The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-02-23

1915, is said to have been selected to
lead 1t. Allied aviators report that the
kaiser has gathered about 100000
men there and that elaborate rehear-
sails are going on behind the lines.
Where the blow will fall has not been
revealed, but the commanders of the
allied armies evince no fear that 1t
cannot be repulsed. They have made
every preparation that their skill and
resources permit and are sitting tight.
All feeling-out movements by the enc
my have been checked and the French,
In their turn, have been making some
strong raids that carried them far in
to the German lines. In every way
possible the Germans have been seek
ing to test the strength of the Ameri-
can forces, and there are indications
that Pershing's men will be In the
thick of the fighting when Hindenburg
orders the forward movement.
1t Is believed In London, and hoped
by naval men, that Germany plans to
combine a naval drive with her spring
offensive. The kaiser is supposed to
have number Of REPRESENTATIVES,
which have not yet been In operation
and which may then be put to work.
Switzerland is growing very nerv-
Gus with fear that the kaiser will de-
termine to tear up another scrap of
paper and invade her territory In or
der to attempt to turn the right flank
Of the French armies. There have
been large concentrations Of German
troops near the Swiss frontier, and
Teutons in Zurich have openly boast
ed that the conquest of the little re-
public would be a matter of but
NV days. 1t wasssaid skeleton govern
ments for the cantons already had
been prepared by the authorities in
Berlin.
Just In case his spring drive doesn't
succeed as the allies are determined It
shall not, Wilhelm has been construct
Ing most elaborate and extensive sys-
TENS Of defensive works back of his
present lines all the way from the
North sea to the Swiss frontier.
Vice Admiral Sims went to Rome
last week, presumably to confer re-
garding plans to clear the Mediterra-
mean of U-boats, which have worked
havoc there with allied shipping for q
long time.
-n-
Efforts Of the government to recruit
a great army of shipyard workers are
meeting with considerable success, but
the work of building our marine was
threatened by prospective strike Of
10000 members Of the marine wood
workers union. They demanded $6.40
day instead of the $3.50 allowed by
the shipping board, and the govern
ment got busy at once to try to settle
the dispute.
Chairman Hurley of the shipping
board sent telegram to the union
heads warning them that the fathers
who have sent their sons to war will
not long permit continued interference
with the shipping program and urging
that the workmen continue their labers
and trust to the fairness of the wage
adjustment board.
Charges Of gross mismanagement
and reckless spending Of money In
connection with the new government
shipyard at Hog Island, Pr. having
been made, the president ordered an
investigation to determine whether
there had been any criminal misuse of
funds. Rear Admiral Bowles, general
manager of the Emergency Fleet cor
poration, said he was confident all ex-
penditures ordered by the board would
be vindicated.
Ma
Reorganization In the war depart
ment res ched the general staff last
week. 1t has been restored to its for
mer power and under General March
as acting chief Of staff are now FIVE
new members-Generals Pierce. Jer-
vey and Graves, and Colonel Ketchan.
Ia
Owing to good work by Director
General McAdoo and his assistants and
milder weather, traffic conditions have
greatly improved, and Fuel Con-
troller Garfield felt warranted In re-
scinding the order for heatless Mon
days. The railroads are now giving
much attention to the transportation
of corn and wheat, for the former
must be marketed and the distribution
Of wheat and -four still is very faulty.
Pa
Bolo Pasha, the Levantine 6nancier
who conspired to break down the
French morale and to bring about a
dishonorable peace and who was
financed by Germany, was found guilty
Of high treason and sentenced to death.
"They order those things better In
France" as Uncle Toby used to say.