The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-02-01

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only about per cent was exported,
mostly TO Canada. Yet. within the last
week England sent coal 10 us, in order
that supply ships might not be stopped.
ID
Out OF the fire of congressional in |
vestigation the marine corps has come |
with added luster, the contrast 10 war |
department conditions being sadly |
marked. The house committee said the
corps has been kept supplied on war
basis with no apparent delays, while
about $1,000 recruits during the year
have been properly housed, clothed,
fed and trained The secret OF this
lies in the fact that Maj. Gen. George
Barnett, commandment of the corps, be-
lieved in preparedness. Two months
before America entered the war he or
dered 10000 pairs OF shoes and 10000
Lewis machine guns. His purchasing
system has worked smoothly and eff
ficiently, possibly because he has had
the assistance OF no dollar week"
civilians, whose capabilities and knowl-
edge are not commensurate with their
patriotism. The bureaus of construc-
ton and repair and of engineering OF
the navy department also received high
praise from the committee.
-M-
Secretary Baker and his manage
ment Of the war department are still
the objects Of sharp attack and the de-
mands for his resignation or removal
increase daily. His long defense be-
fore the senate committee was the re
verse of satisfactory and there is de
cided diversity of opinion as to wheth-
er or not his reorganization Of bureaus
will cure the evils that have infested
his department. Daniel willard told
the committee the new plan was faulty
In that II did not concentrate control
and relied too much on voluntary ef-
fort, and Immediately thereafter Mr..
Willard resigned his post Of chairman
of the war industries board. II was In
tlmated a new chairman might not be
| appointed pending action on the pro
u
| department or administration.
Can II be that Mr. Baker, deep In
his pacifst soul. believes the war will
come to an end before the American
troops are called on TO fight, and there
fore Is willing that adequate prepare
lions for their active participation In
the conflict shall be delayed? In his
review OF operations IN Europe he says
a great German offensive Is 10 be eX-
pccted on the west front but he IS con
fident that the war-worn British and
French armies can withstand II.
h
Fierce controversy ragged throughout
| the week between the German groups
represented respectively by Won Ludcn-
| dorff and Won Kuehlmann the pan
/ Germans and the nonanneXatioulsts.
There was "A report that The govern
ment had compromised the dispute by
| yielding 10 Won Kuehlmann as 10 the
east front, and assuring Won Ludeu-
dorm that he might grab any land on
the west front that the military forces
Of the empire could seize aud hold
through the peace negotiations. But
this report was uncunfrmcd.
Berlin stated officially on Thursday
that the central powers had found the
/ Russian proposals unacceptable. and
that German and Austrian troops
wou$d not be withdrawn from the oc-
/ cupied territories while the war lasts.
I The Austro-GcrmHns, the statement
added. do not intend Incorporating
/ into their respective countries the ter.
I rItories now occupied ny them.
Trotzky chung 20 his demands FOR the
/ right Of seIfd"f"rm.narlon for aH na-
I tionalitIos and that principle supported
I by Lloyd-GeDrEe and President Wilson
( has taken ITS place SIS almost the lead
I ing peace term ~ the opponents 81 the
1 central powers The German General
/ Hoffman tuunts the boIsheyiki with ~.
/ fact that they are Inconsistent because
they are fighting the Ukralnlaus. bur
on the other hand Lsnino. Trotzky and
their fellows have permitted the set
+ ting mp Of independent governments In
I various parts Of Russia because the
| people 50 wlIled 81, They have Just
declared, also, that their government
supports the right 81 the Armenians
in Russia and Turkey to be independ-
ent and 70 decide their own destiny.
The British government has so far rec
ognizcd the holshevlkl as 10 establish
| official relations with their minister IN
London.
TurEestan announced It's lndcpend-