The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1918-03-19
THE ADVERTISERS SEM-WEEKlY
The Week In the War

~ ed no important offensives for many weeks
The opposing forces appear to be satisfied to keep
each other occupied in minor operations. The
big guns thunder along, small sectors are from
time to time attacked The purpose appears tc
be to keep the enemy from materially strengthen
ing its position and to retard preparations fol
strong offensives. "'
More and more the American soldiers com,
ing into the limelight. 1t is true that they still
occupy comparatively small area and the mum,
Der of men in the fighting lines is small in com,
parison to the French and British forces but the
United States is now represented and its repre-
sentatives are making good showing, giving a
good account of themselves The craftsmanship
of the artillery forces is being specially compli
mented in accounts that come from this theater
We are told that by July, little more than three
months from now there will be sufficient NUM-
Der of American built air craft to give our sol
diers the protection which they require.
One Of the important developments of last week
was the step taken to bring about better Under
standing and coordination between the wat
council the heads of departments and of bureaus
OF the war department and senate and house com,
rnitteemen. The legislators are being taken into
the confidence of the department heads and fire.
nuents conferences are to be held, it is reported
Ratification of the Brest-Litovsk treaty by the
Russian congress of soviets and further progress
towards peace between Rumania and the Central
Powers have been developments OF the utmost i'm
portance They were not unexpected but their re
aIization makes the difficulties of the situation fol
the Allies the more clear.
Il In this connection comes up the question of a
Japanese expedition into Siberia. Naturally the
anti Japanese element take the opportunity to ex
press distrust led by the Hearst papers and their
k but the really big men of the Entente Allies
have not hestated to express their confidence and
their faith in Japan.
As to- this expedition the Japanese themselves
hesitate Official dispatches received yesterday
said that it is realized in Japan that the situation
is delicate without the support of this country
Reports thus far have been that although the
, United States may not Join in the request Of the
Entente Allies to Japan, it will offer no opposition
to the expedition Indications multiply that Japan
must act and will act in the early future Unless
such actionfis taken shipping on the Pacific may
be exposed to grave dangers from raiders leaving
Siberian ports
On the Atlantic the submarine situation has
shown little change British merchantmen losses
were a little above recent averages and French
losses were at a minimum. In the Mediterranean
decided improvement could be seen.
Advices say the blockade has been taken over
by the United States and the minister of the
" different duties from those which he formerly
performed. Such policy is indicated in the United
States taking the lead in demanding Dutch ship
ping for use IN the danger zone. The utimatum
sent by this country to the Netherlands in which
Great Britain joins, is OF the utmost importance
1t is small wonder it has stirred the German press
to wrath for the securing of those ships will tc
large extent nullify the damage which subma
rine ruhlessness has occasioned to Great Britain
and the Allies Besides this it is purposed to arm
these ships and to man each Of them with trained
gun crews, condition which does not please the
kindly hearted Hun who has an aversion to the
loss of lives when those lives his sailors
and much prefers the unwarned attack and sink
ing of an unarmed craft laden with helpless anc
hapless women and children.
Developments in this Dutch ship situation may
be expected to eliminate during the coming week
w. S. S.
TT