The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-03-02

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could not promise that the CholmI lis
trict of Poland should not be giveh to
the new republic, as the treaty Ipro-
yided, but they pacified the enrflged
Poles somewhat by the assurance THAT
the frontiers of Cholm would be fixed
by commission including POLISH and
Ukrainian representatives. Ase40r
peace with Great Russia, DR.. s1on
Kuehlmann said he was awa ng
signed confirmation from Trotzky b@sat
the German terms were accei I'd.
These terms, not wholly made b.
lie, of course Correspond with Ter
many's interests" EM
The written confirmation Of Rug s.
acceptance of the peace terms, 1T Fas
reported, passed the German linesI on
Thursday,
Ia
The socialist members of the AUS
trian reichsrath called on the govern
ment to adopt the principles set firth
by President Wilson as a basis for dem
eral peace and asked that negotiations
be begun quickly. They and all lthe
Czechs and Slavs protested yiolehtly
against the resumption of the var
against Russia. Further trouble Exbr
Austria was reported by deserters fsho
said the men Of the fleet at CatIaro
had mutinied and there was groIing
disaffection at Pola, Fiume and her
Austrian ports.
The United States and the enttlte
allies have declared they win RI bg-
nize no peace in the East made
compulsion and BY a mere ~
the Russian people, nor one involFlng
Poland without a previous constllta-
ton with Poland.
Sweden finally made up Its mind
that II couldn't intervene to stop 1.-THE
horrible civil conflict in Finland, but
it was expected that Germany would
take a hand in the mess there.
While President Wilson and his adj
ministration show no intention of dis
continuing the campaign to bring
about peace by argument, they do
show an increasing realization of the
improbability Of peace within a short
time. Possibly they are ready to adj
NIT that men and guns Will do the
most to end the war. At any rate,
our preparations are being speeded up
In a manner that is gratifying. Plans
have been completed for sending to
the training camps the second incre-
ment Of 100000 men, beginning about
May /, and continuing at the rate of
10000 men a week. These, 1t Is be-
lieved, will all be taken from class one,
which numbers approximately 1900
900, and from the million men who
will become twenty-one years of age
during the year ending June 8 next.
With increasing rapidity the men Of
the first draft are being sent across
to France, In response to the can OF
the allies, and to provide more trans
ports for them and their supplies q
great number of vessels have been
Withdrawn from trade outside the war
zones these being replaced by vessels
Of neutral nations, according to re-
cent agreement.
Further relief In the matter of trans
portation was provided by the econom-
ic agreement with Spain, signed Thurs
day, which permits General Pershing
to purchase in Spain mules, army
blankets and other supplies for his
troops. A month ago Spain refused
to let Pershing have these materials
but sufficient argument and pressure
were brought to bear to induce q
change Of mind.
IA
In the matter Of American ship
building, the prospect is fairly rosy
again. The president, by quick and
decisive action, put an end to the strike
of shipyard carpenters, and on Thurs
day the pleasing announcement was
made that the drive for the enrolment
of 100000 shipyard workers would
bring more than the number sought
thousands of union men joining with
out restrictions as to working with I'M
organized workers.
Ia
Equally cheering was the statement
by Secretary Baker that the first
American battleplanes for Pershing's
forces already had been shipped. sew
eral months earlier than had original
ly been intended. These machines art
equipped with the Liberty motor, ant
from now on there will be q steady
stream Of them going over, together
with the avlators and mechanics nee
essary to operate them. From the dis
patches Of correspondents In France
these planes are sorely needed, for Il
is stated as an admitted fact that tht
Germans have the complete mastery
of the air above the American sector
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