The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-05-18

powers are to control the navigation
of the Danube, and the Roumanian
army, except ten divisions, Is to be de-
modified, its equipment going to the
central powers until the conclusion of
general peace.
The queen of Roumania and her chill
dren refuse to recognize the peace
treaty and lose no opportunity to af
front the Germans in their country.
Ia
The German vice chancellor an
nounced the establishment of a special
department to regulate Germany's
eastern policy, and defended her policy
Of Intervention in Finland, declaring
1t had insured the independence and
freedom of that country and was I'M
dertaken at the request of the legiti-
mate Finnish government. 1t is report
ed that Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich of
Mecklenburg- Strelitz has been selected
as king Of Finland. Little news of mo-
ment came from Russia or the Ukraine
last week. 1t is quite evident now that
Germany will get little food from the
latter country this year.
Ia
In Palestine the British forces ap-
parently met with reverse which
compelled them to evacuate Es-Salt
and retire to the west bank Of the Jor-
dan. Constantinople claimed the
Turks administered singing defeat
to General Allenby's troops.
MA
Nicaragua lined herself up with most
of the rest of the nations on Tuesday
by formally declaring war on Germany
and its allies. It's congress empowered
the president to employ all the re-
sources of the nation In prosecuting
the war.
Ia
Gutzon Borglums charges that graft,
incompetency and pro-German infu-
ences were responsible for the col
lapse of Americas aircraft program
could not beignored, so President VIII
son ordered thorough investigation
made by the department of justice.
The senate committee on military af-
fairs also announced 1t would resume
its inquiry into the fiasco. Both the
administration and the committee as
sured the public there would be nc,
embarrassing" and that If anyone
was guilty he would be duly punished.
Secretary Baker protested against a
public hearing Of the matter by the
senators on the ground that it would
only aid and comfort the enemy, and
he told the military committee of the
house that results under the manage
ment Of John d. Ryan would soon be
gratifying and that criticism of the con-
dition of airplane production was pro-
German. There Is reason to believe
his confidence in Mr. Ryan and the re-
organized bureau is not misplaced, but
the public would like to know what
became of the $640,0O0,0O0 already
spent and why there is so little to
show for It,
Ia
Another revelation that has stirred
congress and that Secretary Baker may
be called on to explain is that guam
tity production of the heavy Browning
gun and of heavy artillery is very far
behind the hopes Of the people that
were inspired by the promises Of the
war department. In the caselof the
howitzers 1t would seem that valuable
time has been wasted In the effort to
devise gun carriages Of new and dis
tinctively American model instead of
going ahead with the models found
satisfactory by the British and French.
There Is also great shortage in pis-
tolls, though General Dickson, chief of
the arms manufacturing division, says
the outlook for improvement in this ia
encouraging. Mr.. Baker says an in
quiry into the entire question of ord
nance production is being made by
Lieut.. Col. Bascom Little.
-@
The railroad wage commission last
week recommended increases for all
employees whose wages were less than
$3.50 month In December, 1915. The
increases range from 4.6 to 48 per cent,
the lower the wages, the greater the
relative increase. The total annual in
crease in the pay roll of the railroads
would be about $300,00O.0OO. Director
General McAdoo can use his discretion
in conforming to the recommendation
of the commission, and lie expected to
render his decision very soon. Large
as the increases are, they do not come
up to the demands of the railway
workers unions and considerable dis
satisfaction Is expressed. However,
Mr.. McAdoo's decision doubtless win be
accepted with good grace.