The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1918-02-05
The Week II, The War

N T the close Of last week the success or failure
"A OF the German campaign Of unrestricted or
ruthless summarizing Of merchantmen came in for
more than ordinary attention in that Saturday
marked the end Of the first year OF operation ofthat
policy Sir Eric Geddes first sea lord OF Great
Britain was out with statement which went to
show its failure, that the menace was now well in
hand by the Allies while the Germans, through
lthe German press, insisted upon its success and
claimed the destruction Of nine millions Of tons Of
shipping. These figures the Associated Press
secuted cut them IN two, and alleged general ex-
IN the reports from, the fighting fronts last week
there was no news which was calculated to give
especial satisfaction to the Central Powers unless
they can find cause to rejoice in the slaughter and
manning OF non-combatants in London and in
Paris In those two capitals the inhumanity OF
the Huns was more than usually successful and
reaped larger rewards" of innocent lives, at the
same time wrecking the bodies OF more women,
children and aged men than rewarded their former
efforts,
On the West Front the expected drive by the
Teutons is still in allegiance and gives no indca-
lions Of an early launching. On the other hand,
such operations in that theater as have been re-
ported reflect rather to the advantage of the
French and the British than to that OF the Ger
mans. OF special interest to the United States
was the news Of the raid by Germans on Ameri-
can trenches The. losses were small and the
affair was nothing more than small skirmish but
the interest comes home in that they were boys
from the United States who met death or received
wounds in the minor engagement.
Pershing's demand for properly trained officers
at the front also contains deep significance and
much food for thought for the people at home.
He has spoken out plainly and bluntly in the style
which the people Of this country like and which
is typical Of the man. Without doubt his advice
will be promptly needed. Ii shows that trimming
and pruning must 60 on at the same time with
The forcing OF the growth of our fighting forces.
In the Italian war theater the news-1as been all
in favor Of the Italians and their Allies. From
the defensive they have taken the offensive and
that offense they. have made success so far as
II has gone This IS moi merely the claim Of the
Italians, much Of it is admitted by the Austro-
Germans although the latter claim to have finally
checked the Italian advances.
Overshadowjng all else in world interest has
been the news Of Industrial and economic troubles
in Germany and the Dual Empire, In some circles
there is tendency to discount the seriousness to
the Central Powers Of these reports and to believe
they have been permitted to issue fH the purpose
lof giving to the Allies an unwafranted confidence,
Ito throw them off their guard and to bring let
\ find indications Of Teuton ,inderhandedness and
intrigue in the reports and view them in the light
they do all other reports from such sources, as
designed to conceal some interior purpose. a
II is quite possible the BolsheViki are seeking
to carry out their second program Of rousing in
tenal strife, first in the countries Of the enemy
and next in the other warning countries. In Ger
many and in Austria there are factions that are
related not Instantly to the Bilsheviki and MAXI
malists Of Russia. Should the Russian program
succeed it would mean a collapse OF the Teuton
arms similar to that experienced by Russia and
by Italy at the height Of its drive into Austria.
Yet it will not do for the Allies to place too
much hope in such an eventuality. The United
States must speed up preparations, must hurry
Its forces into the trenches, must train and equip
more men and above. ai must speed up the ship
building program. ls.yga.' .,,',> -
! And at home the situation requires even more
tof all true and loyal Americans. Their part is to
save and then to save more. This the food admin
istration is calling upon them to do now more
than ever Especially at home must not the re-
ports of troubles in Germany and Austria of great
strikes and of riots, rouse such feeling of se-
curly that economy be permitted to relax for a
moment and the people grow,eareless. ..,1
| The reports give cause for hope but they war
rant no feeling OF security. II
4 -&9.. a--s%.--
l II there is one breach Of traffic rules which is
more common than others il is failure to give right
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