The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-03-23
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
American Troops In Many
Raids.

Announcement that German troops
have occupied Odessa is one of the
most significant of recent develop
ments. This action by Germany, in
spite Of the conclusion of the so-called
peace with Russia was expected ul-
timately, but 1t came somewhat as q
surprise because of the fact that little
dad been heard of the Germans and
Austrians In that region.
The occupation of Odessa, the great
est Russian port on the Black sea, Is
.-.nfLtha- greatest Importance for several
reasons. First, 1t gives the Germans
control of the center of a great agri-
cultural section, the products of which
are desired to feed the 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 more-an advance over the
route to Persia and Afghanlstan, and
possibly India which Is to be followed
now that the British have severed the
famous Berlin and Bdgdad route to the
East.
The passing of Odessa into German
control will make possible the com
pletlon Of the German military line
across Russia from the Baltic at
Narva Isl miles from Petrograd) to
the Black sea. 1t gives the Germans
control not only of the resources of
the Ukraine, but of the bulk Of Rus
sia's grain stores and Of the vast ex-
port trade of Russia's southern prov
inces
Control of this territory opens
route for a German land drive into
the far East, by way of Baum, In
Trans-Caucasia (Which was taken
from Russia at Brest-Litovsk and CIV
en- to Turkey, Baku, across the
Caspian sea to Krasnovodsk, In Turke-
jtan, and through Merv to the border
Of Afghanistan, thus threatening the
indian empire.
Another route Is through Teheran
cross central Persia to 1spahan and
thence to Shiraz, to the Indian from
tier, spelling equal menace to Brit
in's far Eastern possessions.
ID
The carrying out by the Teutonic
powers of their plans for conquest in
the East brought from President Will
son a move which was declared to be
one of the boldest made by any gov
eminent since the war began. This
action was In the form of message
dispatched to the Russian congress OF
soviets In session at Moscow. In this
message President Wilson pledged the
power of the United States to secure
free Russia. He declared that the
United States twill avail itself Of ev-
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-
yarded as a second declaration of war
a declaration of war on the German
government until 1t is compelled to
,elinquish its hold on Russia. Inc
president proposed, in effect that the
United States and its allies shall nght
until Russia regains unimpaired SOW
ereignty and independence me mes
sage was also regarded as direct re-
ply to the recent address on peace
terms made by Count Ton Hertling' the
German chancellor
Ia
Reports from Jassy tell how the I'M
perialistic spirit of the central EN-
pires is showing itself in growing ue-
mands for concessions by Roumania.