4
terest, 1t has other ways of gettiE
funds, and 1t will adopt them.