The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-02-16

nalf more this year may be realized.
ar. Baker was sharply challenged in
regard to that forecast, and admitted
that it might not be exact. On the
other hand, Rear Admiral Harris Of
the naval bureau of yards and docks,
was rather optimistic concerning the
shipbuilding progress, stating that un-
der favorable conditions the govern
ment would complete this year its orig
inal program of 100000 tons of con-
struction. Chairman Flood of the
house foreign affairs committee also
added cheerful note when he said
the United States twill furnish more
men and more money for the war in a
far shorter time than has been the
fondest hope Of our own people or the
nations with which we are associated"
-E-
Directly connected with the question
Of ocean transportation is the propo-
sitiOn of the British government that
$50 battalions of Americans be trained
in English camps so they can be hur-
ried to the front in Flanders and to
the sector held by General Pershing.
This would serve to relieve the exist
ing congestion at the French ports
where Americans now are debarked.
This and similar plans are still under
discussion.
Although General Maurice, director
of military operations, says the allies
are still numerically superior on the
west front and have no fear of the re-
suits Of the expected German drive
there, Great Britain and France are
urging America to get as many men
as possible into the fighting lines.
The German concentration movement
has been going on steadily and the
German press says all Is ready to
strike the blow whenever Hindenburg
says the word, and that the greatest
battle Of the war Is about to begin.
Hindenburg himself gave the world a
laugh the other day when he told
group of editors that he would be in
Paris by next April 1.
-m-
During the week the Germans at
tackled the French rather strongly in
the Aisne and Verdun regions but
We're utterly repulsed All along the
west front the activity of the aerial
forces reached high pitch, and the
artillery fighting was continuous. The
American expeditionary force, whose
sector has been revealed as lying east
Of ST. Mihiel and north of Nancy, was
subjected to every form Of attack the
enemy could devise, and stood it all
well, replying vigorously and effective
ly. There is no lingering doubt as to
how well and bravely Pershing's boys
will fight. Tho accurate fire Of their
batteries is especially noteworthy.
IA
4 There has been little change In the
situation in Italy, the invaders having
lost ground If anything. The Italian
aviators did excellent work In bombing
the enemy's rear lines and munltion
stations, while the Boche airmen de-
voted their efforts mainly, and charac-
teristically, to attacks on Venice, Trev-
iso, Padua and Mestre, where the
greatest damage they could do was to
women and children, hospitals and
architectural treasures.
IA
Uncle Sam is putting the clamps on
the enemies within his borders In
way that probably will check their ne
farious operations. In New York
Franz Won Rintelen and six of his fell
low conspirators were found guilty and
given the maximum sentence. The en-
forced registration Of all enemy aliens
was begun throughout the country.
The governments determination to
keep out spies and epidemic-causlng
germs sent by the Germans was ex-
emplified in the minute examination
given the passengers and cargo of a
Dutch steamship that arrived at New
York. OF necessity most Of the secret
service work Of the government re-
mains secret, but It's increasing effec-
tiyeness becomes apparent.
Ia
Milder weather and the earnest ef-
forts Of the men who run the railways
served to relieve the coal famine to a
considerable extent, though fuel condi-
lions are very bad, especially in the
Atlantic coast states. The federal fuel
administration took over the control
of fuel oil.
Food Administrator Hoover placed
more stringent restrictions on the use
Of wheat and meat throughout the
country. and ordered all public eating
houses to observe a two-ounce ration
Of wheat bread. The people are urged
to make larger use of potatoes in or
der to save wheat, the crop of the tu-
Der being the biggest the country ever
had.