The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-04
Lorraine Sector Assigned to
General Pershing's Soldiers.
Slight Until Justice Prevails"
Is Allies Reply.
BATTLES DAILY WITH HUNS
Versailles Council Tells Hert-
ling "TO Remove Mask"
NeutraIs May Suffer From U. D.
Urgent Need of Ships.
by ROBERT j. BENDER.


Washington, Feb. 4.-The United
States today is developing its greatest
punch of the world war
Americans are now pitted, man 10
man, against the Germans along
section of the Lorraine 'front.' meet
ing steel with steel
The allied council at Versailles has
rounded out definite plan OF 60
operation by which the American anu
allied war chiefs will meet Won HeTt-
ung's peace eamoufiage" with the
thunder of increasing guns.
Today thruout the nation this gov
ernment is registering allens-naiheS'
ancestry, business, thumb prints etc
as a precautionary measure prehm-
mary to what is to be the crucial ell
fort in the great war.
There are to be no halfway meas
ures The president decided that on
which ever side the greatest effort IS
made this year, victory Will ran Neu-
trails may expect sharp measures Wheh
they are deemed vital to this country
success
Military Again Prevails.
New evidence of grim determination
to end the struggle in 1918 or soon
afta- by making a herculean effort
this year, is manifest on all SIDES
once more il is felt the developments
have swung back out OF the hahos oI
diplomats and into the hands OF the
military ia =.
the allied war council has said IN
answer TO Hertling:
Until you come from behlhd youl
mask we must go ahead.
And working to that end, complete
agreement is reported on plans for the
conduCt of the war. The milltary
chiefs of the United States ana the
allies will be given vide authority TO
ac- without delaying any vital move
Tor reference to and approval by nome
governments.
In in Dead Earnest Now.
The casualty lists of Americans
dying on tn field of battle in almost
dali clashes with the Germans has
brought home to this country the
realization that our participation In
thu war is now in deadly earnest
More and more men are to be sent
across the seas. And while thus Tar
fortune has remained at the Slde OF
the Transports officials point out that
any day may see one lost. the victim
OF d U-boat that has eluded the Amerl-
can guard.
The kaiser's papers have scoffed at
the American soldiers. They have
laughed at our officers, men upon
whom they say. Secretary Baker ''has
sewed epaulets-"- But these men. after
months o. patient training, are an
swering the German fire in front line
trenches with. great American guns
today.
Ships continue a pressing need. The
Germans are sinking vessels on an
average of over four million tons a
year. according to figures compiled
here How closely the shipping pro-
gra m of this country and the allies is
making up for this cannot be accu-
rately estimated. But it is now deemed
unlikely America can contribute more
than three million tons this year. altho
Chairman Hurley of the shipping
boz rd is still confident of five million
tons.
The shipping lack. however, has
compelled sharp measures with neu-
trails. Already Holland has agreed to
turn over a percentage of all of her
car goes to Belgium relief supplies that
other ships may be released from this
work. Negotiations are pending with
Spain to insure safe shipment and de-
livery across her borders of other sup
plies needed by the American army in
France. Pending adjustment of this
Spanish ships continue held up in
American harbors.
Rest of Draft to Camp February 23.
The American embargo will be en-
ployed ruthlessly when needed The
great punch may be developed this
year President Wilson says. America
Will turn every weapon to accomplish
ment of this end. The allies are call
Ing for more troops. The last of the
first draft will be summoned to camp
by February %, it is planned today,
and the next draft will be called when
facilities at the training camps are
such as to permit a new influx-in
other words when the first men draft
ed have been sent across in such num-
berS as to permit the entrance of
more.