The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-03-28
German Occupation of Odessa In
CreaseS Teutonic Menace
in East.
new ROAD TO india OPENED
President Wilson, In Message to Rus
Sian Soviets, Issues Def to Kaiser
--Amercan Troops in Many
Raids.

announcement tnat German troops
have occupied Odessa is one of the
most significant OF recent develop
mcnts. This action by Germany, in
spite Of the conclusion of the so-cnlled
peace With Russia, was expected ul-
timatelv but it came somewhat as
surprise because Of the fact that little
had been heard Of the Germans and
AuStrians In that region.
The occupation of Odessa the great
est Russian port on the Black sea. is
of the greatest Importance for several
reasons. First. it gives the Germans
control Of the center Of great agrl-
cultural section, the products Of which
are desired TO feed tho hungry peoples
OF the central empires.
With Odessa safely In their hands
the Teutons will have access to vast
stores Of wheat which can be trans
ported overland or by sea to points
where 1t can be readily shipped into
Austria and Germany
But the capture of Odessa Will mean
something morc-nn advance over Tic
route to Persia and Afghanistnn, and
possibly India. which is to be followed
now that the British have severed the
famous Berlin and Bngdnd route to the
East
The passing Of Odessa into German
control will make possible the com
plction Of the German military line
across Russia from the Baltic at
Narva (81 miles from Pctrograd) to
the Black sea. 1t gives the Germans
control not only Of the resources OF
the Ukraine. hut of the bulk of Rus
sia's grain stores and Of the vast OK
port trade Of Russias southern prov.
inces
Control Of this territory opens a
route for German land drive into
the far East by way OF Batum, in
Trans Caucasia (Which was taken
from Russia at Brcst-Litovsk and Civ
en- to Turkcy), Baku, across the
Caspian sea to Krasnovodsk, in Turke-
stan and through Merry to the border
Of Afghanistan, thus threatening the
Indian empire.
Another route is through Teheran,
across central Persia to Ispahan and
thence to ShirnZ, to the Indian from
tier spelling equal menace to Brit
ANS far Eastern possessions.
-lfa-
The carrying ont by the TeutOnic
powers of their plans for conquest in
the East brought from President VIII
son move which was declared to be
one Of the holdcst made by any gov
crnmcnt since the war began. This
action was In the form Of a message
n tn no Iot nf
SOvietS in session at Moscow. In this
message President Wilson pledged the
power Of the United States to secure
q free Russia. He declared that the
United States "wlll avail itself Of cv-
cry opportunity to secure for Russia
once more complete sovereignty and in
dependence in her own affairs and full!
restoration to her great role In the
life Of Europe and the modern world"
President Wilson's message was re-
gnrdcd as q second declaration Of war
II declaration of war on the German
government until it IS compelled to
president proposed, in effect. that the
United States and its allies shall fight
until Russia rcgains unlmpaired SOW
crcignty and independence. The mes
sage was also regarded as q direct re-
ply to the recent address on peace
terms made by Count Won HertlinG. the
German chancellor.
| -Ea--
Reports from Jn&&sy tell how the i'm
perialistic spirit OF the central en-
pires Is showing itself in growing de-
mapds for concessions by Roumania.