Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-01-04
WEEKLY REVIEW OF THE WAR

Each day brings the Great War
nearer the end That is a statement
that is perfectly safe for it must end
sometime But each day too moves
The hand of the clock nearer to the
time when the United States will be
definitely in the conflict, and that
will mean nearer to the finish.
IN the past week the events of COM
handing Importance at home have been
he appointment of a Munitions Board
for the better administration of the
ordnance department: the actual ap-
ration of the railroads by government
ontrol: tie return Of two Command
ars. Mann and Sibert. from France,
4nd the fire causing great loss in
Norfolk. Va. supposed TO have been
the work of incendiaries and bomb
conspiratOrs.
IN Europe the operations of armies
have given way IN Importance to the
peace negotiations between the Ger
man and Russian representatives.
Russia it is reported Disguised at the
German demands that their garrisons
be left at strategic points, ostensibly
to enforce the peace articles or to in
sure their effectiveness, has deter
mined to withdraw and that will mean
All end to this Bolsheyik dream. If
true Germany will be compelled to re-
sumo fighting and with her disorgan-
lied condition Russia can scarcely
make decisive defense but it will
keep the German Eastern army occu-
pied.
1t is probable that this has been
discounted by Germany and that the
statements that there have been great
bodies of troops moved to the Western
front from the Russian frontier. have
been exaggerated. At least the troops
are not yet in evidence i'll the offensive
either against the English or French.
With persistence and dash, the Brit
ish have made another hole in the new
German front near Cambria and while
not gaining the advanced positions
following the Byng assault and battles
of several days, the puncture is one
that hurts. Nor have the Germans
been more successful in the many as
saults on the French line.
The surprising news of the week is
the manner in which the Italian troops
aided by the men of France, some Eng
lish and a few Americans are com
ing back They have succeeded in
driving the Central powers across the
Piave and saved Venice from capture
for a time longer. If the line holds,
there is assurance that the winter will
bring nothing new in the way of an adj
vance into the plains of Italy. aud the
Italian campaign will be but another
Verdun.
Progress is being made in Palestine
and the Turks are being driven fur
Their and further north from Jerusa-
lem. In America S100000.000 is to be
raised among the Jews, for the rehab-
ilitation and future colonization of
the Holy Land.
The effect of the entrance of the
United States into the war on the Ger
man people is just becoming apparent
and all the energies of the German
government press seem to be bent on
preparing the people for the future
and at the same time attempting to dis
count the value of the American ar
my. The air raids over Germany i'll
the past ten days seem to have Weakened
the German population to some great
er realization of the horrors that may
come to them. and bring home some of
the ruthless murders perpetrated by
Zeppelins on non-combatants in Eng
land and France.