The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-01-05

hC Nhdli man VI tiO Asuooapd NSAS
cation declared Czernin's reply to the
Russian proposals was incomplete and
in some respects unsatisfactory. The
bolsheviki leaders still seem to nope
States will participate In the, negotia-
lions they have started, but there are
no present indications that this hope
will be realized. Meanwhile Germany
continues to remove vast numbers Of
troops from the east front to the west,
calmly ignoring the impotent protests
of Trotzky.
Though Czernin's statement was
made on behalf Of all four of the Teu-
tonic allies, it is not at all pleasing
to Bulgaria. King Ferdinand declares
his country intends to hold what she
has won.
During the week the bolsheviki
made little If any progress in their
civil war against the Cossacks and the
Ukrainians. The former kept up their
fight In southern Russian and the lat
ter were reported to have occupied the
headquarters Of the Fourth, Eighth
and Eleventh armies on the Roumanian
and southwestern fronts, disarming
the troops that resisted them and seiZ-
ing quantities of arms and supplies.
Bosheviki Accuse United States.
Trotzky and his followers attempt
ed to fasten on Ambassador Francis
and other American officials guilt of
engaging in plot to assist Kaledines,
by sending to Rostov motor cars and
: yaey consigned to the American Red
Cross In Russia. Colonel Kolpash-
nikoff, who had bought the cars in
America, was thrown into prison and
the bolsheviki newspapers rallied
against the Americans. Trotzky de-
manded an explanation from Mr.. Fran
els, and when 1t came it left him with
no leg to stand on. However, he kept
the colonel locked up, and then 1t de.
veloped that Kolpashnikoff was one Of
, those who strictly examined Trotzky
at Halifax when he was on his way to
| Russia-enter the element of personal
enmity. The whole affair was mares
nest, but on Thursday Trotzky tele
graphed Commander in Chief Kry
lenko: New sympathy has been mani
! tested between the American imperial
lists and Kaledines."
AS was to be expected, Japan is pay
ing serious attention to the efforts O
the bolsheviki to make peace with Ger
many The emperor and some of hi
most trusted advisers conferred tn
other day on the steps Japan SHOULD
take to protect her interests.
China's increasing interest In the wa
was demonstrated by events at Har
bin, Manchuria, where Chinese Tough
and defeated the Maximalists, disarm
ed them and took possession of tn
city.
Fierce Fighting In Italy.
Military operations for the weel
were in the main confined to Italy, blu
the fighting there was bitter enougl
to do for all fronts. The Teutons hay
ing failed to break through to tn
plains between the Piave and tn
Brenta, renewed their attacks on tn
Asiago plateau west of the latter rive
Positions on the Col del Rosso an
Monte del Val Bella changed hand
three times, the Italians finally bein
forced to retire somewhat But thei
opposition was so determined and tn
losses of the enemy so heavy that tn
latter could not follow up their gail
Every day increases the probabilit
that the Teutons will be held or wi
be compelled to fall back to presery
their lines of communication. I'll
spirit Of the Italians is high and hel
, from France and Great Britain
, steadily flowing to them.
Apparently Won Hindenburg had n,
, yet found the soft spot on the we
front at which to strike, for the on
serious attack the Germans mao
there was In the Verdun sector east
: the Mouse. Five successive assault
were made, but the French beat the
all off with heavy loss to the enem
, Alarmed by the growing strength
4 the minority Socialists In German
2 that branch Of the party that refuses
. follow Scheidemann and that persis
J emily attacks the war program Of Il
government, the kaiser caused the q
rest en- Christmas eve Of more thi
E 300 members Of the faction in lar
= number of cities.
: Another shakeup in the British a
, miralty started with the retirement
e Admiral Jellicoe from the post of fir
\ sea lord. He IL succeeded by Vice A
e miral Wemyss.
: The senate lost q valuable and har
+ working member last week In the dea
: Of Francis g. Nswlaads Of Nevad
He GiaS In tha h6rueSa suAdanIv