Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-22
SATURDAY EVENING. JUNE 20. 1918.

, sAuRDAY EVENING, JUNE 20. 1918.
EVENTS OF THE WEEK.
The. signs OF activity on the Italian front which nave
been noticed. of late have been followed by an offensive
movement by the Austrians which was evidently INTENDED
to break down the italian defense and to open the way
for the Austrians from the mountain districts to the
Italian plains. Early in the week a movement in force
was undertaken all along the line from the foothills Of
the mountains to the sea. At certain points the Aus
| TRANS were able to cross the Piave river, but after this
they were held, not alone along the Piave, but on the
entire front. Their effort has cost them a large number
i Of men in killed and wounded. and tho Italians have
taken a large number Of prisoners.
y This Austrian movement has been called a "hunger
offensive" and the facts bear out the title. Circulars
and other written and printed matter found on prisoners
shows that the Austrian authorities attempted to fire
their men with willingness to attempt the advance by.
reminding them Of the loot which was captured in the
offensive Of last year, and emphasis was placed on the
quantities Of food which might be expected to be taken
II the advance was made: This sheds an interesting
\ light on the food conditions in the. Austrian empire.
4 which have reached a point where the population in
many districts is almost beyond control.
Food riots have recently occurred in Vienna, and in
: Hungary, which is far better provided with food than
is any other part Of the empire. Premier Tisza has said
: that there are districts where the food supply is not more
than one-third enough to maintain the population in
. health, and doubt is expressed as to the ability of the
!. people to hold out until the next harvest. To certain
groups of the armies which attacked the italian lines
three days ratons were issued. one for each day, but
= the soldiers were so hungry that they ate the entire
qHantity on the first. day, and many Of them were cap
= tured almost in a starving condition, while numbers
3 gave themselves up willingly because OF the prospect Of
a square meal. ~e
% IT'S. At tho present time the Austrian Offensive is at q
3 standstil, and where river crossings were effected the
g position Of the invaders is much worse than 1t was be-
fore. as they have the river at their back instead Of
= between them and the enemy. In the meantime the food
situation grows worse, and the Austrians must continue
their effort to break the Italian lines or prepare for
more and more insistent demands from the soldiers for
food If the offensive is permitted to die out.
. .
German activities have been confined to an attempt
! to capture Rheims, an attempt which was made with
s, vigor, but which failed dismally. Rheims in the present
alignment is near the point of a wedge which extends
(, into the German. positions. In the movement which
= brought them to the banks Of the Marine. the Germans
moved southwark on the west side Of Rheims. but could
" not reach the city itself. The situation is embarrassing
Il to them. hence the determined effort to straighten out
the line at that point. Large forces were used against
the allies all along the rough semi-circle which partly
sencloses the city, but at every point the Germans were
held or driven back. Rheims is still in the hands of
the allies, and the Germans are planning their next
move.
Observers think that a fresh stroke in the north
against the British is the next thing among the proba-
bniies There has been comparative quiet from Arras
north for soma time. and 1t is assumed that the German
forces have improved the time by. getting ready FOR a
new effort to break through to the channel. It is be-
lieved that General Foch has his forces soldisposed that
any offensive in that territory will be rendered futile.
In the meantime, American troops are being poured in
at the rate of several thousand a day.
~ . -
The anarchy which prevails in Russia is having
its. effect on the food situation in, te western part OF the
country where the I3olsheviki are in control. That sec
ton OF the country has in the past depended largely
on the great grain fields Of Siberia for Its food supply
Now that supply is cut off because the Czecho-siovaks.
FL who are in controf in Siberia, have seized important Sec
tons Of all the main arteries OF the trans-siberian rail-
road, and will not permit grain to bAshipped to Russia
The Soviet government has sought to force the reHn-
quishment Of these lines, but the natural difficulties Of
the case. coupled with the incapacity Of the men in
/ charge renders this practically inposaible.
H sSas@An indication OF the political unrest prevailing in
4 The Balkans IL found in the resignation Of the Bulgar-
! ian cabinet, which. under Premier Rodosslavon, has been
q III 9power since before the war. The crisis which resulted
s8ssan the downfall of the administration was brought about
4aSby popular dissatisfaction with the division Of spoils
when peace swas.concluded with Rumania. the Buleaf-
INSISTING that they vsre entitled 70 the whole 81 the
6k1dd3a, snd feass Sars also suppressed that Gernanny
R8SSS1tEss not std HulEart. n Sobtainins recognition of her
/ Ess1ss.saa % MslsdonllsAy1
\ ~ rsau.A ofsFrss,dent WlIson congress she,ysd
saNya ss H eters. ass,.ratisns q w 4s.insTarx4y IA 1ui-l
Hadsns nv, Is sp.ssfie reason ~ Il.