Mexico Missouri message., 1918-02-14

~~~~~~~~~-~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~S
lyzed. The government was forced TO
accept the socialists demands as to
food, communal woman suffrage and
nonmilltarism Of war Industries, and
thereupon most of the strikers return
ed to their work. The trouble was
only partly allayed, however, and the
radicals made further demands and re-
iterated their call for o general peace
by understanding.
The Austrian masses are determined,
that at least peace shall be made with
Russia, and II this is not done their
words and actions betoken q revolu-
ton that will remove the dual mon
archy from the alliance of the central
powers. Germany is awake to the
danger of this detection and the mill
tarists there are manifesting great irri-
tation toward Austria because they
think Emperor Charles and his govern
ment have fostered democratic inter
nationalism.
The troubles of Emperor Charles
realm are aggravated by the attitude
Of Bohemia. At a great meeting in
Prague q resolution was adopted de-
manding independence for Bohemia.
Hungary, also, is doing its bit in the
general upheaval, having absolutely re-
fused to give cereals to either Austria
or Germany. The Roumanian stocks
of grain are exhausted and the food
situation In Austria is most acute.
-M-
The reasonable peace advocates in
Germany have not by any means sur
rendered to the increasingly arrogant
pan-Germans, and have been holding
meetings in Cologne and elsewhefe,
and the radical socialists are keeping
up the fight with vigor. There is no
doubt that the proletarlat Of both Ger
many and Austria has been immensely
hesrtened and inspired by the propa-
ganda of the Russian boIshevlki spread
by means of the determination of SOL
diers on the east front.
-R-
All this sounds good, but II would be
foolish to base upon 1t any strong
hopes Of an early peace with victory
for the allies. The German army prob
ably was never before so strong as
now, and If the indications may he
trusted, the long expected offensive on
the west front may be under way be-
fore this review is In the hands Of
readers. All last week there was in
! tense artillery action In France and
| Flanders, with numerous feeling out"
| raids and much activity by the air
forces. Great concentrations of troops
| at several points continued and 1t
seemed evident the kaiser was about
ready to strike. French military ex-
perts believed the Germans would at
tack the British lines in Flanders and
also the French In the region of Nancy
1t was in the latter sector that the
raid was made on American troops
Whether Pershing's men still are help,
ing hold the line there has not been
revealed.
Having lost to the French some i'm
portant positions on Monte Tomba, the
Teutons in Italy were compelled tC
evacuate considerable territory wes
of the Piave river, moving back tt
Monte Spinoncla. They seem to have
given up hope of forcing the passage
to the plains along the west bank o.
the Piave and are constructing de
fenses in the rear.
-@-
On the sea the Turks suffered con
siderable disaster in the loss of tn,
cruisers Medullu and Sultan Selim
formerly the Breslau and Goeben
These vessels emerged from the Oar
danelles to attack certain British mon
itors, but were seen and at once en-
gagged by British destroyers and drivel
into mine fields. The Breslau wa
blown up and sunk and the Goeber
badly damaged, was run aground q
Niagara point, where for several day
and nights 1t was subjected to bomb
ing by British air craft and rendere
useless. The British lost two mon
tors.
The number of British vessels sun
by submarines in the week was give
as only six large and two small ship'
In its efforts to supply tonnage I
meet the submarine depradations, tn
! United States scored a point by get
ting a large number Of vessels fror
neutral nations, especially Sweden, fo
use in American coastal traffic. Thi
brought forth howl Of "unneutrality
! from Germany, coupled with threa
, to sink all such vessels that its sui
, marines could reach.
ID
} Belgium made a dignifed reply I
: the pope's peace note, stating that II
- ---