, 1918-02-28

COulQ not promise InaI lHe Shoilh ui'
trict of Poland should not be given to
the new republic, as the treaty pro-
vided, but they pacified the enraged
Poles somewhat by the assurance that
the frontiers of Cholm would be fixed
by a commission including Polish and
Ukrainian representatives. AS for
peace with Great Russia, DIR. Won
Kuehlmann said he was awaiting
signed confirmation from TrotZky that
the German terms were accepted.
These terms, not wholly made pub
lie, of course Correspond with Ger
many's interests"
The written confirmation of Russia's
acceptance of the peace terms, 1t was
reported, passed the German lines on
Thursday.
The socialist members of the Aus
trian reichsrath called on the govern
ment to adopt the principles set forth
by President Wilson as a basis for gen.
eral peace and asked that negotiations
be begun quickly. They and all the
Czechs and Slavs protested violently
against the resumption of the wal
against Russia. Further trouble for
Austria was reported by deserters who
said the men of the fleet at Cattaro
had mutinied, and there was growing
disaffection at Pola, Fiume and other
Austrian ports.
The United States and the entente
allies have declared they will recog-
nize no peace in the East made under
compulsion and by a mere faction of
the Russian people, nor n involving
Poland without a previous consulta-
ton with Poland.
Sweden finally made up its mind
that 1t couldn't intervene to stop the
horrible civil conflict in Finland, but
1t was expected that Germany would
take a hand in the mess there.
While President Wilson and his ad-
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 ad
init 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 1, 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 1,500,-
900, and from the million men who
will become twenty-one years of age
during the year ending June 5 ext.
With increasing rapidity the men of
the first draft are being sent across
to France, In response to the call of
the allies, and to provide more trans
ports for them and their supplies a
great number Of vessels have been
withdrawn from trade outside the war
zones, these being replaced by vessels
of neutral nations, according to a re-
cent agreement.
Further relief in the matter of trans
p%ortation was provided by the conom-
&c 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 g Spain refused
to let Pershing have these materials,
but sufficient argument and pressure
were brought to bear to induce a
change of mind.
In the matter of American ship
building, the prospect is fairly rosy
again. The president, by quick and
decisive action, put an Enc 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 thar had original
ly been intended. These machines are
equipped with the Liberty motor, and
from now on there will be a 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 II
Is stated as an admitted fact that the
Germans have the complete mastery
OF the air above the American sector,