Middletown transcript., 1918-09-07

| Meanwhile the allied expedition was
strengthened by the arrival of more
Americans, and Italy announced it
would send regiment there. The
japanese forces took control of the
Manchurian border, China having with
drawn her objections. The japanese
engaged the bolsheviki near Dauria,
and General Semenoff, anti-bolshevik
leader Of Cossacks. crossed the Siberi-
an border and captured Matsievski
station.
In the Country of the North" the
fighting of late has been in favor of
the Russo-allied troops. The bolshe-
wiki river flotilla, which caused them
some trouble. has been dispersed and
the Red guards have surrendered the
| town of Shenkursk, south of Archan-
gel, the last place of any size held by
them in the region.
News from the far East is likely
to be rather scanty in the future. for
| its dissemination has been taken in
charge by the Japanese. and they are
VIGOROUSLY close-mouthed concerning
military operations.
Reports from Albania have not been
very satisfactory lately. The Austri-
ans "came back" hard at the Franco
Italian forces and compelled them to
retire somewhat, retaking the town of
Berat. Later in the week the allies de-
feated the Austrians in two battles.
On the Italian front there was not
great deal doing. but the allies made
several successful raids and repulsed
all enemy attacks. American airmen
in Italy raided the big Austrian naval
base at POla, on the Adriatic.
a.
Both house and senate passed the
man-pOwer bill making the draft age
limits eighteen to forty-five inclusive.
Each body inserted its own amend
mcnts, hut most of these went by the
board in the conference. The most
important Of these was the senate
anti-Strille clause. The house con-
fcrees. led by Dent, absolutely refused
to accept this. and rather than risk
delay. the senate cOnfereeS consented
to sacrifice the amendment. One new
provision in the measure which will be
welcomed by all officers is that the
government shall furnish uniforms and
eUuipment to officers ut cost.
Continuing its efforts to clear up the
mudtled aircraft production situation,
and at the same time evading the de-
mand for the creation of Il separate
department of aeronautics. the ad
ministration made John p. Ryan an
assistant secretary Of war and director
of the air service. In starting on his
new work, Mr. Ryan made no boasts
or promises of what he would accom-
plish. hut said he hoped order would
soon be established in the airplane
branch and that quantity production
of military planes wcu;d he accom-
plished. The De Haviland as i'm
proved to meet all objections. he said.
are now being turned out rapidly and
orders for the Liberty II motor have
been increased from 22,500 to 10000.
Our allies like these engines so we'll
that we cannot keep up with their de-
mands for them.
First Assistant Secretary Of War
Benedict Crowell has been made di-
rector Of munitions and given the pow
or to Keep our forces supplied with ali
the munitions they require.
-E-
The long-expected shortage of gaSo-
line is developing, and consequently
the fuel administration last week re-
quested that for the present all auto
mobiles, motOrbOatS and motorcycles.
used for pleasure. he not used on Sun
days, in ell states east Of the Missis-
sippi river. AS the gasoline is needed
for war purposes. all patriotic owners
of cars accepted the request as COM
mand.
Members Of congress who have been
pacifists and anti-war Obstructionists
have been having hard time. to the
great satisfaction of all true patriots.
The list Of those turned down by their
constituents already includes Senator
Vartlaman of Mississippi and Repre-
sentatives Lundeen of Minnesota. Dill
lon Of South Dakota. Woods of Iowa,
McI.emore of Texas. CrOsser and Cor
don Of Ohio, Shackelford and Hamlin
Of Missouri, Keno Of Florida and Sloan
of Nebraska. Last week Cole BIease.
pacifist candidate for the senate in
South Carolina. was defeated. and
Henry Ford failed to get the Repub-
lican nomination in Michigan, though
the Democrats did accept him.