The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-10-12

line, were the centers of bloody COM
bats for days, and Fayet, only about
q mile and half from st. Quentin,
also was the scene of terrific fighting.
BY taking Selency the French estab-
lished themselves in strong positions
two miles from the western environs Of
st. Quentin. 1t seemed evident that
Marshal Foch could capture that city
at any time he wished, but at an ex-
pense in lives which he was endeavor-
ing to avoid by the slower method Of
Investment.
-a-
The news of the week was so good
that it seems necessary once more to
warn the people of the United States
against undue optimism concerning the
early coming Of peace. Allied COM
handlers and statesmen agree in the
opinion that unless there is sudden
and unexpected collapse Germany cap
well hold out for at least another year,
and that we must make all our prepare
tons for war that will not end before
1920, If then. Moreover, the prevail
ing idea that the morale Of the German
soldiers has greatly declined is mistak-
on. They are still in most cases fight
! ing hard, despite their recent reverses,
and low morale is observable mainly
in prisoners, where 1t is to be expect
ed. Germany is by no means at the
end of her resources. the distance 10
the Rhine is great and her resistance
) 1870. hc.ezFaaected- to gresy ser the
closer the allied armies / &i1 @erman
territory. The final GU se4se, us has
| been said many times y tiEs review,
is not in doubt, but the greatest blows
for civilization and freedom are yet
to be dealt.
Ia
Imperial Chancellor Won Hertling,
addressing the main committee of the
reichstag, made a very blue speech,
admitting the deep discomfort of the
German people and the gravity of the
situation. His effort to defend the
government was regarded as failure
and his own downfall was predicted,
Won Hertling made a bitter attack on
President Wilson, and said that though
he had accepted the four principles of
a democratic peace laid down by Mr..
Wilson, the president had not deigned
to reply. This is false, as Won Hertling
accepted only the first four Of Will
sons first set of fourteen planks and
then stated that Germany would make
peace with each belligereRt separate
ly and deal with Poland independents
ly. The rest of the planks he re-
| jected.
Hollands food situation has become
so distressing that the Dutch cabinet
is trying hard to effect an arrangement
by which the offer of the United
/ States can be accepted This, in a
/ word, is that foodstuffs will he sent
I from this country, under guaranty
against their transportation, provided
| Holland will send her own ships to
| get them. The Dutch feel that they
must first make an arrangement with
| Germany and obtain formal guaranty
| that their vessels will not be sunk or
seized, for If they were she would
| probably be forced into the war. 1t
| is difficult situation for the Dutch
| and they are entitled to muth sympa-
thy, but to great extent their food
| troubles are due to the greed of their
own food profiteers who for long
| time imported provisions only to sell
| them to the Germans at extraordinary
prices.
Ia
The campaign for the fourth Liberty
loan of $6,000000,000 opened Satur-
day morning with immense enthusiasm
exhibited in every city, town and vii
lage of the country. The people are
as determined as is the government to
make this loan swift and overwhelm-
ing success, for they now fully realize
| that In thus lending their money to
themselves they are providing the
means of keeping the Huns from TAX
ing it from them by force. And that
is only the selfish part Of their view.
They also know that the loan is vital
ly necessary to the salvation Of hui
mainly the world over.
Ia
By concurring in the prohibition
amendment to the agricultural extern
sion bill the house of representatives
last week made 1t certain that the
country would be "bone dry" from July
Il, 1919, until the war is over and the
armed forces demobilized. The manu-
facture of wine will cease on May !
next. The president already has or
dered the cessation of the making Of
beer after December /