The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-01-12

On the whole the Russian situation
looks better for foes of Germany, and
their diplomats are prepared to take
advantage of it and to treat the Dol
sheviki leaders with some considera-
ton, since 1t seems probable the latter
will be Joined by the influential men
of other factions to oppose Teutonic
oppression.
French Victory in Italy.
The French forces on the italian
front started off the New Year right
with a beautifully organized and
well carried out attack on the enemy's
positions on Monte Toba. After del
uging the Fiftieth Austrian division
with artillery fire, the fine French in
fantry moved forward on two-mile
front and in short, sharp fight, took
the position with comparative ease,
capturing 1,400 prisoners-more than
they had men engaged The captiyes
were said to be in wretched condition
On the lower Pave the Italians
drove the invaders out of the Zen
son bend, and day or two later broke
up an attempted crossing in vessels at
Intestadura. The mountain passes be-
hind the Austrians are filled up with
snow, and re-enforcements and supply
conveys are held up on the Tyrol
frontier. The enemy aviators are max
ing repeated raids on Padua, TreyiSO
and other cities of northern italy, de-
voting themselves mainly to the de-
struction of architectural and art ile,.
ares, as is their "pleaA& ssep0o
Operations on the w&f front re
confined to raids and artillery d1eTs,
but allied aviators reported the contin-
uous arrival behind the lines of great
masses of German troops. General Al
( lenby sent word that he was making
satisfactory progress to the north of
Jerusalem, beating off attacks and TAX
ing many prisoners.
That Germany's disregard for Amer
icas entry into the war is feigned Is
proved by an official army order which
calls for a considerable number of new
aircraft units to combat the American
air fleets. It is to be hoped the kali
ser's anxiety on this score is justified,
though civilian experts do not report
| encouragingly concerning our prog
! ress in the manufacture of airplanes.
Ordnance Department Reorganized.
Results of the congressional investi-
cations of bureaucratic delays in fit
ting out Americas armies are coming
fast. The latest is the complete re-
organization of the ordnance depart
ment by which almost full control Of
the purchase and production of artil-
lery, rifles and ammunition is put in
civilian hands. A procurement diyi-
sion is established to negotiate all or
ders and contracts for such munitions,
and at the head of it is placed Samuel
McRoberts, executive manager of the
National City bank of New York.
Generals Crozier and Wheeler, nom
inal and acting chiefs of ordnance, are
shorn of most of their power but the
military officials of the department re-
tain control of the inspection and dis
tribution divisions.
Not satisfied with this reorganiza-
ton, and voicing the desires of great
many citizens, Senator Chamberlain
-, introduced bill providing for the Gre
alton of a munitions board and a di-
rector of munitions who shall be re-
sponsible directly to the president of
the United States and not to the sec
rotary of war. Other members of the
senate committee on military affairs
are backing Chamberlain's bill.
General Cocktails began the reor-
ganization of the quartermaster corps,
and let 1t be known that he will add
civilian experts to his bureau and will
cut red tape and disregard precedent
wherever necessary for the sake Of
efficiency and speed.
Presumably in response to the re-
quest Of General Pershing that only
comparatively young officers should be
put in command Of troops in France,
General Sibert second in rank to Per-
shing and General Mann, who com
manded the Rainbow division, have
been recalled to duty in America. Maj.
Gen. r. L. Billiard succeeds Sibert and
Maj. Gen. Charles 7. Menoher be-
comes commander of the Rainbow
boys.
Troops to Be Hurried Across.
The state department on Wednes-
day made public summary of the re-
suits of the inter-allied conference in
Paris, the outstanding part of which
was the recommendation to the Amer
lean government to send troops to the
battle fronts of Europe as speedily as
] possible. This Colonel House also