Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-18
Is Headquarters High
Command of Russian
Black Sea Fleet and
Also Gives the Ger
mans a Water Route
of Great Value
Through Rich Coun-
try to Black Sea
SOVIETS HAVE
DISSOLVED
No Change in Siberian Situation
With Approach of Spring
Increased Activity Is Noted in
All T h eatres- Americans
Ever Alert

All IL { q - AUlcilCduS
Ever Alert
With the ratification of the treaty of
peace with Germany the Soviet Con-
gress in Moscow has dissolved But
the Germans have not vet ceased their
inroads into Russia's richest territory
in the South. Nikolayev, the great
navy yard city. northeast of Odessa
and headquarters of the high command
of the Russian Black sea fleet is the
latest prize that has been wrested
from the Russians. Situated at the
mouth of the Bug river, the capture
of the town gives the Germans a water
route of great value through the rich
agricultural country from SVolhynia to
the Black sea.
Nikolayev, which lies about 40 miles
north-northwest of kherson, on the
Bug river, in the Estuary of the Dnie-
per has occupied a, prominent place in
the naval defenses of Russia. 1t has q
great navy yard and is the seat of n,
military governor who is commander of
the Black sea fleet. The approaches to-
the city are strongly fortified. Its pop
ulation numbers about 900.
Up to the last some of the chief MEM
bers of the Soviet Congress opposed
the harsh terms of the Germans, but
to no avail. Several Of them sounded
warnings of a further German attack
and Of the necessity for Amalgamating
for resistance. Before adjournment
the congress approved the removal of
the capital from Petrograd to Moscow,
and late dispatches say that Petrograd
has now been completely evacuated
No change i'll the situation in Siberia
has been noted. AS late as Saturday,
the Japanese according to Premier
Terauchi has not decided what should
be done by Japan with regard to the
menace Of the BOlsheviki and the Ger
man elements who are aiding them in
their region of terror in Siberia
While the opposite party in Japan
continues it's efforts to prevent the
sending OF troops to Siberia. almost
the entire press of the country favors
Japanese intervention
With the approach of spring each day
witnesses an increase in the fighting ac-
tivity. In every theatre, except Russia
the infantry and artillery are hard at
work. From the North sea to the Swiss
frontier no day has passed without nu-
merous patrol encounters. which At
times reach the intensity almost Of bat
ties. and artillery duels of violence bu,
little shore of the great exchanges OF
shells which in the past year reached
the highwater mark of intensity.
PrOba blV the most ambitions 30 ~ -.
attempts by the belligerents to pierce an
opposing line has been made by the
French troops over wide front in the
Verdun sector The attack was delivered
alter preparatory artillery fire lasting Il
hours according to the Berlin war office.
out was checked. That the fighting was
sanguinary is indicated by the statement,
mat the troops came into hand-to-hand
encounter Berlin claims that at another
point IN this region the Germans nen..
trated French positions and canturad aoo
prisoners, including the staff Of one ba,-
TALON.
Al numerous points along the Britis-,
front Field Marshal Haig's men are under
neaF! commandments from the Germans
particularly violent has been the pound.
ihs the shells along the Bapaume-Cam-
orai ROAD, in the Scarpe valley a,.,
around Lens. Only one enemy rr,,.u,.
a'tack was attempted This occurra,,
north of Lens and was ren,1sed m
british were successful in similar M,
heu'eEs near Epehy and GavreI,o
Oh .he American front near Toni III.
INC 'eais are ever on the alert and
equen'iy open up with the guns
he
"so'e' 'he Germans and compel the
enemy 10 eNacuate positions under fra
fos's occupied by snpers and listeners
"nu hes's Oh machine gunners recently
nave pcen effectively taken care OF nv
me American gunners. The Germans
'o"eNer' are not permitting the mon
i,oii' o'erseas TO do all the shooting for
'no9 themselves are at times puttine
'he americans under an cxtraordinarilv
aIl'iierS IRE in which explosive
o"ei'S Vi large calibre ard gas missiles
az hseo. me Toul sector apparently
mas been picked by the Germans a.
laNorite spot upon which to exne,s
thelf hoxious gases. although Lunevilla
mas not been forgotten by them in th;s
respect. 'i''
ihoicatlonS are not wanting from tha
increase IN the activity on the Austro-
IiailaH front that the Austro- Germanut
from their northern line intend shor.
~ another attempt TO force their way
out upon the plains and into open war.
rare with the Italians and the British |
ana French troops sent there to REIN
force them. Several contingents form. |
Ing accommodating parties have been
put to flight by the Italians in Tho
mountain region. The Italians them.
selves have successfully engineered
- cnsives in the region of Montai
AstolnA .a...1s1
continued on Page 10-cei. 4,