The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-07-27

1
Boche on his line Of defense. Sharp
fighting. Boche turned tail and ran
like HI, pursued by our troops. Hope
to have more prisoners" There were
numerous instances Of valor and nerve
in the desperate fighting in which the
Americans took part. These are the
troops which the German papers as
sert are fiabby, without enthusiasm
and unfit for serious operations.
The French soldiers displayed their
customary gallantry and determine
ton, and the Italians on that front
were not behind them In this. If more
stress Is laid on the bravery of the
Americans, 1t 10 only because the 9th
ers have proved themselves times
without number In the last four years.
All the latest reports Of the allies
state that the situation is entirely sat
isfactory and improving hourly.
y -
At first 1t was thought by many that
Ludendorff's offensive in the Marine
region was not intended to be his main
effort but masked q plan to attack
elsewhere, perhaps In Flanders. At
the end Of the week there were still
some observers who believed this, but
1t seemed very doubtful. At the same
time, it was hard to figure out how he
could expect to derive any great bene-
fit from success where he attacked
Even If he had attained his supposed
detectives and captured Epernay,
Chalons, the Mountain Of Reims and
Mont-Mirail he would be no nearer
decisive victory than before, and was
certain to lose an enormous number Of
men. Instead Of turning westward to-
ward Paris, he was attempting to
move to the east and south and the
road to the capital would still be
closed to him.
If Ludendorff really plans an often
sive In Flanders, the British there are
getting ready to meet 1t. Several times
last week they advanced their lines,
taking possession Of positions that ma
terially strengthened their defenses.
The British airmen were especially ac-
tive and there were numerous bomb
ing raids over territory held by the
Germans and on German towns.
-@-
The Franco-Ttalian troops in Albania
continued their victorious progress
last week and made their way we'll to
the north and east, threatening the
flank Of the enemy In Macedonia. The
political effect of this offensive already
Is becoming apparent in Austria Hun
gary.
Ia
The Chinese government has decid-
ed to send force to vladivostok to
cooperate with the allies, but 1t is
probable nothing more will be done
now except to protect the frontiers of
China. japan was much excited last
week over the proposition to send a
great expedition into Siberia. The
press insisted the United States had
submitted to Japan proposal for such
action, though this was not officially
confirmed.
The provisional government Of 81
beria located at Hardin, is growing In
strength, but may be reorganized soon
owing to dissatisfaction with General
Horvath, who put himself at Its head.
1t is said the Czecho- Slovaks have
These troops have driven the bolshe-
wiki entirely out Of Irkutsk and a
large force of them was reported to be
approaching Kransnoyarsk.
1t was revealed that a considerable
number of Americans have been sent
to the Murmansk coast to help guard
the supplies there. Lenine lie enraged
because those forces are In Russia and
has ordered them removed. There IL a
chance that he will declare war on the
allies, course which, naturally
enough, is strongly urged by the Ger
man press. In this connection 1t Is
to be noted that Prof. Paul Milukof,
leader Of the constitutional democrats,
has gone over to the Germans, saying
he would prefer united Russia I'M
der German protection to a country
broken up into many governments.
In Ukraine new revolts of the peas
ants are reported every few days. The
people are we'll armed and have aban-
doned their farms to fight the Germans
and the rada which is controlled by
them.
Id
Food Administrator Hoover made
public his plan for wheat and -four
control through the purchase Of wheat
by the government grain corporation.
The corporation will buy at stated
prices wheat graded according to the
department Of agriculture grade revi'
sion, which has just gone into effect,
The farmer can protect himself, says
Mr.. Hoover, by the study of the pri-
mary prices, deducting intermediate
charges or he can shin to the EreiH